2019 Holiday activities
Chicagoland
New Hampshire
Chicagoland
| Saturday, Dec. 7 | Westfield Old Orchard Mall, Skokie, IL | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. A family friendly, sensitive screening of the film Frozen 2, where kids can be kids in a safe and accepting environment. The audience is encouraged to be themselves and interact with the movie, while having fun without the worry of disturbing others. Buy tickets here. |
| Saturday, Dec. 7 | Aurora University, Aurora, IL | 2:00 – 4:00 PM. Check out this FREE sensory friendly Holiday Family Festival event put on by Aurora University for FVSRA participants. The event includes food, crafts, and a personalized gift from a sensory friendly Santa. Register here. |
| Saturday, Dec. 7 | The House Theatre, Chicago, IL | 3:00 – 5:00 PM. Ballet-Free Sensory Friendly Nutcracker. Join us for the 10th anniversary of our ballet-free take on the holiday tradition, The Nutcracker! This show is appropriate for ages 5+. Buy tickets here. |
| Sunday, Dec. 8 | Chicago Ridge Mall, Chicago Ridge, IL | 9:00 – 11:00 AM. Soothing Santa. Chicago Ridge Mall is pleased to host “Soothing Santa” as an opportunity for children with autism and other special needs (and siblings) to visit with Santa in a more soothing and sensory-friendly environment during the Holiday Season. All children who visit Santa will also receive a special gift. Learn more here. |
| Monday, Dec. 9 | Harper College Performing Arts Center, Palatine, IL | 7:00 – 8:00 PM. Harper College Symphony Orchestra and NWSRA are pleased to announce a sensory friendly concert for individuals with disabilities and their families! Staff from NWSRA will be available to assist families before, during and after the concert to increase everyone’s ability to learn concert etiquette and be successful. Buy tickets here. |
| Saturday, Dec. 14 | Color Wheel Playhouse, Hanover Park, IL | 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM & 12:30 – 2:00 PM. Quiet Santa Christmas party. Join us for crafts, a photo op, Santa’s sweet table of treats, face painting, and play in Color Wheel Playhouse. Register here. |
| Sunday, Dec. 15 | The Station, Chicago, IL | 11:30 AM & 2:00 PM. Chicago Children’s Theatre invites families to celebrate the holidays with special sensory-friendly performances of the company’s ever-popular, seasonal smash hit, The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party. Buy tickets here. |
New Hampshire
| Wednesday, Dec. 11 | Chunky's, Manchester, NH | 4:00 PM. SENSORY FRIENDLY – FROZEN II These events are monthly screenings of newly released movies for children with autism or other special needs. Chunky's will keep the theater lights up, the sound of the film turned down, and no 3D. Audience members are allowed to walk around, dance, shout or sing! Buy tickets here. |
| Friday, Dec. 13 | Rochester Public Library, Rochester, NH | 5:30 – 7:30 PM. RPL Children's Room Sensory Friendly Santa Visit. You can expect fewer people, no music, and dimmed lights. Low-key activities will be available if there is a wait for Santa. Since the event takes place after the Library is closed, no Library services will be available. Register here. |
| Sunday, Dec. 15 | Nesmith Library, Windham, NH | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Soothing Santa. Children of all ages are invited to Soothing Santa at the Nesmith Library! This calm and sensory-friendly event allows children with all spectrums of special needs to experience spending time with Santa in a comforting environment, before the library opens. Register here. |
Don’t forget to check out our growing list of sensory-friendly hours and places, good for every season!