Karas Christmas Pop-Ups at The Village Squire (West Dundee) – West Dundee, IL

The Karas Christmas Experience Returns with 11 Themed Holiday Pop-Ups Across the Fox Valley and Northwest Suburbs

Eleven stops, eleven stories: Letters to Santa mailboxes with a bike giveaway, plus Santa and Grinch visits

The Karas Christmas Experience is back, bigger than ever, with 11 holiday pop-ups this season. Each location, across the Karas family of restaurants (Rookies, Village Squire, Squire Ale House, Squire on the Square and Alexander's Cafe), has been transformed into its own one-of-a-kind Christmas world, with its own theme, twinkling lights, holiday treats and Instagram-worthy photo backdrops.

Write a Letter to Santa — and Win a Bike

Santa's elves have placed special mailboxes at all 11 Karas Christmas locations, ready to carry children's letters straight to the North Pole. Mailboxes are open during regular business hours from November 1 through December 20.

Families can print the official letter at home or pick one up at any location. Kids share their wish list, how they've been this year and something kind they've done, with room to draw Santa a picture.

Every letter dropped off on the official form, with the parent or guardian section completed, is entered in a random drawing for a brand-new bike. The winner will be drawn on December 21. No purchase is necessary; the drawing is open to children ages 0–13, one entry per child.

Visits from Santa and the Green Guy

Santa will make 14 appearances and the Green Guy, everyone's favorite holiday troublemaker, will sneak in for 17 more between November 27 and December 22. Families can stop by for photos, mischievous selfies and holiday fun. Full schedules are at www.karaschristmas.com

A Holiday Tradition for the Whole Family

“I’ve always loved Christmas. There’s just something magical about this time of year that brings people together, creates memories, and reminds us what really matters,” said Bob Karas, owner of Karas Restaurant Group. “I wanted to take that feeling and turn it into something bigger than just decorations and holiday cheer. I wanted to create something truly special for families, friends, and communities throughout the Northwest Suburbs. With 11 different Christmas experiences, we’re bringing a little magic to everyone, young and old.”

“For me, it’s never just been about the restaurants,” Karas added. “It’s about giving back to the communities that have supported us, seeing the smiles, hearing the laughter, and creating traditions that families will remember for years to come. That’s what Karas Christmas is all about.”

For themes, hours, the Letters to Santa form and visit schedules, go to www.karaschristmas.com

About Karas Restaurant Group

The Karas family legacy inspires every detail of its hospitality. When brothers Paul and George Karas opened The Village Squire in West Dundee in 1974, their passion was to create more than a dining spot: they envisioned an inviting place where every guest felt truly welcome. Several generations of the Karas family, alongside a devoted, long-tenured staff, have carried on that tradition. Today the family's restaurants include Rookies, Village Squire, Squire Ale House, Squire on the Square and Alexander's Cafe, serving communities across the Fox Valley and Chicago's northwest suburbs.