Above / …And what to my wondering eyes should appear? See it to believe it during Naperville Trolley tours… Pop Up Tours for 2019, too. Trolley-la-la-la La-la-la-la! Find this unbelievable holiday display more spectacular than ever at the corner of Williamsburg and Vicksburg in Hobson West. Thanks to everyone who contributes to our city’s grand illumination N.E.W.S. and downtown happenings! Ding! Ding! (PN File Photo)
Keeping track of Santa and his many helpers in Naperville is a challenge. He’s everywhere! He’s everywhere!
But first, before we get ahead of ourselves, we’re hopeful families, friends and neighbors gather together to celebrate the wonders of the season with an attitude of gratitude and hope for peace here, there and everywhere.
Special thanks to everyone who works on holidays so folks can travel safely to count their blessings.
Little Friends Parade of Lights / Gallery of Photos (2016) (2017) (2019)
Since 2003, Jolly Old St. Nicholas officially has arrived in this City along the DuPage River at the end of the Little Friends Hometown Holiday Parade, now known as the Parade of Lights.
For many years before onset of the parade, Santa Claus was known to flip a few switches to turn on the downtown Grand Illumination on the Friday evening following Thanksgiving Day. After shopping patterns changed, the Grand Illumination with thousands of tiny white lights began to brighten the downtown streetscape by mid-November. And so it goes.
Even dating back to 1831, well-behaved children of early settlers waited with anticipation on Christmas Eve for Saint Nicholas to find them with good cheer and a few gold coins by Christmas morning. Ho. Ho. Ho.
Above / For 2019, Santa, accompanied by Mrs. Claus, returned for a quick visit during the annual Little Friends Parade of Lights when Jason Altenbern from Little Friends and Katie Wood from the Downtown Naperville Alliance provided colorful commentary about the festivities that kicked off the holiday season in downtown Naperville. The 2019 Little Friends Parade of Lights took a new route that welcomed thousands of spectators to watch Santa’s arrival.
Naperville Municipal Band Holiday Concert is 3PM December 8
Above / Naperville Municipal Band Conductor Ron Keller says Santa has promised to appear for the audience sing-along at the annual Holiday Concert beginning at 3PM Sun., Dec. 8. The 90-minute concert, free of admission charge, will be held in the Auditorium at Neuqua Valley High School on 95th Street. Note! The charity in the spotlight tomorrow will be Loaves & Fishes Community Services. Thanks for bring a nonperishable item to share with a less fortunate family to the concert. A collection site will be in the lobby of the NVHS Auditorium. (PN Photo 2017)
Santa visits & breakfasts through the years with 2019 updates
What’s more, 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!
This small sampling of PN’s collection of Santa’s helpers is just another example of folks you likely know creating simple joys. Thanks to all who share the giving spirit from one season to the next. God bless us every one.
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. 22, 2019.
Above / Listen for the Ho! Ho! Ho! coming from the Santa House! (PN File Photo, Nov. 22, 2015)
2019 Santa House schedule: No reservations are needed (free, with the option to purchase photos with Santa at $8 each or $15 for two) during public hours:
- 12:30-6PM Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 7 and 8
- 4:30-8PM Dec. 6, 13 and 17-20
- 12:30-7PM Dec. 14, 15, 21 and 22
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 asked Santa if he wanted to know in which state he lived — and then told him he lived in Michigan. ((Bring your camera for the annual Pictures with Santa, 10AM to 2PM on Sun., Dec. 8, 2018, at Quigley’s Irish Pub. Pet photos will be from 9-10AM. )
Thanks to all for making the season bright
With the legendary spirit of St. Nicholas living deep our hearts, here are a few of Santa’s helpers PN caught on 35mm film years ago and more recently on digital.
Above / Back in 2000, Santa had breakfast with a bunch of good little girls and boys.
Breakfast with Santa at Catch 35 is December 14
Santa is scheduled to 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, on Sat., Dec. 14, at Catch 35, located at t 35 S. Washington Street in downtown Naperville. Santa says he’ll visit tables and be available for pictures throughout the event.
