Christmas Events for Kids in Addison (2026)

Christmas Events for Kids
Written by Kelsey Cecil

Updated 3 min read

Rally the corgi has sniffed out the Christmas events for kids in Addison for 2026, both from the Addison Park District. Santa poses for family photos in the Putter’s Peak winter wonderland on Wednesday, December 2, and the Polar Express Storytime Train rolls out of the Itasca station on December 5 and 6. We check every date on the host’s own website and link straight there. For the rest of the state, see our Illinois Christmas events for kids guide.

What Rally found in Addison

  • 2 Christmas events for kids in Addison
  • Pictures with Santa: Wednesday, December 2, 4:30 to 6:30 pm, $10 per family
  • Polar Express Storytime Train: December 5 and 6, 8:45 or 10:45 am
  • Both need pre-registration with the park district
  • Every date checked on addisonparks.org on Nov 11

Ticketed and paid Christmas events for kids in Addison

Admission, tickets or a fee apply. Where a host has not posted a price yet, the listing says so.

Event hosts: free events are listed first. The #1 spot puts your event at the top of this page.Inquire about the #1 spotAdd your event for free

Santa photos

Pictures with Santa at Putter’s Peak

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New for 2026, the Addison Park District turns its Putter’s Peak mini golf spot into a winter wonderland where families meet Santa and take photos with him.

Each family books a half-hour time slot, which keeps the line short and gives kids a relaxed few minutes with Santa.

Parent tip: Pick the 4:30 slot for younger kids before dinner. Drop a letter in the Letters to Santa box at Club Fitness or the Community Rec Center while you are out and Santa will write back.

Host
Addison Park District (opens in a new tab)
Address
Putter’s Peak, 950 W. Lake St., Addison, IL 60101 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Addison Park District (opens in a new tab)

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Rally’s Christmas research

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Polar Express train ride

Polar Express Storytime Train

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The park district’s Polar Express Storytime Train leaves from the Itasca station, with a storyteller reading Chris Van Allsburg’s book aloud while kids snack on chocolate milk and cookies.

At the North Pole the group picks up Santa Claus and brings him back to Addison, with a snowball fight on the return trip. Pajamas are encouraged.

Parent tip: Pre-registration is required and space is limited, so sign up with the park district right away. Every child needs a parent or guardian on board.

Host
Addison Park District (opens in a new tab)
Address
Itasca Train Station, Addison, IL 60143 (opens in maps)
Confirmed
On the host’s page, checked
See dates and detailsfrom Addison Park District (opens in a new tab)

New Addison events every week

Rally researches Christmas events in Addison daily and updates this page with new events. Enter your email to get a weekly update with new events in Addison.

Free. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy (opens in a new tab)

We check every event above on the host’s own page for the date, time and cost, plus the things parents ask about, like sign-ups and ages. Looking for a Santa train instead? Those are on our Illinois Christmas train rides page.

See every event on a December calendar

Plan your December

When each Addison Christmas event for kids happens

Book both now: Santa photo slots at Putter’s Peak are timed, and the Polar Express train has limited seats. Pajamas are the dress code for the train.

Looking further afield? Our Illinois Christmas events for kids guide lists every confirmed event in the state, and we have city guides for Elmhurst, Glendale Heights, Bloomingdale and Glen Ellyn. The national search sorts every event by distance from your town.

A story for the drive home

A morning with Santa or an evening of holiday stories tends to end the same way: tired kids, a long drive and one more book before bed. Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is painted by hand. If your family is spending December missing someone, it was written for that too. For the car, print our free corgi and train coloring pages.

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first ride on a California train, hand-painted in watercolor. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

The story of Christmas in Addison

Addison has lit its village Christmas tree for well over 30 years, and in recent years a little Christmas train has carried families across the Village Green to a Living Nativity and a museum house dressed for a German Christmas. Back in 2010, Santa arrived by horse-drawn wagon, sprinkled "magic dust" and lit a 40-foot tree.

Santa's horse-drawn wagon, magic dust and a 40-foot tree at Friendship Plaza in 2010

Addison's Christmas tree lighting is one of the oldest holiday traditions in this part of DuPage County. In 2014 the village's assistant director of community relations, Doree Krage, said Addison had hosted its lighting for at least 25 years. In 2010 the Daily Herald described an Old Fashioned Holiday Tree-Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Walk at Village Hall, 1 Friendship Plaza, where around 8 pm Santa rolled in on a horse-drawn wagon, sprinkled "magic dust" and lit a 40-foot tree and the village grounds. More than 500 people had come the year before.

