Above / Seems like just yesterday we were here, welcomed by good cheer!
Update! / Thanks, PN Readers, for landing on this archived page from 2022. Click here for 2023 New Year’s Eve suggestions.
Dec. 29 / Winter began at 3:38PM (CT) Wed., Dec. 21, 2022! What a difference a week makes in the Northern Hemisphere! The week that followed the shortest day of the year featured some of the most frightful weather ever, even with a little more sunlight and longer days. A high of 55 degrees is expected today with a forecast of overcast days in the 40s through Jan. 1, 2023. Here’s hoping travels were safe and uneventful.
Dec. 29 / Quilts of Valor Presentation at Rosie’s Home Cookin’ is scheduled for 4PM Thurs., Dec. 29. Quilts of Valor will be honoring Veteran Lynn Lowder, the owner of Rosie’s Home Cookin’ in Naperville, with a custom-made quilt for his service with the U.S. Marines. Rosie’s Home Cookin’ is located at 1567 North Aurora Road. Refreshments will be served. The public is welcome. (Note also, Rosie’s is open Tuesday through Sunday for breakfast and lunch from 7AM until 2PM.)
Dec. 29, etc. / Springbrook and Naperbrook Golf Courses are closed for the winter season even though temperatures may be creeping up, up, up to 58 degrees this day. Golf shops will reopen Jan. 3, 2023. Gift cards may be purchased online at www.golfnaperville.org. (Note: Naperbrook usually remains closed until around mid-March. Sometimes the course will open for a stretch of unseasonably warm weather. This year, new turf needs to grow in at Springbrook before reopening where renovations were completed this fall. Expect reopening to be late spring/early summer when a grand reopening will be planned.)
Discover the heart of the City in Downtown Naperville
Now / Magical Holiday Windows in Downtown Naperville / All during the holiday season in Downtown Naperville, experience more than window shopping with sights of the Magical Holiday Painted Windows – where windows become art. See where you can find all of the snowman-themed paintings. Click HERE for the map. After-holiday bargain sales are now in progress, a perfect way to use DNA Gift Cards, in between meals at downtown Naperville eateries!
Now / Every Day at Quigley’s… Last month marked 24 years for Quigley’s Irish Pub, 43 E. Jefferson Avenue. And the regulars call “EDAQ” camaraderie with classic Irish fare, bar bites and cold beverages the best place around for live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. And if you wish to check availability to book a private party, special event, fundraiser or meeting at Quigley’s, just call General Manager Andy Nosek at (630) 428-4774. Andy!
Dec. 29 / Singer Joe Cantafio is set to return at 7PM Thurs., Dec. 29, to Quigley’s Irish Pub, 43 E. Jefferson Ave. Cantafio will entertain with an encore performance on his guitar, taking the audience down Memory Lane, recounting his Naperville experiences that started back in the late 1980s at Exchange Club’s Ribfest. Cantafio will be joined by former Naperville Firefighter and U.S. Marine Dave Szablewski for few songs. Cantafio also welcomes his audiences to sing along to his favorite songs as he celebrates “50 Years in Rock ‘n Roll.”
Now until after NYE / NaperLights / Venture along Water Street, Foyo Plaza, Jaycees Park and the Riverwalk in Downtown Naperville from 4 to 10PM every evening to discover the dazzling display of bright lights for the community from the Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise. Perfect location for photo opportunities with family and friends, all set to music during this most wonderful time of the year. Ongoing through the holiday season until just after New Year’s.
Banner year for North Central College
This week and next season / Cheer on all seasonal Cardinal athletics at northcentralcardinals.com. Reserve tickets for North Central College Fine and Performing Arts such as the Chicago Sinfonietta’s Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at 3PM Sun., Jan. 15, 2023.
Dec. 29 & Dec. 30 / North Central College Bookstore is open weekdays. Find the North Central College Bookstore chock full of “Cardinals” keepsakes located at 100 E. Jefferson Avenue. Open Monday through Friday, the bookstore is closed weekends and holidays, such as Mon., Jan. 2. Hurray for the Cardinals, the 2022 NCAA Division III National Champions, 28-21!
Dec. 29 and so on… / Looking for a special gift that gives back this year and next? Consider purchasing a commemorative brick ($112) as a gift to the YMCA that supports youth and family programs. Or donate to Naperville Tornado Relief (Click here to see how tax deductible donations will make yards again safe for children to use. Children deserve to walk on grass not glass!). Or contribute to Loaves & Fishes Community Services or 360 Youth Services or any local nonprofit organization that aims to support unmet needs in the community.
Dec. 30 & Dec. 31 / Celebrate at Bowlero with a strike or two or three! For many years, Bowlero and previous bowling allies located at 1515 Aurora Avenue, have struck up lots of fun entertainment here. Space is limited and lanes fill up fast from noon to 1AM! Book your holiday party now at bowlero.com/nye. Find Bowlero Naperville, a local destination for world-class bowling, laser tag, arcade games, billiards and more, including a sports bar. Grab a lane, set a high score in the arcade. Give them a call for reservation availability at (630) 355-7622. Bowlero is also open on New Year’s Day.
What are you doing New Year’s Eve?
Dec. 31 / Bubble Bash at DuPage Children’s Museum will be festive and family-friendly from 9AM to 1PM Sat., Dec. 31. The 20th annual New Year’s Eve celebration features music and a museum full of special activities including an interactive photo booth. A special early countdown will be a blast at noon with a choice of bubbles, confetti, live music. A quiet countdown option also is available. Tickets are $25 for members and $30 for nonmembers. Website now says “sold out” with directions to “Other Times.” Reservation information is available at dupagechildrensmuseum.com.
