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Sponsored by the University of Chicago in partnership with Downtown Hyde Park, the Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce, and the South East Chicago Commission, Hyde Park Holly-Day is a day of FREE holiday activities for the entire family. Hyde Park is the place to be to kick off the holidays - stay all day for celebrating, shopping, and dining with family and friends at our great local businesses.
Hyde Park Holly-Day is the first Saturday of December - this year it is Saturday, December 6 , 2025, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
No tickets are required for Hyde Park Holly-Day.
Hyde Park Holly-Day activities take place in Harper Court, on 53rd Street, The Promontory, the Hyde Park Shopping Center Courtyard, and eight local businesses. Click HERE for maps and directions.
We offer free holiday family photos with Soul Santa & Mrs. Claus at The Promontory and with Santa Maui at the Hyde Park Shopping Center - both from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. In the past, we used iPad photographers and immediately texted a link to the photo to a family member. This year we are using professional photographers with digital cameras to enhance the quality of the photos, and we will pass out QR code cards for you to access the photo library later that evening or the following day. This is an extremely popular activity, and we ask that you arrive as early as possible for the best chance to have your photo taken. We usually have to stop the line prior to 1 p.m. to make sure that we finish on time. You can help us by having your coats off and be ready to go as you approach the front of the line. We don't allow photos with your own camera or phone as it takes extra time.
Please click HERE for information on parking in Hyde Park.
Please click HERE for information on local dining and shopping in Hyde Park.
We recommend that you NOT bring a stroller unless absolutely necessary. We will have very limited stroller parking in the lobby, and cannot be responsible for unattended strollers. Strollers are not permitted in the second floor event space.
Unfortunately we do not offer a coat check at The Promontory.
There are no vendor opportunities at Hyde Park Holly-Day.