Where to Find Santa in and around Champaign-Urbana

Where families can find Santa this holiday season

From parade floats to pancake breakfasts, professional pics and more, we know where kids can find Santa this Christmas around Champaign-Urbana

Santa Claus is coming to Champaign-Urbana! We have rounded up a list of all the local places where your child can see him and ensure their spot on the nice list. So gather your cameras and have your children check their wish list before he makes his trip back to the North Pole.

Thanks to Curtis Orchard for presenting this list. Make lasting memories at Curtis Orchard’s Cookies with Santa. Share your wishlist with Santa, visit with Mrs. Claus, decorate sugar cookies with all the toppings, make Christmas cards (to donate to nursing home residents), choose your own keepsake ornament and have it personalized, and enjoy professional photography by Christopher Fuller (extra charge). Reservations are required to minimize crowds.

Let’s find Santa!

Whether Santa is arriving by fire truck, hanging out in a mall, or making a day of it in a cozy local library, we’ve got the scoop on where to get your Santa pics taken.

First things first: we know Santa is EVERYWHERE this holiday season. Be sure to look at our calendar for many events such as Santa breakfasts, parades, and other places where Santa might show up. Always have your camera (or smartphone) charged and ready. If you are specifically looking for meals with Santa, be aware those events usually fill very quickly.

This list contains events where we are pretty sure Santa will be camera-ready and waiting for your little elves. We look for FREE or low-cost events, some of which require advance registration. Some of the free events may request an optional donation. Some may take photos, but most are BYOC (a.k.a. bring your own camera).

Know of a Santa photo op not on our list? Please submit it here.

Saturday, December 21, 2024

Pathway of Lights - Santa Night

Aikman Wildlife Adventure
Time: 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Come out for the annual Pathway of Lights event! Every Saturday (Nov. 2 -Jan. 4) from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. *Drive-Thru gates close at 7:30* Pathway of Lights offers: Lighted walk-thru display Lighted wagon rides Museum of prehistoric life Nativity billboard story in Drive-Thru Hot food+drinks Red Barn Tours…

Santa in the Depot

Monticello Depot
Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Come see Santa Claus at the Monticello Depot!Kids get to enjoy a one-on-one experience with Santa. This is a Free Event! They encourage participants to bring donations for the local food pantry!

Sunday, December 22, 2024

Santa in the Depot

Monticello Depot
Time: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Come see Santa Claus at the Monticello Depot!Kids get to enjoy a one-on-one experience with Santa. This is a Free Event! They encourage participants to bring donations for the local food pantry!

Visit Santa at Market Place Shopping Center — Reservations Recommended

Visit Santa at Market Place Shopping Center and get ready for the holiday season; 15-minute slots available beginning Nov, 29. Reserve yours online now. Pet photos happen on select Mondays and Tuesdays.

Visit Santa at Lincoln Square

Visit Santa at Lincoln Square! In the past, you could do photos on your own with a donation or purchase an available package. Saturdays: Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14, and 21 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Visit Santa at Festival of Trees

Photos with Santa will be available from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 2:30 – 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 7 during the Junior League Festival of Trees. Photos will be $20 and all proceeds go toward JLCU programs.

Looking for meals with Santa?

Make sure you read the details for each event as almost all require pre-registration to secure your spot and they WILL fill up in advance. What will we include on this list? Any event a short drive from Champaign-Urbana that includes 1) Santa and 2) food. This may be donuts, peanut butter & jelly or a full-out fancy holiday meal.

No Events

Looking for more? Subscribe to our Holiday Newsletter. Want more ideas for holiday (or everyday) fun? Check out our Event Calendar.

Where to Find Santa Claus in the Champaign-Urbana Area

Where families can find Santa this holiday season

From parade floats to pancake breakfasts, professional pics and more, we know where kids can find Santa this Christmas around Champaign-Urbana

Let’s find Santa!

Saturday, December 21, 2024

Pathway of Lights - Santa Night

Santa in the Depot

Sunday, December 22, 2024

Santa in the Depot

Visit Santa at Market Place Shopping Center — Reservations Recommended

Visit Santa at Lincoln Square

Visit Santa at Festival of Trees

Looking for meals with Santa?

Everything Holiday Season In and Around Champaign-Urbana