Santa Claus

Whether he’s waving goodbye to Joliet children sending him off to the North Pole, collecting Christmas letters from Oglesby youth in the Illinois Valley, running a 5K in Crystal Lake, or visiting swimmers at the Dixon YMCA, it seems Santa is everywhere. Where does he come from?

With Christmas upon us, who doesn’t love a good dose of holiday nostalgia? Looking back at more than a century of holiday history in McHenry County, we share some old front pages and some vintage photographs – the latter courtesy of our local historical societies – that remind us how much has changed, and how much hasn’t: children gathered around trees, light displays in the town square, playing in the snow, the warmth of friends and family. We hope you enjoy looking back on these historic images from around McHenry County. Merry Christmas!

Santa Claus took timeout from his busy schedule Wednesday to visit Lincoln Junior High School in La Salle and serve as the crossing guard for the day and spread holiday cheer to the students .

With the assistance of 35 area donors, nearly $7,000 was raised to benefit six Rock Falls-area families, according to a news release from Rock Falls Police Chief David Pilgrim.

The City of Joliet hosted its annual Santa send-off on Saturday, despite weather that merited help from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Photos from a 2023 evening with Santa Claus at First Christian Church

Mercyhealth Development Foundation has announced it will host a Visit with Santa event from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Dec. 19 at Mercyhealth Hospital and Physician Clinic-Crystal Lake, 875 S. Route 31 in the main lobby.

Annual Joliet Santa Send-Off starts at 10 a.m. and winds westward through the city ending at the intersection of Ridge and Caton Farm roads.

There are two seating times available Saturday, Dec. 9, and a visit from Santa Claus is part of the high tea lineup.

Santa Claus dressed runners descended on Crystal Lake to take part in the McHenry County Santa Run For Kids on Sunday morning, Dec. 3, 2023. The annual event raises money for agencies in our county who work with children in need.

Hawthorn, a super-regional shopping center in Vernon Hills, invites pet owners to bring their furry four-legged friends to a special pet photo session with Santa Claus from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 4.

Santa Claus, the larger than life gift giver and spreader of holiday cheer, is coming to several DeKalb County communities this week to help children and their families prepare for the holiday season.

The Lighting of the Lights ceremony takes place at 5 p.m. the Friday after Thanksgiving, followed at 5:30 p.m. Saturday by the Electric Christmas Parade.

Hawthorn, a super-regional shopping center in Vernon Hills, will hold a very special Santa’s arrival celebration from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 17.

Polo Christmas Festival organizers say there was a “great turnout” for the fourth annual event, despite the chilly weather.