Santa flying in, making house calls

If your family is looking for somewhere other than a shopping mall or department store to visit Santa this holiday season, the Schaumburg Park District has some ideas.

They can arrange a visit by Santa at Schaumburg Regional Airport or even to your own home.

Santa’s Flight to Schaumburg, in which the man in red will arrive by helicopter, will be from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 4 at the airport, 905 W. Irving Park Road.

Participants will enjoy a buffet breakfast provided by Pilot Pete’s inside the airport hangar as they wait for Santa to arrive. Everyone is encouraged to dress warmly, and all children must be accompanied by an adult.

Preregistration ends Dec. 2 or when the event is full. The cost is $9 for children 3 to 12 and $16 for everyone 13 and up. Children 3 and under are free if sitting on an adult’s lap. All attending family members must register.

Fees increase by $5 if paid on the day of the event.

For more information, call (847) 490-7020 or visit parkfun.com.

If you’re not willing to leave the comforts of home for the brisk weather of the airport, Santa can visit children at their homes sometime between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. on either Dec. 6 or 7.

The cost of a Santa visit is $21. Preregistration is required by 5 p.m. Dec. 5, but will close as soon as all available times are filled.

Once registered, households will receive a call with Santa’s approximate arrival time. Participants must be available between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m.

Santa’s visits are available only to residents of the Schaumburg Park District.

To register for a home visit, also call (847) 490-7020 or visit parkfun.com.