Illustration of Santa reading a storybook to children sitting on cushions beside a decorated tree (Santa's Cottage)

Santa's Cottage

Children can enjoy a personal visit with Santa inside a cozy, dedicated cottage designed to offer an intimate holiday experience outside of a commercial mall setting. The festive house is staffed by Santa, Mrs. Claus, and a team of elves. Local businesses support the experience by providing refreshments and gift bags.

Map It Details Official site

Advertisement

Plan Your Visit

When

Hours

December 5: 3:00pm-5:00pm; December 12 and 19: 12:00pm-3:00pm.

Ages

All ages

Neighborhood

Downtown Mundelein

Food & Drink

Local businesses provide refreshments.

Going?

Location

Plaza Circle · Mundelein, IL 60060 Get Directions

Local Insight & Ratings

Family Friendly

🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 (5/5)

Best For

Families with young children

Vibe

Cozy and festive

Energy Level

Low

Photo Friendly

Moderate

Weather Sensitivity

High

Tips & Advice

  • Bundle the kids up in winter layers, because the line for Santa waits outside the cottage before each one-on-one visit.
  • The cottage opens on only three Saturdays in December, for a few hours each, so build your day around one of those short windows.
  • Local businesses that want to get involved can send in the Sponsorship and Donation Application and help with gift bags, refreshments or financial support.

Links & Contact

Run by Mundelein Community Connection

Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens during a visit to Santa's Cottage?

Kids visit Santa one-on-one inside a small, cozy house, away from the department store or mall atmosphere. Santa and Mrs. Claus are there with a team of elves.

Will we have to wait outside?

Yes, the line waits outside in the winter air. The cottage's founder felt that waiting outside before seeing a big, jolly Santa in a small space made the visit more memorable.

Are there treats or goodies for the kids?

Yes. Dozens of local businesses provide refreshments and gift bags.

What's the story behind the cottage?

Oscar Demski, a long-time Mundelein resident, drew up the plans in 1992. He gathered donations and volunteer carpenters, electricians and other tradespeople to build it. It has been remodeled a couple of times but stays true to his original design.

How can a local business support Santa's Cottage?

Businesses can apply through the Sponsorship and Donation Application. Sponsorship levels include Gift Bag Partner (an in-kind donation), North Pole and Holiday Helper.

Browse Christmas in Mundelein

Always check the official website for the most current information.

We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.

Contributors & Updates

Event details verified: