Above / Naperville glimmers with an amazing array of joyful holiday decorations from one neighborhood to the next. Finding them all is a huge challenge. Sleight Street has been tagged as the “great street” that shines with more Christmas spirit every year.
Santa’s Mail Box awaits letters with holiday wish lists from kids, now through Dec. 16 / Find the painted Santa Mailbox near the Van Buren Parking Lot entrance along Main Street (near Cinnaholic). Drop in your letter, including your wish list and return address, and Santa’s magic elves will fast-track letters right to Santa Claus for consideration. Best of all, kids will receive a personalized note in the mail. No postage required or cost. Just remember to include return address and name before Dec. 16, 2023. Ho, ho, ho!
Friday
Brats at Kreger’s / 10AM to 3PM Fridays and Saturdays at Kreger’s Brat and Sausage Haus – 606 N. Ellsworth Naperville, IL 60563 / Stop by for lunch, conversation and camaraderie. And be sure to tell Bill Kreger that you know his wurst is the best.
NaperLights along Water Street / At Dusk / Now through the Happy New Year. For more info, visit naperlights.com.
Saturday
Naperville Trolley & Tours Holiday Trolley-la-la-la la-la-la-las / Check daily availability (except Christmas) now through Dec. 27. www.napervilletrolley.com.
Enjoy Every Day at Quigley’s Irish Pub / 11AM / Quigley’s Irish Pub is located at 43 E. Jefferson Ave. Naperville, IL 60540 / Quigley’s Irish Pub features live music Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays as well as a good place for special events. Stop by for a cool pint, live music and honest pub fare EDAQ, Every Day at Quigley’s. Also, plan to toast New Year’s Eve at 6PM Dublin Time. Sláinte!
Tuba Christmas / 11AM / Hear holiday sounds at the corner of Washington and Jefferson streets in front of US Bank when tuba and euphonium players return to perform carols and seasonal songs with oom-pah-pah during the 50th anniversary of Tuba Christmas throughout the world. Beginning at 9AM, tuba and euphonium players are welcome sign up at the Naperville Community Concert Center, 55 Concert Lane in Central Park. A one-hour rehearsal follows at 10AM. The popular event is now hosted by Maplebrook and Madison Jr. High Band Director David Carroll. Everybody’s welcome!
Army-Navy Football America’s Game Watch Party / 1:30PM / Watch Party set to cheer on this historic rivalry from 1:30 to 5:30PM at the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, 908 W. Jackson Avenue / Raffles / 50/50 / Bring a dish to share. Surprises, too. ‘Tis the season to always turn fun into a FUNdraiser! Cheers to the Army-Navy game with a history dating back to 1890! UPDATE! All reports say the 124th edition of the Army-Navy matchup delivered precisely what it promised in 2023, ending in a suspenseful finish with Army 17 to Navy 11.
North Central College Cardinals vs. Wartburg College Knights, NCAA Division III National Semifinal / 2:30PM / Live streaming on ESPN+. Game played at Walston-Hoover Stadium in Waverly, Iowa. Go, Cardinals! UPDATE! North Central College Cardinals advanced to a fourth straight national championship game during an exciting game to the end on Saturday broadcast on WONC. The top-ranked Cardinals outlasted the home team Wartburg College Knights, 34-27. The Cardinals move on to the national championship game, taking on Cortland State University (New York). The Stagg Bowl 50 will kick off next Friday at 6PM (Naperville time) at Salem Stadium in Salem, Virginia.
Holidays and Harmonies: Handel to Jazz / 7:30PM at Wentz Concert Hall – 171 Chicago Ave. Naperville, IL 60540 / $25-30 / The Naperville Chorus will perform “Holidays and Harmonies: Handel to Jazz” with The Pete Ellman Band at 7:30PM on Sat., Dec. 9, and again at 3PM Sun., Dec. 10. The concert will be held on stage at Wentz Concert Hall, located at 171 Chicago Ave. Tickets are now available. General Admission is $30. Seniors and Students are $25. Tickets can be purchased at the North Central Box Office at (630) 637-SHOW.
Sunday
Naperville Municipal Band Holiday Concert / 3PM at Neuqua Valley High School Auditorium – 2360 95th Street Naperville, IL 60564 / Director Emily Binder and Associate Director Bill Jastrow have selected a program of holiday favorites.
Classics on the program include Leroy Anderson’s “The Sleigh Ride” and “A Christmas Festival.” Newer favorites will include “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “A Cowboy Christmas,” “Toboggan Ride,” and a beautiful setting of “Silent Night” titled “On That Night All Was Silent” by David Samuel. The band will end with the perennial crowd favorite, a Christmas sing-a-long. The concert is free and open to the public.
Last Updated / Dec. 10, 2023
