Again, National Police Week, one week in May and this year from May 11-17, serves as a time to honor and remember individuals who have fallen, while also recognizing the ongoing efforts of officers who continue to protect our communities. With remembrances and prayers on National Peace Officers Memorial Day, May 15, Naperville paid tribute to these heroes and acknowledged the vital role they play every day. Thanks to all who pause and reflect on their sacrifices with gratitude for their unwavering commitment to keep our community safe.
Friday
Naperville Police Cop on a Rooftop / 5AM-10:30AM / Join the Naperville Police Department for the Dunkin’ Cop on a Rooftop event on Friday, May 16, at Dunkin’ 1580 W. Ogden Ave. and help us in our support of the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Illinois! A donation of any amount will earn you a coupon for a free donut. Other items, such as Torch Run T-shirts, hats and pins will also be sold for various donation amounts.
Naperville Park District Police Cop on a Rooftop / 5AM-Noon / Dunkin’ Donuts located at 1991 Brookdale Road will host Cop on a Rooftop with the Naperville Park Police. During the fundraiser for Special Olympics Illinois, Naperville Park Police will be selling a variety of LETR merchandise, such as lapel pins, coffee mugs, hats and shirts. Supporters can contribute by purchasing an item or donating. Every donor, whether through a purchase or direct contribution, will receive a coupon for a free donut.
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. While Bob grills, let Bill know that you know his wurst is the best, especially for weekend grilling. Brats are back. Stop by and find out what Bill’s been up to! www.kregersbrats.com.
May is National Water Safety Month / Summer begins June 21 and there’s no better time to focus on life skills that keep all ages safe in and around the water. At Fry Family YMCA, no matter what age or experience, everyone has the opportunity to learn to swim and feel secure in the water. Find more about offerings available that will keep you and your family happy and healthy all while having fun with a life skill. Learn more and register at fryfamilyymca.org, call the Y at (630) 904-9595, or stop by front desk at the Fry Family Y located at 2120 95th Street.
Serendipity Resale Shop Benefits Little Friends, Inc. / 10AM-5PM / Volunteers give time to benefit Little Friends, recognized as a leading service provider for children, adults and families challenged by autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities. The retail resale shop accepts donations of clean, quality clothing (especially winter wear most of the time), household items, bedding and jewelry when the shop is 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.
Asian-America and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Celebration Week / Today through May 25 / Dine out at one of more than 85 Asian/Indian restaurants in Naperville. Find many choices and participating restaurants at dinenaperville.com/aapi-home.
Shuckin’ Shack ‘Backstage Session’ to benefit Edward Foundation / 3-5PM / Doors open at 2PM for an intimate Nashville-style singer/songwriter experience where two of country music’s hitmakers, Mark Addison Chandler and Nate Kenyon, will perform in a private, listening-room setting with 50% of all ticket sales to benefit the Edward Foundation to benefit local cancer patients in our community. The ticket includes a full afternoon of live music, food and drinks, as well as a built-in donation to support critical care right here in Naperville. After the private session, the doors open to the public for a celebration that keeps the focus on fundraising and fun, featuring local favorites Tres Moustaches. Tickets start at $55.20. Find Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar at 8 W. Gartner Rd.
Saturday
Armed Forces Day / All Day / Armed Forces Day on the third Saturday in May recognizes the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force and Coast Guard, notably all service men and women actively serving. Thank you to all. (Veterans Day honors individuals who previously served in the military while Memorial Day honors individuals who died in war.)
Naperville Riverwalk Pickers / 9:30AM / The Naperville Riverwalk Pickers will strum their hum-along music, sometimes with accompaniment of a harmonica, from 9:30AM to 11AM Saturdays, weather permitting, in the Free Speech Pavilion located near the Civic Plaza with the Dandelion Fountain, Jackson at Webster streets in downtown Naperville.
