Pictures with Santa are a beloved holiday tradition for families all over the world. From toddlers to grandparents, everyone loves to capture a moment with the jolly man in red. Whether you’re visiting Santa at a store, a local park, or at other events around McHenry County, there’s nothing quite like the magic of a Santa photo.
Don’t let the holiday rush get to you! There’s so much to do this time of year, but it’s important to take a moment to relax and enjoy the season. That’s why we’ve put together a list of Santa events in McHenry County, so you can create lasting memories with your family.
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Our Santa tracker is organized by city, and it includes all the information you need to plan your visit, such as dates, times, and locations. Just keep in mind that many of these events are DIY when it comes to taking photos, so bring your camera!
Also, be sure to check the respective websites for any changes, and dress for the weather, as some events may be outdoors. And while some Santa events are standalone, others may be combined with other holiday events, such as parades or tree lightings. So factor that into your timing as well.
We hope this helps you make the most of the holiday season in McHenry County!
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2024 Pictures With Santa Claus Guide
We’ve included some of the tree lightings and Christmas Parades that may include Santa. Some of these may have specific visitation and photo activities, while others might be more “in passing,” though still may present some general picture-taking opportunities. Be sure to check the specific events for more details. Also, be aware that some of these might require pre-registration, and while most are free, some may have a fee.
NOTE: we’ve shaded those events below that are as of yet unconfirmed. We’ll continue to update as new information is available.
Algonquin
Miracle On Main
Date & Time: Saturday, December 7, 2024; 4:00 pm
Host: Village of Algonquin
Location: 2 S Main Street, Algonquin, IL 60102
Information: Details
Breakfast with Santa at Cucina Bella
Date & Times: Saturday, December 14, 2024; 9:00 am & 1:00 pm
Host: Village of Algonquin
Location: 220 S Main St, Algonquin, IL 60102
Information: Details
Brunch with Santa at Port Edward
Date & Time: Saturday, December 1, 2024; 10:00 am
Host: Port Edward
Location: 20 W Algonquin Rd, Algonquin, IL 60102
Information: Details
Cary
Visit with Santa
Date & Time: Friday, December 4, 2024; 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Host: Cary Park District
Location: 6800 S. Rawson Bridge Rd, Cary, IL 60013
Information: Details
Santa’s Workshop
Dates & Times: Friday, December 13, 2024, @11:25 am – 2:08 pm
Saturday, December 14, 2024, @10:50 am – 1:43 pm
Host: Cary Park District
Location: 100 W. Main St. Cary, IL 60013
Breakfast with Santa
Date & Time: Sunday, December 7, 2024; 8:00 am – 11:00 am
Host: Cary United Methodist Church
Location: 500 N 1st St, Cary, IL 60013
Information: Details
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Merry Cary Holiday Parade & Festival
Date & Time: Sunday, December 8, 2024; 12:30 pm
Host: Cary-Grove Chamber of Commerce
Location: 108 W Main St, Cary, IL 60013
Information: Details
PJs and Pancakes with Santa
Date & Time: Saturday, November 30, 2024; 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Host: Cary Park District
Location: 255 Briargate Rd, Cary, IL 60013
Information: Details
PJs and Pizza with Santa
Date & Time: Saturday, November 30, 2024; 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Host: Cary Park District
Location: 255 Briargate Rd, Cary, IL 60013
Information: Details
Crystal Lake
Clickmas in Crystal Lake Holiday Display and Food Drive
Date & Time: November 28 – December 12, 2024; 5:00 pm – 12:00 am (check website for details on when Santa will be available)
Host: Fisher Outreach Group, Inc.
