Desperately Seeking Santa? Bring the Kids to Meet St. Nick in Your Town

NAPERVILLE

Visit Santa House

WHAT: Kids can visit with Santa Claus and his elves at this Naperville Park District event. 
WHERE:
WHEN: On the weekends of Dec. 2 to 4 and Dec. 9 to 11, 5 to 8 p.m. Fridays and noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; on the weekend of Dec. 15 to 18, 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; and on the week of Dec. 19 to 23, 2 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Special needs nights are from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 5 to 8, and pet night is from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 1.
COST: Free
MORE INFO: Visit the Park District's website, or call 630-848-5000   

Jaycees Santa Train

WHAT: The popular one-hour train rides depart from Naperville and travel to the Brookfield area, switch tracks and return to Naperville, allowing children time to meet and talk with Santa, sing songs and play games along the way.
WHERE: Departing from and returning to Naperville's Fifth Avenue Train Station
WHEN: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 3
COST: Tickets are available for purchase online at $15 for children older than 1 year old, and $5 for those younger than a year.
MORE INFO: Email jcinfo@naperjaycees.org or call 630-961-9375

Holiday Tree Lighting

WHAT: Trees will be lit, and Santa, hot cocoa, cookies, music, and holiday cheer will be on hand.
WHERE: Main Street at Seven Bridges, 6320 Main St.
WHEN: 6 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2
COST: Free
MORE INFO: Check out , or call 630-960-7080

Santa Story Hour

WHAT: This event is for 1- to 8-year-olds, who are encouraged to dress in pajamas and slippers to join Santa and his elves for holiday fun.
WHEN: 6 to 6:45 and 7:15 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18
WHERE: Community Center's Hickory-Oak Room
COST: $9 per resident and $13 for each nonresident; registration required
MORE INFO: Visit Woodridge Patch's event listing or call 630-353-3300

Santa Comes to St. Scholastica

WHAT: Enjoy a free visit and photo with Santa, while Mrs. Claus' kitchen will be selling hot dogs, nachos, cookies and beverages.   
WHERE:
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3
COST: Free to attend; snacks will be available for purchase at a nominal cost
MORE INFO: View Woodridge Patch's

Pizza with Santa

WHAT: Eat pizza with Santa, make holiday crafts and go on an outdoor candy cane hunt, weather permitting.
WHERE:
WHEN: 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2
COST: $7 for residents, $10 for nonresidents
MORE INFO: Visit Darien Patch's event listing, or call 630-968-6400

Cookies with Santa

WHAT: Kids can take part in photos with Santa, cookies, games and crafts.
WHERE:
WHEN: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4
COST: Free
MORE INFO: Visit Darien Patch's event listing, or call 630-325-9220

Tree Lighting

WHAT: While school choirs sing, enjoy treats and visit with Santa.
WHERE:
WHEN: 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4
COST: Free
MORE INFO: Visit Darien Patch's event listing

Santa Visits Toy Store

WHAT: Santa will arrive Saturday morning on the back of a firetruck, and be at the store listening to kids' Christmas wishes for two days. Parents can take pictures for free with their own cameras.
WHERE:
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4
COST: Free
MORE INFO: Visit Darien Patch's event listing, or call 630-435-5900

Hometown Holiday

WHAT: Families can take photos with Santa Claus during Lemont's annual Hometown Holiday celebration Saturday.
WHERE:
WHEN: 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3
COST: Free
MORE INFO: Call the village of Lemont at 630-243-2700

Breakfast with Santa

WHAT: Families can have a delicious waffle breakfast with Santa Claus. Kids can take photos with Santa, make holiday crafts and play games while they wait.
WHERE:
WHEN: 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, Dec. 18
COST: Individual tickets are $8 for residents and $12 for nonresidents in advance, or $9 for residents and $13 for nonresidents on the day of the event. Group entry for a family of four is $27 for residents with $7 for each additional person, and  $31 for residents with $8 for each additional person.
MORE INFO: Call 630-257-6787

Milk and Cookies with Santa   

WHAT: The event will include a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus over milk and cookies, as well as bingo, prizes and face painting.   
WHERE:
WHEN: 9:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3
COST: Free
MORE INFO: 630-243-3451

Pajama Party with Santa

WHAT: At the Bolingbrook Park District's annual Pajama Party with Santa event, each family will receive a free picture with Santa and have a chance to play games and create crafts. Cookies and milk will be served. Kids can also give Santa their Christmas lists.
WHERE:
WHEN: 6 to 7 and 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9
COST: $15 for first child; $10 for each additional child
MORE INFO: Check out , or call 630-739-0272   