Receive warm welcomes every day & New Year’s Eve at Meson Sabika
Now / Enjoy lunch or dinner in the historic mansion at Meson Sabika any wintry day. For information about the annual New Year’s Eve festivities at the popular tapas restaurant, click here. To place advance reservations for lunch or dinner, fundraisers, weddings, holiday private parties or other special occasions now and throughout 2023, visit www.mesonsabika.com. And consider that Meson Sabika Gift Certificates make perfect gifts for every special occasion!
Dec. 31 / Celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Mansion! Join Meson Sabika on New Year’s Eve for a 4-course dinner. Includes an Array of Cold and Hot Tapas, an Entrée of Short Ribs and Lobster, and Desserts. $95 per person plus tax and gratuity. Vegetarian menu $39 per person and Children’s menu available upon request. Advance orders recommended for pick up. We respectfully ask for 72 hours notice for all cancelations. No Shows will be charged $25 per person. Limited seating times still available for New Year’s Eve. To make reservations call (630) 983-3000 x 2 or visit www.mesonsabika.com.
Dec. 31 / Top Golf, 3211 Odyssey Court (near CityGate Centre), will host a golden night of fun. Reserve an all-inclusive bay package for your group that includes party favors and unlimited Topgolf from 9PM to close on New Year’s Eve. Phone: (630) 596-1000 or visit topgolf.com/us/naperville/promo/new-years-eve/.
Dec. 31 / Festivities for New Year’s Eve Dublin Time begin at 3PM Sat., Dec. 31. Live entertainment will be performed by Cirrus Falcon from 3PM to 7PM. Cheers to the Irish New Year with a toast at 6PM. Pub closes at 8PM. Quigley’s will be closed New Year’s Day.
Dec. 31 / Enjoy New Year’s Eve in the comfort of your home. NYE at home can be a time to create a game night. Play cards. Order a pizza to be delivered. Pop popcorn. Work jigsaw puzzles. Watch movies. Sort old photos. Create scrapbooks. Count your blessings. And go to bed early!
In the spirit of the season of giving, thanks for reminding family, friends and neighbors about these holiday happenings, many set to music during this most wonderful time of the year.
And so on…
365 days a year shop and dine locally! 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.
Click here to PN’s Community Events Calendar / Submit events here.
NOTE! Pre-registration is recommended/required for most events. Expect admission charge unless marked FREE! “FREE” admission is compliments of the sponsoring organizations. (Remember, nothing is really free of charge. Some individual or some business foots the bill for your pleasure.) Also note that event details, dates, times and policies are subject to change.
Thanks for your participation and patience! We’re keenly aware this post is long—and we’re grateful the community has held many of its holiday traditions again. Thanks for connecting while reading all the way down!
Note also that this post may be updated throughout the weekend with new events. Some events may be deleted soon after they have happened. Cheers!
Be prepared for 2023 Consolidated Election on April 4
Now thru April 4, 2023 / 2023 Consolidated Election Reminder / From City Hall to the Naperville Park District to District 203 and District 204 School Boards, perhaps take time on NYE to become familiar with the names of all the candidates running in the nonpartisan election…
Naperville Mayor / Three candidates, Scott Wehrli, Benjamin (Benny) White and Tiffany Stephens, are vying for the four-year seat of Naperville Mayor on the Naperville City Council.
Naperville City Council Members / Twelve candidates currently are vying for four four-year seats on the Naperville City Council. The candidates are listed here in order of signing throughout the petitioning period from 8AM Nov. 23 through 5PM Nov. 28: Ashley South, Ashfaq Syed, Nag Jaiswal, Allison Longenbaugh, Nathan “Nate” Wilson, Derek McDaniel, Josh McBroom, Rebecca Malotke-Meslin, Jodi Trendler, Patrick Kelly, Meghna Bansal and Madhu Uppal.
(Kindly note an appeal is expected to be heard on Jan. 6, 2023, regarding petitions challenged for mayoral candidate Tiffany Stephens and city council candidate Derek McDaniel. The Naperville Municipal Electoral Board — comprised of 2-term Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico, 3-term Councilman Paul Hinterlong and City Clerk Pam Gallahue — voted 2-1 to reject both challenges, allowing the two candidates to remain on the ballot. Gallahue voted no in both cases. To watch proceedings of the two hearings so far, visit “Archived Events” on the City’s website and click on Electoral Boards for Dec. 12 and Dec. 16.)
Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners / By Dec. 12, 2022, four candidates had turned in petition packets to serve three four-year seats on the NPD Board of Commissioners. Candidates are Christopher Jacks, John Risvold, Rich Janor and Mahboube “Michelle” Haghighi.
School District 203 / By Dec. 12, 2022, six candidates had turned in petition packets to run for three four-year seats on the 203 BOE. Candidates are Joe Kozminski, Kristine Gericke, Barbara Higg, Gilbert Wagner, Ronald Amato and Melissa Kelly Black.
School District 204 / By Dec. 12, 2022, three candidates had turned in petition packets to run for three four-year seats on the 204 BOE. Candidates are Justin Karubas, Mark Rising and Catey Genc.
(Please note Candidate Meet & Greet Opportunities Listing is coming soon: PN has a long tradition of featuring “meet & greet” events for candidates in the City’s nonpartisan elections. Candidates with websites are welcome to simply send who, what, when, where and admission cost (if any), and the event will be included in a calendar of free-to-attend candidate events coming soon to this website. Thank you.)
Celebrate safely now and every day throughout 2013
We appreciate your participation and patience! We’re keenly aware this post is long—and we’re grateful the community is beginning to plan its holiday traditions again. Thanks for connecting while reading all the way down!
Note also that this post may be updated throughout the weekend with new events. Some events may be deleted soon after they have happened. Cheers to a happy, healthful and prosperous New Year!
