Friday
Serendipity Resale Shop Benefits Little Friends, Inc. / 10AM-5PM / Thursday morning volunteers who lovingly say they give time to “DIP,” took a moment to recognize Little Friends, Inc., its 48th Benefit Auction and its 60th Anniversary year. Little Friends is recognized as a leading service provider for children, adults and families challenged by autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities. Clean, quality clothing, household items, bedding and jewelry are welcomed donations at the resale shop open 10AM to 5PM Monday thru Saturday. Donors and shoppers will find convenient storefront parking at Serendipity Resale Shop, located at 461 S. Route 59 in Aurora.
All You Can Eat Spaghetti / 5:30 to 7PM – at the Naperville VFW – 908 Jackson Ave.
Naperville, IL 60540 / SAVE THE DATE for dinner on 2/28 ($15 adults and $8 kids = spaghetti, salad, garlic bread and cash bar) and come to the VFW of Naperville to support NCHS Veterans Club students and local veterans with American Legion Naperville Post 43. www.naperlegion.org. All proceeds from this event will benefit the NCHS veterans Club.
(Then remember that for six more Fridays, the VFW Fish Fry returns from 4:30PM to 7:30PM, also at the VFW Post, 908 W. Jackson.)
Reserve a Table at Mesón Sabika / 11:30AM to 9PM – Almost Any Day / Find a choice in dining rooms and private spaces at Mesón Sabika to sample Spanish tapas and delicious sangria for lunch and dinner every day. 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. Gift Certificates are always available.
Enjoy Every Day at Quigley’s Irish Pub / Quigley’s Irish Pub is located at 43 E. Jefferson Ave. in downtown Naperville / Quigley’s Irish Pub features live music Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The pub also offers a variety of spaces for all types of special events and fundraisers. Meanwhile, stop by for honest pub fare and an Irish Coffee or enjoy a cold pint in the warm, friendly pub EDAQ, Every Day at Quigley’s.
Saturday
Troop 100 Annual Pancake Breakfast / 7AM to noon at Wesley United Methodist Church
– 21 E. Franklin Ave., Naperville, IL 60540 / Come support Scouting America Troop 100 from 7AM to noon on March 1 with all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, coffee, milk and orange juice, plus amazing raffle prizes AND a bake sale! Tickets: $7 per person/$20 per family. Tickets available for purchase at the door, or contact: troop100naperville@googlegroups.com to purchase your tickets from a Scout and to visit our event page on Facebook.
Little Friends 48th Annual Benefit Auction / 6PM / Happy 60th Anniversary to Little Friends! This year’s benefit auction will focus on sharing the organization’s history, highlighting the stories of individuals served, and showcasing the dedicated work of Little Friends’ staff. In addition, expansion with new programs to better serve the families who rely on the Little Friends community will be previewed with gratitude to all. The benefit will take place at The Matrix Club, kicking off Little Friends’ 60th anniversary celebration.
Chords for Kids Concert / 7PM at Wentz Concert Hall – 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, IL 60540 / The North Central Concert Winds presents a concert for Children with Autism and Special Needs. The concert will include music such as “SpongeBob SquarePants,” “YMCA,” and the “Chicken Dance.” The concert is intended for the entire family to come and enjoy the music in a welcoming environment. “Wigglers Welcomed!” Free, tickets required. Reserve tickets at www.northcentralcollege.edu/chords-kids-concert.
Downtown Naperville Winter Sales in Progress / Business Hours / Throughout downtown Naperville retail shops offer big bargains on winter merchandise to make way for spring collections. Find many ways to use DNA Gift Cards. For instance, at Dean’s Clothing, today thru March 2, find custom suits by Coppley as well as custom shirts by Individualized Shirts at 20% off.
Sunday
Downtown Naperville Winter Wine Walk / Noon – 5PM in downtown Naperville / It’s time for the Downtown Naperville Winter Wine Walk on Sunday, March 2. Stroll through Downtown Naperville’s favorite stops while sampling 12 varieties of wine and enjoying small bites from local restaurants. Tickets are $55 and available at downtownnaperville.com.
