🎅✨ 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.
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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
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Google's Santa Tracker | Online every day until Christmas!
NORAD Santa Tracker | Online December 1 through Christmas!
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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
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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!
December 6th
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!
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!
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, The Grich
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
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 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
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
December 15th
Santa's Wildlife Express | 10 am - 3 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 15th
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 21st
Breakfast with Santa | 9 am - 11 am
407 Court St. Pekin IL 61554
Come enjoy a yummy breakfast with Santa!
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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