Breakfast with Santa

WHAT: DuPage Township is partnering with Heart Haven Outreach to provide food, entertainment and a Santa appearance.
WHERE:
WHEN: 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3
COST: Tickets are on sale now for $4 per person. Only 250 tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
MORE INFO: View , or call 630-759-1317  

Breakfast with Santa

WHAT: DuPage Township Food Pantry is hosting this holiday event for clients.
WHERE:
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 17
COST: Free
MORE INFO: Call 815-886-7986

Tree-Lighting Festival and Winter Wonderland   

WHAT: Santa will be part of the tree-lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Kids can also enjoy games, inflatables, a book fair, crafts, face-painting and a picture with Santa for the first 300 children. Outdoor activities include live reindeer, horse-drawn wagon rides and ice sculptures.
WHERE:
WHEN: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9
COST: Admission cost is one nonperishable food item per person to benefit the annual drive by Hope for the Holidays, which provides holiday meals to Romeoville families in need.
MORE INFO: Visit Romeoville Patch's

Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus

WHAT: Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus
WHERE: Lockport branch, 121 E. 8th St.
WHEN: 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10
COST: Free
MORE INFO: Visit , or call 815-838-7500

Santa Paws   

WHAT: Have your pet's photo taken with Santa Claus to benefit the Romeoville Humane Society at the third annual event
WHERE:
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10   
COST: For a $5 donation, guests will get a photo of their pet with Santa. There will also be raffles and gift items for sale.
MORE INFO: Visit 

Holiday Spectacular   

WHAT: The Heritage Theater Company will present a holiday show filled with songs, skits, improv and more. Guests can also pose for photos with Santa and his holiday helpers onstage.
WHERE: Philip Lynch Theatre
WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, Friday, Dec. 9, and Saturday, Dec. 10
COST: General admission is $10; tickets are $2 for Lewis community members and half-price for anyone who donates a non-perishable food item to benefit area food pantries.
MORE INFO: Visit Romeoville Patch's

Lunch with Santa

WHAT: Kids can have lunch with Santa Claus and have their photos taken with U.S. Marines in a fundraiser for Toys for Tots.
WHERE: restaurant, 13717 U.S. 30.
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 3 and Dec. 11
COST: Pizza lunch buffet is $7 for adults; $5 for children. Reservations are requested. Photos are free and will be taken at the Milton Agency, which is next door to Rosal's.
MORE INFO: Visit www.facebook.com/miltonagency or call 815-553-2644

Breakfast/Lunch with Santa

WHAT: Breakfast/lunch with Santa, part of 's Holiday Open House.
WHERE: Breakfast with Santa is at , 24522 W. Lockport St.; Lunch with Santa is at , 24204 W. Lockport St.
WHEN: Breakfast is 8 a.m. to noon, lunch is 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 10
COST: Breakfast is $4.35 for children 10 and under; call 815-436-3055 for reservations. Lunch specials start at $7.95; call for reservations, 815-733-5212.
MORE INFO: Go to www.mainstreetplainfield.org or call 815-436-5510.

Journey to the North Pole

WHAT: Families take a wagon ride to the North Pole, where they are read the "Polar Express," meet with Santa and his elves, and have hot chocolate and cookies. Sponsored by the .
WHERE: Four Season Park, 22500 W. Lockport St.
WHEN: 4 to 10 p.m. Dec. 9
COST: $7 for residents, $10.50 for non-residents.
MORE INFO: Go to www.plainfieldparkdistrict.com or call 815-436-8812.

Santa's Workshop

WHAT: Families join Santa and his elves for snacks, crafts and games. Sponsored by the .
WHERE: , 12425 S. Van Dyke Road
WHEN: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13
COST: $12 for residents, $18 for non-residents.
MORE INFO: Go to www.plainfieldparkdistrict.com or call 815-436-8812.

Toys for Tots Event

WHAT: Santa will be on hand for free photos as part of a Toys for Tots drop-off event.
WHERE: , 1614 S. Lincoln Highway
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 17
COST: Free
MORE INFO: Go to www.­billja­cobsplainfield.­com or call 815-436-2071.

Christmas Walk

WHAT: The village's annual Christmas Walk will include an appearance by Santa Claus.
WHERE:
WHEN: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2
COST: Free
MORE INFO: Read an on Oswego Patch.

YMCA Breakfast with Santa   

WHAT: A sausage-and-pancake breakfast will be served at this annual festive family event.
WHERE:
WHEN: 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3
COST: The cost is $4 per person. Children 2 and younger are free.
MORE INFO: Visit Oswego Patch's .

Tree Lighting

WHAT: The village's annual tree lighting ceremony includes holiday music provided by local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
WHERE:
WHEN: 5 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4
COST: Free
MORE INFO: Visit , or call the Greater Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce at 630-897-8137