guides

Where to find Santa, The "Grouch", and more this holiday season!

By Julia Briggs, Macaroni KID Peoria November 1, 2024

🎅✨ Macaroni KID Peoria has gathered all the Santa and other Christmas Character sightings in one place! Check out the list below, organized by date from earliest to latest. Click on the events below to see all the details and see exactly WHO will be there! 

Don’t forget to visit our website’s events calendar for a complete list of upcoming events—more will be added as they are announced!

We also offer a personalized and printable letter from Santa for your kiddos if you'd like.



But did you know your kids can CALL Santa? Yes, it’s true! There’s a FREE 24/7 Santa Hotline available year-round at 605-313-0691. For Spanish, kids can call 605-313-4001. They’ll hear a 48-second recording of Santa speaking to them, followed by a beep for them to leave their Christmas wishes!

Short on time? No problem! Kids can also TEXT Santa at 833-798-0109




Google's Santa Tracker  |  Online every day until Christmas!

NORAD Santa Tracker  |  Online December 1 through Christmas!

Click the image below to see Santa's full schedule at the Shoppes 

Bass Pro Shops - November 2nd - December 24th

Experience Santa’s Magical Arrival, Tree Lighting, and Seasonal Treats at your local Bass Pro Shops on November 2nd. 

  • Photos begin November 3rd.
  • Get a free 4x6 photo  
  • Plan your visit up to 7 days in advance. 

Kids can experience FREE weekday giveaways (*While supplies last)

  • 3D Christmas Light: Nov. 4th - 15th
  • Wooden Ornaments: Nov. 18th - 26th
  • Bass Cookie Cutter: Dec. 9th - 24th

Special Santa Sightings

  • Christmas Tales with Santa and Mrs. Claus - Tuesday's at 5pm Nov. 5 - Dec. 17th
  • Yuletide Breakfast - Nov. 16th & 23rd, and Dec. 7th at 9am




November 2nd

Kringle at Keller Station | 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Keller Station, 6035 N. Knoxville Avenue, Peoria IL 61616

Pet Photos with Santa | 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Doodlekins Barkery, 121 S Main Street, Morton, IL 61550

November 7th

Free Pics w/ St. Nick for kids & pets | 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Hoerr Nursery, 8020 N Shade Tree Dr., Peoria, IL 61615

November 9th

Pet Pics with Santa | 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm

My Dog's Bakery, 4100 W. Willow Knolls Drive, Suite A04, Peoria IL 61615

A Hometown Holiday | 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Midwest Farm Charm, IL-17, Lacon, IL 61540

November 16th

Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus | 8 am
Tanners Orchard, 740 State Route 40, Speer, IL 61479

Peoria Kristkindlmarkt | 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Exposition Gardens,1601 W Northmoor Rd, Peoria, IL 61614

The Kristkindl or Santa Claus will be there passing out candy canes! 

See Santa at Craftology | 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Craftology, 131 E Washington St, East Peoria, IL 61611

Come grab a picture with Santa and shop some great Christmas items! 

November 17th

Pictures with Santa | 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Tails of a Bookworm, 2936 Court St, Pekin, IL 61554

Come out and get your pictures with Santa! Pictures will be $15 each session and emailed to you the following week by our awesome photographer Ally Wilson.

November 22nd

Nikolausmarkt | See event for times
City Park and other locations, Chillicothe, IL
Come out and see Santa and have some great family fun! 

November 23rd

Nikolausmarkt | See event for times
City Park and other locations, Chillicothe, IL
4:00 pm - Pictures w/Santa at City Park Stage

Photos with Santa- professional photos- family and pets! | 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
My Dog's Bakery, Peoria, IL

Bring your whole family including your pets for photos with santa. you will receive one professional photo for $25 donation.

November 29th

137th Santa Clause Parade | 9:15 am
Downtown Peoria, IL

Don't miss the longest-running Santa Claus Parade in the USA!

November 30th

Howliday Boutique | 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Peoria Humane Society, 2600 NE Perry Ave, Peoria, IL 61603
Come shop local at PHS. There will be Peoria Humane Society apparel, totes, calendars, pet supplies, coupon books, baked goods, and more! Don't miss Santa! Come get your picture taken with him! 

Morton's Hometown Holidays | 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Memorial Plaza 308 S Main St Morton, IL 61550

Come out and see Santa, Mrs. Claus, and of course the reindeer! 