Location: 401 W Woodstock St., Crystal Lake 60014
Information: Details
Festival of Lights Parade
Date & Time: Friday, November 29, 2024; 7:00 pm
Host: Downtown Crystal Lake
Location: N Williams St & E Crystal Lake Ave, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Information: Details
Santa House Visits
Dates & Times: Thursday – Sunday from November 29th to December 22, 2024, Times vary by date (see Details below)
Host: Downtown Crystal Lake
Location: 38 N Williams St, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Information: Details
Santa is Coming to Nunda Township
Date & Time: Saturday, December 14, 2024; 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Host: Nunda Township
Location: 3510 Bay Rd, Crystal Lake, IL 60012
Information: Details
Fox Lake
Fox Lake Festival of Lights
Date & Time: Saturday, November 30, 2024; 6:00 pm
Host: Village of Fox Lake
Location: 6 Rollins Rd, Fox Lake, IL 60020
Information: Details
Santa’s Cottage
Date: Various dates starting December 7, 2024; Times vary by date
Host: Village of Fox Lake
Location: 6 Rollins Rd, Fox Lake, IL 60020
Information: Details
Fox Lake Children’s Holiday Party
Date & Time: Sunday, December 15, 2024; 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Host: Village of Fox Lake
Location: 71 Nippersink Blvd, Fox Lake, IL 60020
Information: Details
Fox River Grove
Fox River Grove Tree Lighting
Date & Time: Friday, December 6, 2024; 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Host: Village of Fox River Grove
Location: 315 Northwest Highway, Fox River Grove, IL 60021
Information: Details
Santa Parade in Fox River Grove
Date & Time: Sunday, December 15, 2024; 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Host: Village of Fox River Grove
Location: 411 Algonquin Rd, Fox River Grove, IL 60021
Information: Details
Harvard
Holiday Hoopla in Harvard
Date & Time: Saturday, December 7, 2024; 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Host: Brown Bear Daycare
Location: 21007 McGuire Rd, Harvard, IL 60033
Information: Details
Christmas in Harvard Parade
Date & Time: Saturday, December 7, 2024; 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Host: City of Harvard
Location: 201 W Diggins St, Harvard, IL 60033
Information: Details
Huntley
A Very Merry Huntley
Date & Time: Saturday, December 7, 2024; 9:00 am (Santa at 5:00 pm)
Host: Village of Huntley
Location: 11700 Main St, Huntley, IL 60142
Information: Details
Santa’s Workshop
Date & Time: Friday, December 13, 2024; 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Host: Huntley Park District
Location: 12015 Mill St, Huntley, IL 60142
Information: Details
Brunch with Santa at Pinecrest Golf Club
Date & Time: Sunday, December 15, 2024; 10:00 am & 1:00 pm
Host: Pinecrest Golf Club
Location: 11220 W Algonquin Rd, Huntley, IL 60142
Information: Details
Island Lake
Island Lake Lioness Club Spaghetti Supper with Santa
Date & Time: Saturday, December 7, 2024; 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Host: Island Lake Lioness Club
Location: 3720 Greenleaf Ave, Island Lake, IL 60042
Information: Details
Annual Tree Lighting
Date & Time: Saturday, December 7, 2024; 6:00 pm
Host: Village of Island Lake
Location: 3720 Greenleaf Ave, Island Lake, IL 60042
Information: Details
Johnsburg
Holiday Magic Parade & Tree Lighting
Date & Time: Saturday, December 14, 2024; 5:00 pm
Host: Village of Johnsburg
Location: 2315 W Church St, Johnsburg, IL 60051
Information: Details
Lake in the Hills
Flurry Fest
Date & Time: Friday, December 13, 2024; 5:15 pm – 7:00 pm
Host: Village of Lake in the Hills
Location: 600 Harvest Gate, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156
Information: Details
Cookies with Mr. & Mrs. Claus
Date & Time: Saturday, December 7, 2024; 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Host: Village of Lake in the Hills
Location: 600 Harvest Gate, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156
Information: Details
Lakemoor
Visit with Santa
Date & Time: Saturday, December 14, 2024; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Host: Village of Lakemoor
Location: 28581 W IL Rte 120, Lakemoor, IL 60051
Information: Details
Marengo
Marengo Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony
Date & Time: Saturday, December 7, 2024; 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Host: City of Marengo
Location: 132 E Prairie St, Marengo, IL 60152
Information: Details
More festive fun? See all of our holiday guides!
