Make your weekend unforgettable with our ultimate things to do guide for Naperville! From restaurants and live music to unique shopping and family-friendly activities, discover the very best things to do in the city right now. Stay abreast of cancellations here, there and everywhere. Stay hydrated. Be safe.
But first…Just in… The Naperville Municipal Band Concert set for 7:30PM in Central Park has been canceled.
The City band that’s been around since 1859 will continue to play its Thursday evening concert series through Aug. 13. All concerts are free of charge and everybody’s welcome. Park benches are available. Many folks bring collapsible chairs or blankets and refreshments. (The evening to recognize Dianne Hutchison’s 50th Anniversary with the band now will be held on August 6.) And next week, the DuPage Symphony Orchestra will open the evening at 6:30PM, followed by the NMB at 7:30PM. Stay tuned!
Friday
Cancellations / Weekend Updates Due to Canadian Wildfires…
- Update! Due to improved air quality, Centennial Beach will open at 4PM. The Beach will be open 4PM-8PM weather permitting. (Earlier note: Centennial Beach is closed until 3PM today, Fri., July 17, due to air quality alert for today. The Naperville Park District will reevaluate the conditions at 3PM.)
2. The Naper Nights Concert planned on the grounds of Naper Settlement has been canceled due to hazardous air quality conditions caused by Canadian wildfire smoke. From NS: “The safety of our patrons and staff remains our highest priority. Guests who purchased tickets by credit card will automatically be refunded for their ticket purchase. Cash buyers will be contacted directly. For any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at nsguestservices@naperville.il.us.” At this time, tomorrow’s concert (Sat., July 18) featuring Pop Hit by Dylan Chambers will go on as scheduled. Any updates or changes will be posted on our website, social media and emailed to ticket holders.
3. Park after Dark, a new event in Central Park, is canceled for Fri., July 17.
Serendipity Resale Shop Benefits Little Friends, Inc.
10AM to 5PM Monday thru Saturdays, find convenient storefront parking at Serendipity Resale Shop, located at 461 S. Route 59 in Aurora.
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.
Naper Nights – Summer Concert Series / Canceled
5-10PM at Naper Settlement – 523 S. Webster St. Naperville, IL 60540
Get ready to rock! Grab your lawn chair and get ready for a one-of-a-kind concert experience. Naper Nights celebrates historic milestones in music with themed tribute concerts throughout the summer. Spanning across Naper Settlement’s 13-acre outdoor campus, the museum’s historic buildings and gardens create a unique backdrop for visitors to experience some of the nation’s most recognized tribute performances while enjoying dozens of local restaurants, food trucks, businesses, a FREE children’s area, and more! July 17 – Gates Open at 5PM ZZ Top Tribute by Eliminator 6-7:30PM From the iconic fur-covered guitars to the full replica stage attire, every detail is dialed in to deliver an experience that honors one of rock’s most legendary and distinctive bands. The Doobie Brothers Tribute by The Doobie Others 8-10PM Experience the Doobie’s signature sound and all the classic hits including Listen to the Music, Long Train Runnin’, China Grove, Takin’ It to the Streets, and so many more! July 18 – Gates Open at 5PM K-Pop Dance Party by DLC: DANCE 6-7:30PM Calling all k-poppers! Dance the night away with a high-energy, 10-piece band made up of top-tier Chicago musicians playing your favorite K-Pop hits including “BOOMBAYAH” by BLACKPINK, “BBoom BBoom” by MOMOLAND and more! Dylan Chambers & The History of Pop: The Beatles to Billie Eilish 8-10PM Dylan Chambers bridges the golden eras of classic soul with modern pop energy, channeling the spirit of artists of the past through his own electrifying voice and showmanship. Tickets – $25/Per Adult, $15/Per Child (Ages 4-12), Free for children 3 and under. www.napernights.org.
Park After Dark (NEW EVENT)
Central Park – 104 East Benton Avenue, Naperville, IL 60540
Three summer nights. Unforgettable performances. One reimagined experience. Join us for Park After Dark, a free, family-friendly weekend of live music, interactive art, and community in the heart of Downtown Naperville. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, pack a picnic or grab takeout from your favorite downtown restaurant, and enjoy familiar music performed in fresh, unexpected ways. Canceled: FRIDAY, JULY 17 6:30–7:30PM – Family entertainment with Adventure Sandwich, featuring interactive music, puppets, games, and fun for all ages. Canceled: 7:30PM – Feelin’ Groovy: Michael Mahler Sings Paul Simon, A fresh take on the timeless music of Paul Simon, featuring favorites including Mrs. Robinson, Cecilia, and You Can Call Me Al. SEE SATURDAY, JULY 18.
