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Where to Find Santa in the Champaign-Urbana Area

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Where families can find Santa this holiday season

 

Drive-thru events, encounters with treats, and opportunities to get that special photo: we know where kids can find Santa this Christmas

There are a number of things that are different about this year but we can count on one thing when it comes to the holiday season… Santa Claus is coming to Champaign-Urbana! We have rounded up a list of all the local places where your child can see him and ensure their spot on the nice list. So gather your cameras and have your child check their wish list, then pay a visit to the jolly man before he travels back to the North Pole.

Even if your Santa encounter looks different this year, we’re still excited to witness these special, magical moments. 2020 Santa is up for the challenge!

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Now, let’s find Santa!

Whether Santa is waving to families driving by in their vehicles, hanging out somewhere from a safe social distance, or making a day of it in some creative fashion, we’ve got the scoop for where to find Santa throughout Champaign-Urbana this holiday season.

We know Santa is going to be popping in all over the place this holiday season. Be sure to look at our calendar for a full list of events where Santa might show up… we don’t always know ahead of time. Always have your camera (or smartphone) charged and ready!

This list contains events where we are *pretty sure* Santa will be camera-ready and waiting for your little elves, and contains FREE or low-cost events *without* registration. Some may be free; some may be by donations. For 2020, we expect all of these to be “bring your own camera” style and also “catch him as he passes by” style.

Know of a Santa photo op not on our list?  Please submit it here.

Friday, December 4, 2020

Winter Wassail Festival including Santa - Must Pre-Register for Picture

St. Joseph Church of Christ
Time: 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm
SJCOC is hosting a Winter Wassail Festival. It will include a socially distanced Santa and Sleigh (for pictures), Christmas lights and decorations, Bible reading of the Christmas story, Christmas Carolers, and Wassail Tasting amongst other activities. You must sign up ahead of time for Santa pictures.

Hot Chocolate and Holiday Movie Weekend

Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in Theatre
Time: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Hot chocolate and holiday movie night is happening at Harvest Moon! It's a Wonderful Life will be on screen 1 and The Polar Express will be on screen 2. Santa will be there for meet and greets in a socially distanced manner. They will have their brand new Lighted Lane with thousands of Christmas lights decorating their entrance area, and their Snack Bar will be open for hot chocolate, popcorn and more.

Drive-Through Santa Visits

Sangamon on Main
Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Two chances to drive through and see Santa! (Safely!!) Drive through Sangamon on Main to meet Santa from a safe distance inside your vehicle. Enjoy a coupon for a free treat from YoYo's courtesy of Darwyn Boston State Farm and Mahomet Car Connection. The MSHS Madrigals will be performing Christmas…read more…

Saturday, December 5, 2020

Santa Claus is Coming to Town - Tuscola

Tuscola
Time: All Day
The Tuscola Fire Department is excited to share...SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN! TFD will be escorting Santa around town and plan to drive by as many homes as possible. His route will be posted the week prior. Check here for event updates.  December 5, Time TBA

Drive-Thru Meet & Greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus

Keller Williams Realty Office
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
The Lisa Rector Team and Rector Construction invite you to come and see Santa this year without leaving the comfort of your vehicle! Santa and Mrs. Claus can't wait to meet you, take a picture and hear what you're wishing for this Christmas. They will provide a Christmas craft to-go and a candy cane.

Santa Claus is Comin' to Campustown

Campustown
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Santa will be coming to Campustown Champaign! Can you spot him? Santa will be roaming around Campustown wearing a mask. Socially-distant photos are acceptable.

Arthur Country Lighted Christmas Parade

Downtown Arthur
Time: 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
An evening Lighted Christmas parade brings Santa to Downtown Arthur at dusk.

Hot Chocolate and Holiday Movie Weekend

Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in Theatre
Time: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Hot chocolate and holiday movie night is happening at Harvest Moon! It's a Wonderful Life will be on screen 1 and The Polar Express will be on screen 2. Santa will be there for meet and greets in a socially distanced manner. They will have their brand new Lighted Lane with thousands of Christmas lights decorating their entrance area, and their Snack Bar will be open for hot chocolate, popcorn and more.

