Above / Find this brightly lighted home for the holidays located along Oakton Lane, just east of River Road. River Road is a showcase of curbside illumination. Venture along Raintree Drive (just west of River Road) for more holiday spirit in the Countryside neighborhood. Turn west at Sequoia Road toward Sequoia Court for another bright display of season’s greetings.
I wonder as I wander out under the sky.” Words collected by John Jacob Niles in 1933. (PN Photo)
**Friday & Saturday / ***Now through the end of 2023.
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 / Enjoy the lights set to music. Plan to dine, then shop along Water Street and throughout downtown. Santa will be taking last- minute wishes and posing for photos on his brightly illuminated throne by the Great Tree from 6-8PM Sat., Dec. 23, in Jaycees Park. NaperLights, the free gift to the community by Naperville Sunrise Rotary, will remain lighted every evening from 5-10PM through New Year’s Day. The popular hologram glasses are available for the asking on weekends. Donations to Sunrise Rotary’s charitable works are welcomed. For more info, visit naperlights.com. Cheers!
***Downtown Naperville Beams in Bright Beauty for All / Downtown Naperville welcomes you. Lights! Merriment! Over 100 shops, 60 restaurants, many spas and Hotel Indigo, too. All businesses are eager to serve holiday wishes. And special holiday gift cards to please any pocket during after-the-holiday sales. Free parking (more than 4,000 spaces!) accompanied by one of the lowest retail sales tax rates in the Western Suburbs!
***Vasili’s Holiday NIGHTCAP and Christmas Specials / 9PM / Enjoy a special holiday edition of Vasili’s NIGHTCAP from 9PM to 1AM. Indulge in holiday drinks, DJ Bobby de Maria & Tsunami tunes, late-night bites, and festive vibes. Open daily. Reservations via Open Table. Phone: (630) 328-0431. Also open on Christmas Eve from 11AM to 9:30PM and Christmas Day from 3PM to 9PM. Find Vasili’s at 135 Water Street.
Saturday
Santa’s Mail Box will again accept wish lists in 2024 / The painted Santa Mailbox near the Van Buren Parking Lot entrance along Main Street (near Cinnaholic) will accept letters with wish lists again next year. Ho, Ho, Ho! Anyone who missed the opportunity to send Santa a letter is encouraged to stop by NaperLights from 6 to 8PM on Sat., Dec. 23, when the jolly old elf is expected (weather permitting) to take last-minute wish-list orders. Cheers!
***Santa Claus for a Cause / 5-9PM Dec. 16 / Continue to enjoy F.A.I.T.H. hosted by the Jung Family where spectacular holiday decorations celebrate the season as a benefit for Little Friends through the end of the year. Cheers to the attractive seasonal sights at Bailey & Fender roads!
‘The Nutcracker on Ice’ / Last weekend at Seven Bridges Ice Arena – 6690 Route 53 Woodridge, IL 60517 / Creative Ice Theatre presented three performances of “The Nutcracker on Ice” in mid-December at Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodridge. Watch for news of classes and other programming throughout 2024 and mark your calendar to check for the return of “The Nutcracker” next December at www.creativeicetheatre.com.
‘Christmas Memories’ / Last weekend the Northern Illinois Harmony Alliance, an 80-member barbershop chorus, performed at Barrows Auditorium of the Billy Graham Center, 500 College Avenue in Wheaton. Stay tuned for news of upcoming performances throughout 2024 at www.chorusofdupage.com/events or at (331) 444-2740.
Naperville Trolley & Tours Holiday Trolley-la-la-la la-la-la-las / Check daily availability (except Christmas) now through Dec. 27. www.napervilletrolley.com. Stay tuned for announcement in 2024 to book tours for the holiday season next year.
***Happy Holidays & New Year’s Eve at Mesón Sabika / 11:30AM to 10PM / Find a choice in dining rooms and private spaces at Mesón Sabika to sample Spanish tapas and delicious sangria for lunch and dinner. Located just west of downtown Naperville at 1025 Aurora Avenue, Mesón Sabika has been serving the community since 1990. Built in 1847, the historic mansion with eight air-conditioned dining rooms is set in a beautifully landscaped four-acre estate, providing a welcoming sight with plenty of parking for lunch, dinner, special events, benefits, weddings, meetings and family gatherings throughout the year. For reservations or information, call (630) 983-3000 x 2. Reserve now for New Year’s Eve.
Sunday
***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. (Quigley’s is closed New Year’s Day.) 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 when Cirrus Falcon performs from 3-7PM Sun., Dec. 31. The pub closes at 8PM so patrons can be home in time to celebrate New Year’s Eve Naperville Time. Sláinte!
Chicago Bears vs. Arizona Cardinals at Soldier Field / 3:35PM / The iconic Red Kettles will be stored for the season following Sunday’s game at Soldier Field. At entrances around the stadium and inside on the concourse, fans will have the opportunity to be the last of the season to assist the annual Salvation Army Christmas fundraising campaign in reaching its goal of $18 million. Individuals not planning to attend Sunday’s game may donate to The Salvation Army virtual kettle at https://salarmy.us/ncikettle. Listen for the bellringing. Cheer for the Bears! Thank you.
Happy Christmas Eve!
Every day… Dine Naperville!
Follow the brick path along Webster Street and head over the Riverwalk covered bridge to the Civic Plaza, Jackson Avenue at Webster. Note the historical plaque that indicates the Riverwalk celebrated its first 42 years on Sept. 7, 2023.
Come experience the sights and sounds that lead to shopping, dining, entertainment and special gift cards in downtown Naperville where free parking is around every corner. NaperLights has returned to shine along Water Street and downtown Naperville’s Grand Illumination again is glowing with holiday decorations!
Every day… Visit Naperville!
Help keep your surroundings safe. If you see something suspicious, call 9-1-1.
Thanks for reading! Stay safe. Have a good weekend.
For a map of unbelievable holiday light displays spreading cheer throughout the City, visit www.believehouse.com.
And remember…It’s also cold and flu season. Always wash your hands thoroughly, but don’t wash away your common sense.
Last Updated, Dec. 28, 2023