The evening has long leaned on neighborly generosity. In 2014 the Kiwanis Club of Addison poured hot chocolate, Muggs 'N Manor handed out free hot dogs, Clyde's Delicious Donuts brought doughnuts and the Knights of Columbus made popcorn. That year Mayor Rich Veenstra, Miss Addison Samantha Slater and Santa and Mrs. Claus lit the tree inside the Village Hall rotunda during the carolers' final song, while sleigh rides carried guests around Friendship Plaza and the Historical District campus.

Train rides on the Village Green and an 8 pm lighting on November 30, 2024

We could not find published coverage of Addison's 2025 village celebration, so here is the most recent season on record, 2024. The village held its Christmas Tree Lighting on Saturday, November 30, 2024, from 5 to 9 pm at 1 Friendship Plaza. Kids rode a train around the Village Green all evening and visited Santa in the gazebo, St. Paul Lutheran Church held its Living Nativity, the Historical Museum opened its doors, and The Caroling Connection sang in the Century House and on the green. The Kiwanis Club served hot chocolate, the Knights of Columbus made popcorn, and the tree lit up at 8 pm.

Two weeks later, on December 14, 2024, Christmas at Addison Village Green brought another round of Santa visits, train rides and a holiday craft fair, with the Century House decorated for an old fashioned Christmas. For 2026 the Addison Park District adds its own events: Pictures with Santa at Putter's Peak on December 2, new this year, in a mini golf course turned winter wonderland.

An 1893 Century House dressed for a German Christmas and a parade lit by village trucks

Addison's German roots show at Christmas. The Century House at 129 W. Army Trail Road was built in 1893 to house staff of St. Paul's Lutheran School, and the Addison Historical Society restored it to show late 19th century life. Each December it is decorated for a traditional German Christmas, and in 2017 a performance in Victorian dress was held inside. The Vagabond Singers, a Victorian a cappella quartet, sang carols at the lightings for years.

The village also added a Christmas parade that comes to the neighborhoods instead of the other way around. In 2022 it rolled on two Saturdays, December 3 and 10, starting at 4:30 pm from Army Trail Road and May Street, with public works trucks lighting the way for Santa, who rode a fire truck, and a downloadable Santa Tracker so families could step outside just in time. That same year the MK Holiday Pop-Up opened with a Jingle Bar, private snow globe igloos and Sundays with Santa, giving part of its proceeds to Shop with a Hero, Coats for Kids and the Food Pantry.

A Christmas train to the Living Nativity and a Polar Express from the Itasca depot

Trains have been part of Addison's tree lighting for close to a decade. In 2017 a Christmas train ran from 5 to 9 pm with stops at St. Paul Church's Living Nativity and the Holiday Craft Fair outside the Historical Museum. In 2018, when the event moved a week earlier than usual to November 30, electric trains shuttled passengers from Village Hall to the Living Nativity, and in 2019 families took a scenic train ride around the Village Green plus a shuttle between St. Paul's and the museum.

Today the park district's Polar Express Storytime Train leaves from the Itasca Train Station on December 5 and 6, 2026, with the book read aloud on board and Santa picked up at the North Pole. For more holiday rail, Santa's Trolley Express runs on weekends from November 28 to December 20, 2026, at the Fox River Trolley Museum in South Elgin, and the Illinois Railway Museum in Union holds its Happy Holiday Railway on December 20, 2026.

  • Fox River Trolley Museum: Trolley rides on a line from 1896 in South Elgin, and Santa's Trolley Express in a decorated 1950s car with cocoa, cookies and Santa visiting each family.
  • Illinois Railway Museum: The largest railway museum in the country, with unlimited train rides in season and the Happy Holiday Railway in December.

Traditions today

  • Village Christmas Tree Lighting: An evening at 1 Friendship Plaza with Santa in the gazebo, carols, free hot chocolate and popcorn, and the tree switched on at 8 pm, held for well over 30 years.
  • Train rides on the Village Green: A small Christmas train carries families around the green during the lighting, a fixture since at least 2017.
  • Living Nativity at St. Paul Lutheran: St. Paul Lutheran Church sets up a Living Nativity next to the village celebration, and the train has long made a stop there.
  • German Christmas in the Century House: The 1893 Century House, run by the Addison Historical Society, is decorated in traditional German style each December.
  • Neighborhood Christmas Parade: Santa rides a fire truck through Addison's neighborhoods behind public works trucks, with a Santa Tracker online.
  • Polar Express Storytime Train: An Addison Park District ride from the Itasca station with the story read aloud, cocoa and cookies, and Santa brought back from the North Pole.

