When malls were still vogue, Santa was always one of the big attractions every December. But with those days mostly gone — Spring Hill Mall in West Dundee/Carpentersville, the area’s last enclosed shopping center, has a date with the wrecking ball — where do you bring the tots when they want to make sure St. Nick knows exactly what’s on their wish list?
As it turns out, there are more than a few options if you’re hoping for a one-on-one with Jolly Old Elf. Here are some of the options:
FESTIVALS/ORGANIZED EVENTS
Cookies & Cocoa with Santa: Hanover Township is hosting a get-together with Santa from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at the Izaak Walton Youth Center, 899 Jay St., Elgin. Families can decorate cookies, create holiday crafts and take photos with Santa. Registration is not required. For more information, call 630-483-5799 or email info@hanover-township.org.
Dickens in Dundee: Santa will be inside East Dundee’s The Depot at 319 N. River St. from 6 to 9 p.m. and at West Dundee Village Hall, 102 S. Second St., from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, during the annual Dickens in Dundee festival hosted by both towns. For more information, go to eastdundee.net/things_to_do/village_community_events/dickens_in_dundee.php and www.dickensindundee.org.
Grafelman Park: From noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, Santa will be talking to visitors and taking free photos at the park’s gazebo, 112 N. 5th St., West Dundee. For information, go to www.dickensindundee.org.
Santa is greeted by visitors outside The Depot in downtown East Dundee after being dropped off by a fire truck during the 2023 Dickens in Dundee festival. (Paul Sweigert)
Winter Open House: The Elgin Police Department is hosting a holiday open house from 10 to noon Saturday, Dec. 7, at the downtown police station, 151 Douglas Ave. As part of the event, Santa will be on hand from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Guests also can take part in contests, wear seasonal outfits and ugly holiday sweaters, and to get creative by making an ornament for the department’s Christmas tree. For information, call 847-289-2749.
Holiday in the Hollow: Sleepy Hollow Service Club’s annual holiday event in Sabatino Park, 145 Thorobred Lane, will include visits with Santa starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. One lucky person will help Santa flip the switch to light seven trees and a flagpole in the park. For more information, go to www.sleepyhollowil.org/community/page/service-club-events.
Carpentersville Tree Lighting: After Santa flips the switch for the village of Carpentersville’s holiday tree, he’ll meet with children from 4:40 to 6:30 p.m Saturday, Dec. 7, in Triangle Park at Main and Washington streets. Free hot cocoa, coffee, doughnuts and mini Mexican pastries will be available. Kids can assemble a mini project kit at the Home Depot workshop station and write letters to Santa at a station where they can mail them while at the park. For more information, go to www.cville.org/550/Winterville-2024.
Winterfest: Santa will be on hand at Randall Oaks Zoo, 1180 N. Randall Road, West Dundee, from noon to 8 p.m. on Dec. 7-8, 14, 17 and 21-22. Guests are welcome to meet with him and take their own photos. Regular admission rates apply. For information, go to www.dtpd.org/winterfest.
Jolly Stop: Dundee Township Park District is holding a meet-and-greet with Santa from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, in the Adult Activities Center at the Rakow Center, 665 Barrington Ave., Carpentersville. The night will feature holiday crafts, Christmas carols and letter drop-offs at Santa’s mailbox. Pre-registration is required for any child ages 2 to 12 who wants a visit with Santa. Registration is $5 for township residents and $7 for nonresidents. For more information, go to www.dtpd.org/jolly-stop.
Pancake breakfasts: Three Fires Council Scouting America will hold two galactic, all-you-can-eat pancake breakfasts with Santa and outer space icons at 8 and 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Camp Big Timber, 37W955 Big Timber Road, Elgin. Tickets are $12 for children, $20 for adults, and $55 for a family 4-pack. For more information, go to www.galactic-santa.org.
Rosie O’Hare’s Public House: Santa will be available for photos and chats from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, at Rosie O’Hare’s Public House, 702 Water St., East Dundee. No reservations or purchase required. A breakfast menu with options for children will be available. Danny McDade will be performing Celtic carols and other Irish music. Cookies and small gifts for children will be provided. For more information, call 847-426-1116 or email rosiesparties@gmail.com.
Family photos with Santa: Platt Hill Nursery, 2400 Randall Road, Carpentersville, is hosting Santa from 10 a.m. to noon for familes who want take photos with him and 1 to 3 p.m. for anyone who’d like a photo of Santa with their pet on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14-15. All animals should be well mannered, on a leash or in a crate. For more information, call 847-428-6767.
Magical Christmas Drive-Thru Experience: As part of Santa’s Village’s annual light display at 601 Dundee Ave. in East Dundee, Santa will be on hand from 5 to 9:30 p.m. nightly through Monday, Dec. 23. Tickets are $35 per carload, with up to six passengers in each vehicle allowed to meet Santa and take photos with him. For tickets and more information, go to santasvillagedundee.com/magical-christmas-drive-thru-experience.
AREA RESTAURANTS
- Aliano’s Ristorante, 310 N. River St., East Dundee: A breakfast with Santa will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. A variety of meal options will be available, craft projects for kids offered and photo opportunities with Santa provided. For more information, go to alianosdundee.com/events/breakfast-with-santa-2.
- Elgin Public House, 219 E. Chicago St., Elgin: A breakfast buffet with Santa will be offered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. Attendees are welcome to take their own photos with Santa. For more information, go to www.elginpublichouse.com/events/santa-claus-is-coming-to-eph.
- El Molino, 2112 Elgin Road, Carpentersville: Breakfast with Santa is being held from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, Dec. 8. Tickets are $30 for anyone 13 or older, $20 for ages 3 to 12, and free for children 2 and younger. Tickets include a buffet breakfast, hot cocoa bar, cookie decorating, crafts and photos with Santa. For information and tickets, go to elmolino1984.com/events/ImdSORJrgUiH.
- The Highland Loft Event Venue, 168 E. Highland Ave., Elgin: Breakfast with Santa will be served from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. Tickets are $22 for ages 13 and older and $15 for ages 12 to 2. Admission includes breakfast, hot cocoa, decorations, music, festivities, a gift from Santa and a sugar cookie to decorate and take home. For tickets, go to www.eventbrite.com/e/enjoy-breakfast-with-santa-tickets-1091573167729.
- Nick’s Pizza & Pub, 990 S. Randall Road, Elgin: Santa will be visiting with diners from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12. For more information call, 847-531-5550.
Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