West Suburban Wedding Showcase / 11AM to 2PM at Hotel Arista – 2139 City Gate Lane Naperville, IL 60563 / With most proposals on Christmas Eve followed by Valentine’s Day each year, the West Suburban Wedding Showcase at Hotel Arista March 2 is ideally timed for newly engaged couples. This year’s Showcase will be from 11AM to 2PM on the first Sunday in March at the Hotel Arista Grand Ballroom, 2139 CityGate Ln., in Naperville’s CityGate Centre. Exhibitors will include local florists and photographers, linen, lighting and draping providers, entertainment and more. Tours with the Hotel Arista’s team of experts will be available to view many indoor and outdoor wedding and event spaces throughout the 31 acres of CityGate Centre. Attendees also can view Hotel Arista guest rooms and suites, and Arista Spa & Salon which offers bridal party services. Advance registration at HotelArista.com is encouraged; all registrants will be eligible for special gifts and prizes from the hosts and exhibitors.
Naperville Municipal Band Winter Concert ‘Music For Life’ / 3PM at Wentz Concert Hall – 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, IL 60540 / Join the Naperville Municipal Band and the Naperville Central High School Wind Ensemble for a special concert featuring two professional musicians from Naperville: Dr. Joseph Bello, Euphonium and Jennifer Marotta, Trumpet. Admission is free.
Century Walk Tours Every Day / Around the Clock – Daylight / The recently published 88-page Naperville Century Walk Public Art Guide to more than 50 locations featuring local stories with public art by renowned artists is now available at the Naperville Art League Gallery, Naper Settlement and Hotel Indigo. Pick up a free copy. Then take a self-guided free-winding tour throughout downtown any day— winter, spring, summer or fall!
Discover choices to whet every appetite every day! / Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch & Dinner / Featuring approximately 400 eateries, Naperville serves up tastes to please all ages and budgets in between shopping, bowling, pickleball, concerts and all the activities that keep families and friends busy. In fact, consider that folks can even dine out at a Naperville eatery every day of the year without eating at the same place twice! Bon Appetite!
Look ahead for additional events and so on…
The newsy print edition also features the Voters Guide to the Consolidated Election on April 1 (The Voters Guide also linked here if you’re looking for something educational to do online…), community columnists, can-do spirit as well as some silly Gender Chuckles. Keep up with many things to do. Thanks for reading!
Published monthly, the February issue remains available at a location near you this weekend! The March publication goes to press on Monday with distribution beginning on Wednesday. Meanwhile, stay dry, warm and hope sunshine arrives before the first day of spring.
One more thing about how Naperville loves its parades… The West Suburban Irish announced that it’s now taking registration for the Annual St. Patrick’s Parade set to step off at 10AM Sat., March 15, 2025, in downtown. Registration is now in progress.
Every day… Dine Naperville!
Did you know? Downtown Naperville features plenty of other things to do all month to have a hot time in the cold old town where winter sale signs are prominent in store windows in between restaurants. Kindly note ’tis always the season to use and/or purchase Downtown Naperville Gift Cards. Take a stroll to discover all that’s new and coming soon.
Also if time permits while visiting downtown Naperville to shop and dine, the Riverwalk welcomes folks to the city’s natural treasure where can-do spirit is on display from the Jefferson Avenue Bridge to the Hillside Road Bridge, all along the path of serpentine-shaped bricks.
Then… Visit local shopping destinations N.E.W.S. and all along Ogden Avenue as it winds through town, showcasing car dealerships and other service centers, here and there.
Every day… Visit Naperville!
Looking forward to next weekend… The VFW Fish Fry begins! Remember that for six Fridays, the VFW Fish Fry returns from 4:30PM to 7:30PM, also at the VFW Post, 908 W. Jackson.