A fact for kids

At Addison's tree lighting in 2010, Santa did not come by sleigh. He rode in on a wagon pulled by horses and sprinkled magic dust to light a Christmas tree 40 feet tall.

Questions about Christmas in Addison

How long has Addison had a Christmas tree lighting?

For more than 30 years. In 2014, Addison's assistant director of community relations, Doree Krage, told Shaw Local that the village had hosted its tree lighting for at least 25 years, and a 2010 Daily Herald story called it a tradition of a decade or more, with over 500 people attending in 2009.

Where is the Addison Christmas tree lighting held?

At the Addison Village Offices and Village Green, 1 Friendship Plaza, with activities spilling onto the Addison Historical Museum campus just south of Village Hall. For years the tree stood inside the Village Hall rotunda, but by 2022 the lighting ceremony had moved outdoors to the Village Green, with Santa visits in the gazebo.

What time is the Addison tree lit?

The tree has been switched on at 8 pm sharp for years, including in 2014, 2017, 2018, 2022 and 2024. The evening usually runs from 5 to 9 pm, so families can ride the train, visit Santa and hear carols first, then stay for the lighting. Santa visits often continue for an hour afterward.

When was the 2024 Addison tree lighting?

It was Saturday, November 30, 2024, from 5 to 9 pm at 1 Friendship Plaza. The evening had train rides on the Village Green, the Living Nativity at St. Paul Lutheran Church, a Historical Museum open house, Santa in the gazebo, The Caroling Connection, hot chocolate from the Kiwanis Club and the tree lighting at 8 pm.

Is there a Christmas train at the Addison tree lighting?

Yes. Train rides on the Village Green have been part of the evening since at least 2017, when a Christmas train ran from 5 to 9 pm with stops at the Living Nativity and the Holiday Craft Fair. In 2018 electric trains shuttled guests from Village Hall to the nativity, and in 2024 the train circled the green all evening.

How did Santa arrive at the Addison tree lighting in 2010?

He came in a horse-drawn wagon. The Daily Herald reported that around 8 pm on December 3, 2010, Santa arrived, sprinkled "magic dust" and lit a 40-foot tree and the municipal grounds. Earlier, kids got goody bags with coloring books, made candles, had their faces painted and posed with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the rotunda.

Who lit the Addison Christmas tree in 2014?

Shaw Local reported that the 2014 tree was lit by Addison Mayor Rich Veenstra, Miss Addison Samantha Slater, and Santa and Mrs. Claus, at about 8 pm during the carolers' final song. Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph joined Santa that night, and sleigh rides ran from 5 to 9 pm around Friendship Plaza.

Who gives out free treats at the Addison tree lighting?

Local groups have fed the crowd for years. The Kiwanis Club of Addison serves hot chocolate and the Knights of Columbus makes popcorn. In past years Muggs 'N Manor handed out hot dogs, Clyde's Delicious Donuts brought doughnuts and Uncle Harry's sold seasonal ice cream. In 2024 Barbara's Polish Deli served food.

When did the Addison tree lighting move a week earlier?

In 2018. That year the village announced the Christmas Tree Lighting would be held on Friday, November 30, one week earlier than in the past. Since then the event has often landed at the end of November or the first days of December, so check the village events site each fall for the date.

What is the Century House in Addison at Christmas?

The Century House at 129 W. Army Trail Road was built in 1893 to house staff of St. Paul's Lutheran School and was restored by the Addison Historical Society. Each December it is decorated for a traditional German Christmas. In 2022 it was open noon to 4 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays through January 6.

Is there a Living Nativity in Addison?

Yes. St. Paul Lutheran Church has staged a Living Nativity during the village tree lighting for years, including in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2024, and the tree lighting train has made a stop there. It sits right by the Village Green and the Historical Museum, so families can see it during the evening.

When did the Addison Christmas parade start?

The village's neighborhood Christmas parade was running by 2022, when it went out on two Saturdays, December 3 and 10, at 4:30 pm from Army Trail Road and May Street. Public works trucks lit the way for Santa, and families could download route maps and a Santa Tracker from ItHappensInAddison.com.

Does Santa ride a fire truck in Addison?

In the village's Christmas parade, yes. Shaw Local described the December 2022 parade as a chance to catch Santa as he makes his way through the neighborhoods aboard a fire truck, with public works trucks lighting the route. The village posts a Santa Tracker so you can step outside as he passes.

What was the MK Holiday Pop-Up in Addison?

