Downtown Naperville is getting ready for a busy holiday season, chock-full of events.
“It’s our favorite time of the year,” said Katie Wood, executive director of the Downtown Naperville Alliance.
Kick off the holiday season this week
There will be festive fun this Friday with the Holiday Parade of Lights, hosted by the Naperville Rotary Club. The parade starts at 7 p.m., with Santa and Mrs. Claus making their first Naperville appearance. It will kick off at Centennial Beach, making its way through downtown to end at Naper Elementary School.
Wood says the more than 120 small businesses and other retailers in downtown Naperville are gearing up for customers to come in on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
“This is a very important week for us in this season. I mean, for downtown businesses, they can earn about 25 to 40% of their entire year,” Wood said.
Enjoy old favorites this December
The DNA is offering an opportunity for shoppers to “sip and shop” during the Holiday Wine Walk on Wednesday, December 3. Carolers will also spread holiday cheer every Sunday in December.
The Letters to Santa Mailbox returns at the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Main Street outside Two Bostons. Kids can drop off their letters to Santa and wishlists and receive a reply from Santa’s elves, as long as they get their letters in by Dec. 18 and include a return address.
About 40 businesses downtown are participating in a scavenger hunt for festive stuffed bears. The bears are hidden in store windows and inside shops for families to find while shopping downtown. Those searching can download a scavenger hunt map on the DNA website to help with their hunt. Those who find at least 20 can turn in their search sheets by Dec. 31 for a chance to win prizes.
New experiences and businesses bring in the new year
A new art installation joins the festivities downtown. The Naperville Music Box, presented by ArtForum Naperville, will be unveiled at 4 p.m. on December 4. This interactive experience will be located on Jefferson Street in the alley between Apple and Sephora and last through late January.
Ringing in the new year will be new fashion businesses like Lilly Pulitzer and Free People, coming to the Main Street Promenade. A new Barry’s Fitness will also open in the Promenade next year.
Downtown lights display creates ‘magical wonderland’
Water Street and the south side of the Riverwalk are aglow with the Sunrise Rotary’s annual NaperLights display. Highlights include a giant teddy bear, a Santa throne, singing trees, and, new this year, a 16-foot Twinkly Pro tree in the center of Jaycees Park. The display will be up until New Year’s Day.
But the rest of downtown Naperville shines bright as well, with twinkling trees and storefronts galore.
“I have to give a round of applause to our city of Naperville Public Works crews and their contractors,” Wood said. “I can’t remember a time when downtown was this pretty. It’s just beautiful. So people should definitely come downtown and see downtown all lit up at night, all the roof lines are lit. We’ve got these beautiful lit ornaments and photo-taking opportunities around the town.”
A full list of other holiday events hosted by specific downtown businesses can be found online.
“I hope people come down and enjoy it. It’s just a magical wonderland,” Wood said. “It’s just a perfect place to come down and do your holiday shopping.”
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