OL Children’s Museum Director 'Official' Santa Of Mag Mile Lite Parade

OAK LAWN, IL — Adam Woodworth, director of the Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn and a professional Santa Claus who resembles Edmund Gwenn from “Miracle on 34th Street,” will be the official Santa this Saturday, Nov. 23, in the Wintrust Magnificent Mile Festival of Lights Parade.

The parade steps off at 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., traveling south from Oak Street along North Michigan Avenue, and turning east on Wacker Drive, concluding at Columbus Drive. Paradegoers will have a prime view from both sides of Michigan Avenue and the south side of Wacker Drive, a news release said.

Appearances by iconic Disney and Pixar characters and live performances are featured, along with 1 million twinkling lights on North Michigan Chicago. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse from Walt Disney World Resort will illuminate select blocks near the Chicago River with brilliant lighting, while the parade will debut its first-ever Muppet balloons, including a 60-foot-tall Santa Kermit The Frog and his pal, 50-foot-tall Animal.

Mickey and Minnie will be making more interactive stops along Wacker Drive.

As Santa Claus, Woodworth will be soaring over an enchanted holiday forest aboard the Wintrust grand finale float, adding to the magic of the event.

Woodworth became a professional Santa in 2019 when his beard grew in white. The first year, he made 65 appearances. In 2020, when the pandemic disrupted the holidays, he did 140 Zoom visits. The next year, families he visited online wanted him to come to their homes to surprise their children during the holidays. As Santa Adam, he’s been mostly booked for holiday home visits and other gigs since March.

Last year, Woodworth debuted his new children’s book “Twilight: A Reindeer Story,” about a young reindeer who’s determined to be the first doe on Santa’s sleigh team but finds it hard to focus on tasks at hand.

“There’s so much anger and discord projected into the world,” Woodworth said. “I thought maybe there’s a way to put some kindness in the world.”

The parade will air on ABC 7 Chicago on Sunday, Nov. 24, from 6 to 7 p.m.