Where families can find Santa this holiday season
From parade floats to pancake breakfasts, professional pics and more, we know where kids can find Santa this Christmas around Champaign-Urbana
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 children check their wish list before he makes his trip back to the North Pole.
Let’s find Santa!
Whether Santa is arriving by fire truck, hanging out in a mall, or making a day of it in a cozy local library, we’ve got the scoop on where to get your Santa pics taken.
First things first: we know Santa is EVERYWHERE this holiday season. Be sure to look at our calendar for many events such as Santa breakfasts, parades, and other places where Santa might show up. Always have your camera (or smartphone) charged and ready. If you are specifically looking for meals with Santa, be aware those events usually fill very quickly.
This list contains events where we are pretty sure Santa will be camera-ready and waiting for your little elves. We look for FREE or low-cost events, some of which require advance registration. Some of the free events may request an optional donation. Some may take photos, but most are BYOC (a.k.a. bring your own camera).
Know of a Santa photo op not on our list? Please submit it here.
Saturday, November 15, 2025
Downtown Danville Lighting Ceremony
Location: Kresge Park, Danville
Time: 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Friday, November 21, 2025
Hot Chocolate and Holiday Movie Weekend: Elf and Christmas Vacation
Location: Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in Theatre, Gibson City
Time: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Saturday, November 22, 2025
Country Christmas Craft Show at Gordyville
Location: Gordyville USA, Gifford
Time: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Festival of Trees and Holiday Market
Location: I Hotel and Conference Center, Champaign
Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Hot Chocolate and Holiday Movie Weekend: Elf and Christmas Vacation
Location: Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in Theatre, Gibson City
Time: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Gibson City Christmas Parade
Location: Gibson City, Gibson City
Time: 6:30 pm
Sunday, November 23, 2025
Country Christmas Craft Show at Gordyville
Location: Gordyville USA, Gifford
Time: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Farmer City Christmas Parade
Location: Downtown Farmer City, Farmer City
Time: 2:00 pm
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Hot Chocolate and Holiday Movie Weekend: Zootopia 2 and Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Location: Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in Theatre, Gibson City
Time: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Hot Chocolate and Holiday Movie Weekend: Zootopia 2 and The Grinch
Location: Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in Theatre, Gibson City
Time: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Friday, November 28, 2025
Watseka Family Festival
Location: First Trust, Watseka
Time: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Winter Nights at Prairie Farm - Opening Night
Location: Prairie Farm, Champaign
Time: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Hot Chocolate and Holiday Movie Weekend: Zootopia 2 and The Grinch
Location: Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in Theatre, Gibson City
Time: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Saturday, November 29, 2025
C-U Holiday Market at the Fair
Location: Champaign County Fairgrounds, Urbana
Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Hot Chocolate and Holiday Movie Weekend: Zootopia 2 and The Grinch
Location: Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in Theatre, Gibson City
Time: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Sunday, November 30, 2025
Milford Christmas Parade
Location: Village of Milford, Milford
Time: All Day
Bement Christmas Tree Lighting
Location: Bement Veteran’s Park, Bement
Time: 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Catlin Parade of Lights
Location: Downtown Catlin, catlin
Time: 6:00 pm
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Meet Santa Claus at The Virginia Theatre | Reservations Required
Location: Virginia Theatre, Champaign
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Friday, December 5, 2025
Mahomet Village Christmas
Location: Downtown Mahomet, Mahomet
Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Hot Chocolate and Holiday Movie Weekend: Zootopia 2 and The Polar Express
Location: Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in Theatre, Gibson City
Time: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Fisher Christmas Parade
Location: Downtown Fisher, Fisher
Time: All Day
Donuts with Santa in Mahomet
Location: Mahomet-Seymour High School, Mahomet
Time: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Cookies with Santa | Reservations Required
Location: Curtis Orchard, Champaign
Time: 9:00 am - 2:30 pm
Crisis Nursery's Children's Holiday Shop
Location: Orpheum Theater, Champaign
Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus at TM Horse Haven
Location: TM Horse Haven, Tolono
Time: 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Lunch with Santa on the Train | Tickets Required
Location: Monticello Railway Museum, Monticello
Time: 10:00 am - 2:15 pm
