Friday
Jumbo Duck Exhibit at Busey Bank – 9AM to 5PM | FREE Looks!
Busey Bank – 24 W Gartner Rd. in Naperville Plaza Naperville, IL 60540
Get a preview of some of the jumbo rubber duckies entered into the Jumbo Duck Creative Costume Contest in advance of the the Riverwalk Duck Race on Wed., Aug. 14. The contest has attracted 20-plus jumbo ducks in various disguises to compete for votes and bragging rights from 9:15AM to 9:50AM on Wed., Aug. 14, in advance of the 4th Annual Riverwalk Duck Race when up to 2,000 plastic ducks will be released in the DuPage River at 10AM. Remember! Don’t feed the ducks. Take a quack at a five-buck duck and race it! Let wildlife be wild! www.riverwalkduckrace.com. Busey Bank preview is also 9AM to 12PM on Saturday.
YMCA Movies in Central Park – Dusk | FREE
Central Park – Between Benton Ave. & Jefferson Ave. behind the Kroehler Y Naperville, IL 60540
YMCA presents its outdoor family summer movie series in Central Park. Admission is free of charge. Enjoy “Incredibles 2” on Fri., Aug. 9, and “Aquaman” on Fri., Aug. 23.
Live Music at Quigley’s – 8:30PM | Cost varies with food or beverage purchase
Quigley’s Irish Pub – 43 E. Jefferson Naperville, IL 60540
Visit Quigley’s for live music most Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights… Note: Breakfast is served beginning at 10AM Saturdays and Sundays. The patio with a special section for well-behaved dogs is open, too.
Public Naperville Trolley Tours summer Fridays except Aug. 16!
One-Hour Historic Trolley Tour of Naperville! Every Friday at 11AM during June, July, and August. (No tour on Aug. 16). $18 per person. Children’s 30 minute Trolley ride! Every Friday at 10:15AM during June, July, and August (not available on 8/16). $8 per person. Trolley Tours meet at the “Trolley Stop” on Jackson Avenue at Eagle Street (Kiddie corner from address of 305 Jackson Ave., Naperville). Online tickets at napervilletrolley.com.
Saturday
Centennial Beach is Open – 11AM | Membership cost varies with age
Centennial Beach – 500 W. Jackson Ave. Naperville, IL 60540
Weather permitting, Centennial Beach is now open daily for the season. Alert! Adult float is every Saturday and Sunday, 9AM to 10:55AM.
Naperville Food Truck Festival – 11AM | General Admission is $5 online and $10 at the door. Kids 10 & under are free with a paying adult.
Naper Settlement – 523 S Webster Street Naperville, IL 60540
Hey Foodies! The Inaugural Naperville Food Truck Festival will feature 25-plus of the area’s best food trucks, live DJ entertainment, beer & wine garden and a vendor village featuring local businesses. Enjoy hands-on science exploration stations by the DuPage Children’s Museum. This is a family friendly event where kids can enjoy the Naper Settlement playground and all can experience the historical grounds. Click here for info and tickets.
Plant a Mini Garden – noon | Free
The Growing Place Garden Center – 25w471 Plank Rd. Naperville, IL 60563
Plant a Mini Garden Running out of things to do this summer with the kids? Well help you plant a mini garden! Sessions at noon, 1PM, & 2PM at both locations. Attend the session and location that works best for your schedule. No registration required. Cost of materials. Visit www.thegrowingplace.com for more info.
Sunday
Naperville Rotary Ride – 6:30AM | $15-$50
Commissioners Park – 3704 111th St. Naperville, IL 60564
The Rotary Club of Naperville Downtown will host the 23rd Annual Rotary Ride on Sunday, August 11, 2019 at Commissioners Park, 3704 111th St. Naperville. The Ride has a 1.4 mile family loop, 21, 41, and 62 (metric century) mile routes. All routes are SAG supported and rest stops are fully staffed with nutritious food and drinks. Proceeds from the Ride will benefit Rotary International’s Campaign to End Polio and local charities. Register at www.napervillerotaryride.com.
Casey’s Foods fires up the grill on Saturdays and Sundays – 11AM–2PM | Cost varies with purchase
Casey’s Foods – 124 W Gartner Rd, Naperville, IL 60540
Casey’s Foods located at Naperville Plaza will be firing up its grill every Saturday and Sunday from 11AM to 2PM through October, weather permitting. Choose from a variety of options, including burgers, brats, tacos or the weekly special. Add a dollar and get chips and a drink. It’s great food, at a good price, in a fun atmosphere.
