CHICAGO, IL — 'Tis the season for fun family photos of visits with Santa, with Santa meet-and-greets taking place across the Chicago area up until Christmas (Tuesday, Dec. 25).
Get into the holiday spirit with Patch's 2018 Chicago Santa visits gallery:
Santa with Sara, 5, and Amelia, 6, on Dec. 8 during Breakfast with Santa at GiGi’s Playhouse Down syndrome Achievement Center in Hoffman Estates. “They are best friends!” Photo credit: Jenny Zuleger Santa with Anias on Dec. 7 at JCPenney inside the Louis Joliet Mall. Photo credit: Paulette Bland Santa with Bruno, 7, at The Painted Turtle in Tinley Park on Dec. 1. “He loved Santa!” Photo Credit: Melissa DoyleSanta with Amelia, 6, on Nov. 23 at Water Tower Place. “She gave him a Rice Krispie yeti and they had a chat about the holidays and the wish list she was still finishing.” Photo credit: Lisa Dexter “Naughty and nice” - Santa with Rylan, 2, who is “still not sure about Mr. Claus,” and Boden, 8 months, “first time meeting Santa .. no tears,” on Dec. 1 at Chicago Yacht Club. Photo credit: Jill MazurekSanta and Scarlett, 1, and Violet, 4, on Dec. 2 at Christmas in the Commons. “As you can see one was very excited to see Santa and the other was not.” Photo credit: Erin Giampaolo Santa and Kody, 6, from Palos Hills on Dec. 1 at Apollo Park Free Christmas Event For Children. Kody asked Santa for a robot. Photo credit: Paul Butler Santa and Cay, 3.5 years old, on Dec. 1. ”A tender moment with Santa.” Photo credit: Stephanie SchmalzPhoto credit: Frank Treto Santa and Wyatt, 4 years old, during Breakfast with Santa at the annual Salvation Army Christmas Breakfast held at the Crock Center on Chicago's South Side. Wyatt wants a Karaoke Music Box with a microphone for Christmas. Photo credit: Roland Bibb Santa and Joey on Dec. 2 at the Oak Park Avenue train station. “He also was able to tell Mrs. Claus that he wished for Cosmo the Robot for Christmas.” Photo credit: Amanda Black Cambrie, 5, Carter, 2, on Nov. 24 at Santa on the Green in Oak Lawn. Photo credit: ParentSanta with Brandon, 14 and Izzy, 11, and Piper the Dog, 2, on Dec. 1 at The Painted Turtle in Tinley Park, asking Santa for another dog for Christmas. “Never too old to take a picture with Santa.” Photo credit: Kelly Leeson-DirksSanta and Ace “AJ,” age 3, on Dec. 1 at Lincolnwood mall. “He asked Santa for Pj masks toys, and the pool to be open (little fish!) he asks me every day when “Summer” is coming because that’s when I tell him we can go to the pool.” Photo credit: Neira ImamovicSanta and Parker, 3, Nancy (Mom), Makayla, 8, Chris (Dad), and Christina, 3, on Dec. 1 at Orland Square Mall. Photo credit: Nancy SchusterSanta, Joey, 9, Bentley, 4, and Victoria, 5, at the Village of Montgomery Tree Lighting. Joey asked Santa for an R/C Car, Bentley asked for “the store” aka the Melissa and Doug Fresh Market, Victoria asked for make-up. Photo credit: Stephanie Sanders Santa and Julianna, 17 on Dec. 1 at Cantigny. “Santa asked her if she wanted another pair of fake eyelashes, like the ones she had on.” Photo credit: Melissa Drew Santa with a 2.5-year-old on Dec. 1 at Orland Square Mall. "I think she's going to want extensive therapy for Christmas." Photo credit: Victoria Foxworth Santa, Andrew, 7, Collin, 8, Matthew, 10 on Dec. 2 during Swim with Santa at Lincoln Way Central. “They all are big believers and Matthew asked for a gecko and Andrew asked for a remote control Batmobile.” Photo credit: Carri Feith Santa with Julio, 10, Alezzandra, 8, and crew on Nov. 20 at Oakbrook Mall. Julio asked for anything electronic and Alezzandra asked for a laptop. Photo credit: Veronica Rodriguez Santa with Lucy, 7, Charlie, 6, Max, 4, and Henry, 2, on Dec. 1 at Orland Square Mall. Photo credit: Carrie Wilson Santa and Mikailo, 2, at Jingle Fest at Courts Plus in Elmhurst. Mikailo wants candy for Christmas. Photo credit: Tamara Djurdjevic Santa with Patrick, 9, Brady, 7, and mom and dad (Pat and Mindy), on Nov. 14 aboard the Disney Dream Cruise ship, Bahamas. Photo credit: Mindy ConnollySanta and Jessi on Dec.1 at TCF Bank in New Lenox. Besides a new front tooth, Jessi would like a new ballerina musical jewelry box and a pink guitar for Christmas. Photo credit: Maria PoglianoSanta and Emma, 14 months, on Nov. 25 at St Joseph’s school in Manhattan. Photo credit: Samantha Majo Lise Dominique (mom), Harvey the Wonder Dog, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus on Dec. 1 at Lake Bluff History Museum, Lake Bluff. Photo credit: Lise Dominique Santa and James Robert Piotrowski, 8 months, on Dec. 1 at Yorktown Mall. “James was very excited that Santa told him he made the nice list! I think both their bellies shook like a bowl full of jelly.” (Photo credit: Erin Myover-Piotrowski) Brandi, at Bourbon Street. “She can't do stairs so Santa was kind enough to take a picture with her