Monticello Christmas Parade
Location: Monticello Courthouse Square Historic District, Monticello
Time: 11:30 am
Hot Chocolate and Holiday Movie Weekend: Zootopia 2 and The Polar Express
Location: Harvest Moon Twin Drive-in Theatre, Gibson City
Time: 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Sunday, December 7, 2025
Lunch with Santa on the Train | Tickets Required
Location: Monticello Railway Museum, Monticello
Time: 11:15 am - 2:00 pm
Monday, December 8, 2025
Pizza with Santa
Location: Filippo’s Pizza and Italian Food, Mahomet
Time: 6:00 pm
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Meet Santa at the Virginia Theatre | Reservations Required
Location: Virginia Theatre, Champaign
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Pizza with Santa
Location: Filippo’s Pizza and Italian Food, Mahomet
Time: 6:00 pm
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Mistletoe Market
Location: Lincoln Square Mall, Urbana
Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Bement Christmas Parade
Location: Bement Municipal Hall, Bement
Time: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Pathway of Lights - Santa Night
Location: Aikman Wildlife Adventure, Arcola
Time: 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Monday, December 15, 2025
Meet Santa Claus at The Virginia Theatre | Reservations Required
Location: Virginia Theatre, Champaign
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Friday, December 19, 2025
Cookies and Milk with Santa
Location: Mahomet Sportsmen’s Club, Mahomet
Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Saturday, December 20, 2025
Pathway of Lights - Santa Night
Location: Aikman Wildlife Adventure, Arcola
Time: 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Meet Santa Claus at The Virginia Theatre | Reservations Required
Location: Virginia Theatre, Champaign
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Visit Santa at Market Place Shopping Center — Reservations Recommended
Visit Santa at Market Place Shopping Center and get ready for the holiday season; 15-minute slots available beginning Dec. 5. Reserve yours online now. Pet photos happen on select Mondays and Tuesdays.
Visit Santa at Lincoln Square
Visit Santa at Lincoln Square! In the past, you could do photos on your own with a donation or purchase an available package. Saturdays: Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13, and 20 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Visit Santa at Festival of Trees
Looking for meals with Santa?
Make sure you read the details for each event as almost all require pre-registration to secure your spot and they WILL fill up in advance. What will we include on this list? Any event a short drive from Champaign-Urbana that includes 1) Santa and 2) food. This may be donuts, peanut butter & jelly or a full-out fancy holiday meal.
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Donuts with Santa in Mahomet
Location: Mahomet-Seymour High School, Mahomet
Time: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
🎅Get ready to jingle all the way🎅 ✨Head out to Mahomet for a morning bursting with magic and holiday spirit. The one and only Santa Claus is on his way, with a bag of donuts and a sleigh full of cheer to share with all you good girls and boys!…read more…
Lunch with Santa on the Train | Tickets Required
Location: Monticello Railway Museum, Monticello
Time: 10:00 am - 2:15 pm
Get tickets for December 6 and 7 for Lunch with Santa on the Train at the Wabash Depot in Monticello, Illinois, a holiday favorite with kids of all ages. Enjoy a train ride, an individual visit with Santa, and kid-friendly sack lunch. Rides are available at 10 a.m., 11:15 a.m.…read more…
Sunday, December 7, 2025
Lunch with Santa on the Train | Tickets Required
Location: Monticello Railway Museum, Monticello
Time: 11:15 am - 2:00 pm
Get tickets for December 6 and 7 for Lunch with Santa on the Train at the Wabash Depot in Monticello, Illinois, a holiday favorite with kids of all ages. Enjoy a train ride, an individual visit with Santa, and kid-friendly sack lunch. Rides are available at 11:15 a.m. and 1…read more…
Monday, December 8, 2025
Pizza with Santa
Location: Filippo’s Pizza and Italian Food, Mahomet
Time: 6:00 pm
🎅Ho ho ho! Santa is coming to town, and he's stopping by Filippo's in Mahomet for a delightful dinner! 🍕Join in for a charming evening filled with good food, festive cheer, and the jolly man himself. You have 2 opportunities this year! December 8th - 6pm December 9th - 6pm…read more…
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Pizza with Santa
Location: Filippo’s Pizza and Italian Food, Mahomet
Time: 6:00 pm
🎅Ho ho ho! Santa is coming to town, and he's stopping by Filippo's in Mahomet for a delightful dinner! 🍕Join in for a charming evening filled with good food, festive cheer, and the jolly man himself. You have 2 opportunities this year! December 8th - 6pm December 9th - 6pm…read more…
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Bement Christmas Parade
Location: Bement Municipal Hall, Bement
Time: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
After the 11 a.m. parade, bring the kids to visit Santa and have lunch.
Looking for more? Subscribe to our email newsletter. Want more ideas for holiday (or everyday) fun? Check out our Event Calendar.
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