Make plans now to dine with Santa or the Grinch

What better way to meet and take photos with Santa than at a special breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. And the suburbs are brimming with them this season. But take note: reservations are going quickly.

Friday, Nov. 28

Breakfast with Santa and “A Christmas Carol”: 10 a.m. Fridays, Nov. 28 and Dec. 19; Saturday, Nov. 29; and Monday, Dec. 22, at Lucille at Drury Lane, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. Enjoy breakfast with Santa and then stay for Drury Lane’s production of Charles Dickens’ classic tale (tickets sold separately). Breakfast: $50 for adults and $30 for kids 5-12. Dinner with Santa, which includes a cookie-decorating station, is at 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Dec. 10 and 17, for $30-$60. lucillerestaurant.com/holiday-events/.

Saturday, Nov. 29

PJs & Pancakes with Santa: 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, at the Cary Park District Community Center, 255 Briargate Road, Cary. Dress in PJs for the event featuring breakfast, a festive hot cocoa bar, cookie decorating, an ornament craft, and photo opportunities with Santa. $35 for residents older than 2 and $53 for nonresidents older than 2. Register: carypark.com.

Sunday, Nov. 30

Breakfast with Santa at Hotel Baker: Sundays, Nov. 30 and Dec. 7 and 14, at Hotel Baker, 100 W. Main St., St. Charles. Meet with Santa and dine from an extensive brunch buffet. Also includes face painting by a professional artist. Extra fee for a professional photo with Santa. Reservations are required at (630) 584-2100. hotelbaker.com/special-events.

Thursday, Dec. 4

Pizza with Santa: 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at the Community Center, 1777 S. Blanchard St., Wheaton. Enjoy pizza, a holiday craft and photo ops with Santa. $20-$25; max of two nonpaying adults per child. Register: wheatonparkdistrict.com/events/pizza-with-santa.

Friday, Dec. 5

Dough Ho Ho: 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at Park Place Family Recreation Center, 550 S. Park Blvd., Streamwood. Dine on pizza family-style, plus coloring, crafts, goodies and a photo opportunity with Santa. Bring a camera. $20-$30 for adults; $15-$20 for kids 3-11; and free for kids 2 and younger. Register by Nov. 30. streamwoodparks.org.

Saturday, Dec. 6

It’s a Wonderful Life in Lake Bluff!: Seatings at 7, 8, 10 and 11 a.m. at Grace United Methodist Church, 244 E. Center St., Lake Bluff. Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast with Santa. $12 in advance, $15 at the door; free for kids younger than 2. Register at LakeBluffParks.org.

Gurnee Breakfast With Santa: Three seatings: 8-9:15 a.m., 9:30-10:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at Viking Park, 4374 Old Grand Ave., Gurnee. Dine on breakfast with Santa. Children can share their holiday wishes when they take pictures with him. Each child will receive a gift to take home. $13-$18. gurneeparkdistrict.com.

Breakfast with Santa at Poplar Creek: 8:30 and 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at Bridges of Poplar Creek Country Club, 1400 Poplar Creek Drive, Hoffman Estates. Bring a camera for photos with Santa. $30.95 for ages 13 and older; $19.95 for kids 4-12; and free for kids 3 and younger. Register with Jennifer Fuller at (847) 781-3658. heparks.org.

Breakfast with Santa at the Northbrook Neiman Marcus: 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at Neiman Marcus, 5000 Northbrook Court, Northbrook. A breakfast feast with a special appearance by Santa. $70 for adults; $55 for kids 3-12; and free for kids 2 and younger. Register at eventbrite.com by Dec. 4.

Breakfast with Santa at the Pavilion: 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Pavilion Community Center, 1000 Wellington Drive, Elk Grove Village. Breakfast with Santa, who will be available for photos. Registration is required. $20 for kids 3-13, $23 for adults for residents; $21/$25 for nonresidents; $5 for kids 2 and younger. elkgroveparks.org.

Lambs Farm Breakfast with Santa: 9 and 10:30 a.m. and noon Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6-7 and 13-14, at Lambs Farm, 14245 W. Rockland Road, Libertyville. Dine on brunch at the Magnolia Cafe & Bakery, make crafts and meet Santa. $19.95, $7.95 for kids 2 and younger. For reservations, call (847) 362-5050. lambsfarm.org.

