See Santa, reindeer and carolers at Algonquin Commons
Beginning the day after Thanksgiving and continuing every weekend through Dec. 16, Santa Claus and the Santa Express trolley is running free shuttle rides throughout the Algonquin Commons from 1 to 4 p.m.
Kids and parents alike can find any one of a dozen trolley stops to hop aboard for free convenient travel between stores.
Santa will be on the trolley with gifts for every boy and girl. Have your camera ready for capturing warm holiday memories. Before or after visiting with Santa, kids can stop into the mall office to pick up a free pair of reindeer antlers.
New to the mall this holiday season, come visit two of Santa's real live reindeer, Dasher and Dancer, up close and personal. They will be visiting the mall from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9 and 16.
Students from Westfield Community School will be caroling at Algonquin Commons at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16.
Free gift-wrapping will be offered again this year for any mall purchases starting Dec. 16 and continuing through Dec. 22.
The Holiday Wrapping Express store is located at 1976 S. Randall Road, between the Pottery Barn and White House Black Market stores. Holiday wrapping hours are: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16; 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 17-21; and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22.
This free storefront will be staffed with volunteers from local charity organizations. The charities that will be on hand include: Gigi's Playhouse on Sunday, Dec. 16; Big Brothers Big Sisters of McHenry on Monday, Dec. 17; Algonquin Lions Club on Tuesday, Dec. 18; Animal House Shelter on Wednesday, Dec. 19; Boys and Girls Club of Dundee Township on Thursday, Dec. 20; Crème de la Crème Animal Foundation on Friday, Dec. 21; and Mane in Heaven on Saturday, Dec. 22.
Each of these charities will have information tables set up in the Holiday Wrapping Express store with opportunities for each shopper to donate to their worthy causes.
The mall is continuing its long-standing tradition and giving three cheers for charity again this year. Mall shoppers can donate a new unwrapped toy or any new or gently used winter outerwear to the guest services office for Toys for Tots, Community Unit District 300, or Cal's Angels, and be entered to win a $50 Algonquin Commons gift card.
For information, visit shopatalgonquincommons.com.