Santa 2026 · Chicago

Breakfast with Santa and Santa photos in Chicago, with prices.

We found 10 Santa outings for little kids in and around Chicago with 2026 dates: 2 breakfasts and brunches and 8 photo spots and visits. Two are free. The first visits start Nov 20. Each listing has the time, price and a link to book.

10 outings2 breakfasts8 photo spotsFirst visits Nov 202 free

Last checked · How we choose

Start here

What kind of Santa visit?

Breakfast with Santa

2 breakfasts · Dec 5 – Dec 6

After-dark Santa

8 evening spots · Nov 20 – Dec 23

Nov 15 – Dec 26

The Santa calendar

Shaded days fall inside at least one listing’s dates (check each card for days off and hours). Dots mark set dates, like breakfasts and one-day visits.

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Nov 15
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21Santa at Holiday MagicSchaumburg Holiday Market
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Dec 1
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4Merry Museum with Santa
5Santa's Flight to SchaumburgDonuts with Santa…
6Santa's Flight to Schaumburg
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11Merry Museum with SantaSanta's WorkshopHoliday Family Pajama…
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18Pizza & PJs with Santa
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Inside a listing’s datesBreakfastAfter dark

Breakfast with Santa

2 breakfasts · Dec 5 – Dec 6

Santa's Flight to Schaumburg

Schaumburg Regional Airport · 905 W. Irving Park Road, Schaumburg, IL

Breakfast
When
Dec 5 and 6, 2026 · Dec 5: 1–3pm; Dec 6: 9–11am or 1–3pm
Price
$35 residents, $40 non-residents; 2 and under free
  • Santa lands by helicopter, then a buffet meal in the hangar
  • Registration is required
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 26 on the official page

Report a problem

Donuts with Santa (Naperville Park District)

Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center · Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center, Naperville, IL

Breakfast
When
Sat Dec 5, 2026 · 10:45am
Price
Registration required for everyone; infants under 12 months free
  • Santa tells a holiday story, kids get DeEtta's Bakery donuts, and families take their own photos with him, so bring a camera
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 30 on the official page

Report a problem

After-dark Santa

8 evening spots · Nov 20 – Dec 23

Santa at Holiday Magic

Brookfield Zoo Chicago · 31st St. and Golfview Ave., Brookfield, IL 60513

After darkFree
When
Select Holiday Magic nights from Nov 21, 2026 · Times vary by night (for example 4–8:30pm Nov 21–22)
Price
Free with Holiday Magic admission
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 26 on the official page

Report a problem

Santa's Workshop

Schaumburg Community Recreation Center · 505 N. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg, IL

After dark
When
Dec 11, 2026 · 6–8pm
Price
$20 residents, $25 non-residents
  • An evening visit with Santa run by the Schaumburg Park District
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 26 on the official page

Report a problem

Pizza & PJs with Santa

Schaumburg Community Recreation Center · 505 N. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg, IL

After dark
When
Dec 18, 2026 · 6–8pm
Price
$20 residents, $25 non-residents
  • Come in pajamas for pizza, a photo with Santa and A Christmas Story on the screen
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 26 on the official page

Report a problem
On a budget

Ways to keep Santa cheap

1Santa at Holiday Magic
Free with Holiday Magic admission2Schaumburg Holiday Market
Free admission3Santa's Workshop
$20 residents, $25 non-residents
For babies and toddlers

Making the visit go well

1Go right after napBook a slot when they’re fed and rested.
2Talk about Santa firstLook at photos together so the beard and the big red suit aren’t a surprise.
3A parent can hold themLap photos with a grown-up are fine.
4Tears are OKTake the photo anyway. Plenty of families keep a crying-Santa picture.
Also this season

Make it a Santa-and-lights night

See all 5 light displays in and around Chicago with 2026 dates, sorted for little kids, with early start times.

Christmas lights in Chicago →
Good questions

Santa in Chicago: questions parents ask

Where can we see Santa for free in Chicago?

Two of this year’s Santa listings are free: Santa at Holiday Magic and Schaumburg Holiday Market. Bring your own camera where the listing says so.

What’s the cheapest breakfast with Santa in Chicago?

Of the breakfasts and brunches with posted 2026 prices, the lowest is Santa's Flight to Schaumburg ($35 residents, $40 non-residents; 2 and under free). Prices are from each venue’s own page.

Which Santa visits are best for babies and kids under 3?

Babies and young toddlers get in free at Santa's Flight to Schaumburg (2 and under free); Donuts with Santa (Naperville Park District) (infants under 12 months free). A morning visit before nap usually goes better than an evening one.

When is the best time to see Santa with a toddler who goes to bed early?

One listings start in the morning, including Donuts with Santa (Naperville Park District). Seven are evening visits (5 p.m. or later), which work best on a late-nap day.

How do you check these Santa listings?

Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page, and links to it. We list dates, times and prices only when that page shows them for 2026; anything without posted dates goes in “Dates not posted yet” instead. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them in early November and again in early December. How we choose and check.

Keep planning: This week in Chicago · Chicago city guide · Visiting Chicago

Get the weekend plan, holiday dates included.

One short email every Thursday evening with what works for ages 0–6 in Chicago that weekend, including the Santa and light-show dates worth knowing.

Every year

Santa visits that come back every year

Each of these comes back every year. Its page keeps the last confirmed dates, and the new ones go up there once they’re posted. Every year in Chicago

Photos with Santa at ZooLightsNext: Nov 20 – Dec 23, 2026Santa at Holiday MagicNext: Nov 21 – Dec 23, 2026Merry Museum with SantaNext: Dec 4–11, 2026

By month

More dates for little kids in Chicago

Things to do with kids in Chicago in November · Things to do with kids in Chicago in December