Where to See Santa in Montgomery, Elsewhere

It’s the holiday season — time for kids to get their wish lists together and prepare for their visit with old St. Nick.

Here’s a roundup of area events and places where you can stop by for some holiday fun and a photo with Santa:

Bolingbrook

Pajama Party with Santa, 6 to 7 and 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at the Annerino Community Center, 201 Recreation Dr. Children may dress in their favorite Christmas pajamas and celebrate with Santa. Each child will receive a printed picture taken with Santa, tell him their wishes and receive a special gift. The event will include stories, crafts, games and cookies and milk. Fee is $18 for the first child and $10 for each additional child. With your resident ID, the fee is $12 for the 1st child and $8 for each additional child.

Letters from Santa: Starting Friday, Nov. 28, kids can drop off letters in Santa’s mailbox at the Bolingbrook Recreation & Aquatic Complex, 200 Lindsey Lane. Santa will personally write to each and every child who writes him a letter, provided that all letters are received by 10 pm on Thursday, Dec. 11. Click for details.

Channahon

Santa’s Skating Party, 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 at Skateland Recreation Center, 25334 W. Eames St. Cost is $6 for park district residents if pre-registered or $7 for pre-registered non-residents, and $8 at the door. One non-skating adult will be admitted per child. Come and meet with Santa Claus and his elves and enjoy skating, games and treats.

Santa Fly-in to Channahon, 9:45 a.m. to noon Sunday, Dec. 13, at Merchants & Manufacturers Bank, 25140 W. Channahon Dr. Santa lands at 10 a.m. sharp. Be sure to bring your camera and enjoy free refreshments. Free event.

Joliet

Light Up the Holidays Festival and Parade, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28, in downtown Joliet. The day kicks off with crafts for the kids at the Joliet Area Historical Museum, the Joliet Public Library will have “Storytime with Santa” and there will be “Brunch with Santa” at the Renaissance Center and the Teddy Bear Tea with Santa at the Rialto Square Theatre. At 5:15 p.m. there is Joliet Christmas Tree lighting in Van Buren Plaza, followed by the Holiday Parade at 5:30 pm with a lot of bright lights, holiday floats, marching bands and fireworks. Click here for more details.

Louis Joliet Mall photos with Santa, now through Dec. 24: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (breaks from 1-2 p.m. and 5-6 p.m.) Monday through Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m (break from 2:30 to 3 p.m.) Sundays. Special hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21 and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24. Click for photo package pricing.

Lockport

Santa in Christmas Square, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, Central Square, 222 E. Ninth St. Free event. Come meet Santa Claus, who has come down from the North Pole with his reindeer. Be sure to stop by the Gladys Fox Museum to see the Festival of Trees. The tree lighting ceremony will be at 4:30 pm on the front lawn of Central Square.

Montgomery

Montgomery Tree Lighting Ceremony, 5 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, Village Hall, 200 N. River St. Santa will be riding in on a fire engine for the annual tree-lighting ceremony, which includes fireworks, music and visits with Santa in his house (plus refreshments) afterwards.

Naperville

Naperville Little Fridays Holiday Parade of Lights, 4:30 pm. Sunday, Nov. 30 in downtown Naperville (parade starts at Centennial Beach). Free. The parade features more than 35 marching units, followed by the grand illumination of downtown Naperville. Live reindeer, holiday characters and musical groups, plus free trolley rides in downtown Naperville. Starting Saturday, Dec. 6, kids will be able to visit Santa at the Santa House on the Riverwalk.

Oswego

Oswego Christmas Walk, 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6; and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, throughout downtown Oswego. The tree lighting is at 5 p.m. Friday on Main Street. Weekend events include Toyland train rides, sledding hill strolling carolers, crafts and games, food vendors and pictures with Santa, plus a pancake breakfast with Santa on Saturday morning and the annual Cookie Walk.

Plainfield

Candlelight Christmas, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, in downtown Plainfield. Pictures with Santa from 4 to 9 p.m. at Gourmet Junction; 5 to 7 p.m. Letters to Santa at Barvian Realty. Plus carriage rides, crafts, a performance by the Plainfield North Madrigals , a free screening of “Frozen,” a 7 p.m. crèche lighting and more. 

Santa’s Workshop hosted by the Plainfield Park District, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, at Heritage Grove Middle School, 12412 S. Van Dyke Road. Bring your wish list to share with Santa and get your picture taken. The rest of the evening will be filled with crafts, yummy snacks and fun games. Pictures are from 6:30 to 7:15 (each child will receive one photo with Santa, and parents may bring cameras). Cost is $12 for residents and $18 for non-residents.

Romeoville

Winter Wonderland and Parade of Lights/Tree Lighting, 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at the Romeoville Recreation Center, 900 W. Romeo Road. Free. Events include pictures with Santa, sleigh rides, cookies and cocoa, holiday crafts and music, and a tree-lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Please bring a non-perishable food item for the Hope for the Holidays care package program.

Shorewood

Sunday with Santa/Holiday tree lighting, 3 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, at at Village Hall, One Town Center Boulevard. Santa and his elves will be on hand for photos, and the event will include Christmas crafts, ornaments, hot cocoa and more, leading up to the Christmas tree lighting at 6 p.m.