Santa's in town - already!
One down, lots of Santas to come.
Santa made his debut appearance for the holiday season at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg on Thursday after parading through the shopping center accompanied by the Conant High School marching band.
Families from around the area lined up to see Santa arrive and children waited in line to get their holiday wishes in early.
Wishes from area kids ranged from a new skateboard to a dragon to toys from the Disney blockbuster "Frozen."
As Santa settles in for the season at Woodfield, many other shopping centers in the area are preparing for his arrival. Want to know when Santa is coming to a mall near you? Read on.
Algonquin Commons: 11 a.m. Black Friday, Nov. 28. Santa will ride the trolley with shoppers until 3 p.m. at 1900 S. Randall Road, Algonquin. shopatalgonquincommons.com.
Bolingbrook Promenade: Tree-lighting (beginning of LED light show) and Santa's arrival at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at Boughton Road and I-355. shoppingpromenade.com
Deer Park Town Center: 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7. Santa comes to Deer Park on a fire truck, led by the Stevenson High School marching band, to light the 30-foot tree at the gazebo. Visits with children, fireworks. At 20530 N. Rand Road, Deer Park. ShopDeerParkTownCenter.com.
Westfield Fox Valley: Santa visiting hours begin at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 14. Parents can pre-order photo packages and make a reservation to avoid waiting in line. At Route 59 at New York Avenue, Aurora.
Geneva Commons: Santa arrives at 5:30 p.m. on Black Friday, Nov. 28, for a tree lighting and carriage rides. At v602 Commons Drive, Geneva. shopgenevacommons.com.
Gurnee Mills: Santa arrives for the holiday season at 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13. At 6170 W. Grand Ave., Gurnee. (847) 263-7500.
Westfield Hawthorn: 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 14. The center will have free holiday entertainment, live reindeer and photo opportunities with Santa all day. As well, the mall will show off an all new PlaySpace from 6:30-8 p.m. on the lower level of the mall, near JC Penney. At 122 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills (Route 60 west of Milwaukee Avenue). (847) 362-2600.
Oakbrook Center: Santa begins posing for photos at the Adventure to Santa (created with DreamWorks) on Tuesday, Nov. 18. Photos are by appointment only. At 22nd Street & Route 83, Oak Brook.
The Quad: Santa arrives to the mall, formerly known as Charlestowne Mall, at 4 p.m. on Black Friday, Nov. 28. 3800 E. Main St., St. Charles. (630) 513-1120.
Randhurst Village: 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22. Santa & Mrs. Claus arriving in a horse-drawn carriage, Those Funny Little People as holiday elves, musical entertainment - all at the Christmas tree in Center Court on Randhurst Village Drive (near Charming Charlie). At Rand Road and Elmhurst Road in Mount Prospect. (847) 259-0500; sww.RandhurstVillage.com.
Spring Hill Mall: 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15. Parade begins at 10 a.m. in the parking lot, culminating inside in the Sears Court with a Santa Meet and Greet, milk and cookies, crafts, a balloon artist, raffles and two of Santa's reindeer. At Routes 31 & 72, West Dundee. www.springhillmall.com
Stratford Square: Santa celebration begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20. At 152 Stratford Square (Gary Avenue & Army Trail Road), Bloomingdale. (630) 539-1000.
Yorktown: Santa's arrival is from 11 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Nov. 8. Event features WTTW's Miss Lori, Clifford The Big Red Dog and Curious George. 203 Yorktown Center, Lombard at Highland Avenue and Butterfield Road. (630) 629-7330.