Above / Downtown Naperville will host its annual Halloween Hop from 10AM to noon on Sun., Oct. 31. (See more for October under “Downtown Naperville” below.) Meanwhile, discover plenty that’s traditional and new for shopping and dining along Water Street and throughout downtown. Just cross over the Moser Covered Bridge at Webster Street!

***This weekend’s happenings…

Wrap up October with new & returning seasonal choices

The posts on this page are arranged miscellaneously and/or by hosting location or organization. Obviously, most photos are from PN files as most events are yet to occur. Events are among the traditions of this active community with many choices. Some dated posts have been removed when they are no longer seeking attendance. That way, other events can be added. (Most recently updated, Oct. 30, 2021)

Oh! What a beautiful place where the bike path toward the Lake Osborne Pavilion appears golden! Go walk! Go bike! Go fish! Go picnic! Lake Osborne is located just west of the Naperville Public Safety Center along Aurora Avenue. (Lake Osborne Photo, Oct. 9, 2021)

Enjoy seasonal changes from Lake Osborne to Whalon Lake! “Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn,” noted quotable Elizabeth Lawrence (1904-1985), internationally-known garden writer. 

Go fish this autumn! Hint: Autumn anglers say they like to concentrate their efforts for bass this time of the year in the midday sunshine. The sun warms the shallow water and by noon, bass bite. Click here to find one of this website’s most popular pages while considering the catch of the day!

Miscellaneous / Here and There

***Thru Oct. 31 and then thru New Year’s / Naperville Trolley & Tours announces it’s time to book public trolley rides and tours for the holidays, Halloween through New Year’s. Book PUBLIC (individual) Halloween and Nov/December Holiday Lights. Reservation opportunities went live at 10AM on Fri., Oct. 1, 2021. Find info about the fun trolley-la-la-la, la-la-la la tours at www.napervilletrolley.com.

***Now Booked for 2021 / On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 25, Meson Sabika (1025 Aurora Avenue, Naperville) and Tapas Valencia (1530 S. State Street, Chicago) planned to provide up to 3,000 complimentary traditional turkey dinners TO-GO for individuals/families in need. Necessary advance reservations have been promoted for the past month and Meson Sabika now has reached capacity of 2,300 pre-orders and Tapas Valencia has 650. The restaurant is no longer accepting advance reservations, originally requested by Nov. 17. Folks at Meson Sabika appreciate everyone for spreading the word about this Thanksgiving Day tradition. 

Turning Pointe Autism Foundation (click here for website)

***Oct. 30 / Naperville Pumpkin Race returns at noon Sat., Oct. 30, to Rotary Hill along the Riverwalk. Create/purchase a pumpkin racer (Kits are $25) and be ready to run a heat in-person at Rotary Hill near Moser Tower or in your own driveway no matter where you live. (Check the TPAF website for details about mail orders.) This event is great fun for all who participate and/or watch. The elimination races take three to four hours. A costume contest, vendors, pumpkin decorating contest, live entertainment and other creative surprises add to this fun Halloween event that includes several smash hits. Cheering spectators welcome!  FREE! ***(Fundraiser)

Naperville Evangelical Covenant Church (click here for website)

***Oct. 30 / 2nd Annual Trunk or Treat Halloween Extravaganza is set for noon to 2PM Sat., Oct. 30, at Naperville Evangelical Covenant Church, located at 1150 Hobson Road. All are welcome to the festivities that will include games, entertainment, a firetruck, food truck, and all those car trunks filled with treats for Halloween. For info, call (630) 369-2741 or email nechurch@napercov.org.

***Every day! / World Mental Health Day was Sun., Oct. 10. Be aware of it every day. Organizations in Naperville, the United States and worldwide aim to destigmatize mental health challenges while assisting individuals of all ages in need to access help for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD and addiction every day. During the Naperville City Council meeting on Oct. 5, 2021, a Mayoral Proclamation recognized the efforts of local teens via www.beyondcharitychicago.org/ to heighten awareness about mental health.

The DuPage County Crisis Hotline (630) 627-1700 will remain in operation and all crisis services are available 24/7.

***Every day! / 2021 National Police Week & Weekend was recognized Oct. 11-17, postponed from May. Just in time to help promote “Respect! Honor! Remember!” and public safety, Safe Suburbs USA yard signs are beginning to populate throughout the community in support of law enforcement. For more information about Safe Suburbs USA, upcoming events and yard signs, visit www.safesuburbsUSA.com.

Practice inclusion, understanding and acceptance of differing abilities during Down Syndrome Month in October and all year long, too…

***Now / Folks asking where to find accessories for Halloween costumes likely will find good bargains at a local resale shop. For one, visit the Serendipity Resale Shop, fully transitioned from downtown Naperville to 461 S. Route 59, in the same shopping center as Hobby Lobby. The A-frame blackboard sign outside the door promotes “Halloween 80% off. Toys $1.” Hours are 10AM until 5PM Monday through Saturday. All sales benefit Little Friends, Inc.

***Now / If you’re traveling around town in the evening, head to 1109 E. Bailey Road where there’s a corner yard full of amazing monsters, skimpy skeletons and bewitching spiders ready to haunt and celebrate this time when many folks find weird pleasure in the darker, creepier side of life. And others already are planning to beg for loads of candy on Halloween night. FREE!

