Where To See Santa In St. Charles This Christmas Season

ST. CHARLES, IL — Santa Claus will be back in St. Charles 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 the St. Charles area, kids have several chances:

Santa's House in St. Charles, located in the First Street Plaza near Alter Brewing + Kitchen, opens up for the holiday season during Holiday Homecoming on Saturday. Santa will be available for visits very Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. through Dec. 18. More information is available online.

Woodland Santa's Holiday Workshop at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, 3795 Campton Hills Road, St. Charles. The unique holiday event will run from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 4, with Santa being pulled by huskies on a sled. Those attending can get their picture taken with Santa, make an ornament and write a letter to Santa. The event costs $10 for residents and $15 for non-residents. You can purchase tickets here.

Breakfast with Santa will be held on Dec. 12. at Pottawatomie Community Center, 8 North Avenue, St. Charles, More information is available online.

Storytime with Santa will run from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 20 at the Sportsplex of St Charles, 1400 Foundry Street. The cost is $7 for residents and $11 for non-residents. Advanced registration is required.

Santa will be at Macy’s stores in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Boston and Orlando. Santa will be visiting Chicago area malls as well:

• Spring Hill Mall, 1072 Spring Hill Mall, West Dundee. Santa will arrive on Nov. 26 and be available to visit at Spring Hill Mall through Dec. 24. Reservations can be made online.
• Oakbrook Center will be offering photos with Santa through Christmas Eve. For more information and to make reservations, visit here.
• Geneva Commons will welcome Saint Nick on Sunday, Santa will be available for visits from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Sunday through Dec. 18. He can be found at 410 Commons Drive, between Sephora and Holm Studio.