It was a holiday pop-up new in 2022 with a Jingle Bar for live music and dancing, private snow globe igloos for dining under the lights, a holiday mart and Sundays with Santa with crafts. Reservations were required, and part of the proceeds went to Shop with a Hero, Coats for Kids and the Food Pantry.

Who are the Vagabond Singers at the Addison tree lighting?

The Vagabond Singers are an a cappella quartet who sing traditional carols in Victorian dress. They performed at Addison's tree lightings in 2017, 2019 and 2022, including two sets at 6:30 and 7:45 pm in 2019. In 2024 another group, The Caroling Connection, sang in the Century House and on the Village Green.

When is the Polar Express Storytime Train from Itasca in 2026?

The Addison Park District's Polar Express Storytime Train runs Saturday, December 5 and Sunday, December 6, 2026, with trains at 8:45 and 10:45 am from the Itasca Train Station. A storyteller reads Chris Van Allsburg's book on board, kids get chocolate milk and cookies, and Santa rides back from the North Pole.

Where can kids see Santa in Addison in 2026?

The Addison Park District hosts Pictures with Santa at Putter's Peak, its mini golf spot at 950 W. Lake St., on Wednesday, December 2, 2026, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm in half-hour family slots for $10. Santa also rides the Polar Express Storytime Train on December 5 and 6, and he usually visits the village tree lighting.

Are there Santa train rides near Addison?

Yes. Besides the park district's Polar Express Storytime Train from Itasca, the Fox River Trolley Museum in South Elgin runs Santa's Trolley Express on weekends from November 28 to December 20, 2026, plus Friday evenings, and the Illinois Railway Museum in Union holds its Happy Holiday Railway on December 20, 2026.

Does the Addison Historical Museum open at Christmas?

Yes. The museum, at 135 W. Army Trail Road, opens its buildings during the village tree lighting, as it did in 2017, 2019, 2022 and 2024. In 2010 it held a Saturday holiday open house the day after the lighting. Its Century House is decorated for a German Christmas each December.

What can kids do in Addison at Christmas?

Ride the train around the Village Green and watch the tree light up at 8 pm, visit Santa in the gazebo, see the Living Nativity and the German Christmas Century House, wave at Santa on the fire truck during the neighborhood parade, and take the Polar Express Storytime Train from Itasca.

Sources

  1. Addison gets into holiday spirit for annual tree lighting, Shaw Local
  2. Santa will spread a little magic in Addison, Daily Herald
  3. Enjoy Christmas parade, tree lighting, holiday popup, and more in Addison, Daily Herald
  4. Celebrate the holidays at special events throughout DuPage County, Shaw Local
  5. Village of Addison Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony (2017), Arts DuPage
  6. Christmas Tree Lighting (2018), Arts DuPage
  7. Village of Addison Tree Lighting Event (2019), Arts DuPage
  8. Addison Christmas Tree Lighting (2024), Macaroni KID Downers Grove
  9. Christmas at Addison Village Green (2024), Macaroni KID Downers Grove
  10. Polar Express, Addison Park District

Keep the Christmas magic going: track Rally the corgi on Christmas Eve, print free Christmas coloring pages, learn how to say Merry Christmas in 100+ languages, find train museums to visit with kids, or browse Christmas events in every Illinois city.

Addison Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask

What are the best Christmas events for kids in Addison this year?

Rally Takes the Train has confirmed 2 Christmas events for kids in Addison for 2026, both from the Addison Park District: Pictures with Santa on December 2 and the Polar Express Storytime Train on December 5 and 6.

When is Pictures with Santa in Addison?

Wednesday, December 2, 2026, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at Putter’s Peak, 950 W. Lake St. Families register for a half-hour slot and the fee is $10 per family of up to 6.

When is the Addison Polar Express train in 2026?

Saturday, December 5 and Sunday, December 6, 2026, with trains at 8:45 and 10:45 am from the Itasca Train Station.

How much is the Polar Express Storytime Train?

$25 for Addison Park District residents and $35 for nonresidents. Children 9 months and younger do not need to register.

Who do I contact about Addison holiday events?

The Addison Park District special events team at nbittner@addisonparks.org or (630) 233-7275.

Are there Christmas train rides for kids in Illinois?

Yes. Santa trains and holiday train rides have their own guide: Rally Takes the Train’s Illinois Christmas train rides page.

How do you confirm these events?

We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city or tourism calendar. We last checked Addison on November 11, 2026. Rally is also contacting each organizer to confirm details like parking, restrooms and bad-weather plans.

Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.

Kelsey Cecil
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