Santa's Arrival at Hawthorn Mall
Hawthorn and the Village of Vernon Hills celebrate the season with the lighting of the village holiday tree and Santa's arrival on a fire truck. Guests can meet winter princesses, take photos with Santa, and browse a vendor market while sipping hot cocoa. Outdoor entertainment also includes an ice rink, a giant gingerbread inflatable slide, and a sleigh selfie station.
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Plan Your Visit
Website / Tickets
When
Tickets
Free admission; open to everyone; no registration required.
Hours
4-7 p.m.; tree lighting, photos with Santa and the winter princess meet-and-greet begin at 5 p.m.
Ages
All ages
Food & Drink
Hot cocoa is offered at the event.
Going?
Location
Tips & Advice
- Bundle the whole family up in warm layers, because the evening is outdoors and includes an ice rink and hot cocoa.
- Arrive when things open to enjoy the slide, ice rink and vendor market before the tree lighting, Santa photos and princess meet-and-greet begin an hour later.
- Bring a phone or camera for the sleigh selfie station and for photos with Santa after his fire truck arrival.
- Just show up with the family, because the celebration is free, open to everyone and needs no registration.
Links & Contact
Run by Hawthorn Mall
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 website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register?
No. The event is free and open to everyone, and no registration is required.
How does Santa arrive?
He rides in on a Vernon Hills Fire Department fire truck. Photos with Santa follow.
What is there for kids?
Kids can meet the winter princesses, take photos with Santa, go down a giant gingerbread inflatable slide, skate on the ice rink and pose at the sleigh selfie station.
Is there food or drink?
Hot cocoa is served, and there's a vendor market to browse.
What should we wear?
Bundle up. Families are encouraged to dress for a festive night out at Hawthorn Row.
Browse Christmas in Vernon Hills
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.