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New Year’s Eve presents plenty of choices in Naperville

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Above / As it rings in another year, Naperville will offer many reasons to experience this city throughout 2018. Thanks for discovering this fun place to live, shop, dine and entertain.

UPDATE, Dec. 30, 2018 / Early this morning PN’s analytics revealed this page saved in the 2017 archive is receiving lots of looks. Please note for New Year’s Eve 2018, this page has been updated. Click here.

Also, for a look at PN’s perpetual calendar for 2019, visit Naperville Festivals, Traditions and Special Events.

Thanks to the cloud, thousands of posts are saved on this website. Always check the date of the post. Thanks for reading.


So what have you decided to do New Year’s Eve 2017? 

Wrap up 2017 with a tour of Raintree Drive just off River Road where holiday music and dancing angels are among the glistening stars of the street.

Here are a few of PN’s picks among many choices in our city’s grand illumination of activities, by day and by night on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2017.

Whether New Year’s Eve begins in the morning with enthusiastic children or starts with an early evening drive around town to see the bright holiday lights, revelers can link up with options to fit any pocketbook or whet any appetite.

Find options that include a night on the town or simply munching on snacks in front of a good movie on TV before watching the ball drop in Times Square.

If going out, be sure to make reservations to avoid disappointment.  And remember to tip servers (who share tips with bussers and food runners), bartenders and valets – 20 percent is customary.

Celebrate safely with family, friends & neighbors

Celebrate Safely! Area and state police departments will be adding extra patrols New Year’s Eve. Don’t forget to plan ahead for all your transportation needs. Taxis and limos will be at a premium.

Whatever you decide, enjoy the last day of the year with a vow to try to enjoy a safe, healthful, productive and prosperous 2018.

9AM

dcmThe DuPage Children’s Museum hosts its 16th annual Bubble Bash \ Where the Wild Things Are!
Sunday, December 31 | 9AM– Noon

Bubble Bash is an important fundraiser for the Museum. It is THE place for families to ring in the New Year. This annual year-end celebration, now in its 16th year, has become a holiday tradition for families to celebrate together at DuPage Children’s Museum. Join Mayor Steve Chirico for the countdown during this wild family adventure!

Tickets are $20 (members) nd $25 nonmembers. 

11AM

Celebrate at Bowlero with a strike or two or three! | 11AM– 1AM

Space is limited and lanes are filling up fast! Book your holiday party now at bowlero.com/nye. Find Bowlero Naperville at 1515 Aurora Ave. Give them a call for reservation availability at (630) 355-7622.

All Afternoon until 6PM in downtown Naperville

The Main Street Bridge leads to unique shopping experiences all the way from Dean’s Fine Clothing to Main Street Promenade.

Ringin’ in the New Year in downtown Naperville. Family fun and merriment begin at 12:30PM. Enjoy the final day of 2017 shopping, dining and celebrating downtown, leading up to an early evening 6PM countdown to ring in the New Year at the base of the Moser Tower with the 72-bell carillon at Rotary Hill along the Riverwalk. Or venture to Quigley’s Irish Pub where patrons again will be welcoming in the New Year at 6PM which is the beginning of 2018, Dublin time. (Note that Quigley’s closes at 8PM on New Year’s Eve.)

New Year’s Eve day throughout downtown includes special sales and celebration along Main Street, Jefferson Avenue, Washington Street, Jackson Avenue  and Van Buren Avenue.

For starters, check in at Southern Tide, a new shop around the corner from the Main Street Bridge located at 120 Water Street, for a list of activities. Click here for the map that showcases some of the highlights, including:

  • Great end of year shopping specials
  • Goodie bag for kids 12 & under (while supplies last)
  • Find lucky numbers in select store window fronts
  • Free face painter and a glitter tattoo artist
  • Enjoy an early dinner beginning at 4PM prior to 6PM countdown
  • 6PM early New Year’s Eve countdown at the base of the Carillon at Rotary Hill (Free of Charge)
moser-tower-at-night
Moser Tower

Celebrate the end of the year with the whole family, then make plans to begin the New Year with great shopping and dining while participating in fun adventures and activities planned throughout 2018.

