Meet Santa Claus at Holiday Magic — Brookfield Zoo

No separate Santa booking; Holiday Magic admission required (online in advance or at the Main-North Gate; South Gate needs advance reservations).

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About this adventure

Santa Claus visits Brookfield Zoo Chicago on weekends and the days just before Christmas during Holiday Magic, the zoo's evening holiday light festival. Families find him near the Pachyderm area, where children can tell him their wishes and pose for pictures; professional photos are offered for purchase. Visiting Santa is included with Holiday Magic admission, so a Santa stop fits easily into an evening of light displays, the glowing maze, Candy Cane Lane and the hand-carved carousel (open weather permitting). Santa's hours are 4–8:30 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and December 21–23, and 5:30–8:30 p.m. on Fridays, with his last visit on Wednesday, December 23. Dress warmly: Holiday Magic is outdoors after dark.