Santa Claus is comin’ to town!! We’ve made a list of Santa appearances before he heads back to the North Pole. Check out these locations and events for photo ops with Saint Nick.
Note: Many of the free and candid Santa photo ops are usually BYOC (Bring Your Own Camera). We’ll keep updating this list for Santa photo opportunities as submitted, but for the full listing of holiday experiences in the Greater Peoria Area, check out our Calendar of Events.
PHOTOS WITH SANTA
My Dog’s Bakery {Peoria} // November 11, 2023 @ 12 - 3pm, All pets welcome.
TAiLS of a Bookworm {Pekin} // November 12 + 13, 2023 @ 11am - 3pm. Kids, critters + Adults welcome.
Winter Wonderland Vendor Market {Chillicothe} // November 25, 2023 @ 9am - 3pm
Bass Pro Shops {East Peoria} // November 5 - December 24, 2023, Mon-Fri @ 5pm - 8pm, Sat @ 10am-8pm, Sun @ 10am - 5pm
Hoerr Nursery {Peoria} // November 26 + December 3, 2023 @ 11am - 2pm, Pets Welcomed
Northwoods Mall {Peoria} // November 30 - December 24, 2023, Mon-Sat @ 11am - 7pm, Sun @ 12pm-5pm
Northwoods Mall Pet Photos {Peoria} // December 4, 2023 @ 4-7pm
Family Weekend Program {Princeville} // December 16, 2023 @ 10-11:30am
Snowman Reindeer Farm {Canton} // November 1 - December 26, 2023, Reservations Only
The Shoppes at Grand Prairie {Peoria} // October 31 - December 24, 2023, Every Weekend @ 12pm-5pm
EVENTS WITH SANTA APPEARANCES
Christmas in Who-ville {Chillicothe} // November 18, 2023 @ 5pm
136th Santa Claus Parade {Peoria} // Downtown Peoria, November 24, 2023 @ 9:15am
Hometown Holidays Christmas Parade {Morton} // November 25, 2022 @ 5:30pm
Tree Lighting + Holiday Stroll {Princeville} // Steven’s Square, November 26, 2023 @ 4:30-6:30pm
Christmas on Court {Pekin} // December 2, 2023 @ 4-8pm
Old-Fashioned Christmas Walk {Canton} // December 1, 2023 @ 5-8pm
Kris Kringle Market {Peoria Heights} // Tower Park, December 1, 2023 @ 3-7pm + December 2 @ 10am -3pm
Christmas in the Village {Peoria} // Peoria Riverfront Museum, December 1, 2023 @ 4-8pm + December 2 @ 2am -8pm
Christmas Walk {Elmwood} // December 2, 2023 @ 4-7pm
Santa’s Woodland Workshop {Chillicothe} // Camp Wokanda, December 2, 2023 @ 10:00am-12:30pm, 1:30pm-4:00pm + December 3 @ 12:30pm-3:00pm
Holiday Luminary Stroll {Mackinaw} // Mackinaw Valley Vineyard, December 2, 2023 @ 5-8:30pm
A Village Christmas {Metamora} // December 3, 2023 @ 12pm-3pm
Christmas Light Show {Goodfield} // The Barn III, December 19, 2023 @ 6-8pm
Santa in the Greenhouse {Dunlap} // Green View Companies, December 9, 2023 @ 10am - 2pm
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Breakfast with Santa + Mrs. Claus {Speer} // Tanner’s Orchard, November 18, 2023 @ 8:00am, Reservations only
Breakfast With Santa {Chillicothe} // December 2, 2023 @ 9am
Santa Breakfast {Washington} // Five Points Washington, December 2, 2023 @ 9-11am, Ticket required
Breakfast with Santa {Hana City} // Wildlife Prairie Park, Sunday, December 3, 2023 @ 10-12pm. ( purchase tickets in advance)
Polar Express Breakfast with Santa {Peoria} // Peoria Riverfront Museum, December 9, 2023 @ 9am-Noon, Reservations Only
Sensory Friendly Santa Experience {Peoria} // HISRA, December 9, 2023 @ 9am - Noon
Breakfast with Santa + Mrs. Claus {Pekin} // Avanti’s Event Center, December 9, 2023 @ 7:30-11:30am, Reservations Only
Brunch with Santa {Peoria} // Peoria Zoo, December 16, 2023 @ 10:00am - 11:30pm, Reservations Only
Ivy Club Brunch with Santa {Peoria Heights} // Ivy Club, December 17th, 2023 @ 9:00am - 1:00pm