Evergreen Park’s Recreation Department will host Santa’s Wonderland and the Reindog Parade on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, at Klein (Circle) Park, 3450 W. 97th St., in Evergreen Park. The holiday celebration runs from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Klein (Circle) Park, with the Reindog Parade starting at 1:30 p.m. and the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony capping the celebration; local listings note the tree lighting is held in the evening but do not consistently specify an exact start time.

Organizers described the program as a family- and pet-friendly slate of activities staged across Klein Park and the community center grounds. The day begins with the Reindog Parade when owners and their dogs promenade through the park; participants are invited to dress pets in holiday finery for the stroll and to vie for prizes in a best-dressed contest. Following the parade, Santa’s Wonderland continues through the afternoon with a vendor fair, cookie decorating, a petting zoo, a trackless train ride and bouncy houses for children.

Additional attractions listed for the event include a holly jolly trolley, winter wagon rides, music and character appearances, as well as opportunities for photos with Santa Claus. The program also features pony rides and food and adult beverage concessions supplied by individual vendors. Admission is free; food and drink are available for purchase.

Advertised offerings for Santa’s Wonderland and the Reindog Parade include a best-dressed pet contest, pet photos with Santa, and the sale of dog treats, which are typical features of family-and-pet holiday events.

Local officials and event pages encourage attendees to arrive early for parade staging and vendor access. Residents who want to participate in the Reindog Parade should check event information for any pre-registration requirements and rules, such as keeping pets leashed and cleaning up after them. Organizers said these measures help ensure a smooth procession and a safe environment for visitors and animals alike.

Santa’s Wonderland is intended as a neighborhood holiday draw that also supports local businesses. Community events of this size and format can boost local economies by attracting visitors who spend on food, shopping and services, though the exact revenue impact for nearby small businesses varies by event and location and has not been specifically quantified for this celebration. Vendors on site provide direct sales opportunities, and the influx of attendees can benefit surrounding merchants and restaurants.

The full block of programming runs about five hours on Saturday afternoon and early evening, with activities staggered to allow families to move between attractions. The Reindog Parade at 1:30 p.m. will be followed immediately by vendor and activity programming at the community center grounds. The Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. will cap the afternoon’s events and officially open the village’s holiday observances; the overall event concludes at 6:30 p.m.

Organizers have promoted the event through local listings and the Patch event page, which provides additional detail about parade format and family attractions. The Recreation Department presented Santa’s Wonderland and the Reindog Parade as a free-to-attend community celebration aimed at bringing together families and pet owners to mark the start of the holiday season.

For visitors planning to attend, the Recreation Department recommends checking event pages for any last-minute updates and for information on vendor offerings and accessibility. Those interested in future pet-friendly parades and holiday events should watch community calendars and sign up early when pre-registration is available to secure a spot in parade lineups.

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Original reporting: view the original article.