The price for kids age 3 to 12 is $15; and ages 13 and older and all adults are $25 each. Children 2 and under are free of charge. Gratuity and tax are not included in the above prices. Reserve a table by calling (630) 717-3500 or visit www.catch35.com.
Breakfast with Santa at Hotel Arista is December 15
Santa also returns for Breakfast with Santa at 9AM, 10:30AM and 12PM in the the Hotel Arista Ballroom on Sun., Dec. 15, 2019. Spots fill up quickly. The highly anticipated annual event features a top-notch brunch buffet, including special kids’ buffet, Santa’s workshop crafts, the Polar Express model train and horse-drawn carriage rides. Priced at $49.95 for adults, $22.95 children ages 3 to 12, age 2 and under free. Reserve via email at santa@hotelarista.com or call (630) 579-7827. For more info or to reserve a spot, call (630) 579-7827 or email santa@hotelarista.com.
“It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmastime.”
—Charles Dickens
Above / Father Christmas and Scrooge shared the stage for many years during Christmas Memories at Naper Settlement. (Photo circa 1999) This year check out what’s happening at Naper Settlement before the night it all happens.
Annual Christmas Day Dinner hosted by the YMCA & Naperville Park District
Above / For dozens of years, Santa has stopped for a visit as volunteers have served a festive holiday meal to senior citizens during the Annual Christmas Dinner hosted by the YMCA, now in partnership with the Naperville Park District. (Photo courtesy Naperville YMCA)
For 2019, again thanks to the generosity of many community leaders, a Christmas Dinner will be provided for Seniors, families and individuals who may be alone on the holidays. This wonderful tradition takes place on Christmas Day at 11:30AM at the Marriott. If you or someone you know would like to be part of the Christmas Dinner, contact Polly Rhodes at the Kroehler YMCA via (630) 420-6270 or prhodes@ymcachicago.org.
Above / In 2013, to officially kick off the holiday season, Santa and Mrs. Claus attracted thousands to the Little Friends Parade of Lights in downtown Naperville.
Every year since 1831, when special gifts such as oranges, gold coins, holiday novelties and baubles have filled stockings hung by the chimney with care, Santa and many of his helpers have found Naperville and they continue to make the rounds for visits with good little girls and boys.
Above / Santa posed with members of the Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners, decked out for an Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest, before he set up visiting hours in the Riverwalk Santa House. For 2019, the Santa House opened on Nov. 30 and will host visits through Dec. 22. (PN Photo 2013)
Above / One of Santa’s helpers also found time to meet with youngsters at the Naperville Responds for Veterans annual holiday gathering. Even kids find it funny when other kids say the darnedest things! (PN File Photo 2018)
Above / Santa and Skip Junkins helped members of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves during the 2012 Toys for Tots Collection at Hotel Arista in CityGate Centre. Find Toys for Tots drop off containers at Busey Bank in Naperville Plaza and along Water Street as well as at three Naperville Bank & Trust locations around town.
Above / In 2013, Santa arrived at the landmark Naperville Woman’s Club to assist Rotary Club of Naperville/Sunrise President John Nania with the inaugural illumination of Naper Lights in Central Park.
Above / For 2019, the Downtown Naperville Grand Illumination with Naper Lights along Water Street makes the season bright every evening. Take a stroll! And sing along with many lively and memorable holiday tunes.
Above / Santa shows up once a year for photos with guests and staff at Quigley’s Irish Pub on a Sunday in December. Then everyone is invited all day on Sat., Dec. 14, to stop by in your favorite Ugly Christmas Sweater and you might win prizes. Cheers and Happy New Year at 6PM here and Dublin time there! (PN File Photo, 2016)
Above / And in case you didn’t hear… Even on Christmas Eve, you’ll find Santa putting in a shift to help all the other bell ringers who volunteer to help raise funds for the Salvation Army.
Above / Civic Plaza along the Riverwalk is aglow in the evenings as a place to pause and reflect about peace on Earth. For 2019, Chanukah (used interchangeably with Hanukkah) begins on Dec. 22 for eight days, ending in the evening of Dec. 30, 2019. Christmas Day is Dec. 25.
Thanks to all the giving hearts on behalf of the child in everyone during this wondrous holiday season.
