Looking for Santa

Try Lincoln Park Zoo, we were there last Friday and got our Santa pictures never paid a penny, the lights are also worth the trip.

Happy Holidays!

I called the HIP today because I am looking for the same thing. The woman was very nice and said no problems taking my own pictures. She even told me where to park for closer entrance, upstairs by escalator 1. I have not been there in years. Harlem & Irving Park Rd.

We were just at Stratford Mall in Bloomingdale and they allow you to take your own pictures...at least they did last year and this year the day we went.

Not sure where you live, but I just took my kids to the Vernon Hills Mall. You're right...they DO have a No Pictures Allowed Policy. HOWEVER....I when I asked about taking a picture (because I didn't know about the policy), the lady told me about the policy, BUT that they will allow just ONE photo. She said it's not worth arguing over, so they let parents take ONE photo. SOOOO....make sure your kids are looking how you want them when you take your ONE shot. It worked out great for me!!
Good Luck!

I know that Lombard has Santa visit every Wednesday Friday Saturday and Sunday from 6-8 in Lilacia Park.
They have train ride, Santa, and refreshments.
The park looks nice with the lights.
Not sure about the pictures, but it didn't say they charge.
You could call the park district at
###-###-####.

Have Fun!

I take my kids to Breakfast with Santa at Macy's. They do it at several different locations and you only have to pay for the breakfast. The kids see Santa and you take your own pictures. Check it out at macys.com. They have it on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Hi, you could check the park district where you live. The last week or two they have had various events in our community. They usually also have something at most Churches too, I think. I know they did at ours!

Also, it is funny, because it is ridiculous how much they charge at the Mall. I pretended I was going to buy some, and then took my own, and then told them "no thank you", I didn't really like them! They didn't like that too much, but too bad...they charge WAY TO MUCH!!!

Happy Holidays!

Lincoln Park Zoo. They are currently doing the holiday zoo lights and they ususally have a Santa in one of the animal houses. Perhaps check the website or give the zoo a call to see when Santa is there. We did this 2 years ago with our daughter. You can take all your own photos and the evening we were there, it wasn't busy at all! Entry into the zoo is free and no charge for seeing santa!

We just took our daughter to Harlem and Irving and took our own pictures. They do take photos, and try to make you buy them, but we just said, No thank you, and walked away. I remember doing the same thing at Stratford last year with my nephews. I don't really think they can MAKE you buy their photos.

Otherwise, find out if your community center or church has a breakfast with Santa?

We had a very good expereince with the Santa at the Christkindlmarket last year. Its a German Holiday Festival locate at Daley Plaza. Admission is free and you do not have to pay to get a pic with Santa. We must have taken 20 of them! Though we did wait approx 30-40 min last year (outside!) for our turn, it was WELL worth the wait! The Santa & helper Elf were so kind and patient. No rushing you out. They were so good with the kids! I cant say enough great things about our experince.

Plus there's the market with tons of ornaments, shopping and food vendors. And free Admission!

We are taking our 4 & 1 yr old out to this week...and are so excited about it!

You can take the El train in ....brings you right to Daley plaza too!

Not sure where you live, but the Bass Pro Shop in Bolingbrook has Santa and his workshop. They give you a free picture, and let you take your own and do not pressure you to purchase anything else. Its indoors so its not freezing and when we went yesterday there was no one there and they encouraged letting our little ones walk around and get there own courage up to meet santa.

Also, this was the NICEST santa I have ever met (and has the real beard!)He was so kind and spoke very gently to the kids. We live in the City but it was definetly worth the trip!

Downtown Downers Grove has a Santa, adn I know sometimes Wal mart has him too. I know both places you can take your own pictures. Last Sat, Baird Warner Real Estate on Ogden in Downers Grove had him and gave free pictures, look for that again next year.
For now, try Wal mart or downtown downers grove
Godo luck
C. Petras
AVON REP

Unless they have changed policy in the past few weeks, you can take pictures for free at Macys Santa.

I worked there one year as an "elf" and your own camera was fine - staff was told to treat all visits the same whether a photo was purchased or not. We also took our daughters there before Thanksgiving this year and took our own pictures for free.

Not sure on where you live but you can go to Old Orchard in Skokie and Santa is there from Friday, Sat, Sun fron 12pm-5pm until Dec.21st. Pictures are free and while supplies are limited the kids get a a free gift. U can take as many pictures with your own camera.

Also Lincolinwood Towncenter in Lincolin, IL has a Santa who is there 7days a wk. I believe u have to pay for those pictures. Hope this helps. :]

Oh dear! Too bad you are asking about this now. For the last 2 weekends Evanston had a great Santa where your own pics were totally encouraged. There was not even a photog there, it was just a good-will measure sponsored by the local businesses. But it was only for the first 2 weekends in Dec. But mark it down for next year...

I've done my own pictures with the santa at stratford square mall in past years. This year we did ours with santa at the park district on the night of tree lighting. Check your local park districts and churches for events with santa- many are free! Happy holidays!

We went to Macy's on State Street. You have to pay a small charge (I think it was $10?) and you can take your own pictures. We went early on a weekday and there was not a line. I have heard that it can get crowded later in the day.

I am pretty sure you can take your own pic with Santa at the Chriskindle market at Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago.

Check your local park districts or small towns. Most of them you don't need to be resident of the area. Many have done it already but there might be some. I have been going to Berwyn Park district to see Santa for the lsat few years. I have also been in Bridgeview, Chicago Ridge, and Cicero. If you live near Cicero they are have their holiday festival today Dec. 16 at the park. Don't know how it's going to work since it's snowing but, check it out.

Check out the Lincoln Park Zoo Lights (the kids LOVE them) and a FREE Santa inside the Lion House! We went on Saturday. He was THE BEST SANTA WE'VE EVER SEEN! He even sung Happy Birthday to a pair of little girls!

Well worth the trip!

It sounds weird, but check with your local supermarket. We just went yesterday to our Jewel and got a free pic. with Santa and candycane. Our park district just did something as well, but I don't know how much (if anything) they charged for pictures.

Last year Lincolnwood Mall let us take our own picture & the Santa had a real beard.

Check with your local park district. If there is a fee, it's usually very low (in Chicago it's around $5 to $15-- if it's breakfast or lunch with Santa).