December 1st

7th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Community Sing | 6:00 pm
Marquette Height Public Library, 715 Lincoln Rd Marquette Heights, IL 61554

Come enjoy the family fun and see Santa! 

December 5th

Cookies with Santa | 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Carle Health Pekin, 3499 Griffin Dr Pekin, IL 61554

Come have some cookies and cocoa with Santa! 

Annual Candlelight Stroll | 5:30 pm
Washington Square, Washington, IL

Join the Washington Specialty Shops for a magical evening filled with holiday cheer -- Santa included! 

December 6th

Claus for a Cause: Relax and Refresh | 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
2000 W Pioneer Pkwy, Peoria, IL

Adults can come relax with chair massages and more while the kids enjoy visits with Santa, cocoa, crafts, and storytimes.

Christmas on Court: Letters to Santa Workshop! | 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Olivia's Playhouse, 341 Court Street Pekin, IL 61554

Head over to Olivia's Playhouse where you can write your letter to Santa and deliver it in the special mailox. There will be magical pictures and special meet-and-greet with Snoopy Claus!

Christmas in the Village | 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Peoria Riverfront Museum, Peoria, IL

Come see Santa and enjoy this festive event packed with activities that will keep the whole family entertained, and it’s a great way to make lasting holiday memories together. 

December 7th

Santa Breakfast at Kennel Lake (Morton) | 8:00 am - 11:00 am
22172 Kennel 
Lake Dr., Morton IL 61550
Enjoy breakfast with Santa! 

Breakfast with Santa - HyVee December 7, 2024 | 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Hy-Vee Sheridan Village, Peoria, IL

Come eat breakfast and get your picture with Santa! 

Winter Wonderland Market & Santa Claus | 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Shore Acres, 100 Park BLVD., Chillicothe, IL 61523
Come out and do some holiday shopping. See Santa from 11am-Noon

Breakfast with Santa | 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Peoria Chapter Izaak Walton League, 1125 Spring Bay Rd (Rt. 26), East Peoria, IL 61611

Eat breakfast with Santa!!  

Santa Breakfast - Five Points Washington | 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Five Points Washington, 360 N Wilmor Rd Washington, IL 61571

Enjoy a magical morning! Have breakfast with Santa and tell him what you want for Christmas!

Photos with the Grinch & Frosty | 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
The Coffee Hub, Lacon, IL

Bring the kiddos for a fun photo op with the Grinch and Frosty! Plus a free kids cocoa!  

Folepi's Gifts Galore | 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Historic 4 Corners District, Washington Street and McKinley Street, East Peoria, IL 61611

Carriage rides, shopping, and the, the, the, The Grinch!

Communication Junction's Sign + Sing Christmas Party | 2 times: 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm
Northminister Learning Center, 10720 N Knoxville Ave Peoria, IL 61615

Come out and enjoy a holiday-themed Sign and Sing Story Time, activities, age-appropriate crafts, and a visit from the one and only Santa! Santa will be available for photos with Erica Ogden of E.Ogden Photography either before or after your Sign + Sing Story Time

Tremont Hometown Christmas| 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Tremont, IL

Come on out for the 2nd annual Tremont Hometown Christmas!! A night full of family fun!!

Christmas in the Village | 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Peoria Riverfront Museum, Peoria, IL

Come see Santa and enjoy this festive event packed with activities that will keep the whole family entertained, and it’s a great way to make lasting holiday memories together. 

Metamora Hometown Christmas| 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Metamora Village Square

Come see Santa and enjoy other Hometown Christmas festivities! 

Peoria Pops Orchestra: Christmas Rocks at the Pops! | 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Five Points Washington Washington, IL

Celebrate the season with the Peoria Pops Orchestra at our holiday concert, Christmas Rocks at the Pops! Don't miss your chance to capture the magic of the night with a photo opportunity with Santa!

December 8th

Cookies with Santa & Holiday Fun | 12 pm
3300 Event Center, 3300 W Willow Knolls Dr, Peoria, IL

Get your picture with Santa and meet some special cast members from A Jolly Holiday Adventure!

December 13th

Santa's Wildlife Express | 10 am - 3 pm
Wildlife Prairie Park, 3826 N Taylor Rd Hanna City, Hanna City IL 61536
Come out and take a ride to the North Pole, ride through the Enchanted Forest, and end up at Santa's Workshop! Come enjoy crafts and treats and meet Santa himself! 

