Last updated: November 11, 2024
Discover the festive highlights of Naperville with our overview guide. Find all the key holiday events. For Naperville natives and holiday tourists, our guide ensures everyone enjoys the festive season.
One of the featured celebrations this year is Mariah Carey's Christmas Time, which brings classic holiday tunes to life with a vibrant performance. This enchanting event is accompanied by the spectacular Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum, showcasing a dazzling display of lights set against a beautiful winter backdrop. And the timeless tale of Scrooge offers a delightful theatrical experience that captures the essence of the holiday spirit. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Naperville Holiday Light Displays
Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
- What to Expect
- Interactive light displays synchronized to music in various instruments.
- Description
- Explore 50 acres of The Morton Arboretum's majestic trees during this spectacular light and sound display. The event features 17 displays of lights and music, including a secluded glade with fairy lights and kinetic LED tall grasses honoring Midwest native species. Warm up by a crackling fire and enjoy snacks and beverages along the one-mile ADA-compliant path.
- Where
- Lisle | More Info : Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum
Rotary Holiday Parade of Lights
- What to Expect
- Brightly lit floats and local music performers.
- Description
- The Rotary Holiday Parade of Lights is a festive event featuring brightly lit floats, local music performers, and hometown parade entrants, culminating in the appearance of Santa Claus. It is a fundraiser operated by the Rotary Club of Naperville Charities, with net proceeds supporting local non-profits that benefit the community.
- Where
- Naperville | More Info : Rotary Holiday Parade of Lights
Naperville Trolley Halloween Light Tour
- What to Expect
- Encourages costumes and features highly decorated Halloween homes.
- Description
- Explore Naperville's highly decorated Halloween homes on a one-hour Trolley Tour, suitable for all ages and encouraging costumes. The tour highlights some of the best Halloween displays in the area.
- Where
- Naperville | More Info : Naperville Trolley Halloween Light Tour
Electric Illumination
- What to Expect
- Late-night light and music experience with live DJ.
- Description
- Electric Illumination is a late-night event at the Morton Arboretum featuring live DJs, synchronized light displays, and unique musical themes each weekend.
- Where
- Lisle | More Info : Electric Illumination
IllumiBrew
- What to Expect
- Sampling local brews amidst interactive lighting effects.
- Description
- IllumiBrew is an adults-only event at the Morton Arboretum where attendees can sample seasonal beers, ciders, and meads from popular Chicago-area breweries while enjoying the dazzling displays of Illumination: Tree Lights.
- Where
- Lisle | More Info : IllumiBrew
Illumination Sensory Evening
- What to Expect
- Sensory-friendly holiday light display with low-volume music.
- Description
- Illumination Sensory Evening features static lights and music at low volume, providing a sensory-sensitive environment for guests.
- Where
- Lisle | More Info : Illumination Sensory Evening
Naperville Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Mariah Carey's Christmas Time
- What to Expect
- Celebrating 30 years of Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas with global superstars.
- Description
- Mariah Carey's Christmas Time is a grand holiday spectacle featuring timeless holiday classics and fan-favorite chart-toppers, celebrating the 30th anniversary of her legendary album Merry Christmas.
- Where
- Rosemont | More Info : Mariah Carey's Christmas Time
Cirque Dream: Holidaze
- What to Expect
- High-energy acrobatic performances with festive music and costumes.
- Description
- Cirque Dreams Holidaze is a spectacular holiday show featuring acrobatic feats, dazzling costumes, and festive music, blending circus arts with holiday cheer.
- Where
- Rosemont | More Info : Cirque Dream: Holidaze
A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin
- What to Expect
- Exclusive moderated interview with Macaulay Culkin.
- Description
- Join Macaulay Culkin for a special screening of Home Alone, followed by an exclusive interview and Q&A. Relive iconic scenes and hear behind-the-scenes stories from the beloved holiday classic.
- Where
- Rosemont | More Info : A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin
White Christmas
- What to Expect
- Dazzling musical numbers and heartwarming storytelling.
- Description
- Irving Berlin's White Christmas is a heartwarming holiday extravaganza featuring iconic songs like "Blue Skies," "Count Your Blessings," and the title song "White Christmas." This classic musical brings together a successful song and dance team and a sister duo, leading to a memorable holiday celebration.
- Where
- Lincolnshire | More Info : White Christmas
Scrooge
- What to Expect
- Heartwarming adaptation of Dickens' classic with a first-rate cast and marvelous staging.
- Description
- In Goodman Theatre's adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic, Ebenezer Scrooge undergoes a transformative journey on Christmas Eve, confronting his disdain for the holiday and discovering the true meaning of kindness.
- Where
- Chicago | More Info : Scrooge
Naper Nights
- What to Expect
- Themed tribute concerts celebrating historic musical milestones.
- Description
- Naper Nights is a summer concert series held on Naper Settlement's 13-acre grounds, featuring themed tribute concerts celebrating historic musical milestones. The event includes great food, cold drinks, and fabulous music from the 1960s to today, with tribute bands performing favorite hits. Attendees can bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the best tribute bands in a lively community setting.
- Where
- Naperville | More Info : Naper Nights
Naperville Other Holiday Activities
All Hallow's Eve
- What to Expect
- Immersive Halloween entertainment with various themed activities.
- Description
- All Hallows Eve at Naper Settlement features Halloween-themed outdoor activities, art, and performances, including a costume contest and haunted experiences.
- Where
- Naperville | More Info : All Hallow's Eve
Oktoberfest
- What to Expect
- Traditional German cuisine and live music under a heated tent.
- Description
- Oktoberfest at Naper Settlement features traditional German cuisine, local and traditional Oktoberfest beer varieties, and a blend of live Oompah, polka, country, and hip hop music. Enjoy lawn games, professional pumpkin carving demonstrations, and a stein-holding contest in a giant heated tent.
- Where
- Naperville | More Info : Oktoberfest
Howlin’ at the Moon
- What to Expect
- Immersive Halloween experience with live music and themed activities.
- Description
- Howlin' at the Moon is a Halloween bash featuring live music, delicious food and drinks, and unique Halloween-themed activities like a costume contest, spine-chilling art displays, axe-throwing, and fire dance performances.
- Where
- Naperville | More Info : Howlin’ at the Moon
Turkey Trot
- What to Expect
- Supports local charities with vision, hearing care, and diabetes support.
- Description
- The Naperville Noon Lions Turkey Trot 5K is a Thanksgiving tradition where runners and walkers support local charities, including vision, hearing care, and diabetes support for children and families in Naperville. The event features a chip-timed race with awards and a complimentary breakfast.
- Where
- Naperville | More Info : Turkey Trot
Glam Witches Night Out
- What to Expect
- Glamorous fundraiser with a nationwide popular witches dance and costume contest.
- Description
- Glam Witches Night Out is a glamorous fundraiser hosted by the Naperville Woman's Club, featuring a buffet menu, costume contest, and nationwide popular witches dance. Attendees can engage in fun activities, enjoy beautiful photo opportunities, and support local charities like Almost Home Kids.
- Where
- Naperville | More Info : Glam Witches Night Out
Last Fling
- What to Expect
- Family-friendly community festival with diverse attractions.
- Description
- The Naperville Jaycees' Last Fling is a family-friendly community festival offering a wide variety of attractions including music, food vendors, a family-fun area, carnival, unique special events, business expo, and parade.
- Where
- Naperville | More Info : Last Fling