Grand Opening set for Saturday, Dec. 3 with visiting hours all month
Presented by the Town of Normal, Santa’s Station returns to Uptown Normal this month following a two-year pandemic hiatus. Grand Opening festivities are set for 12:30 p.m. this Saturday, Dec. 3, with visiting hours continuing on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.
Grand Opening Processional Dec. 3
Beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and their elves will make their way from the 300 block of North Street (near The Alamo II) to the Mark R. Peterson Plaza outside Uptown Station, escorted by the Normal Fire Department, the Normal Police Department and the University High School Marching Band. There are no road closures associated with this event; however, traffic may be temporarily paused during the processional.
Following Santa’s arrival at the Plaza, visiting hours will continue until 4 p.m. The line to see Santa begins inside Uptown Station, where free activities and live music are available to entertain visitors while they wait.
Visiting Hours Throughout December
Santa will continue to host visiting hours from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday evenings and from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday afternoons through Christmas Eve. (Santa’s Station will close at 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve to allow Santa ample time to prepare for his nighttime journey.) Visitors are welcome and encouraged to take their own photos.
All visits to Santa’s Station are free. Donations are appreciated and will be distributed to various charitable organizations. Performers, host organizations, beneficiaries and activities vary per date. For complete schedule information and other details, visit www.uptownnormal.com/santa.
Santa’s Station 2022 Schedule:
| 12:30-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 Grand Opening |
hosted by Normal Police Department
benefiting Special Olympics |
| 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4 | hosted by Pepper Ridge PTO
benefiting Pepper Ridge PTO and Special Olympics |
| 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8 | hosted by Bloomington Pub Club Rotary
benefiting Project Oz |
| 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9 | hosted by Radio Bloomington
benefiting Toys for Tots |
| 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 | hosted by and benefiting NAACP |
| 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11 | benefiting Special Olympics |
| 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15
|
hosted by Normal Police Department, “Cocoa with Cops”
benefiting Special Olympics and Paws Giving Independence
|
| 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16. | benefiting Special Olympics |
| 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17 | hosted by Children’s Discovery Museum
benefiting the Children’s Discovery Museum Foundation |
| 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18 | hosted by Children’s Discovery Museum
benefiting the Children’s Discovery Museum Foundation |
| 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22 | benefiting Special Olympics |
| 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23 | benefiting Special Olympics |
| 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24 | benefiting Special Olympics (final program) |
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