Santa Brunch at Cantigny: Reservations available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 6-7, 13-14 and 20-21, at Le Jardin at Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Dine from a buffet featuring breakfast (made-to-order omelets, brioche French toast, Belgian waffles, pastries, fruit, bacon, sausage), lunch (chicken Milanese, beef tenderloin, roasted winter veggies, herb-roasted potatoes), desserts and hot cocoa while getting to meet and take photos with Santa. It’s $37 for adults, $26 for kids 5-12 and $10 for kids younger than 5. Reservations are required. cantigny.org/

Sunday, Dec. 7

Brunch with Santa at Saranello’s: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 7, 14 and 21, at Saranello’s, 601 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling. Kids can meet and take a photo with Santa during the buffet brunch. Plus, unlimited mimosas and champagne for those 21 and older. It’s $42.95 for adults and half price for kids younger than 12. Reservations are required. (847) 777-6878 or saranellos.com/events/santa-brunches/.

Brunch with Santa at Thorn Restaurant: Noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, in the Rose Hotel, 5200 Pearl St., Rosemont. Santa Claus will be available for pictures while you enjoy a brunch buffet featuring waffle, omelet, breakfast, carving, dessert and coffee stations. Bottomless mimosas are included for 21 and older. It’s $73.28 for 13 and older and $37.66 for kids 12 and younger. Reservations are required. (847) 260-4774 or thornrestaurant.com/

Tuesday, Dec. 9

Dinner with Santa at Peggy Kinnane’s: Seatings are from 5-6:30 p.m. and 6:45-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, at Peggy Kinnane’s, 8 N. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus while dining. Call (847) 577-7733 for reservations. peggykinnanes.com/arlington-heights-peggy-kinnane-s-irish-pub-events.

Saturday, Dec. 13

Breakfast with Santa at Villa Olivia: 9:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Villa Olivia, 1401 W. Lake St., Bartlett. The special event with Santa includes a plated breakfast, holiday activities and festive music. Registration is required; see bartlettparks.org/event/breakfast-with-santa/ for registration instructions or call (630) 540-4800.

Brunch with Santa at Pennyville Station: Seatings at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 13 and 20, at Pennyville Station, 112 Main St., Park Ridge. Meet Santa during the brunch buffet that includes breakfast and a hot chocolate bar. It’s $34.95 for adults, $14.95 for kids 6-12, and $8.95 for kids 5 and younger. (847) 720-4841 or pennyvillestation.com/offers-events/christmas.

Pizza Party With Santa: Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines. Dine on pizza and desserts and take photos with Santa. Each child will receive a gift. $25 per person; free for kids 2 and younger. oshows.com/.

Lunch With the Grinch: Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Dine on lunch in Rock ‘N Ravioli in the lobby. Make an ornament and help decorate the tree before the Grinch swoops in to steal it. Plus, photo ops, raffle prizes, festive mocktails and desserts. $35 for ages 3 and older. Register: oshows.com.

Sunday, Dec. 14

Brunch With Santa and Mrs. Claus at The Drake: 9:15 and 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, and 9:15 and 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at The Drake Oak Brook, 2301 York Road, Oak Brook. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus during a lavish brunch. It's $85 for adults, $40 for kids 4-10, and free for kids 3 and younger. thedrakeoakbrookhotel.com/brunch-with-santa.htm.

Breakfast With Santa: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, and Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Dine on breakfast in Rock ‘N Ravioli in the lobby before entering the theater for a visit with Santa Claus. Plus, festive music and meet holiday characters. Each child will receive a gift. $40 for ages 12 and older; $30 for kids 2-11; and free for kids younger than 2. Register: oshows.com.

Sunday, Dec. 21

Brunch With The Grinch and Santa at The Drake: 9, 9:15, 9:30 and 9:45 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at The Drake Oak Brook, 2301 York Road, Oak Brook. Meet Mr. Grinch and Santa during a Sunday feast. It’s $85 for adults, $40 for kids 4-10, and free for kids 3 and younger. thedrakeoakbrookhotel.com/brunch-with-santa-and-the-grinch.htm.

Breakfast With Santa: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at The Ashburn in the Loews Chicago O’Hare Hotel, 5300 N. River Road, Rosemont. Have breakfast with Santa and enjoy live music, a holiday craft station and a photo op with the big guy. loewshotels.com/chicago-ohare/discover/happenings.

Brunch with Santa: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at Johnny’s Supper Club, 1250 Bowes Creek Road, Elgin. Dine from omelet, breakfast, carving and entree stations and meet with Santa. Each child will receive a goodie bag to take home. It’s $39 for adults, $15 for kids 4-12, and free for kids 3 and younger. For reservations, call (847) 214-5877. johnnyssupperclub.com/events/.