Create Holiday Magic with Inclusive Fun for Everyone!
Celebrate the holidays with our list of inclusive, sensory-friendly events happening across Illinois.
The holiday season is a time for joy, connection and shared traditions. For individuals with sensory sensitivities, medical complexities and other disabilities, typical celebrations may not always feel comfortable or accessible.
Every family deserves the chance to enjoy the season in ways that support their children and loved ones’ needs and allow for meaningful moments together.
We’ve gathered a list of inclusive and sensory-friendly holiday events happening throughout Illinois. These activities can help you experience the magic of the season at a pace and environment that works best for your family.
There are sensitive Santa opportunities, Mr. and Mrs. Deaf Claus, light displays, low-sensory celebrations, accessible theater performances and other welcoming events for children and adults with special healthcare needs.
You can check out our Special Events page for the full roundup of activities. Just like Santa’s list, be sure to check it at least twice as we continue to add events!
Please note that the University of Illinois Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) is not involved in the organization or scheduling of these holiday events. If you have questions about a specific event, please contact the event sponsor or organizer.
Featured Events
- The Secret Sleigh Project coordinates volunteers to provide in-home Santa visits to children who are medically fragile nationwide. See our Secret Sleigh event listing for more details on how to request a visit.
- Autism Speaks and Cherry Hill Programs will provide free sensory-friendly Santa experiences at multiple shopping centers in Illinois on Dec. 7. You must sign up to attend. Photo packages will be available to buy.
See our Santa Cares listing for more details. Be sure to select “Santa Cares”, “Caring Santa”, or “Sensitive Santa” when checking your location. Event dates and times may vary. Please check your mall location to confirm your date and time.
- Enjoy a movie on the big screen with the lights up, lower sound and the freedom to get up, dance, walk, shout or sing. Visit the following sites to find more details and a theater near you:
- Looking for holiday light displays to walk, wheel, or drive through? Maybe a parade, cookie walk or festival is more your style? Check out the websites and listings below to help plan your holiday adventures (note that some events may not be sensory-friendly):
Chicago and Northern Illinois
Check out WTTW’s list of holiday light displays and experiences. Kidlist also offers a huge list of Chicagoland drive-through and walk-through displays to help you get into the holiday spirit.
Other Chicagoland sensory-friendly activities include:
- Sensory-Friendly ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo and Sensory-Friendly Holiday Magic at Brookfield Zoo
- Special Kids Day Visit With Santa in Elmhurst
- Sensory-Friendly Holiday Express at Blackberry Farm in Aurora
- Breakfast with Mr. and Mrs. Deaf Santa Claus for Children With Hearing Loss in Chicago/ Desayuno con el Sr. y la Sra. Santa Claus Sordos
- “Abilities Team Winter Party” in Plainfield
- “Photos with Santa” for Children With Autism and Developmental Disabilities in Machesney Park
- Sensory-Friendly Winter Lights at Central Park in Oak Brook
- Winter Wonderland Celebration at the DSCC Mokena Regional Office
Central Illinois
Inclusive holiday parties are happening in central Illinois, such as:
- Cookies at the Clearinghouse/Evento Anual de Galletas en el Clearinghouse in Champaign
- Sensory Hour Sweets With Santa in Monticello
- “Special Time With Santa” in Taylorville
- Inclusive Holiday Dance in Springfield
- Lincoln Land Down Syndrome Society Christmas Party in Springfield
For more ideas, check out Chambanamoms.com’s roundup of holiday season fun for families and Visit Springfield.
Southern Illinois
There are many hometown holiday parades, concerts and festivals throughout the area. You can check Southern Illinois Families (SI Families) and Southernmost Illinois for lists of events.
Inclusive activities include:
- Sensitive Santa Event for Children With Autism and Other Sensory Differences in Marion
- St. Louis Zoo Wild Lights Sensory-Friendly Night
- Christmas Open House with Santa in Benton
- Santa at the Center in Effingham
- “Milk and Cookies with Santa” for All Ages and Abilities in St. Louis – Chesterfield
Have an Event to Share?
If you know of an inclusive or sensory-friendly event to include in our list, please email us at dscc@uic.edu.
Resources to Recharge
The hustle of the holiday season can feel overwhelming.
There are resources available if you need to step back and take a deep breath.
You can search our website for support groups and helpful webinars. On Dec. 11, the “How to Keep from Kicking Santa Claus – Tips for Managing Holiday Stress” webinar will feature practical tips for relieving stress, preventing meltdowns and strategies for creating your own fun.
Our Caregiver Mental Health Toolkit is also a great resource during the holidays and beyond.
Happy Holidays!
Project Provides Santa Home Visits to Medically Fragile Children
The Secret Sleigh Project is now accepting applications for Santa home visits during the 2019 holiday season.
Illinois children with an illness and/or disability that makes traveling difficult could receive a free home visit from Santa this holiday season.
The Secret Sleigh Project is an organization that coordinates volunteers to provide Santa home visits to children who are medically fragile nationwide.
A Colorado mother created the project in 2015 after her own daughter was diagnosed with a respiratory complication.
“It was overwhelming to consider seeing Santa. And then I had a vision of Santa walking into Lily’s room and her lighting up at the sight of him,” Secret Sleigh Project Director Sarah Kordis said.
“I posted the idea on Facebook, and shared how I would like to help other families receive a home visit as well. Within two hours, thanks to a remarkable friend, we had Santa. Two weeks after, Santa visited 16 children all over northern Colorado, including Lily and her brothers.”
That next year, the project enlisted more than five Santas to visit more than 50 children in three different states. Today, the project is able to provide Santa home visits in every state.
“It is not always possible to provide a visit to every child, but we do our absolute best to make it happen,” Kordis said.
To apply for a Santa home visit from the Secret Sleigh Project, interested families must complete the following forms and email them to secretsleigh@gmail.com:
- Complete the 2019 Family Application
- Complete the 2019 Family Liability Release
- Complete the Photo Release Form
Applications are due Dec. 1. After this deadline, the project puts families on a waiting list.
For more information, email secretsleigh@gmail.com or visit the Secret Sleigh Project Facebook page.
Please note, the Secret Sleigh Project is a separate organization that is not affiliated with the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC). DSCC is not involved in the organizing or scheduling of these Santa home visits.