Where To See Santa In Romeoville This Christmas Season

ROMEOVILLE, IL — Santa Claus will be back in Romeoville 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 Romeoville, kids have several chances:

• Holiday Lights Festival, Dec. 2-3 at Village Hall, 1050 W. Romeo Road. Photos with Santa will also be available each night of the festival. It is $8 per family. You will use your own device to take photos, and each child will receive a small gift from Santa. You can register online for the photos.
• Holiday Open House, 5 to 7 p.m., Dec. 8 at White Oak Library District-Romeoville Branch. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the free, family-friendly event which includes a photo opportunity and a singing performance from the Claus' at 5:30 p.m. Cookies and hot cocoa will be served, as well as crafts for all ages. No registration is needed for the event.

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.