The city’s central business district is just steps from the Riverwalk, Naper Settlement, DuPage Children’s Museum as well as entertainment venues and art galleries at North Central College.

For more info about the day of festivities, visit www.downtownnaperville.com.

Shop & Dine with DNA Gift Cards

And whenever you’re headed downtown, take your handy Downtown Naperville Gift Cards, too.

Use your DNA Gift Card at least once a year, even for a cup of coffee, to keep it current for another year.

4PM at Center Stage Theater

See Zombie Prom: A Musical Adventure performed at Center Stage Theater at 4PM to begin ringing in the New Year with this family fun event. Start your experience at Center Stage Theater- Naperville, located at 1665 Quincy Avenue, Suite 131, then travel 5 miles in the complimentary shuttle or your vehicle to the Embassy Suites – Naperville to dine, dance and party the night away. Click here for complete details, schedule, prices and RSVP.

6PM and so on

Quigley’s Irish Pub, 43 E. Jefferson Avenue

Celebrate New Year’s Eve Dublin time at Quigley’s, 3-8PMFamilies and friends are invited for the annual New Year’s Eve Celebration and Countdown Dublin Time at 6PM at Quigley’s Irish Pub at 43 E. Jefferson St. in downtown Naperville. This family-friendly tradition at Naperville’s authentic Irish pub is filled with good cheer, delicious food, live music and satisfaction for folks who enjoy celebrating but who don’t like to stay up until midnight CST to welcome in the New Year. Note also that the pub will close at 8PM on New Year’s Eve. It’s best to come early if you plan to find a table as this event with live music attracts groups of revelers of all ages. And remember West Suburban Irish Quiz Night begins its new year at 7PM Tues., Jan. 2.

Ring in the New Year with 72 bells! The public is welcome to attend the 6PM countdown to ring in the New Year 6 hours early at the base of the Moser Tower with the 72-bell carillon at Rotary Hill along the Riverwalk.  (See more details at 11:15PM). FREE of charge. For more info, visit “Schedule.”

meson-sabika
Meson Sabika, 1025 Aurora Avenue

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Mansion! Meson Sabika offers a pair of seatings. First at 6:30PM and before: 7 tapas & 3 desserts is $54.95 pp and includes Champagne toast and complimentary children’s menu. Then 7PM and after: 9 tapas and 4 desserts is $64.95 pp and includes Champagne toast, party favors for the countdown and a children’s menu is available. Live Spanish flamenco dancer and guitarist performance to begin at 7PM. To make reservations call (630) 983-3000 x 2 or visit www.mesonsabika.com to view the full menu. (Note to early revelers: Tapas Valencia is hosting brunch from 10:30AM to 4PM on New Year’s Eve in Chicago.)

Catch 35
Catch 35, Washington at Van Buren

Catch 35 Naperville, located in the heart of downtown, welcomes you to enjoy good taste in seafood and premium steaks on New Year’s Eve. Ring in 2018 at Catch 35 with surf & turf specials and mouthwatering shellfish platters. Catch 35’s regular menu also will be available. Check limited reservations available at (630) 717-3500. http://www.catch35.com/new-years-eve-menu-2017/. Catch 35 Naperville is located at 35 S. Washington St., just steps from the Van Buren Parking Deck. For more info about fine dining every day at Catch 35, visit www.catch35.com.

SixtyFour – A Reserve Room, 123 Water Street, invites guests to make reservations this New Year’s Eve for a tasting extravaganza! Taste special select wines including Veuve Clicquot and Nicolas Feuillatte! Enjoy passed hors d’oeuvres, music, and in the new RESERVE ROOM. All inclusive tickets are $125. To reserve your seats, email info@sixtyfourwinebar.com

SugarToad at Hotel Arista, 2139 CityGate Lane located in CityGate Centre, will help revelers ring in 2018. Delicious menu with wine pairings. For reservations, $80 per person/$150 per couple, call (630) 778-8623 or visit SugarToad.

