Santa flying into area malls, downtowns
With Christmas trees soaring to the ceiling and lights sparkling throughout the building, the holiday shopping season officially switched into full swing Friday morning at Yorktown Center in Lombard with the arrival of one man: Santa Claus.
He ushered in a morning with a parade through the mall, greeted by a handful of his little fans who are too young for elementary school.
A few parents had planned for the event, dressing their children in casual holiday outfits to get a head-start on Christmas festivities. But most parents, like Lisa Kluge of Glen Ellyn, who was shopping with her 2-year-old, Lilly, just happened to be at the mall for the day.
"I didn't know this was happening," Kluge said. "But we just stopped by to say 'Hi' to Santa, since I know it will take a few introductions for Lilly this year before she's ready for a picture.
"She'll be more brave when she comes with her older brother and sister," Kluge added.
If it seems early for Christmas shopping - and even if lines to see Santa were a small Friday - Yorktown officials say Santa has arrived in early November for more than a decade. And the Lombard shopping center actually is on par with most other area malls.
Santa also made his way to Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg on Friday. And he will set up shop today, Nov. 8, at Stratford Square in Bloomingdale and Westfield Fox Valley in Aurora.
Meanwhile, Kluge said she isn't surprised to see Santa this early in the season.
"I'm very familiar with retail, and they need a boost in sales, especially with the economy," Kluge said. "He's really here about the same time as last year. It's always going to start earlier than people want it to."
Santa Claus is ready to hear the wishes of children - and even a few pets - at suburban malls. Shopping centers will host Santa for photos and visits throughout the holiday season. To find out when he'll be near you, check out our holiday listing.
Aurora
Visit Santa starting this Saturday, Nov. 8, at Westfield Fox Valley, Route 59 and Aurora Avenue, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 23 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24. Santa's breaks are 2 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. For details, call (630) 851-7200 or visit westfield.com/foxvalley.
Bloomingdale
Santa arrives with a parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, at Stratford Square, Schick Road and Gary Avenue. The parade route will follow Windsor Drive, Springfield Road and Schick Road to the mall parking lot and into the center. Santa and Painted Penguin, Barron, Kung Fu Panda, Sunny and Radio Disney Party Patrol will pose for photos in the lower level center court, where face painting and balloon artists also will be offered. Visits with Santa continue from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Christmas Eve. Pet photos with Santa will be offered from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 7, 14, 21. Only cats and dogs on leashes are allowed. For details, call (630) 351-2800 or visit stratfordmall.com.
Lombard
Santa is now available during mall hours for pictures starting through Dec. 24 at Yorktown Center, Highland Avenue and Butterfield Road. Santa will take breaks from 1 to 2 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 2 to 3 p.m. Sundays. On Dec. 7 and 14 the will stay open after regular mall hours for Pet Night, allowing pets to have their picture taken with Santa. For details on mall holiday hours, which differ weekly, visit yorktowncenter.com.
Naperville
The Naperville Park District's Santa House is open weekends Dec. 5-21 along the Riverwalk, Jackson Avenue at Webster Street. Hours are 5 to 8 p.m. Fridays and noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 5-21. Hours are also 5 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Dec. 15-18; Two events for families with special needs will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 2 and 4; Reservations are required. Pet Day will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 3. Admission is free and photos with Santa will be sold for $8 each or two for $15; cash or checks only. For details, call (630) 848-3504 or visit napervilleparks.org.
Schaumburg
Santa has already arrived at Woodfield Shopping Center, Golf Road at Route 53, Schaumburg. Visit Santa from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 22. Mall hours (and Santa's) extend and change weekly through Dec. 24, when the mall is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Santa's daily breaks are noon to 12:30 p.m. and 6 to 6:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Pets also visit with Santa from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Nov. 16. All pets must be on leashes or in a carrier and should enter the mall through Door 1, next to Todai Seafood Buffet. For details and holiday hours, visit shopwoodfield.com.
Wheaton
Santa will visit and take pictures with children from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 29 to Dec. 13 at Wheaton Drama Playhouse, 111 N. Hale St., Wheaton. Pictures cost $3 for one or $5 for two. For details, call the Downtown Wheaton Association at (630) 682-0633 or visit downtownwheaton.com.