Above / Last year Kaufman Katz, a group of 2016 North Central College graduates, gathered together for a photo with Santa and the Leprechaun at Quigley’s Irish Pub. During their college careers, the women all lived in the same dorm, sharing everything, they said. These days their jobs have spread them throughout Chicagoland and their visits are less frequent, having turned into special occasions when they celebrate birthdays. Cheers until they meet again!
Make a list of 2017 Santa visits & breakfasts, then choose one for good cheer!
Whether at the Santa House along the Riverwalk, Santa Breakfasts, holiday parades, Toys for Tots collection parties, traditions and mansion tours at Naper Settlement, complimentary photo sessions at local businesses or bell ringing for the Salvation Army, that jolly old bearded elf in the big red suit has made the rounds in Naperville for years, always shining in the spotlight, eager to pose for pictures with the young at heart!
Making a list?
Remember! Never give a live animal to someone for a gift. Give a gift certificate for an animal, advises Greg Gordon of Dog Patch, Naperville’s  original pet store.
If you’re stumped regarding what to include on your gift list, consider this poetic way to check your list twice…
List for Santa
Something you want. Something you need.
Something to wear. Something to read.
The jolly old elf officially arrives during Little Friends Parade of Lights on Dec. 2
The Little Friends Parade of Lights returns to downtown Naperville beginning at 7PM Sat., Dec. 2, 2017, brought to the community in partnership with the Downtown Naperville Alliance. Families are welcome to bundle up and join Little Friends’ clients, staff, families and friends for another enchanting evening of festivities, brightly illuminated floats and musical entertainment with gratitude from friends of Little Friends.
Again the Parade will step off from Jackson Avenue, at Mill Street, heading east to Main Street, ending at Main Street and Van Buren Avenue. The parade main stage will be at Jackson and Webster.
Santa makes his grand entrance to wrap up the parade. Then immediately following the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit with kids inside the Santa House at Jackson Avenue and Webster Street along the Riverwalk by the glistening holiday tree.
Annual Pictures with Santa and the Leprechaun at Quigley’s Irish Pub
10AM to 2PM on Sun., Dec. 3, 2017, at Quigley’s
Just as every Sunday, Quigley’s will be serving breakfast throughout the pub from its menu, 10AM to noon, followed by lunch and dinner, on Dec. 3.
As an added attraction, Santa and the Leprechaun will be available for family and group photos from 10AM until 2PM.
Quigley’s is located at 43 E. Jefferson Ave. in downtown Naperville,
Above / When this little guy gave Santa his Christmas list at Quigley’s Irish Pub in downtown Naperville, Illinois, on the second Sunday in December 2015, he wasn’t taking any chances. To be sure Santa would find him on Christmas Eve, he was quick to ask Santa if he wanted to know which state he lived in— and then told him he lived in Michigan.
Above / Visiting Santa is an annual tradition for everyone who believes from 10AM to 2PM on Sun., Dec. 3, 2017, at Quigley’s Irish Pub, another fun place for free photos with Santa and the Leprechaun. (PN Photo, Dec. 13, 2015)
PHOTO GALLERY / The photos in the gallery from Dec. 2016, depict a quick view of the photography session by John Drohan. Drohan and his team will return from 10AM to 2PM Sun., Dec. 3, 2017. Last year Drohan took more than 120 photos of Santa with his sidekick Leprechaun as they posed with families and groups for the annual tradition. In addition to a complimentary copy of a photo, families appreciate that “we allow them to take their own photos with their cell phones,” explained Drohan. As a gift to patrons, Quigley’s Irish Pub has been hosting Pictures with Santa and the Leprechaun for 16 years.
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Riverwalk Santa House
Now in its 16th year, Santa House returns to downtown Naperville, where the pavilion at the corner of Jackson Avenue and Webster Street is magically transformed into Santa’s Naperville headquarters, hosting visiting hours with Santa for children and families.
Santa House opens to the public on Fri., Dec. 1. Weekend hours of operation for Santa House are Fridays 4-8PM Fridays, Noon to 6PM Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 23. Santa House also will be open from 4-8PM on Tues., Dec. 19, Wed., Dec. 20 and Thurs., Dec. 21.
The Park District will host special evenings at Santa House by reservation only, including: Special Needs Nights, in partnership with WDSRA on Dec. 4-6 and Dec. 14, Pet Night on Dec. 11 and Military and First Responders Night on Dec. 12. Pet Night and Military and First Responders Night are completely booked; reservations for Special Needs Nights may be made online at http://www.napervilleparks.org/santahouse.
Find the 2017 Santa House along the Riverwalk, Jackson at Webster. Â Hours are 4-8PM weekdays and noon to 6PM on weekends until Dec. 23. Â Listen for the Ho! Ho! Ho! Â Brand new Toys for Tots are also collected at the Santa House through Dec. 15. Â Thanks to many local community sponsors, admission is free of charge. Photos can be purchased for $8 or two for $15. Bring your list!
Above / Find Santa along the Riverwalk, Jackson at Webster, in the Santa House, hosted by the Naperville Park District.  This 2015 photo shows Santa with Cory and Molly Huard at the Santa House, open certain days until Dec. 23, 2017.  Admission is free.
Breakfast with Santa at Catch 35 Naperville on Dec. 16 & Dec. 23, 2017
Santa also will appear at breakfast for good little girls and boys, sharing good cheer and accepting gift lists during two seatings, first at 9AM and again at 11AM, both Saturdays, Dec. 17, and Dec. 23, at Catch 35 Naperville.
Children 2 and under are free of charge. The price for kids age 3 to 12 is $20; and ages 13 and older and all adults are $30 each.
*Gratuity and tax are not included in the above prices* Catch 35’s Santa breakfast buffet includes coffee, tea, and soda. Saint Nick’s Scrambled Eggs, Yuletide Bacon & Sausage, Rudolph’s Breakfast Potatoes, Jack Frost’s Crab cake Benedict, Tiny Tim’s Mini yogurt parfaits, Mrs. Claus’ Cinnamon Swirl French Toast, Blitzen’s Apple Cinnamon Crepes, Prancer’s Smoked Salmon, Dasher’s Bagels & Cream Cheese, Kris Kringle’s Croissants, and Assorted Holiday Cookies by Santa’s Little Elves.
Join the festivities for some holiday revelry and meet Santa at Catch 35 Naperville! Reserve your table today by calling (630) 717-3500 or visit http://www.catch35.com/santas-breakfast-2017-catch-35/.
Catch 35 is located at 35 S. Washington St. at Van Buren Ave., just steps from the parking deck in downtown Naperville.
Santa returns for Breakfast at Hotel Arista on Dec. 17, 2017
Hotel Arista’s perennial holiday favorite is back when you can believe that Santa will return for breakfast on Sun., Dec. 17.
For reservations and/or information, email  santa@hotelarista.com.
Or call Hotel Arista at (630) 579-4100 or visit www.hotelarista.com.
Hotel Arista is located at  2139 CityGate Lane in CityGate Centre, just off Route 59 at Ferry Road.
Find plenty of free parking, too.
