Naperville Now

Naperville Now 👁‍🗨 Beyond the perfect facade: your guide to Naperville's secrets, stories & must-know moments

12/25/2025

🤩🎄 Your Weekend Line‑Up | Dec 26–28 🎄🤩

😌 FRIDAY · Dec 26

✨ NaperLights – 4–10 PM, Water St (Downtown Naperville)
Free lights + music along the Riverwalk—grab the free 3D glasses and stroll.

⛸️ The Rink at Block 59 – 10 AM–11 PM, 404 IL‑59 (ticketed)
Outdoor skating + dinner right there. Cozy core memory unlocked.

🎭 Irving Berlin’s White Christmas + Million Dollar Quartet – 2 PM & 7 PM, Paramount Theatre (Aurora)

🚗 Aurora Festival of Lights – 5–9 PM, Phillips Park (Aurora)
Free drive‑through holiday lights (yes, pajamas in the car is encouraged).

🌲 Illumination: Tree Lights – 4:30–9:30 PM, The Morton Arboretum (Lisle) (ticketed)
Glow‑trail is back after Christmas—last admission 8:30 PM.

🎄 Christmas at Cantigny: “Lights, Camera, Action!” – 4:30–9 PM, Cantigny Park (Wheaton)
Make it a whole night: ice rink (10 AM–9 PM) + Noël Lounge (4–10 PM) + light show.

—

🌞 SATURDAY · Dec 27

🧸 Hidden Holiday Bears in Windows – all day, Downtown Naperville
Kid‑friendly scavenger hunt—finish a form, enter for January prizes.

⛸️ The Rink at Block 59 – 10 AM–11 PM, 404 IL‑59 (ticketed)
Saturday night skate session = instant “we should do this every year.”

✨ NaperLights – 4–10 PM, Downtown Naperville
Walk it after dinner, then hot chocolate somewhere cozy.

🎭 White Christmas + Million Dollar Quartet – 2 PM & 7 PM, Paramount (Aurora)
Pick your showtime, then bar‑hop or dessert‑hop downtown.

🚗 Aurora Festival of Lights – 5–9 PM, Phillips Park
Still running—go earlier for smoother drive‑through vibes.

🎄 Christmas at Cantigny – Ice Rink + Noël Lounge + Light Show
Same great setup as Friday—perfect “all‑in‑one” winter outing.

🎁 Bonus (big‑city detour): Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville – 11 AM–10 PM
German snacks + gifts + festive chaos at Gallagher Way.

—

🌸 SUNDAY · Dec 28

✨ NaperLights – 4–10 PM, Water St
One more glow stroll before Monday hits.

🧸 Hidden Holiday Bears – all day
Finish the hunt you started (or speed‑run it in an hour).

🎁 Bonus: Christkindlmarket Wrigleyville – 11 AM–7 PM
Slower Sunday shopping + fewer crowds.

What did we miss? Drop your tips 👇

12/25/2025

Oh well….

12/18/2025

🤩🎄 Your Weekend Line‑Up | Dec 19–21 🎄🤩

😌 FRIDAY · Dec 19

✨ NaperLights – 4–10 PM, Downtown Naperville (Water St/Riverwalk)
Walk‑through lights + music sync every night (and it’s free).

🎄 Christkindlmarket Aurora – 11 AM–9 PM, RiverEdge Park
Warm pretzels, handmade gifts, and peak cozy vibes—go early if you hate lines.

🚗 Aurora Festival of Lights – 5–9 PM, Phillips Park
Classic drive‑through light show = easiest “holiday magic” with zero frostbite.

🎻 Chicago Sinfonietta: Holidays of Hope – 7 PM, Wentz Concert Hall (Naperville)
Big, joyful holiday orchestra night—perfect “dress up a little” plan.

🎭 : White Christmas – 7 PM
Broadway‑level holiday nostalgia in downtown Aurora—make it dinner + show.

🎤 Dennis O’Brien Christmas Show – 7:30 PM, The Venue (Aurora)
Holiday comedy + music = the “I need to laugh” reset button.

🌞 SATURDAY · Dec 20

⛸️ Skate with Santa @ The Rink (Block 59) – 12–2 PM, Naperville
Santa… on skates… in Naperville. Get your pics, then reward yourself with hot chocolate.

🎨 Holly Jolly Days @ Naper Settlement – 1–6 PM
Holiday crafts + stories + kid‑approved magic (and adults survive too).