McHenry
Tree Lighting at Veteran’s Park
Date & Time: Saturday, November 23, 2024; 4:30 pm
Host: City of McHenry
Location: 3400 Pearl Street, McHenry, IL 60050
Information: Details
Port Barrington
Annual Village Santa Parade & Party
Date & Time: Sunday, December 22, 2022; 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Host: Village of Port Barrington
Location: 69 S Circle Ave, Port Barrington, IL 60010
Information: Details
Richmond
Richmond’s Christmas of Yesteryear Celebration
Date & Time: Saturday, December 7, 2024; 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Host: Richmond’s Christmas of Yesteryear
Location: 10308 N Main St, Richmond, IL 60071
Information: Details
Richmond’s Cocoa Walk Weekend
Dates & Times: December 7 – 8, 2024; 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Host: Anderson’s Candy Shop & KT’s Cheesecakes & More
Location: 10307 US-12, Richmond, IL 60071
Information: Details
Ringwood
Visit Santa at the Village Hall
Date & Time: Saturday, November 30, 2024; 9:00 am – 11:30 am
Host: Village of Ringwood
Location: 6000 Barnard Mill Rd, Ringwood, IL 60072
Information: Details
Spring Grove
Merry and Bright in Spring Grove
Date & Time: Saturday, December 7, 2024; 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Host: Village of Spring Grove
Location: 8105 Blivin St, Spring Grove, IL 60081
Information: Details
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Wonder Lake
Christmas By the Lake
Date & Time: Saturday, December 7, 2024; 1:00 pm
Host: Village of Wonder Lake
Location: 7602 Hancock Dr, Wonder Lake, IL 60097
Information: Details
Woodstock
Lighting of the Square
Date & Time: Friday, November 29, 2024; 4:00 pm
Host: City of Woodstock
Location: Van Buren St & Dean St, Woodstock, IL 60098
Information: Details
Annual Woodstock Christmas Parade
Date & Time: Sunday, December 1, 2024; 2:00 pm
Host: City of Woodstock
Location: Van Buren St & Dean St, Woodstock, IL 60098
Information: Details
Cookies and Churros with Santa
Date & Time: Sunday, November 26, 2023; 2:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Host:
Location: 240 N Throop St, Woodstock, IL 60098
Information: Details
Breakfast with Santa
Date & Times: Sunday, December 8, 2024; Times vary (see Details below)
Host: Woodstock Recreation
Location: 406 Clay St, Woodstock, IL 60098
Information: Details
Santa Hut
Dates & Times: November 29 – December 23, 2024; Times vary (see Details below)
Host: Rotary Club of Woodstock
Location: 151 W Van Buren St, Woodstock, IL 60098
Information: Details
Jolly Jingles: A Santa Sing-a-Long Celebration
Date & Time: December 15, 2024; 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Host: Unity Spiritual Center of Woodstock
Location: 225 W Calhoun St, Woodstock, IL 60098
Information: Details
As always, all events are subject to change. Please be sure to check the event pages for the specific event for current information.
Tips for Santa Pictures
Plan ahead. If you are able to book a photo time, do so…and then be sure to be there early. Most of the photo opportunities now are first come first serve, so plan to be there early, and if outside, dress for colder weather as it’s always easier to take off a layer than add one you don’t have.
Look for less popular times. Weekdays are typically less busy. Early mornings and evenings are typically less crowded than midday. And avoid putting it off until just before Christmas.
If you want a professional look, dress your kids in coordinating outfits. You already know what Santa will most likely be wearing, so look for outfits that will go nicely against red and white. Try to find complementary colors that won’t clash. Avoid bright colors or patterns that will overpower the scene.
Prepare your kids for the visit. Especially for first-time visitors or even the younger ones, talk to them about what to expect and explain that Santa is a special friend who wants to hear about their Christmas wishes. Or let them know that this is one of Santa’s “helpers” since Santa is so busy getting ready for Christmas. You may also want to practice saying “hello” and “thank you” to Santa.
Be flexible. Things don’t always go according to plan when you’re taking pictures with Santa. Be prepared to adjust your expectations and be flexible with your poses.
Respect the photographer. Most photo opportunities are informal where you are expected to take the photos you want yourself. If there is a professional photographer, don’t be taking photos, especially with flash, while they are taking photos. And ask whether they mind you snapping a couple of photos.
Ask the photographer for specific poses. If you have a particular photo in mind, let the photographer know and they can help you make it happen.
Respect the others. If it is a self-photo-type session, be respectful of everyone else behind you. Grab a couple of quick photos and move on.
Bring a favorite toy or blanket. Especially for the youngest or introverted, this can help your child feel more comfortable and relaxed around Santa.
Don’t be afraid to be silly. The best Santa photos are often the ones that are the most natural and candid. So relax, have fun, and enjoy the moment!
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President and Founder of Identity Developments, LLC, the parent company of the McHenry Life website. My hope for McHenry Life is to create a resource and destination for the residents and businesses of McHenry County alike. A place where residents can discover new places to explore, fun events and ways to spend time, and then share those experiences with others. A place where businesses can connect with existing and potential customers, and not simply market their businesses, but share their own unique stories.
