Two holiday staples sure to make the Naperville season bright are NaperLights and Holly Jolly Days.
“NaperLights is the lighting extravaganza that goes all the way down Water Street along the river and into Jaycees Park,” said Deborah Newman, spokeswoman for Water Street district. “It is a project of the Naperville Sunrise Rotary and Marquette Cos., which are the owners of Water Street.”
The free, walk-through display includes more than 150,000 lights and a collection of giant lighted figures, she said, including skating polar bears, skaters, snowmen, carolers, glowing gifts and dancing trees. The Foyo Plaza Fountain is enhanced with lighted dancing figures, and there’s a lighted throne for Santa next to a great bedecked tree, she said.
“Everything is synced to music and there’s a giant teddy bear kids can take their pictures on,” she said.
The lights are on from 4 to 10 p.m. daily through New Year’s Day. Volunteers distribute free holographic viewing glasses on weekends to enhance the light experience.
NaperLights has grown steadily since its 2013 debut in Central Park, Newman said. It moved to Naper Settlement for a few years before taking over Water Street and the Riverwalk, she said.
“We’ve had proposals happen there, we’ve had wedding pictures taken with Santa — it’s quite a delightful event,” she said. “This year we’re adding a new, really fancy tree down in (Jaycees) park. People love to take pictures under that archway that’s on Foyo Plaza. There are dancers in the fountain. It’s quite something.”
Santa Claus will be on hand from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 5-7, 12-14 and 19-21, weather permitting. Santa is very accommodating and listens to the wishes of children of all ages, Newman said.
A free Family Holiday Stroll is scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, following Downtown Naperville’s sold-out Cookie Walk, she said.
“Santa will be there for that event as well,” Newman said. “We will have music from Road Show Choir, the student show choir. We will have strolling elves on stilts, we will have glitter tattoos, we will have balloon twisting and we will have a traveling trivia gentleman who walks around asking kids questions about Christmas and the holidays (and handing out) prizes. And we will have free cocoa and cookies for the kids.”
Holly Jolly Days
Holly Jolly Days will light up Naper Settlement from 1 to 6 p.m. Dec. 6-7, 13-14 and 20-21. Admission is $6 per person and free for children under age 4. The last entry into the event is at 5 p.m.
It’s an event designed for elementary-school-aged children and their families that celebrates the season with holiday crafts, stories, snacks and more, said Brittany Tepper, Naper Settlement’s director of marketing.
“It’s an event that appeals to anyone who is young at heart and loves history,” she said.
The weekend fest started in 2022 and has steadily expanded, she said.
“Holly Jolly Days has grown in the amount of activities we’ve had over the years, especially with our STEM lab,” she said. “A lot of it is the 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 a holiday-themed activity going on inside, she said. Winter science experiments will take place in the Mary and Richard Benck Family Agriculture Center.
“In the print shop, you’ll learn about printing, but you’ll also make your own holiday card and see examples of holiday cards throughout time and how they’ve changed,” she said. “Our blacksmith is making reindeer shoes — that’s probably our most popular stop at Holly Jolly Days.”
The blacksmith talks about his trade and gives guests the scoop on how he makes the reindeer shoes for Santa Claus, Tepper said.
“It’s a really sweet holiday activity for the whole family.”
There are crafts in the Meeting House and community groups caroling in the Century Memorial Chapel on select weekends, she said. Letters to Santa can be written in the Pre-Emption House Tavern. You’ll find chestnuts roasting outside the Log House.
“We have holiday story time in our one-room schoolhouse, which is really cute,” she said. “And at the end of your visit, we do have a Victorian Christmas photos spot in our mansion so you can have a nice family photo for the holidays.”
The Weed Ladies Winter Sale runs Dec. 6-7 and 13-14 in the Daniels House, where people can shop for handmade winter and holiday-themed floral arrangements.
People love the cozy, festive atmosphere at Holly Jolly Days, Tepper said.
“People enjoy having this relaxing 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
- The Rink at Block 59. A new outdoor ice-skating rink will enhance the winter experience at Naperville’s Block 59 dining and entertainment center. Located between the Yard House and Cheesecake Factory restaurants, the rink’s hours are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday through Jan. 18. Tickets cost $12-$14 and skate rental is $5. People can get tickets at the door or reserve sessions at theblock59.com/therink.
- Letters to Santa. Children can drop off their holiday wish lists at Santa’s Mailbox at the corner of Main and Jefferson streets. Include a return address for a personalized reply from Santa and his elves.
- Holiday window bears. Downtown Naperville hosts a Holiday Bear scavenger hunt for kids — pick up a map at a participating downtown business or print one out from the website, have the business verify the found bear and mail the form back by Dec. 31 for a chance to win prizes.
- Cup of Cheer. The 63rd annual Cup of Cheer Home Tour, Holiday Market and Tea is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 4-5. Four Naperville homes are featured on the Home Tour. The Holiday Market and Tea is at Judd Kendall VFW, 908 W. Jackson St. Ticketholders receive a teacup or mug to take home. Tickets cost $60 for Dec. 4 and $45 for Dec. 5 and are available at the Growing Place, John Greene Real Estate Agency, Baird and Warner Real Estate Agency and online at napervillegardenclub.org.
- Tuba Christmas. This annual event is from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, on the south lawn of the U.S. Bank, 136 S. Washington St. Admission is free to watch tuba players young and not-as-young belt out Christmas carols and seasonal favorites on their horns.
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
