The New York Botanical Garden - 6:00 PM Pick
Salt Marsh Nature Center - Marine Park - 12:00 PM Pick
The New York Botanical Garden - 6:00 PM Pick
The New York Botanical Garden - 6:00 PM Pick
Grand Central Gallery Annex - 10:00 AM
Sloomoo Institute - 10:00 AM
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Pictures with Santa in Chicago 2025: From Museums to the Mall
There are so many options for classic pictures with Santa in Chicago this holiday season. You can get pictures with Santa at Wrigley Field or grab some pizza with him in Darien. If you prefer the traditional mall Santa pictures, you can find him at 900 N. Michigan, Fashion Outlets of Chicago, and so many more spots. City dwellers seem to love getting their pictures with Santa at Macy's, while suburbanites flock to Bass Pro Shop for their Santa photos experience.
While you're making your holiday schedule, don't forget to check out the Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Chicago or Nutcracker performances throughout the city and suburbs. Check out our Must-Do Christmas Events in Chicago, and lots of other seasonal ideas in our Guide to Holidays and Christmas Activities.
Pictures with Santa FAQs
Q: Where can I get pictures with Santa on a budget?
Check out Chicago Park District events like the ones listed below in Gladstone Park and Valley Forge Park. More events are added to the Chicago Park District as the season goes on. Downtown Wheaton's W Tent also has free pictures with Santa every Saturday in December. It's right by the train station, so if you live on the Union Pacific West Line, you can get there by public transit. Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's have free Santa pictures — with an actual printed picture — in Bolingbrook, Gurnee, Hoffman Estates, and Hammond. Some malls offer the chance to take your own photo at no fee — the price is just for the photo package.
Q: Which mall Santa photos have short lines?
Almost all of the malls are now using a registration system so you can select a time and not wait in the cold. Walk-ins are usually welcome, but the lines get longer as Christmas gets closer, so if you don't want to make a reservation, plan to go early in the season.
Q. Where can I find a Santa that is accommodating to special needs or sensory issues?
Looking for "Caring Santa" or "Calm Santa" when booking a reservation on the mall's website. Many of these happen on Sunday afternoons.
Q. Where can I find Black Santa in Chicago?
Macy's has a Black Santa available Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 3 p.m. to close. You can also book visits from two Black Santas, Dreezy Claus and Santa Sean, on their websites.
OUR LATEST VIDEOS
Holiday Events Featuring Santa Pictures in Chicago
Best Pictures with Santa at Chicago Malls
Places featured in this article:
Cheney Mansion
Downtown Wheaton
Wilder Park
Walker Park Recreation Center
Gladstone Park
Valley Forge Park
Archer Park
Oakbrook Center
Bass Pro Shops
Chicago Ridge Mall
Orland Square Mall
Yorktown Center
Fashion Outlets of Chicago
Woodfield Mall
Fox Valley Mall
Cabela's Hoffman Estates
Cabela's Hammond
Bass Pro Shop Gurnee
Northbrook Court
Riverwalk Cafe