Spring Into History / 10AM – 4PM / Naper Settlement – 523 S Webster St. Naperville, IL 60540 / Included with general admission / Jump start your summer and discover history. Visit Naper Settlement for a day of discovery and hands-on activities. Bring your family and make memories while exploring the past. www.napersettlement.org.
Enjoy Every Day at Quigley’s Irish Pub / 11AM – 2AM / 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, including a dog patio for well-behaved dogs on a leash. Meanwhile, stop by for honest pub fare and an Irish Coffee or enjoy a cold pint in the friendly pub EDAQ, Every Day at Quigley’s.
Reserve a Table at Mesón Sabika for any day / 11:30AM to 9PM / 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. And patio days have arrived!
Sunday
2025 HDSA Team Hope Walk / 9:30AM / The Illinois Chapter of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America will be holding their annual Team Hope Walk at the Naperville Riverwalk Grand Pavilion, 912 Honorary Sindt Memorial Court. Registration starts at 9:30 AM, and the event starts at 10:30AM. This leisurely 1 to 1.5 walk is a celebration of hope featuring raffle prizes, t-shirts, a 50/50 raffle and a complimentary hot dog lunch catered by Sporty’s Catering. Enjoy painting with Pinot’s Palette and a raffle featuring a “Wagon of Cheer” along with a handmade quilt. All proceeds support HDSA’s mission to improve the lives of people affected by Huntington’s disease (HD) and their families. Register and/or donate online at illinois.hdsa.org/events/2025-team-hope-walk-naperville-il.
Naomi’s Day Spa hosts special event ‘Menopause and Mimosas: Confidence and Self-Care’ / 12PM / Find Naomi’s Day Spa at 4300 Commerce Court, Suite 312, Lisle. Treat yourself to a day of pampering. RSVP to secure a spot at (630) 429-8802. www.naomisdayspa.com.
“The Science of God and Its Power to Transform and Heal Us” / 2PM in the Community Room at Naperville Nichols Library – 200 W. Jefferson Ave. / Nikki O’Hagan, a practitioner of Christian Science healing and international speaker, will present her talk, “The Science of God and Its Power to Transform and Heal Us,” at 2PM on Sun., May 18, in the Community Room at Naperville Nichols Library, located at 200 W. Jefferson Avenue in downtown Naperville.
Naperville Municipal Band Spring Concert / 3PM at Neuqua Valley High School – 2360 95th St, Naperville, IL 60564 / Join The Naperville Municipal Band and The Naperville Big Band for an afternoon of jazz and concert band classics. 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 in its second printing. Soon free copies again will be available at the Naperville Art League Gallery, Naper Settlement and Hotel Indigo. When you have a colorful copy, keep it handy in a drawer. Then from time to time, take a self-guided free-winding tour throughout downtown any day— winter, spring, summer or fall!
Discover choices to whet every appetite! / 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 Appetit!
Every day… Dine Naperville!
Did you know? Downtown Naperville features plenty of other things to do every month. Kindly note ’tis always the season to use and/or purchase Downtown Naperville Gift Cards for many things happening as the school year ends with graduations and commencement. Take a stroll to discover all that’s new and coming soon to whet every appetite for shopping and dining.
When 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. Note restoration projects are now in progress that might require a slight detour near the Grand Pavilion and the Eagle Street Bridge.
Also, the Riverwalk Dandelion Fountain is sparkling again along Jackson Avenue at Webster Street. While it may take a few visits to the popular gathering plaza to become accustomed to new look, the dark color was used for a variety of operational and safety reasons as well as to help communicate that the fountain is a fountain rather than a wading pool.
And what’s more, the Summer Sculptures and the Riverwalk Duck Race are returning with tales to tell! Find everything you need to know about taking a quack to participate in this year’s splash of special events on the downtown Naperville website under, of all things, “events.”
Know the difference between a labyrinth and a maze…
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!
Note also that this post may be updated throughout the weekend. Thanks for reading.
