Breakfast With Santa 2026: Chicago North Suburbs Events

Updated November 2026.

The 2026 holiday season near Chicago's north and northwest suburbs has plenty of Santa events for little kids. Highlights include the Park Ridge Santa Trail on December 12, Glenview's Festival of Trees on December 5, and Breakfast with Santa in Vernon Hills and Gurnee on December 5. Most park district events need registration, and popular time slots fill early.

Below are events with 2026 dates posted by park districts, villages and official tourism sites as of mid-November. For light displays, see our separate guide to holiday lights for kids in the north suburbs.

Glenview

• Festival of Trees, Saturday, December 5, 4 to 6 PM, at Park Center. Families vote on decorated trees, take photos with Santa and the Grinch, hear carolers and do children's crafts. The listed price is $5 per person, and children 2 and under are free. The trees stay on display through the end of December.
• Candlelight holiday tour at The Grove, Friday, December 11, 5:30 to 7:45 PM. A costumed guide leads a candlelit tour of the historic Kennicott House, with a warm drink and a cookie at the end. This one is better for older preschoolers than for toddlers. Registration is through the park district.

Park Ridge

• Santa Trail, Saturday, December 12, at Maine Park, for ages 2 and up with an adult. The park district turns the hallways into a North Pole trail with reindeer food, games and crafts, ending with a visit and photo with Santa. You sign up for a time slot, and the visit lasts about 15 to 20 minutes. The fee is per child, and the registration deadline is December 1.
• New Year's Eve Around the World, Wednesday, December 30, 10:30 AM to noon, at Maine Park, for ages 3 to 10 with an adult. A daytime way to celebrate without staying up late.

Palatine

• Village of Palatine Annual Tree Lighting, Saturday, November 21, 4 to 7 PM. There is free hot chocolate, a tree lighting countdown at 5 PM with the mayor and Santa, and photos with Santa in the Towne Square gazebo.

Vernon Hills

Visit Lake County, the county's official tourism site, lists these 2026 events in Vernon Hills:

• Santa photos at Hawthorn, November 20 to December 24, on the lower level of the mall
• Baby's First Visit With Santa at Hawthorn, November 25 to December 9
• Light Up the Season, Saturday, November 28, the village's tree, menorah and kinara lighting at Century Park
• Breakfast with Santa at Dave & Buster's, Saturday, December 5
• Sensory Santa at Hawthorn, Sunday, December 6, a quieter visit with Santa for children who do better with less noise and fewer crowds
• Santa's Workshop, Monday, December 7, and Christmas Cookie Decorating, Friday, December 11, both at the Vernon Hills Park District's Sullivan Community Center
• Noon Year's Eve Family Party, Thursday, December 31, at the Sullivan Community Center

Check each organizer's page for times and how to sign up.

Lake County near Grayslake

• Gurnee Park District Breakfast with Santa, Saturday, December 5, at the Viking Park Community Center, 4374 Old Grand Avenue. There are three sessions: 8 to 9:15 AM, 9:30 to 10:45 AM and 11 AM to 12:15 PM.

The Grayslake Park District has held Santa visits in past years. Check its site for 2026 plans.

Chicago's Northwest Side

• Cookies with Santa at Gladstone Park, Saturday, December 19, 5 to 7 PM, at 5421 N. Menard Avenue. The Chicago Park District lists it for early childhood, with a $5 fee.
• Santa's Secret Workshop at Horner Park, Saturday, December 12, 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, at 2741 W. Montrose Avenue. Children make a holiday gift with Santa's helpers. The fee is $15, and it is listed for youth, so it suits older preschoolers best.

Tips for Santa visits with babies and toddlers

• Plan around naps. Pick a time slot after a nap or early in the morning. A tired toddler is more likely to melt down in line.
• It is normal for toddlers to be scared of Santa. Do not force a lap photo. A wave from a parent's arms, or a photo standing next to Santa, works too.
• Try a sensory-friendly visit if crowds and noise are hard for your child.
• Register early. Many park district events have a deadline or a cap, and some are for residents only.
• Dress for the cold if the event is outdoors. Our guide on dressing toddlers for a Chicago winter has layering tips.
• Check before you go. Weather and other changes can move or cancel events.

Frequently asked questions

When is Breakfast with Santa in Vernon Hills in 2026?

Visit Lake County lists the Dave & Buster's Breakfast with Santa in Vernon Hills on Saturday, December 5, 2026.

Is there a sensory-friendly Santa near the north suburbs?

Yes. Hawthorn in Vernon Hills lists Sensory Santa on Sunday, December 6, 2026, as a quieter visit with Santa.

What age is the Park Ridge Santa Trail for?

The Park District of Park Ridge lists it for ages 2 and up with an adult. The registration deadline is December 1.

Are Santa events free?

Some are, and some charge a small fee. For example, Glenview's Festival of Trees lists $5 per person, with children 2 and under free. Check each event's page.

Children's Land during the holidays

Children's Land has 12 locations in Glenview, Park Ridge, Wheeling, Mount Prospect, Palatine, Lincolnshire, Grayslake, Vernon Hills and Chicago. Locations are open Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Ask your location about its holiday schedule, and read our guide to daycare holiday schedules and closures. Learn about our toddler program, find a location, or contact us to schedule a tour.

Related reading: Holiday Lights Near Glenview and the North Suburbs: 2026 Family Guide.