You better watch out, you better not cry. . . . You know the rest, but there’s a catch. Santa’s already here.
He arrived Nov. 9 at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, escorted by a marching band, and he plans to visit with as many children as he can before heading back north on Dec. 24.
Chances are he’s already busy meeting and eating with kids at other places throughout the northwest suburbs too.
But Woodfield has a way to make the kids’ visit to Santa as painless as possible, at least for parents. You can now make an appointment to see him.
Santa Express allows parents to schedule a five-minute session with Santa before the mall opens so they don’t have to wait in a long line during regular mall hours.
“We have such a tremendous turnout for our Santa program because we have so many visitors on a daily basis,” said Paula Guiliano, marketing director for Woodfield Mall. “There’s only so much time in the day.”
Santa’s personal calendar allows for appointments one hour before the mall opens Mondays through Fridays through Dec. 13. Call Santa’s personal secretary in the mall’s marketing office at 847-330-0035 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Visits with Santa Claus take place in front of the mall’s 50-foot Christmas tree, said to be the largest in the northwest suburbs.
If they’re brave enough, kids can sit with Santa on his velvet throne and tell him what they want for Christmas. “It’s a wide enough chair so that adults can sit next to him too,” Guiliano said.
This year, Santa also can communicate with hearing-impaired children at Woodfield. Signing Santa will be in the mall’s grand court from 5-9 p.m. Wednesday; 5-10 p.m. Friday and Dec. 5 and 13; 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 8; and 6-11 p.m. Dec. 16, 19 and 21.
At Randhurst Shopping Center in Mt. Prospect, special-needs children can meet with Santa before mall hours. For more information, call promotions supervisor Cory Lichtenberger at 847-259-0500.
This holiday season, there are plenty of other opportunities to find Santa in the northwest suburbs. Here are some options:
Breakfast/lunch with Santa
– Arlington Heights: A program featuring a holiday snack plus entertainment for children ages 3 and older; kids will visit with Santa and have their picture taken. Betsy Ross Gym, 700 N. Schoenbeck Rd.; 847-577-3003. 10:30 a.m.-noon Dec. 14; $8.
– Crystal Lake: A buffet breakfast; photos are available ($5). In the Olde Towne Hall, above Heisler’s Bootery, Brink and Williams Streets; 815-455-0849. 9 a.m. Dec. 7; $5.
– Des Plaines: A breakfast of pancakes and sausage, a sweet table and coffee, milk and juice; snapshots with Santa available ($2.50). St. Zachary Catholic Parish Room, 567 W. Algonquin Rd.; Eileen Cukierski, 847-296-2430. Seatings 8-9:30 a.m. and 10-11:30 a.m. Dec. 8; $5, $3 children, free ages 3 and younger.
– Elgin: Children will have lunch, make a holiday craft, have their picture taken with Santa and tour the Elgin Public Museum’s Touching on Traditions display. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Lords Park Pavilion, 100 Oakwood Blvd.; 847-931-6120. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1-2:30 p.m. Dec. 7 (reservation deadline is Dec. 2); $7 for children, $4.50 adults.
– Hoffman Estates: A breakfast buffet and pictures with Santa ($2 and a canned food item). Poplar Creek Country Club, 1400 Poplar Creek Dr.; 847-884-0219. 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dec. 15; $8.25 ages 13 and older, $6.25 ages 4-12, free 3 and younger (reservations required).
– Park Ridge: Children ages 2 and older are invited to enjoy a breakfast snack and have a photo taken with Santa. South Park, 833 Talcott Ave.; 847-692-5127. Seatings 9-10 a.m. and 10:15-11:15 a.m. Dec. 14; $6, $11 non-residents (must sign up at Maine Park, 2701 Sibley Ave.; deadline Dec. 6).
– Rolling Meadows: A holiday breakfast of pancakes, sausage, ham, milk or juice; each child will have a picture taken with Santa. Park Central, 3000 Central Rd.; 847-818-3202. Seatings at 8 and 10 a.m. Dec. 14; $5, $6 non-residents, free ages 2 and younger.
– Schaumburg: Families are invited to enjoy breakfast with Santa one hour before Woodfield opens: Burger King, Dec. 7 (847-995-0434); Cookie Factory, Dec. 8 (847-619-0121); Vie De France, Dec. 14 (847-619-6623); McDonald’s, Dec. 15 (847-330-0290); and The Villa Co. Cucina Italiana, Dec. 21 (847-517-9112). Woodfield, west of Illinois Highway 53, south of Golf Road. Call for an appointment. Price varies for breakfast.
– Streamwood: Children ages 8 and younger, accompanied by an adult, will enjoy a buffet-style meal including pancakes, sausage, milk, juice and coffee. Each child will sit on Santa’s lap and receive a present and a photograph. Hoosier Grove Barn, 700 W. Irving Park Rd.; 630-372-7275. Seatings 9:30-11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 14; $8.
– West Dundee: Enjoy breakfast and a visit with Santa Claus and receive a surprise. Spring Hill Mall, Illinois Highways 72 and 31; 847-426-8565. 8 a.m. Dec. 7 and 9 a.m. Dec. 8; $6.
Programs/events
– Crystal Lake: Santa Parade features Santa and friends with treats for all ages. From Central High School traveling through downtown Crystal Lake to his home at the Brink Street Market, Brink and Williams Streets; 815-455-0849. 1 p.m. Sunday; free.
– Elk Grove Village: The program includes visit with Santa, carols, refreshments and games. Lions’ Park Community Center, 180 Morrison Blvd.; 847-437-8780. 7-8 p.m. Dec. 6; free.
– Roselle: A holiday sing-along, followed by Santa’s arrival by firetruck shortly before 2 p.m. Children are invited to visit with Santa. Roselle Fire Station, 100 E. Maple Ave.; 630-529-1641 (Linda McDermott, 630-980-2000). 1 p.m. Nov. 30; free; tickets required for sing-along.
– Woodstock: In “Magical Santa,” the “real” Santa Claus will present a program of magic, music, illusions and fun. Santa will visit with the children after the show. Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St.; 815-338-5300. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Nov. 30; $5, $3 children.
– Woodstock: Visit with Santa at the firehouse and enjoy a milk and cookies reception after a Christmas Parade beginning at Dean Street School on Dean Street and proceeding north on Dean to the Square, at Van Buren, Benton, Cass and Johnson Streets, exiting on Johnson Street and ending at City Hall and at the South Street Fire Station, on South Street between Throop and Dean Streets; 815-338-4212. Dec. 1; free.
Visits with Santa
– Crystal Lake: Visit with Santa in his warm house at the Brink Street Market, Brink and Williams Streets; 815-455-0849. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 21; free.
– Mt. Prospect: Photographs available, and a holiday train will be running during shopping hours ($1 per ride). Randhurst Shopping Center, 999 N. Elmhurst Rd.; 847-259-0500. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Mondays-Saturdays in December; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22; and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 24; free.
– West Dundee: Parents are invited to bring along a camera. Spring Hill Mall, Illinois Highway 72 and 31; 847-428-2200. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday through Dec. 24; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday through Dec. 21; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 1; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 8 and 15 and 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 22; free (photos available).
– Woodstock: Santa will be in the hut on the Woodstock Square, Van Buren, Benton, Cass and Johnson Streets; 815-338-2436. Two weeks before Christmas; call for information; free (canned goods collected).