Summer Place Theatre presents Rent
7:30PM at Naperville Central High School – 440 Aurora Ave, Naperville, IL 60540
Summer Place Theatre continues its 60th season with Rent, the Tony Award-winning musical about love, friendship, chosen family, creativity and living for today. Performances are 7:30PM, Fri., July 17; 7:30PM, Sat., July 18; 2PM, Sun., July 19; 7:30PM, Fri., July 24; 7:30PM, Sat., July 25; 2PM, Sun., July 26; 7:30PM, Fri., July 31; 7:30PM, Sat., Aug. 1; and 2PM, Sun., Aug. 2, at Naperville Central High School Auditorium. Recommended for teens and adults. Ticket sales are available through Summer Place Theatre.
Saturday
5th Avenue Naperville Farmer’s Market
7AM to noon at 5th Avenue Train Station – 200 East. 5th Avenue, Naperville, IL 60563
Build a farm-to-table meal with a plethora of locally grown food. You’ll also find an array products, performances and events, making this a great destination for the whole family.
Styrofoam Recycling Collection Event
9AM to noon at Route 59 Metra Station North Parking Lot – 475 Fairway Drive Naperville, IL 60540
Expanded Polystyrene Foam, often referred to as Styrofoam, is a common curbside recycling contaminant and environmental pollutant due to its composition and challenging disposal processes. Because Styrofoam is not accepted in most recycling streams, it is often sent to landfills, polluting ecosystems with microplastics on its way. The City is happy to share that, in partnership with Dart Container, Naperville Noon Lions and NEST, there will be three collection events in 2026! Collections will be held at Route 59 Station (475 Fairway Drive, north side of the tracks). This is the second of the three events, with the final 2026 event taking place on Saturday, October 3. Accepted polystyrene foam includes post-consumer foam cups and “to-go” containers, egg cartons, ice chests, rinsed meat trays and protective packaging foam. Please ensure the materials are clean, and labels and tape are removed.
Tie-dye, bubbles, crafts, games, snacks, and summer fun for the whole family!
11AM at Fry Family YMCA – 2120 95th St, Naperville, IL 60564
Join First Light Pathways for Tie-Dye & Bubbles, a family-friendly summer event featuring tie-dye shirts, bubbles, crafts, games, snacks, and creative fun. Registration is required, space is limited. More info at www.firstlightpathways.org/events.
100 + Teenagers = 10 Kho-Kho Teams
From noon to 4PM, witness 100+ teenagers exercising ‘Kho-Kho’ at TOCO Soccer Center.
Teens from Naperville and surrounding areas have been learning and practicing the Indian traditional team game ‘Kho-Kho’ for the last 2 months. Their efforts not only brought them together but also built the bond of friendship and community within them and their families. This exercise kept them engaged in a physically and mentally healthy project. Join this ‘HSS’s Chicago Kho-Kho Premier League’ at the TOCO Soccer Center located at 1740 Quincy Ave. in Naperville. Come watch and cheer for the teams.
Latin Art Walk
1-4PM in Downtown Naperville
Join us for an unforgettable celebration of culture, creativity, and community at the 3rd Latin Art Walk, proudly presented by the DuPage Hispanic Alliance! Stroll through local shops and restaurants as you experience the vibrant work of acclaimed Latin artists. Meet the artists, explore unique pieces, and immerse yourself in the richness of Latin culture—all at your own pace with our guided map. dupagehispanicalliance.com.
Enjoy Every Day at Quigley’s Irish Pub
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 that will return after the World Cup. The pub also offers a variety of spaces for all types of special events and fundraisers. (Simply contact Andy for more information.) 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. Plus, Quigley’s is set for the final two games of the World Cup! Third-place play-off between France and England begins at 4PM Saturday. Final game between Argentina and Spain begins at 2PM Sunday. UPDATE! Spain wins 1-0 in overtime.
