Hawthorn Mall Announces Santa’s Arrival, Other Holiday Events

VERNON HILLS, IL—The holiday season is fast approaching, and Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills is getting ready for all the exciting festivities that come along with it, including the arrival of Ol’ Saint Nick himself.

Whether it’s a memorable photo with Santa or an exclusive giveaway for MyPerks loyalty shoppers, the spirit of the holiday season will be in full swing at Hawthorn Mall beginning Friday, Nov. 1 through Tuesday, Dec. 24.

Below, we’ve included a list of all the fun-filled events taking place at the mall through Christmas Eve.

MyPerks Giveaway: Nov. 1-9

Hawthorn Mall shoppers who sign up for the mall’s MyPerks loyalty program between Nov. 1 and Nov. 9 will be eligible for a chance to win a special preview admission to the center’s brand-new interactive “The Elf on the Shelf: Santa’s Magical Photo Adventure” experience on November 14th at 9 a.m. before it opens to the public, as well as a free professional photo package with Santa (one free package per family) and a branded gift. Two lucky families (limited to six family members each) will be selected on November 10th and notified via email. To sign up, shoppers can visit https://www.shophawthornmall.com/login/#register.

“Evening of Giving” Charitable Event: Nov. 14

Hawthorn Mall will host a special Evening of Giving on Thursday, Nov. 14, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the Lower Level in the Macy’s Court. Tickets are $50 per family (with a limit of six people per family). Each ticket includes a preview tour of the center’s new interactive “The Elf on the Shelf: Santa’s Magical Photo Adventure” experience, one branded gift (while supplies last), a meet-and-greet with the elf from The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition, and a free professional picture with Santa Claus in the center’s brand-new holiday set. There will also be a reindeer petting zoo, live music, kids crafts, cookie decorating, a hot cocoa bar, and a silent auction showcasing prizes from Hawthorn Mall retailers. Proceeds from the event will benefit Make-A-Wish, an organization dedicated to making the wishes of life-threatening and terminally ill children come true. To learn more, or to purchase tickets, visit http://ow.ly/oMfA30pGBwo.

Visit with Santa Claus: Nov. 15 - Dec. 24

Children and their families are invited to drop off letters to Santa, share their Christmas wish lists with Santa Claus and have a professional photo taken from Nov. 15 through Dec. 24 in Santa's new home in the center’s brand-new “The Elf on the Shelf: Santa’s Magical Photo Adventure” set on the Lower Level near Macy’s. The new interactive journey-to-Santa experience, which will entertain people of all ages – from families with children to teens, adults and senior citizens – is free and open to the public. For more information, including Santa’s hours, photo package selections, and a reservation tool to alleviate waiting in line, please visit https://www.shophawthornmall.com/events/.

The Elf on the Shelf Santa Set Party: Nov. 16

On Saturday, Nov. 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Hawthorn Mall will host a party to highlight the center’s new “The Elf on the Shelf: Santa’s Magical Photo Adventure” interactive holiday experience. iHeartMedia 93.9 will be on site to play live music and raffle eight tickets to the brand-new “The Elf on the Shelf: The Christmas Musical” (a $60 value) as well as other fabulous prizes donated by Hawthorn Mall retailers. The event takes place on the Lower Level near Macy’s. For more information, visit https://www.shophawthornmall.com/events/.

“Soothing Santa” Sensory-Friendly Event: Dec. 1 and Dec. 8

Hawthorn Mall's "Soothing Santa" event is a sensory-friendly opportunity for children with special needs and their families to enjoy a visit with Santa Claus in a calming environment before the mall opens to the public. The event, which is free of charge, takes place on two Sundays, December 1st and December 8th, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the new "The Elf on the Shelf: Santa's Magical Photo Adventure" set on the Lower Level near Macy's. Advance registration is required. For more information, visit https://www.shophawthornmall.com/events/.

“Santa Paws” Pet Event: Dec. 5 and Dec. 12

Pet owners are invited to bring their four-legged friends to a special pet photo session with Santa Claus on two Thursdays in December: December 5th and Dec. 12 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Well-mannered, leashed or kenneled pets can visit with Santa in his new “The Elf on the Shelf: Santa’s Magical Photo Adventure” holiday home located on the Lower Level near Macy’s while professional photographers capture the memories as Santa and each fur baby enjoy a warm encounter. Pets must enter the mall only through the Southwest entrance near Maggiano’s and may not leave the Macy’s court. Pets will enter a special line that takes them directly to Santa; they will not go through the experiential encounter. For more information, visit

visit https://www.shophawthornmall.com/events/.

For Additional Info

To learn more about each of these fun, family-friendly holiday events and activities, visit Hawthorn Mall’s website at https://www.shophawthornmall.com. To share information about Hawthorn Mall’s holiday happenings, use the hashtags: #AHawthornHoliday and #elfontheshelfie.

Hawthorn mall is located at 122 Hawthorn Center in Vernon Hills, IL.