CityGate Grille, located in the Calamos Investments Building at I-88 and Rt. 59, invites you to kick back and enjoy an evening of friends, fun and nothing stuffy at their New Year’s Eve Party! For reservations call (630) 718-1010 or visit www.citygategrille.com.

Top Golf, 3211 Odyssey Court (near CityGate Centre), will host a golden night of fun. Reserve an all-inclusive bay package for your group that includes party favors and unlimited Topgolf from 9PM to close. VIP Bay- $450: Includes a reserved bay with unlimited Topgolf game play from 9PM-1AM for up to 6 people, Chef’s choice buffet, champange toast at Midnight, party favors. General Admission Bay- $225: Includes a reserved bay with unlimited Topgolf game play from 9PM-1AM for up to 6 people, party favors. Some restrictions apply. Phone: (630) 596-1000.

mardi-gras-2015
Get a taste of New Orleans at Heaven on Seven one last time and let the good times roll!

Cheer in the New Year with stories of the large selection of Craft Beer on draft at Heaven on Seven! Enjoy the flavors of New Orleans with authentic Cajun cuisine of critically-acclaimed Chef/Owner Jimmy Bannos. Heaven on Seven is located at 224 S. Main Street in downtown Naperville. Advance reservations are recommended at (630) 717-0777.

Also note this heavy-heart message… Heaven on Seven recently announced it will close its doors after its 15th annual New Year’s Eve celebration on Dec. 31, 2017. Thanks for more than 14 years of wonderful memories and great tastes of New Orleans right in the heart of downtown Naperville. Mardi Gras ala Heaven on Seven will be forever missed. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

For more variety, check out Dine Naperville where you’ll find the city’s long list of more than 250 eateries.

NYE take-out to party at home!

casey's-foods
Casey’s Foods is located in Naperville Plaza, Washington at Gartner. Thanks for all the shiny gold and silver coins, pocket change and dollar bills tossed in the red kettles for the Salvation Army!

Catering, too! If New Year’s Eve is a time to stay at home with family and friends, relaxing with jigsaw puzzles and board games to the whimsy and revelry on television as the ball drops in New York’s Times Square, remember that most restaurants offer take-out as does Casey’s Gourmet Deli.

And for all your party-at-home supplies, find festive noisemakers, hats and other New Year’s Eve novelties at Oswald’s Pharmacy, right around the bend from Casey’s.

11:15PM

Traditional Bell Ringing. Then at 11:15PM, a traditional New Year’s Eve countdown is planned at Moser Tower with the Millennium Carillon along the Riverwalk. The concert is open to the public and free of charge. Searchlights will illuminate the Carillon as it rings in the New Year with a festive peal and Carillon music. Hear the songs planned by City Carillonneur Tim Sleep from 11:15-11:45PM before the midnight countdown to welcome 2017!  Cheers!


Do you know couples that became engaged at Christmas or New Year’s?

Naper Settlement will host its annual Wedding Showcase from 10AM to 3PM on Sat., Jan. 6, where many wedding planners, consultants, venues and special services will be on display for brides and grooms as well as their parents to begin planning. Check out Meson Sabika, Hotel Arista and CityGate Grille among many local vendors that offer spaces for weddings, receptions, rehearsal dinners and bridal showers. Admission to the Wedding Showcase is free of charge.

Look toward 2018 Restaurant Week, Jan. 26-Feb. 8

Naperville 2018 Restaurant Week is slated for Jan. 26 through Feb 8.

For more events and entertainment, some free of charge,  check out the last day of the year on the December Events Calendar.

moser-tower-NYE-web
Moser Tower at Midnight

Thanks for reading.

Thanks, too, for shopping, dining and entertaining locally whenever possible. Your independent business community appreciates your support and a thriving local economy benefits all local residents.

For a listing of more than 260 local eateries, sure to whet any appetite, visit www.dinenaperville.com.

Cheers!

And it’s A-OK to curl up with a good book on New Year’s Eve. Many folks tell us they hit the hay way before midnight with a positive attitude that “tomorrow is another day.”

Then there are 364 more days to experience before the next New Year’s Eve. Make every day count.

Celebrate safely! Happy 2018!

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