Where To See Santa In Bolingbrook This Christmas Season

BOLINGBROOK, IL — Santa Claus will be back in Bolingbrook this holiday season after a couple of years of COVID-19 restrictions that made it difficult for kids to crawl up on his lap and make their case that they’ve been good boys and girls over the last year.

Visits and pictures with Santa are at the heart of many families’ holiday traditions, but the coronavirus pandemic gave them a lump of coal. Malls and other places took social distancing measures in both 2020 and 2021 to help contain the spread of the virus, moving Santa meet-ups largely online.

Virtual visits are still an option in many places, but there’s nothing quite like seeing jolly old St. Nick live and in person. In Bolingbrook, kids have several chances:

• Bonfire and S'mores, behind Town Center, 375 W. Briarcliff Road. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 10. There will be two bonfires with s'mores kits to purchase. Guests can also buy treats or visit with Santa.
• Hot Chocolate with Santa, behind Town Center, 375 W. Briarcliff Road. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 17. Each Santa visitor will receive a free gift. Displays will be open, and holiday treats will be sold.
• Santa Send-Off, around Bolingbrook. Bolingbrook residents should save the date for the Village of Bolingbrook's Santa Send-Off on Dec. 22. Full details will be released soon, including an addition to this year's event. The Santa Send-Off event brings Santa around Bolingbrook with his sleigh, greeting families as he leaves for the North Pole. In past years, Santa has left from Town Center and made his way around different areas of town, but his route has not yet been released.

Santa arrived Nov. 12 at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Santa’s Wonderland and will hold court through Christmas Eve. Reservations are encouraged.

Santa will be at Macy’s stores in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Boston and Orlando. In Chicago, Santa will be at Macy's State Street through Dec. 24. Reservations are required, at least five days before your visit.

JC Penney stores, including the store in Joliet and Orland Park, are offering professional portraits with Santa.