***Oct. 31 /Be careful where you step. Be prepared for groans and bones on Halloween. Return to the graveyard at 1109 E. Bailey for some special treats and to meet the Monsters for a Cause, all to benefit Little Friends, Inc. ***(Friend & Fundraiser)

***Every day / National Prescription Drug Take Back Day was Oct. 23. Use this reminder to go through your medications and dispose of any unused or expired prescriptions, getting them out of your home any day. Find drug drop off containers every day at the Naperville Fire Department and Naperville Police Department located in the Naperville Public Safety Center, 1320 Aurora Ave. For more info regarding drop-off locations any time of year, visit communityallianceforprevention.org/resources.

***Every day/ World Polio Day always is October 24. One Day, One Focus, Ending Polio. Initiated by Rotary International, World Polio Day commemorates the birth of Jonas Salk, who developed a vaccine against poliomyelitis. World Polio Day unites global health experts and partners to share progress on the road to polio eradication. Think about it every day!

***UPDATE / Loaves & Fishes Community Services Ribbon Cutting was Oct. 24. Standing next to Loaves & Fishes Community Services CEO & President Mike Havala, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin showed his upmost approval when Loaves & Fishes, founded and homebased in Naperville, celebrated its new Food Distribution Hub during its open house at 580 Exchange Court, Aurora. The addition of this building will substantially increase the number of families served, expand the L&F geographic service area throughout four counties, increase the amount of healthy food offered, and provide an omnichannel distribution for clients. Click here for more information regarding the Loaves & Fishes Building for Lasting Impact Initiative.

***UPDATE / Indian Prairie School District 204 boundary committee met to evaluate next steps via three concepts on the table at Still Middle School, located at 787 Meadowridge Drive in Aurora. For more information on the boundary process, to view meeting materials, read the FAQ, or watch meeting videos, visit 2021 Boundary Committee. Up next, community forums are set for 7PM on Nov. 8 at WVHS, Nov. 9 at NVHS and Nov. 10 at MVHS. The quote high on the wall near the entrance of the multi-purpose room at Still Middle School is indeed inspiration to continue trying. 

***UPDATE / 2021 Naperville Citizens Appreciate Public Safety (CAPS) Awards Dinner recognizing Naperville Fire Department employees was held Thurs., Oct. 28, in the Pavilion at Meson Sabika. During festivities, Hossein Jamali, pictured behind Naperville Fire Chief Mark Puknaitis was recognized with gratitude for his generosity and support of CAPS. (Photo courtesy of Jim Hoch)

***Oct. 30 / Pumpkin Palooza hosted by DuPage Children’s Museum is planned 9AM to 2PM Sat., Oct. 30.  Families are encouraged to come in costume and celebrate the colorful fall season during Pumpkin Palooza at DuPage Children’s Museum (DCM) at 301 N. Washington Street. This family-favorite is full of fun, not frightening festivities in the Museum’s parking lot as well as inside the building. FREE for Museum members and included with paid general admission. DCM admission is $15 for adults and children age 1 and older, and $14 for seniors age 59-plus.

Downtown Naperville (click here to website)

Note also! Travel aboard the Trick or Treat Trolley from 10AM until Noon on Halloween in downtown Naperville. Pick up and drop off at two locations: Water Street by Hotel Indigo and Van Buren Street by the Main Street Promenade. Costumed riders welcome!

Naperville Plaza / Washington at Gartner

***Oct. 30 / Casey’s Foods and Oswald’s Pharmacy are set to host a ‘Mini-Fall Festival” from 10AM to 3PM Sat., Oct. 30, in Naperville Plaza, Washington at Gartner. Dress to trick or treat for pictures in the Photo Booth. Enjoy treats. Enter gift-basket drawing. FREE!

Naper Settlement  / 523 South Webster Street (click here to website)

***Oct. 31 / Happy Halloween! Trick or Treat at Naper Settlement from 1PM to 4PM, Sun., Oct. 31. Kids can dress up in costumes and take a stroll through Naper Settlement, stopping at historical homes to grab their treats. The blacksmith shop also will be open up that day. Pre-registration required. Adults-Children $5.

October also is Crime Prevention Month! McGruff the Crime Dog invites the community to join him as he aims to make a case for Naperville Crime Stoppers. Encourage all residents to promote a Safer Naper every day of the year.

Happy Halloween! 

***Oct. 31 / Though the City of Naperville has no set hours for Trick or Treating, most families respect times from 4PM to 8PM as hours when they permit their youngsters to visit homes, door to door, on Halloween. Follow local protocols for public safety.

And so on…

365 days a year! If planning a weekend or a staycation in Naperville, consider overnight stays at www.visitnaperville.com. Check out more than 270 dining locations at www.dinenaperville.com.

Note also that this post has been updated throughout the month with new events. Many events were deleted soon after they have happened.

Looking toward November…

Nov. 4 / Naperville Responds for Veterans is set to host Cheers for Veterans Reverse Raffle & Fundraiser from 6 to 10PM Thurs., Nov. 4, at Bobak’s in Woodridge. Cocktail Reception is from 6-10PM.  Reverse Raffle Drawing (not necessary to be present to participate) starts at 7PM followed by Live Auction at 8PM. Click here to check out Cheers! fun, games and prize-winning opportunities that come in support of assisting Veterans and their families in need of home repairs and renovations, especially those with low and moderate income. Thank you!

Nov. 9, 10 & 11 / The week of Nov. 9 (Safe Suburbs USA inaugural fundraiser at Aurelio’s), Nov. 10 (Marine Corps Birthday Ball hosted by Naperville Marines at the VFW) and Nov. 11 (Veterans Day observance at “11-11-11” at Veterans Park) is shaping up in Naperville to recognize all those individuals who serve to protect us, expressing to them an attitude of gratitude. That observance of safety seems especially significant for the month when America also celebrates Thanksgiving. Thanks to all.

PN File Photos

Last updated / Oct. 30, 2021