Free Santa Trolley Returns To Algonquin Commons

ALGONQUIN, IL — The Algonquin Commons plans to offer plenty of holiday magic and will be bringing back its Santa Express trolley with free shuttle rides starting on Black Friday. The free rides and visits with Santa will continue at the mall from 1 to 4 p.m. every weekend through Dec. 22, according to a news release.

Santa will be on the trolley with gifts for every boy and girl and parents are encouraged to bring their cameras to snap a picture of Santa with their child.

Also, two of Santa's reindeer, Dasher and Dancer, will return to the mall and will be on hand from 1 to 4 p.m. on Dec. 1, 8 and 15.

In addition, all mall purchases will be wrapped for free starting on Dec. 18 and continuing through Dec. 23. The Holiday Wrapping Express is located between Pottery Barn and White House Black Market at the mall. The wrapping express mall hours are from 5 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 18 to 20, from 1 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 21 and 22 and from 5 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 23.

This free storefront will be staffed with volunteers from local charity organizations. Each of the charities will have information tables set up in the Holiday Wrapping Express store with opportunities for each shopper to donate, according to the news release.

In addition, mall shoppers can donate a new and unwrapped toy or new or gently used winter outerwear to the guest service's office, which will be given to Toys for Tots, School District 300, or Cal’s Angels. Those donating will be entered to win a $50 Algonquin Commons gift card.