Naper Nights – Summer Concert Series
5-10PM at Naper Settlement – 523 S. Webster St. Naperville, IL 60540
Get ready to rock! Grab your lawn chair and get ready for a one-of-a-kind concert experience. Naper Nights celebrates historic milestones in music with themed tribute concerts throughout the summer. Spanning across Naper Settlement’s 13-acre outdoor campus, the museum’s historic buildings and gardens create a unique backdrop for visitors to experience some of the nation’s most recognized tribute performances while enjoying dozens of local restaurants, food trucks, businesses, a FREE children’s area, and more! July 18 – Gates Open at 5PM K-Pop Dance Party by DLC: DANCE 6-7:30PM Calling all k-poppers! Dance the night away with a high-energy, 10-piece band made up of top-tier Chicago musicians playing your favorite K-Pop hits including “BOOMBAYAH” by BLACKPINK, “BBoom BBoom” by MOMOLAND and more! Dylan Chambers & The History of Pop: The Beatles to Billie Eilish 8-10PM Dylan Chambers bridges the golden eras of classic soul with modern pop energy, channeling the spirit of artists of the past through his own electrifying voice and showmanship. Tickets – $25/Per Adult, $15/Per Child (Ages 4-12), Free for children 3 and under. www.napernights.org.
Park After Dark (NEW EVENT)
Central Park – 104 East Benton Avenue, Naperville, IL 60540
Summer nights. Unforgettable performances. One reimagined experience. Join us for Park After Dark, a free, family-friendly weekend of live music, interactive art, and community in the heart of Downtown Naperville. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, pack a picnic or grab takeout from your favorite downtown restaurant, and enjoy familiar music performed in fresh, unexpected ways. JULY 18 4:30PM – Cardboard Creation Studio – Presented by DJK Custom Homes and produced by Freightwood Creative Production, this hands-on experience invites kids (and kids at heart) to build, create, and imagine. 6:30–7:30PM – Family entertainment with Adventure Sandwich. 7:30PM – The Lovettes: It’s My Party, A celebration of the legendary female artists of the 1950s and ’60s. Then SUNDAY, JULY 19 4:30PM – Cardboard Creation Studio Presented by DJK Custom Homes and produced by Freightwood Creative Production, this hands-on experience invites kids (and kids at heart) to build, create, and imagine. 6:30–7:30PM – Family entertainment with Adventure Sandwich. 7:30PM – Better Together, A soulful, genre-blending performance inspired by artists like Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles. PACK A PICNIC – Make an evening of it by bringing your own picnic or ordering takeout from one of our participating Downtown Naperville restaurants, including The George, Empire, Allegory, Tapville, Fiammé, The Belmont, Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House, Sweetwaters, and Cookie Dough Creations for dessert. Admission is free.
Sunday
Rosie’s Home Cookin’ is now open every day!
Find the spacious new diner at CityGate Centre, just off Ferry Road.
Rosie’s Home Cookin’ is open for breakfast, brunch and lunch—now from 7AM to 2PM every day! Rosie’s also is now located in CityGate Centre, near Rt. 59 and I-88. (For more information about Rosie’s co-founders Lynn Lowder and Dale Eisenberg and how the restaurant helps support the mission of the nonprofit Veteran Business Project, click here and check out an earlier post on this website that helps tell the history of this diner with a purpose, also a tribute to Rosie the Riveter.)
Whole House Estate Sale!
Furniture and other furnishings will be available this Sat., July 18, and Sun., July 19. Hours are 9AM to 3PM. The address is 904 W. Bailey Road. For more information or an appointment, call (770) 912-4725.
Preview furniture now that will be featured in yard sale July 18-19, 2026
Reserve a Table at Mesón Sabika
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.
Do you know anyone from the NCHS Class of 1986?
Naperville Central High School Class of 1986 is set to celebrate its 40th reunion Sept 25 & 26. Help spread the word to friends, family and classmates in town and beyond. Thank you very much!
Erin O’Donnell, now a resident of Tampa, Florida, is helping to organize Naperville Central Class of 1986 high school’s 40th reunion. The committee aims to spread the word to classmates “who may have wandered off into the witness protection program, changed their names, or simply escaped social media.” All efforts to help locate classmates here and beyond are appreciated! Even if unable to attend, organizers hope classmates will kindly register/contact organizers via nchsclassof86.com. (PN strongly encourages attending high school reunions. Muncie Central High School, home of the Bearcats, was demolished and rebuilt in a new location; yet, memories are rekindled every five years! Plus, classmates who have moved are eager to reconnect with everybody who still lives in town.)
Beat the heat! Stay hydrated. Dog Days of Summer, July 3 thru August 11, are here. Stay safe.
