Naperville’s downtown New Year’s Eve festivities again will begin at noon on the last day of the year, Mon., Dec. 31.  Come for the fun and stay for the countdown as the 72-bell carillons rings in 2013.

The community is invited to gather for a free, family-friendly bell-ringing countdown to the New Year at the Millennium Carillon on Rotary Hill at 6PM and again at 12AM midnight.

Mayor Pradel and CLTV News Anchor Dolly McCarthy will lead the countdown at 6PM and Mayor Pradel also will host the midnight celebration.

Scavenger Hunt  begins at noon

From noon to 5PM on New Year’s Eve, the Downtown Naperville Alliance will host a scavenger hunt in the downtown shops, along with face painting, live music, and other entertainment including jugglers, stiltwalkers and free Shutter Box photos.

“We’ll offer plenty of merriment and a good time for all ages,” said Katie Wood, Executive Director of the Downtown Naperville Alliance. “John Greene Realtor is helping us sponsor the event and the Arranmore Center for the Arts is assisting with the performers and entertainment.”

Most merchants will be open until 5PM giving families an opportunity to participate in the Scavenger Hunt. Participants will have a chance to pick up a sheet, visit shops and fill in the blanks with correct answers for a chance to enter to win a $50 DNA Gift Card.

“Fifty families will have a chance to win one of 50 $50 gift cards,” Wood added.

For the third year, families can meet at the Riverwalk covered bridge at 5PM for a short parade, of sorts, along the Riverwalk to festivities planned at the base of Rotary Hill, Wood said.

“If there’s snow, kids will be sledding as we usher in the New Year,” she said.

Bring bells and noise makers

The Naperville Park District will open the Riverwalk Eatery from 5-6PM., offering hot chocolate courtesy of My Chef Catering and crafts for children. Following the 6PM countdown, the Carillon will ring in the New Year with a festive peal and Carillon music.

Prior to the midnight countdown beginning at 11:15PM, Naperville’s carillonneurs Tim Sleep and Sue Bergren will play duets, waltzes, and excerpts from Handel’s Royal Fireworks.

“This is one of our community’s unique New Year’s celebrations, when everyone can gather around the Carillon and enjoy a traditional welcoming of the New Year,” said Sameera Luthman, director of marketing and communications for the Naperville Park District.

For more information about the Downtown Naperville New Year’s Eve celebration,  visit www.downtownnaperville.com. To learn more about the Millennium Carillon, please visit www.naperville-carillon.org.

For questions about the Naperville Park District, call (630) 848-5000.

PN EDITOR’S NOTE:  The Riverwalk Santa House is now closed until December 2013. .A sign on the popular meeting place  posts the hours of operation as well as hours of New Year’s Eve festivities at the Moser Tower with the 72-bell carillon.

Plan to come downtown for brunch or lunch on New Year’s Eve, discover all the live entertainment planned and enjoy the send-off of another year in a city where volunteers add so much to the quality of life in the community. Thanks, volunteers!

Note the Bubble Bash, too!

Reserve in advance for the Bubble Bash and Countdown hosted by the DuPage Children’s Museum Monday morning, Dec. 31, at the Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center at North Central College. Thanks also for supporting the arts!