Where will you be ringing in the New Year?
Naperville offers many family-and-kid-friendly activities in addition to dinner and dancing on New Year’s Eve 2013. The following are some of positive picks to hop and revel into the new year. Be sure to make reservations early to avoid disappointment. And, don’t forget to tip your servers, bartenders and valets – 20 percent is customary.
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.
Build It Big Bubble Bash
The kid-centric Build It Big Bubble Bash returns to the DuPage Children’s Museum 9AM to noon at 301 North Washington St. Three floors of bubble fun will provide activity and discovery around every turn with a countdown at noon with Mayor Pradel.
The cost is $25 members; $30 nonmembers. Registration is required by calling (630) 637-8000, ext. 0 or by visiting www.dupagechildrens.org.
NYE, Dublin time
Quigley’s Irish Pub, 43 E. Jefferson in downtown Naperville, welcomes friends and neighbors to its annual family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration with a countdown beginning seconds before 6PM (Midnight Dublin Time).
New Year’s Eve attire, silly hats and noise-making revelers are welcome. Live music is an added attraction during afternoon hours between lunch and dinner. Cirrus Falcon returns to Quigley’s stage from 3-7PM. Complimentary Champagne Toast with countdown at 6PM. Quigley’s Irish Pub will close by 8PM.
New Year’s Eve in downtown Naperville
Enjoy the final day of 2013 shopping, dining and celebrating downtown from noon to 5PM. Celebrate safely all day with roving entertainment, scavenger hunt for prizes, special sales and a happy way to spend New Year’s Eve with family and friends. Check out the bargains to use Downtown Naperville Gift Certificates received for Christmas, too.
Also, Dec. 31 is the final day to cast a vote in the Gingerbread Character exhibit. Visit them up close and personally throughout downtown Naperville. Remember to check out the Cock Robin ice cream server in front of the Pre-Emption House at Naper Settlement, then vote for a favorite entry by midnight on New Year’s Eve. The whimsical exhibit will welcome visitors to the New Year and downtown experiences through mid-January, so plan to return to see the winners.
Event Details
1) Starting at 12:30PM, check in first at Main & Jefferson in front of Two Bostons! Receive a schedule of all the merriment (indoors) around the downtown (face painters, magicians, jugglers, fortune teller and more), compliments of your downtown merchants. Pick up a sheet of clues to participate in our downtown scavenger hunt. (Later, 50 randomly selected families with the correct answers will receive a $50 Downtown Naperville gift card.)
2) Explore and enjoy the fun of the scavenger hunt, free Shutterbox photos, even free trolley rides. Return your form by 4PM (to Main & Jefferson, in front of Two Bostons), perhaps enjoy an early New Year’s Eve dinner and prepare to cross the covered bridge on Jackson by the Dandelion Fountain for the short trek to the base of Moser Tower with the 72-bell Carillon on Rotary Hill.
3) Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate at the Riverwalk Eatery while supplies last and get ready for the early evening 6PM countdown to ring in the New Year, hosted by Mayor A. George Pradel and CLTV News Anchor Dolly McCarthy.
4) And for everybody who enjoys the tradition of a Midnight countdown, arrive at the Carillon for bell-ringing melodies beginning at 11:15 and a grand countdown just seconds before 12AM. Don’t be late!
Celebrate safely all day with roving entertainment, scavenger hunt for prizes, sales and a happy way to spend New Year’s Eve with family and friends. Check out the bargains to use Downtown Naperville Gift Certificates received for Christmas.
For more info, visit http://www.downtownnaperville.com/events/2946/family-fun-ringin-in-the-new-year
A Venetian Carnival inspired feast at SugarToad
SugarToad at Hotel Arista will be hosting a Venetian Carnival inspired New Year’s Eve feast featuring four courses and a complimentary Champagne toast at midnight in the Zorba Lounge, adjacent to the dining room. Menu items include porcini mushroom soup with truffle oil, duck and pear ravioli, baby beet tartar with herbed ricotta salada, Fennel infused risotto with bay scallops, ribeye steak with mascarpone polenta and much more. The feast is $75 pp with additional wine pairings for $25. SugarToad is located just off the main lobby of Hotel Arista, 2139 CityGate Lane. For reservations, call (630) 778-8623.
Succulent seafood at Catch 35
Catch 35 in downtown Naperville, 35 N. Washington St., will be serving seafood specialties including surf and turf sashimi, Grilled Florida red grouper and Georges Bank scallops and crab stuffed Maine lobster tail. Desserts include a chocolate trio with chocolate hazelnut panna cotta, stuffed chocolate crepe, and a mini chocolate ice cream cone. The normal a la carte menu will also be available. Reservation can be made beginning at 5PM by calling (630) 717-3500 or visiting www.catch35.com.
Dinner at the Mansion
Meson Sabika welcomes guests at two different seatings to celebrate on New Year’s Eve. 6PM and before features a three-course dinner at $39.95 per person with complimentary children’s menu.
Reservations after 7PM feature a four-course dinner for $49.95 per person with a children’s menu available. Live Spanish Flamenco Dancer and Guitarist performance begin at 8PM. Party favors and Traditional Spanish Countdown with a Champagne Toast are included.
10PM & After at Meson Sabika
Preset menu with a variety of 12 different tapas and 4 desserts, children’s menu available $49.95 per person (minimum of two guests) Party favors and Traditional Spanish Countdown with a Champagne Toast.
To make reservations, call (630) 983-3000 x 2 or visit us at www.mesonsabika.com.
Countdown New Year’s Eve at the Carillon, first at 6PM, then midnight at Rotary Hill
Bundle up, sled all day (snow conditions permitting), then join friends and neighbors when the Naperville Park District hosts a free, family-friendly countdown to the New Year at the Millennium Carillon on Rotary Hill at 6PM and again at 12AM midnight. The Riverwalk Eatery will serve complimentary hot chocolate from 5-6PM while supplies last. For more info, visit www.naperville-carillon.org.
Celebrate in style at CityGate Grille
CityGate Grille will be hopping into the New Year with live music by Chicago Music Machine and dancing. An open bar will be offered from 9PM to 1AM with a Champagne toast at midnight. Gourmet appetizers will be served throughout the evening. The cost is $99 per person and reservations can be made by calling (630) 718-1010. CityGate Grille is located in the Calamos Investments building at I88 and Rt. 59. Special NYE rates and packages are available at Hotel Arista by calling (630) 579-4100.
And enjoy all the twinkling white lights of CityGate Centre that make the New Year’s Eve celebration bright.
Celebrate casually & comfortably with company at home, catered by Casey’s
If New Year’s Eve is a time to reflect in the comfort of home with family and friends, perhaps playing cards or the latest board games as you anticipate the big ball drop in Times Square, keep in mind Casey’s Foods’ Gourmet Take Out is available.
Plan ahead also for New Year’s Day and let Casey’s cater Bowl Game-watching parties, too. Cheers to the New Year.
Remember also that most Naperville restaurants offer take-out menus. Just give a call and ask.To check out a few of more than 250 local choices, visit www.dinenaperville.com.