at the bottom if the stairs ! Made me cry - so precious & caring! She would love a bracelet with her name on it." (Photo credit: Diane D) Santa and Olivia, 4, on Dec. 1 at Orland Square Mall. Photo credit: Lizz Bobak Santa and Aidan 9, Aaliyah 7, and Eli, 4 at Fox Valley Mall. Photo credit: Jacqueline Isais Santa and Everett, 4, Madelyn, 3, and Eleanor, 8 months, of Northbrook, on Dec. 2 at Sunset Ridge Country Club. Photo credit: Jacki Ruh Santa and Ezra, 2.5 years, on Dec. 1 at Orland Square Mall. “Apparently Santa is scarier than Pennywise!” Photo credit: Jim Gaffney Santa and Mitchell, 1 year, on Nov. 28 at Yorktown Mall. “He asked Santa for a Chicago Bears Super Bowl this year! And he’s very upset about it!” Photo credit: Serena Dreher Santa and Holden, 18 months, on Nov. 30 during the Oswego Christmas Walk. Photo credit: Deborah SmithSanta and Ella, 3.5 years, on Nov. 10 at God's Gifts Preschool Holiday Shopping Extravaganza. She asked for a toy airplane and car. Photo credit: Deborah Smith Santa and Sammy, on Nov. 28 at Bass Pro Shops Bolingbrook. Photo credit: Jenny Biondo Santa and Marcelina at Oxford Bank & Trust in Westmont. She asked for LOL dolls and clothes. Photo credit: Karen Croxton Santa, Abby, 9, Joshua, 3, and Hannah, 12, on Dec. 1 at Palos West Elementary School. Abby asked for onesies, Joshua asked for Paw Patrol toys, and Hannah asked for a puppy. Photo credit: Suj Sundararaj Santa, Riley, 7, Landon, 5, Blythe, 3, and parents Joe and Courtenay Zurenko, from Elmhurst, on Nov. 30 at Macy’s Downtown Chicago. “The kids asked for a puppy!” Photo credit: Courtenay Zurenko Santa and Jay, 15 months, on Dec, 1 at the Alsip Park District. Photo credit: Jay Santa and Mom (Lois Bell), “91 years young,” on Dec. 1 at home. “Mom is on hospice. I took (the) picture for Christmas card.” Photo credit: Troy BellSanta and Noah, 4, on Dec. 2 at Hollywood Boulevard movie theater. Noah asked for Hot Wheels. (Photo credit: Liz)Santa, Mom and Dad, Chrissy and Rob Monaco, Cori, 8, Robby, 7, and Grandma Pat Kucinic, on Dec. 1 at University of St. Francis's annual Breakfast with Santa in Joliet. (Photo credit: Chrisy) Santa, Matthew, 15, and Sarah, 19 on Dec. 1 during GE Boy Scout Troop 45 Annual Pancake Breakfast at First United Methodist church GE. “Never too old for Santa!” (Photo credit: Lora Bak) Santa and Ziggy. “My kids are 9, 8 and 6 and too cool for Santa photos. So I took my 8 month old puppy instead. So here is poor Ziggy. Terrified at his first photo with Santa :)” (Photo credit: Janet Kelton)
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“Mrs. Claus helped Santa get in shape for the holiday season with a workout on Dec. 1 at the North Suburban YMCA in Northbrook. They also visited with families and helped with a community service project." (Photo credit: Carolyn Gessner)
Here are some favorite Santa throwbacks:
Santa with Morgan, 5, “asking for Porsche Cayenne,” and Liam, 3, “asking for an Xbox” back in December 2007. Photo Credit: Leeann LynchSanta with Kendall, 7 and Kennedy, 2, on Dec. 6, 2014. “Someone doesn't trust Santa!” (Photo credit: Robyn Ali) Santa and Bella, at age 5, during November 2017 at Orland Mall. “She hugged him as soon as she saw him and fortunately the photographer got the shot.” (Photo credit: Katie Valencia)Santa and Swisher, 5, together at PetSmart in 2017. He asked “Santa Paws for toys and treats.” (Photo credit: Chloe Szulc)Santa, Ethan, 4, and Kaitlyn, 18 months, from a few years ago at the Kroehler YMCA. “Our all time favorite photo.” (Photo credit: Christine Malm)“Here is a picture of me taken with Santa Claus in the lobby of the old Hamilton Theater on 71st Street in South Shore, circa 1962. At the time, I was an eighth grader at St. Philip Neri Grammar School. This became the Christmas I gave my parents that year.” (Photo credit: Sheila Cronin)
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Santa and Sophie, of Tinley Park. “In one she ‘believes,’ in the other she is much more skeptical.” The first image was taken in December 2012 at Orland Square Mall when Sophie was 3. The second image was at “our house,” taken in December 2017 when Sophie was 8. (Photo credit: Monica Ruban) Santa, Cameron, 2.5 years old, and Melania, 6 months, during December 2017 at Woodfield Mall. “When Santa tells you he ran out of PJ Mask toys.” (Photo credit: Mary Kate Kelly)
Want to be included in this gallery? Send your information and pictures to rebecca.bream@patch.com.
Please include the following information in your email:
Date and location of photo event
Age of child/children
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Feel free to also tell us what your child asked Santa for — gift suggestions can make great photo captions. (We're going to assume that Patch has permission to use every photo that is submitted for this feature).