India Day Parade and Celebration – 11AM-9:30PM | Cost varies with purchase
Knoch Park – 724 West Street Naperville, IL 60540
Indian Community Outreach invites you to experience an amazing 5th INDIA DAY COLORFUL PARADE & CELEBRATION FEATURING FREE CONCERT. Large decorated floats, Colorful Indian Folk, Classical & Modern Dances, Food, Drinks, Children Area, Fashion Show, Concert, Shopping of Indian Ethnic Dresses/Jewelry will be the highlights. The event will be Headlined by the master of amazing voice, top playback singer, stage performer – Sunidhi Chauhan and Group from Bollywood, India. Celebrating 72 years of India’s Independence Bringing the Chicagoland & Midwest community together to experience Indian culture and heritage through the procession, education, food, and entertainment. More info at www.indiancommunityoutreach.org.
Naperville Municipal Band Concerts & Y Family Movies Nights in Central Park
Naperville Municipal plays its annual summer concert series at 7:30PM Thursdays through Aug. 15, 2019.
Naperville Municipal Band celebrates its 160th year during its annual summer concert series at 7:30PM Thursday evenings through Aug. 15, 2019, in Central Park.
Kick off the weekend tonight Thurs., Aug. 8, during the Naperville Municipal Band concert titled “So Long for A While.” The concert with the audience raffle is sponsored by the Naperville Bank & Trust. The bake sale in the Gazebo is hosted by League of Women Voters Voters/Naperville. (Click here for photos!)
The final concert will feature the NMB Big Band and more on Thurs., Aug. 15. Admission always is free of charge. Fill the park benches or BYO lawn chairs or blankets. Strike up the band that’s been here quite some time! Click here for a look at the NMB performing some all-American sounds from out West on Aug. 1.
YMCA presents its outdoor family summer movie series in Central Park. Admission is free of charge. Enjoy “Incredibles 2” on Fri., Aug. 9, and “Aquaman” on Fri., Aug. 23.
Year-round shopping & dining ideas…
Think dinner and the show and combine a gift certificate/card to a restaurant and theater tickets to performances on stage at North Central College. Perhaps give memberships to places such as Naper Settlement, DuPage Children’s Museum or Naperville Art League.
‘Tis the season to give DNA gift cards or to create an experience in 2019. Downtown Naperville Gift Cards make great gifts for teachers, coaches, graduates and anyone. With a Downtown Naperville gift card, the recipient can find a new outfit, indulge in a relaxing spa treatment, take a fitness class, pick up a pair of new running shoes, discover a great new book or enjoy a wonderful meal among so many choices.
Downtown Naperville gift cards may be purchased in person at the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce (ask for a gift box and bow) or Pinot’s Palette. You may also order via phone by calling (630) 355-4141 or ordering online.
Or give special certificates for a pair of tickets or an entire table to some other charity gala or golf outing this year.
Find more things to do under ‘Upcoming Events’ in the column to the right…
Take a break! Dine Around Naperville!
From Catch 35* to Meson Sabika*, discover more than 260 delicious places to dine in or take out, and find many with a patio* at www.dinenaperville.com.
And 40-plus of the eateries are located throughout downtown Naperville where there are plenty of shopping opportunities in between meals. Cheers!
Thanks for supporting live music such as the sounds of bands at Quigley’s Irish Pub* (Thursday, Fridays & Saturdays) or local bands at Club Mamalu’s on the first Friday of the month with OMT lite and friends. No cover.
In addition to lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, Meson Sabika provides a lovely setting for outdoor weddings and other special occasions inside the historic mansion, outside on the patio or in the spacious Pavilion.
Hospitality shows and matters in Naperville
For a listing of all 19 lodging choices in Naperville, offering more than 2,500 rooms, visit visitnaperville.com. Whether planning a wedding, corporate or sporting event; special meeting; family reunion or an extended stay while home construction is temporarily in progress, Naperville can put guests up for a night or a month or more.
Economic development and tourism go hand in hand. Thanks for supporting the local economy by planning a “staycation” itinerary here and inviting friends and family to come discover Naperville this summer.
From art exhibits at North Central College to outdoor art in public places called Century Walk, from the DuPage Children’s Museum to Naper Settlement, from the Riverwalk and Central Park in downtown Naperville to more than 100 neighborhood parks throughout the city, and from Naperville Crossings at 95th Street to shopping destinations dotting the landscape here and there, check out everything this community has to offer north, east, west and south.
Everybody is welcome to enjoy the charm, culture, rich history and sporting events that are homegrown and treasured in this vibrant community every day.
Save the date for the Over the Edge Fundraiser on Sept. 14 at Hotel Arista
Think Dinner & the Show at North Central College
And there’s more latest news…
Look forward with photo-enhanced stories every day on PN’s Latest News. In addition to events and other happenings, find public meeting notices scheduled at the Naperville Municipal Center.
Check out PN’s Events Calendar for other events as well as to help plan next week and upcoming weekends.
On the navigation bar atop the Events Calendar, find calendars specific to Runs & Walks, Charity Golf, Festivals & Traditions over the course of the year as well as this month’s Book Events hosted by Anderson’s, North Central College Performing Arts and happenings at Naper Settlement.
PN’s Event Calendar features Things to Do, too!
Plus… Event planners can post events.
