Oakbrook Center's Adventure To Santa With DreamWorks And Holiday Happenings

It hardly seems possible that it's Christmas eve already! With the big day falling on Sunday, many kids, including my 2, were in school right up until Friday the 23rd. Now that the kids are finally on break, there's still time for last minute shopping and fun visits to jolly old St. Nick himself. Festive fun will be happening throughout the whole winter break and you'd better believe we'll be enjoying our vacation weeks between Christmas and New Years and the first week of January. We've partnered up with Oakbrook Center to highlight some of their happenings with this sponsored post. We have been compensated for sharing this info with our readers.

NEW RESTAURANTS, SANTA ADVENTURE, WINTER MARKET AND RETAILERS ENCHANT OAKBROOK CENTER SHOPPERS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Find a little more holiday magic this winter thanks to some special developments at Oakbrook Center, one of Chicagoland’s premier outdoor shopping destinations. From new restaurants and an upgraded Adventure to Santa attraction to a debut Winter Market and a multitude of new stores, the opportunities for holiday cheer are endless.

Oakbrook Center is a favorite of ours and I plan to head there with my teens. Now that they're old enough to go off on their own to hang out and explore with friends, they're excited about shopping again.

“The holidays are a special time here at Oakbrook Center, as we create an unparalleled shopping experience for both local and out-of-town guests,” said Caryn Torres, senior general manager of Oakbrook Center. “This year, several new additions to the shopping center will guarantee treasured memories for the whole family.”

The District at Oakbrook

As the latest addition to Oakbrook Center’s continuously growing repertoire of restaurants, The District at Oakbrook provides several chef-driven, convenient and affordable fast-casual food options. The 14,000-square-foot space will be home to numerous restaurants including DMK Burger Bar, Nando’s PERi-PERi, Pie Five Pizza Co., Porkchop, Stan’s Donuts, Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Greek Kitchen, DAVIDsTEA, Freshii and Cilantro Taco Grill. The District gives guests options for every palate and preference, providing them with the fuel they need to successfully complete their holiday shopping. 

“The highly anticipated District at Oakbrook will be ideal for on-the-go shoppers, large groups and families throughout the holiday season as well as all year-round,” said Torres. 

Adventure to Santa

Back by popular demand, Oakbrook Center and DreamWorks Animation are again teaming up to present Adventure to Santa, with this year’s narrated tour featuring the cast of Kung Fu Panda. Adventure to Santa elevates the traditional mall holiday visit by blending the latest technology with captivating stories while Kung Fu Panda and his friends guide family members on an unforgettable adventure to the North Pole to meet Santa. 

Reservations can be made online at www.adventuretosanta.com with the purchase of a photo package. Adventure to Santa will kick off the holiday season on Saturday, November 5, and will be open during extended Oakbrook Center holiday hours through Saturday, December 24.

Winter Market

Oakbrook Center will debut a Winter Market nestled amongst the alluring shops of the Village Green lawn area near Crate & Barrel, offering a variety of locally-made specialty products.

Gifts such as hand-crafted jewelry, adorable children’s items, fun treats for a favorite pet, beautiful hand-made apparel and much more will be available for visitors’ perusal. Winter treats, such as donuts, cider, hot chocolate and adult beverages, will be available to satisfy all tastes. 

Unbeatable Shopping

The holiday shopping experience would not be complete without new retail options to help guests check items off their gift lists. 

Two new athletic stores will provide great gift options for both fitness enthusiasts and casual exercisers. Fabletics brings shoppers on-trend designs that inspire an active lifestyle with stylish and high-quality gear at an accessible price point. Providing more than just a class, a cycling studio and a bike, the new Peloton location at Oakbrook Center delivers an engaging experience with the technology to make every workout effective, and the social connection to make every workout addicting.

Oakbrook Center also welcomes two new fashion-forward retailers. A globally-minded company dedicated to creating a unique, inspiring retail environment and philanthropic efforts, Altar’d State offers a place of respite with the latest fashion finds and the most sought-after accessories, along with charming home décor and gifts. ALEX AND ANI creates meaningful, eco-conscious jewelry and accessories to positively empower and connect humanity. The brand’s products are proudly designed and crafted in America and made with love. 

For those looking for sweet holiday gifts, Sugarfina’s shelves are lined with colorful artisanal candies in Lucite cubes, any of which can be packaged into three, four or eight-piece bento boxes. Guests can mix-and-match or buy a themed ready-to-go giftset. Sugarfina offers complimentary holiday gift-wrap ribbon with purchase and phone orders for in-store pickup.

Leisure and Luxuries

Once everyone is crossed off the holiday shopping list, guests can take a break and visit the new, state-of-the-art AMC Theatre, located on the Upper Level between Nordstrom and Sears. Featuring IMAX screens, the 12-screen cinema offers guests an upgraded film presentation and RealD^® 3D capability. The theatre also offers reserved seating and plush power recliners, as well as a full menu, seat-side service and a full bar serving beer, wine and cocktails.

Creating a more relaxing holiday shopping experience, a three-level parking garage next to the new AMC Theatre will improve vehicle access. Further enhancing parking efficiency, the garage will feature a real-time digital management system that will help customers find a parking space, easing the search for a spot. 

Check out their site for up to the minute information about holiday happenings at Oakbrook Center, as well as Facebook, and Twitter and Instagram @OakbrookCenter.

Oakbrook Center is located in Oak Brook, Ill., on the corner of Route 83 and Cermak Road just off of Interstates 88 and 294. The center features a unique collection of more than 160 shops and restaurants. Shopping hours are: Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 630/573-0700 for further questions.

About Oakbrook Center

Oakbrook Center is owned and managed by General Growth Properties (GGP), Inc., an S&P 500 company focused exclusively on owning, managing, leasing, and redeveloping high quality retail properties throughout the United States. GGP is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol GGP.

About DreamWorks Feature Animation

DreamWorks Feature Animation (DWA) is a division of the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group (UFEG).  Its 20-year feature film heritage includes many beloved characters and animated franchises, including Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon. DWA's 32 feature film releases have generated more than $13 billion at the global box office, garnered numerous awards and fueled a robust consumer products business.

Disclosure: It was our pleasure to partner up with Oakbrook Mall on this sponsored post. We have been compensated for sharing this info with our readers. As always, all opinions are our own.