Smiles with Santa | 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Secure Dental 502 Riverside Dr East Peoria, IL 61611

Characters: Kids can come to see Santa and tell him what they want for Christmas! 

Peoria Area Civic Chorale’s An American Family Christmas | 7:30 pm
Five Points Washington, Washington, IL

Enjoy Christmas music, featuring reimagined classics like “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”plus appearances by Rudolph, Santa, and Mrs. Claus. Don't miss this festive tradition, complete with a cake reception after Friday and Saturday shows!

December 14th

Breakfast with the Grinch | 8:30 am - 11:00 am
Oliver's in The Heights, Peoria Heights, IL

Bring the whole family to enjoy a festive Breakfast with the Grinch

Polar Express Breakfast with Santa | 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Peoria Riverfront Museum, Peoria, IL

Put on your holiday PJs and join us for a magical morning with Santa and friends!

Brunch with Santa | 10:00 am - 2:30 pm
Peoria Zoo, Peoria, IL

Enjoy a delicious meal, quality time with Santa, letter-writing to Rudolph, and crafting fun with the Peoria PlayHouse staff.

Santa's Wildlife Express | 10 am - 3 pm
Wildlife Prairie Park, 3826 N Taylor Rd Hanna City, Hanna City IL 61536

Come out and take a ride to the North Pole, ride through the Enchanted Forest, and end up at Santa's Workshop! Come enjoy crafts and treats and meet Santa himself! 

Sensory Santa | 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Heart of Illinois Special Recreation Association (HISRA), 8727 N. Pioneer Rd.Peoria IL 61615
All are welcome to come see Santa in a sensory friendly environment!

Pancakes & Pictures with Santa | 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
TCRC Inc, 33 S. 4th Street, Pekin, IL 61554
Bring the family enjoy a pancake and sausage breakfast, see and get your picture taken with Santa and enjoy the fun we have for the kids

Santa’s Secret Garden 🎅| 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Luthy Botanical Garden, Peoria, IL

Bring the family to experience the magic of the season! Kids can meet Santa and craft a special holiday keepsake with the talented staff from the Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum.

December 15th

Santa's Wildlife Express | 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Wildlife Prairie Park, 3826 N Taylor Rd Hanna City, IL 61536

Come out and take a ride to the North Pole, ride through the Enchanted Forest, and end up at Santa's Workshop! Come enjoy crafts and treats and meet Santa himself! 

December 18th 

FOLEPI Night at the Library: Storytime with Santa  | 6 pm - 10 pm
Fondulac District Library 400 Richland Street, East Peoria, IL 61611
Join Santa for a special story and make sure to have your camera ready

December 20th

Grinchmas in the Park | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Shore Acres Park, Chillicothe, IL
Enjoy holiday music, food, family activities, and plenty of Grinchy surprises.

Nick of Time Shopping Event | 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
The Shoppes at Grand Prairie, Peoria, IL

Join us from 12:00–4:00 PM for a festive day of shopping and fun!
✨ Santa will be here to spread holiday cheer!
🚂 Kids can enjoy a ride on the trackless train from 12:00–4:00 PM.
🎅 The Grouch will be cruising the center from 2:00–4:00 PM.

December 21st

Breakfast with the Grinch | 8:00 am - 11:00 am
Oliver's in the Heights, Peoria Heights, IL

Don’t miss out on the chance to meet the Grinch and enjoy a delicious breakfast!

Breakfast with Santa | 9 am - 11 am
407 Court St. Pekin IL 61554
Come enjoy a yummy breakfast with Santa!

Photos with the Grinch & Frosty | 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
The Coffee Hub, Lacon, IL

Bring the kiddos for a fun photo op with the Grinch and Frosty!

Brunch with Santa at Kelleher's Jingle & Sip Pop-Up | 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Kelleher's Irish Pub & Eatery, Peoria, IL

Bring the whole family for festive food, holiday cheer, and a special visit from Santa!

Skate with Santa | 12:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Owen's Center, Peoria, IL

Lace up your skates and glide alongside the jolly man himself for an unforgettable holiday experience.

Pizza With Santa | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
460 Pizza, Peoria, IL

Come snag a bite to eat with the Big Guy!


Do you know of a Holiday Character Sighting in or around Peoria that isn't listed here? Please submit your event here and we will get it added! 




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