Experience the New Year spirit in Naperville with a variety of festive events. Enjoy highlights like Naper Lights, live music and local dining—there’s fun for everyone from December 31 to January 4. Dress warmly and join in the celebrations.
Wednesday
Happy 100th Birthday to John Prescott!
Lifelong Naperville resident John Prescott is a former Commander and life member of the Naperville VFW Post 3873. John is an Army Veteran who served in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. Grateful for his service, his friends and family send him hearty good wishes as he celebrates his 100th birthday! Congratulations, John Prescott!
UPDATE! Photos and videos of the 100th Birthday Tribute Parade in honor of John Prescott held at 12:30PM on New Year’s Eve can be viewed at: jameshochphotography.smugmug.com/Military/VFW-Events/John-Prescotts-100th-Birthday-Drive-By-2025. All images featured are by James Hoch Photography. Thanks, Jim. Cheers all around!
Enjoy Every Day at Quigley’s Irish Pub & New Year’s Eve, too!
11AM Daily at Quigley’s Irish Pub – 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 friendly pub EDAQ, Every Day at Quigley’s. Looking toward New Year’s Eve, Quigley’s celebrates with the live music of Cirrus Falcon beginning at 3PM and a champagne toast at 6PM (Midnight Dublin Time). The pub closes at 8PM Dec. 31, and will be closed New Year’s Day. Sláinte!
Reserve a Table at Mesón Sabika for any day & New Year’s Eve
11:30AM to 9PM at Mesón Sabika – 1025 Aurora Ave. Naperville, IL 60540
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 reservations now are being accepted for New Year’s Eve! Cheers!
Bubble Bash New Year’s Eve
9AM to 1PM at DuPage Children’s Museum – 301 N Washington St. Naperville, IL 60540
Ring in the New Year with big smiles and even bigger fun at DuPage Children’s Museum! Explore all the exhibits, move and groove to live music, discover special activities, create together, and make magical memories before the clock strikes noon. Count down with confetti, bubbles, and plenty of joy—now in its 23rd year, this beloved celebration has become a favorite family tradition! Perfect for families, Bubble Bash offers all the excitement of New Year’s Eve—without the late bedtime. dupagechildrens.org.
Naper Lights Hosted by Naperville Sunrise Rotary
4 to 10PM at Water Street and Naperville Municipal Center – 120 Water Street
Naperville, IL 60540
A Free Winter Wonderland. Enjoy this free dazzling display of holiday lights and sound as you stroll through Water Street, Foyo Plaza, Jaycees Park and the Riverwalk in Downtown Naperville! Hosted by Naperville Sunrise Rotary.
Thursday – Happy New Year!
Downtown Naperville Gift Cards help make every season bright!
Downtown Naperville Gift Cards are valid for use at more than 150-plus downtown shops, spas, restaurants and Hotel Indigo. Designed to celebrate every season, gift cards may be purchased in any amount from $10-$500. Check out the downtown directory for the full listing of establishments accepting gift cards. Note also, Downtown Naperville Gift Cards are available for purchase at the Downtown Naperville Alliance, 131 West Jefferson Avenue, Suite 223, 9AM-3PM Monday thru Friday, during the holiday season.
Friday
Paint and Sip at Pinot’s Palette
Afternoon & Evening at Pinot’s Palette – 175 Jackson Ave Suite 123, Naperville, IL 60540
Pinot’s Palette presents the perfect way to celebrate! Whether it’s a girls’ night out, a date night, or just a “me” night, this one’s all about slowing down, laughing lots, and creating something you’ll love to display all year long. Reserve your seat today and treat yourself to a little holiday escape. For prices (they vary), information and party planning, visit www.pinotspalette.com/naperville/events. Open just about every day, Pinot’s Palette, now in its 16th year, is located at 175 Jackson Avenue in downtown Naperville. Great gift idea for a family outing and for the holidays!
Naperville’s Music Box invites visitors to explore sight & sound
An upright piano is the key to this new attraction to the art exhibits in downtown Naperville.
Enjoy shopping, dining and celebrating downtown with many happy returns all along Main Street, Jefferson Avenue, Washington Street, Jackson Avenue and Van Buren Avenue.
Discover all that’s new including Naperville’s Music Box (next to the Apple store in Main Place on Jefferson Avenue) as well as shops and restaurants around the corner. Venture over the Main Street Bridge and find more located along Water Street.
Click here for some of the highlights…
Saturday
Community Job Fair
10AM to 1PM at Fort Hill Activity Center – 20 Fort Hill Drive Naperville, IL 60540
KidsMatter, in partnership with the Naperville Park District, presents the annual Community Job Fair! Come to this year’s Community Job Fair to learn about career opportunities of all types. Dozens of companies will be on-site, looking for someone just like you! You can try a mock interview, work on your resume, talk about financial literacy and explore various careers — all at the Job Fair. New this year are panel discussions happening throughout the morning, with industry experts across career clusters recognized in Illinois. No registration is necessary for this free event. Mark your calendars and come check out all the opportunities at the Community Job Fair! For questions, please contact KidsMatter Director of Programs at 630-605-0904 or sherilyn@kidsmatter2us.org. For details, kidsmatter2us.org/events/community-job-fair.
Sunday
NCAA Football Division III – Finals
Kickoff at 7PM – 52nd Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, Sunday, Jan. 4, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, Ohio. TV ESPN. University of Wisconsin River Falls vs. North Central College. Go, Cardinals!
Folks in Naperville can join the cheers at local sports bars when the 52nd Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl goes live on ESPN. Kick off is set for 7PM Sun., Jan. 4. Stay tuned!
Follow the schedule for all North Central College sports at northcentralcardinals.com/coverage. Cheers!
Choices to whet every appetite north, east, west and south!
Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch & Dinner / Featuring approximately 400 eateries, Naperville serves up tastes to please all ages and budgets in between shopping, bowling, pickleball, golf, swimming, concerts and all the activities that keep families and friends busy. In fact, consider that folks may even dine out at a Naperville eatery every day of the year without eating at the same place twice!
Thanks for supporting the hospitality industry right here in Naperville. Bon Appetit!