🎄 Christkindlmarket Aurora – 11 AM–9 PM

🎭 White Christmas @ Paramount – 2 PM & 7 PM
Matinee for the early birds, evening show for the “we’re going out” crew.

❄️ Jack Frost @ Copley Theatre – 3 PM & 8 PM
Perfect if you want something festive that isn’t another light display.

🎇 Christmas at Cantigny Light Show – 4:30–9 PM, Wheaton
Big walk‑through light show + gardens glowing = top‑tier family night.

🚗 Aurora Festival of Lights – 5–9 PM

🌸 SUNDAY · Dec 21

🎄 Christkindlmarket Aurora – 11 AM–6 PM
Sunday is the move if you want a calmer stroll + easier shopping.

🎨 Holly Jolly Days @ Naper Settlement (Day 2) – 1–6 PM
Round two for the families who still have energy (or need to burn it).

🎶 Sing‑Along Messiah – 2 PM, Marmion Abbey Church (Aurora)
Community sing‑along with orchestra + chorus—bring your big voice (or just listen).

🎇 Christmas at Cantigny – 4:30–9 PM
Final‑stretch holiday glow walk—layer up and bring a thermos energy.

What did we miss? Drop your tips 👇

12/17/2025

🎄 LAST WEEKS OF DECEMBER IN NAPERVILLE 🎄
(What’s still happening from Thu Dec 18 → Wed Dec 31, 2025)

✨ NAPERLIGHTS ON WATER STREET + THE RIVERWALK
The classic downtown “walk it (or slow‑drive it)” light show with music + FREE 3D viewing glasses.
📅 Nightly · 4–10 PM · Through New Year
📍 Water Street + Foyo Plaza + Jaycees Park + Riverwalk (Downtown Naperville)
🎟 Free

⛸ THE RINK AT BLOCK 59 (OUTDOOR ICE SKATING)
📅 Open through Jan 4 · Fri/Sat as late as 11 PM
🎟 Tickets start ~$12 + optional skate rental
🎅 Skate with Santa: Dec 20 (special ticketed slot)
📍 Block 59 Naperville

✨ NAPERVILLE NOW “CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TRAIL” (LIGHTS TRAIL MAP)
Your cozy navigator for the best neighborhood light displays
📍 All around Naperville (residential displays)
📅 Go anytime (best after dusk)
🎟 Free
🔗 Use this: napervillenow.com/christmas

📮 LETTERS TO SANTA MAILBOX (LAST CHANCE!)
Drop off wish lists downtown and Santa’s elves mail a reply—include child’s name + return address.
📅 Through Thu, Dec 18
📍 Corner of Main & Jefferson (Downtown Naperville)
🎟 Free

🏛 HOLLY JOLLY DAYS AT NAPER SETTLEMENT
Crafts + stories + blacksmith demo + cozy history vibes (and cute family photo ops).
📅 Dec 20–21 · 1–6 PM (last entry 5 PM)
📍
🎟 $6/person · Kids under 4 free

🚗 AURORA FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS DRIVE‑THRU (FREE + EASY WIN)
📅 Nightly through Sun, Dec 28 · 5–9 PM
📍 Phillips Park
🎟 Free

🎁 CHRISTKINDLMARKET AURORA (RIVEREDGE PARK)
📅 Nov 21 – Dec 24 · Thu–Sun
⏰ Thu 11–7 · Fri/Sat 11–9 · Sun 11–6

🎊 NEW YEAR’S EVE DAYTIME FUN (FOR KIDS WHO WON’T MAKE MIDNIGHT)
🫧 DuPage Children’s Museum “Bubble Bash”
📅 Wed, Dec 31 · 9 AM–1 PM
📍
🎟 Included with museum admission (ticketed)

🕺 Naperville Public Library “New Year’s Eve Dance Party”
📅 Wed, Dec 31 (multiple branches/times)
🎟 Free

👀 PRO TIP
Go to NaperLights (4–10 PM) → quick downtown treat.

This weekend (Dec 19–21): NaperLights + Live Santa → Block 59 skating → Holly Jolly Days.

Next weekend (Dec 26–28): NapervilleNow Lights Trail drive + Aurora Festival of Lights (last weekend!) + trolley tour if you want zero driving.

🗓 Save, share, and tag your crew!!!

12/15/2025

This isn’t Naperville.

But it could be…

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Naperville, IL
60540, 60563-60565, AND PO BOX ONLY CODES 60566-60567

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