Two holiday staples sure to brighten up your Naperville season are NaperLights and Holly Jolly Days.
“NaperLights is the amazing lighting that extends all the way down Water Street along the river and up to Jaycees Park,” said Deborah Newman, spokeswoman for the Water Street District. “It’s a project of Naperville Sunrise Rotary and Marquette Cos., which are the owners of Water Street.”
She added that the free show includes more than 150,000 lights and a group of giant illuminated characters, including sledding polar bears, skaters, snowmen, carolers, glowing gifts and dancing trees. The Fuyu Plaza Fountain is enhanced with lighted dancing figures, and there is a lighted throne for Santa next to a large decorated tree, she said.
“Everything is synced to the music, and there is a giant teddy bear that the kids can take pictures of,” she said.
The lights are turned on from 4 to 10 pm daily throughout New Year’s Day. Volunteers distribute free 3D viewing glasses on weekends to enhance the lighting experience.
NaperLights has grown steadily since its 2013 debut in Central Park, Newman said. She moved to the Naper settlement for a few years before taking over Water Street and Riverwalk.
“We’ve had proposals there, and we’ve taken wedding photos with Santa — it’s a very joyful event,” she said. “This year we’re adding a really cool new tree in Jaycee Park. People love taking pictures under this walkway at Fuyu Plaza. There are dancers in the fountain. It’s great.”
Santa will be on hand from 5-8pm on December 5-7, 12-14 and 19-21, weather permitting. Santa is very helpful and listens to the wishes of children of all ages, Newman said.
A free family walk is scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, following a sold-out “Cookie Walk” in downtown Naperville, she said.
“Santa will be at this event as well,” Newman said. “We’ll have music from the Road Show Choir, the student show choir. We’ll have elfs walking around on stilts, we’ll have glitter tattoos, we’ll have balloon twisting and we’ll have a gentleman walking around asking the kids questions about Christmas and the holidays (and handing out) prizes. And we’ll have free cocoa and cookies for the kids.”
Holly Jolly Days
Holly Jolly Days will light up Napper Settlement from 1-6pm on December 6-7, 13-14 and 20-21. Admission is $6 per person and free for children under 4. Last entry to the event is 5 p.m
It’s an event designed for elementary school-aged children and their families and celebrates the season with crafts, stories, snacks and more, said Brittany Tepper, marketing director for Naper Settlement.
“It’s an event that will appeal to anyone who is young at heart and loves history,” she said.
The weekend festival began in 2022 and has steadily expanded, she said.
“Holly Jolly Days has grown in the amount of activities we have done over the years, especially with our STEM lab,” she said. “A lot of it is returning favorites. It’s a step back in time where visitors can see what life was like in the past with a holiday twist.”
Visitors can explore the historic buildings, which are not only decorated for the holidays, but have holiday-themed activities taking place inside, she said. Winter science experiments will be conducted at the Mary and Richard Pink Family Farming Center.
“At the print shop, you’ll learn how to print, but you’ll also make your own holiday card and see examples of holiday cards over time and how they’ve changed,” she said. “Our blacksmith makes reindeer shoes – this is probably our most popular stop on Holly Jolly Days.”
The blacksmith talks about his trade and gives guests the scoop on how Santa Claus’s reindeer boots are made, Tepper said.
“It’s a really great holiday activity for the whole family.”
There are crafts at the Meeting House and community groups sing at Century Memorial Chapel on select weekends, she said. Letters to Santa can be written at the Pre-Emption House Tavern. You’ll find roasted chestnuts outside the Log House.
“We have story time during recess in our one-room schoolhouse, which is really nice,” she said. “And at the end of your visit, we have a Victorian Christmas photo booth in our mansion so you can have a beautiful family holiday photo.”
The Weed Ladies Winter Sale takes place Dec. 6-7 and Dec. 13-14 at the Daniels House, where people can shop for handmade winter and holiday flower arrangements.
People love the relaxed, festive atmosphere of Holly Jolly Days, Tepper said.
“People enjoy having this cozy event where they can connect with their families and see things from the past that you don’t normally see at other Christmas events,” she said. “It’s a unique evening for your friends and family where you can see what life was like in the past with a holiday twist.”
Other events
- Ice Rink at Block 59. A new outdoor ice rink will enhance the winter experience at the Block 59 dining and entertainment center in Naperville. Located between the Yard House and Cheesecake Factory restaurants, the rink’s hours are 10am-9pm Friday and Saturday, and 10am-7pm Sunday-Thursday through January 18. Tickets cost between $12 and $14, and ski equipment rentals cost $5. People can get tickets at the door or book sessions at theblock59.com/therink.
- Letters to Santa. Children can leave their holiday wish lists at Santa’s Mailbox at the corner of Main and Jefferson Streets. Include the return address to get a personal response from Santa and his elves.
- Recess window bearing. Downtown Naperville is hosting a bear scavenger hunt for kids – pick up a map from one of the participating downtown businesses or print one from the website, ask the business to verify the found bear and mail in the form by December 31 for a chance to win prizes.
- Cup of joy. The 63rd Annual Cup of Home Delight Tour, Holiday Market and Tea takes place from 9am-4pm December 4-5. Four Naperville homes were featured in the home tour. Holiday Market and Tea is located at Judd Kendall VFW, 908 W. Jackson St. Ticket holders receive a cup of tea or mug to take home. Tickets are $60 for December 4 and $45 for December 5, and are available at Growing Place, John Greene Real Estate Agency, Baird and Warner Real Estate Agency and online at: napervillegardenclub.org.
- Christmas tuba. This annual event takes place from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, on the South Lawn of U.S. Bank, 136 South Washington Street. Admission is free to watch young and not-so-young tuba players sing Christmas carols and seasonal favorites on their trumpets.
Annie Aleman is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.