Visiting Santa at Macy’s Santa Land, Chicago, Illinois

Macy’s SantaLand®, known to many as Cozy Cloud from the Marshall Field days, can be found on the 5th floor of Macy’s on State Street. Since 1948, Santa Claus has visited millions of children at the State Street SantaLand. source

A 32 year old tradition of my family is to go to Chicago every year and visit Macy’s on State (used to be called Marshall Fields), visit Santa in Macy’s Santa Land and eat at the Walnut Room. I’m proud to say that even though we’ve lived 850-1,000 miles away from Chicago for the past 11 years, we have not missed a year!

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In years past, we would wait sometimes hours to see Santa. However, in more recent years, Macy’s has added pagers so you don’t have to stand in line, miserable, for hours on end! Rather, now you can shop and browse all of the amazing floors of the historic building!

When you enter Santa Land you literally are entering Santa’s workshop. It’s a maze-like room with decorations showcasing many interactive pieces that move when kids touch the sensors. The whole room takes usually about 30 minutes to complete.

For years my family has debated why the trees in the corners are upside down. My theory is because it creates more standing room! 

At the end of the maze-like room you are greeted by one of Santa’s helpers and red velvet curtains. Here, the helper takes your names and number count of your party. They also determine “which Santa” you are taken to obviously based off of your race.

*Funny story – years ago, when my siblings and I were still young, (and my brother still believe in Santa), we were taken to a Santa that was African American – which is no big deal, but my brother, who at the time was close to “on the fence about Santa” was super confused as to why manta looked different this particular year. Without missing a beat, my genius sister told him that Santa has lots of helpers (because he is so busy) who come and visit all of the kids and report back to him what they want!

My big kiddos were excited to visit Santa….but….

my little guy said no way! BAHAHA!

My family (missing my sister and her family) 🙂

After sharing your wishes with Santa, he gives you a special dated button — a keepsake I’ve collected for over 20 years! Sadly, there were a few years after Macy’s took over Marshall Field’s when they stopped handing them out.

Make sure you put this on your to-do list every year if you are in the Chicago area! While you’re in town, you should definitely go Ice Skating at the Bean in Millennium Park! Be sure to check out my other Things to Do In Chicago!