The History of Santa Claus & a Special Visit with Civil War Santa


Time: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Virtually visit with the popular holiday star, Santa Claus, LIVE on the Museum of the Grand Prairie Facebook and YouTube pages. Civil War living historian Kevin Rawlings will portray the Thomas Nast Patriotic Civil War Santa Claus. Rawlings portrays the Patriotic Civil War Santa each Christmas season, based on the…read more…

Friday, December 11, 2020

Santa's Drive-Thru Workshop

Champaign County Fairgrounds
Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
The Crisis Nursery is excited to give families the opportunity to drive through with their little ones, grab a photo with Santa, and visit the giving tree - all for FREE!

Drive-Through Santa Visits

Sangamon on Main
Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Two chances to drive through and see Santa! (Safely!!) Drive through Sangamon on Main to meet Santa from a safe distance inside your vehicle. Enjoy a coupon for a free treat from YoYo's courtesy of Darwyn Boston State Farm and Mahomet Car Connection. The MSHS Madrigals will be performing Christmas…read more…

Saturday, December 12, 2020

Santa's Drive-Thru Workshop

Champaign County Fairgrounds
Time: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
The Crisis Nursery is excited to give families the opportunity to drive through with their little ones, grab a photo with Santa, and visit the giving tree - all for FREE!

Santa Claus is Comin' to Midtown

Midtown Champaign
Time: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Santa will be coming to Midtown Champaign! Can you spot him? Santa will be roaming around Midtown wearing a mask. Socially-distant photos are acceptable.

Santa Parade through Mahomet Neighborhoods


Time: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
See Santa in the all-new Santa Parade through Mahomet neighborhoods happening at Village Christmas 2020 sponsored by Tatman's Towing.  Santa will be riding in Mahomet's own vintage fire truck, escorted by the Mahomet Police Department.  Matt Difanis RE/MAX will be following with music and Illini 360 will film the event in 360 surround video…read more…

Village of Tilton First Annual Christmas Parade

Tilton Community Center
Time: 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Join Santa and Mrs. Claus as they arrive at the park for the tree lighting.  

Sunday, December 13, 2020

Santa's Drive-Thru Workshop

Champaign County Fairgrounds
Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
The Crisis Nursery is excited to give families the opportunity to drive through with their little ones, grab a photo with Santa, and visit the giving tree - all for FREE!

Monday, December 14, 2020

Letters from Santa - Sign Up by December 1


Time: All Day
Share the excitement of opening a personalized letter from Santa at the North Pole. Santa provides this great opportunity to communicate with your child, grandchild, niece, nephew or friend. Watch as your little one tears open Santa’s letter and reads it. It will be a lasting holiday memory and the…read more…

Saturday, December 19, 2020

Drive-Thru Breakfast with Santa - Reservations Required by Dec 16

Rantoul Youth Center
Time: 8:00 am - 10:00 am
Come out to a drive-thru breakfast with Santa with the kids of Rantoul. Reservations are required by December 16. Call the recreation office at 217-893-5700 and must be a Rantoul resident. Bring your letter for Santa.

Night Light for Santa Craft - Virtual with Allerton Public Library (Registration Required)


Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Adults, families and children are all welcome to participate in this Night Light for Santa Craft. Create a unique "night light" for everyone or just the children in your family. All supplies provided. Register online starting December 1ST. Must be able to pick up craft kit at Allerton Public Library…read more…

Santa Stop 2020 (Registration Required by 12/4)

Champaign County Fairgrounds
Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
This year, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and social distancing regulations, organizations from the disability community are coming together in collaboration to celebrate the holidays! DSO, Down Syndrome Network, CU Autism Network and CU Able are excited to bring you SANTA STOP 2020. Santa is leaving his post at the…read more…

Santa Claus is Comin' to Downtown Champaign

Downtown Champaign
Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Santa will be coming to Downtown Champaign! Can you spot him? Santa will be roaming around Downtown wearing a mask. Socially-distant photos are acceptable.

Visit Santa at Market Place Shopping Center (RESERVATIONS REQUIRED)

Santa will be at Market Place Shopping Center near Dick’s Sporting Goods this Christmas, from November 27 – December 23, 2020. Face coverings for both you and Santa may be required during your contactless visit based on current state regulations. Get more info and reserve a time by clicking here.

Zoom with Santa (RESERVATIONS REQUIRED)

The Champaign Park District has a Zoom channel direct to the big guy himself. Unfortunately, all available timeslots were reserved on Nov. 16 (the same day that reservations opened!). Check here just in case more timeslots are made available.

Looking for all kinds of info for the 2020 holiday season in Champaign-Urbana?

Click here for everything related to the winter holiday season in and around Champaign-Urbana