|
Happy Tuesday, Naperville. In today’s edition: Cup of cheer home tour and tea, family photos with Santa or the Grinch, holidays a cappella, and more.
Let’s get to it — Cait Baker
|
📰 In the news
Investment in open space: The Forest Preserve District of Will County added 40 acres to Riverview Farmstead Preserve in Plainfield, helping close a DuPage River Greenway gap and enabling extension of DuPage River Trail — read the full story.
Inclusive holiday cheer returns: An ASL-using Santa will greet deaf and hearing impaired children at an Aurora Lions Club party on Tuesday, Dec. 9, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., with chats, pizza, and gifts — get all the details.
Celebrate local holiday magic: Bolingbrook kicks off the season with the 2025 Festival of Lights Winter Walk and debut Mistletoe Market at Town Center, with entertainment, free Santa photos, and seniors night Dec. 7 — get all the details.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Scams are rampant: My step-dad recently got a call from someone pretending to be his grandson, all beat up and asking for bail money. They knew his grandson’s name, how old he is, and what city he lives in. How? Data brokers. They sell your info to anyone willing to pay for it (yup… anyone). Incogni removes your info from all of those sites so scammers can’t use it against you. Cyber Monday discounts are available all week — check ’em out here.
|
🫶 We got your back
Keep your evergreen thriving: Shopping for a live Christmas tree? Morton Arboretum’s Sharon Yiesla says freshness is key: green needles, minimal shed. Once home, fill the stand and check again in a few hours. Trees drink fast. Keep it away from heat, use cooler LED lights, and replace a brittle, shedding tree before it becomes a hazard. Get expert Christmas tree advice.
Festive fun for all: Yorktown Center in Lombard is in holiday mode: Santa photos daily, pet photo nights today (Dec. 2) and Dec. 9, and a Dec. 6 craft-and-photo party with a prize-filled balloon drop. Extended hours run Dec. 17 to 23, with Christmas Eve 9 to 5, closed Christmas Day, early close on New Year’s Eve, open New Year’s Day. See event dates and hours.
Serious burrito energy: When the craving hits, Naperville Taqueria delivers warm, generously stuffed tortillas with al pastor or carne asada. Pair with house-made aguas frescas or Jarritos for a bright finish… simple, fresh, and exactly what a midweek reset tastes like.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.
Wellness on easy mode: Most probiotics don’t work because they dissolve too early. Seed’s double capsule design means all the right stuff gets delivered to all the right places… at the right time. After decades of gut issues, it’s one of the few things that’s actually helped. Their Daily Essentials Duo covers nutrient gaps and supports everyday health + it’s 40% off right now so it’s a great time to give it a try.
|
📆 Around town this week
All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
This week
🍷 Naperville Holiday Wine Walk @ Downtown Naperville | Wednesday (12/3) at 4:00pm – Downtown Naperville’s Holiday Wine Walk blends wine tastings with boutique shopping in a festive atmosphere. Enjoy a tasting glass, event map, live music, treats, and special offers. Proceeds support Little Friends. Tickets are limited.
🍵 Naperville Garden Club’s Cup of Cheer Home Tour, Holiday Market & Tea @ Judd Kendall VFW | Thursday (12/4) at 9:00am – A Naperville tradition since 1962. Tour four decorated homes, browse the Holiday Market, and visit the VFW for tea, coffee, and garden club cookies. Performances by Elmhurst Choral Union add to the experience. Includes a souvenir teacup or mug and supports scholarships.
🎨 Little Houses Paint and Tea Party @ Paris Bistro | Thursday (12/4) at 10:00am – Enjoy a cozy paint-and-tea gathering creating small wooden houses while enjoying pastries and a warm drink. A relaxed, creative morning. Tickets are limited.
🐾 Pet Food Drive @ Paws For A Cause Vet Care | Friday (12/5) at 10:00am – Paws for a Cause is launching a pet food pantry offering free pet food (two bags per household), first-come, first-served. Donations are welcome.
☕ Cocoa Crawl @ Downtown Aurora | Friday (12/5) at 5:00pm – Downtown Aurora’s cocoa crawl returns with stops offering hot cocoa samples. Pick up the $10 event mug at participating locations, then enjoy an evening walk through downtown.
This weekend
🎅 Holiday Family Photos with The Grinch or Santa @ Oswald’s Pharmacy | Saturday (12/6) at 9:30am – Skip the mall chaos and get the family smiling with Santa or the Grinch at Oswald’s. Two days of quick photo ops, actual prints for Grandma, and it’s $25, so no sticker shock. Book a slot, arrive on time, and enjoy the bragging rights.
🌿 Deck Your Halls with Milkweed Pods @ Isle a la Cache Museum/Preserve | Saturday (12/6) at 10:30am – Isle a la Cache is turning humble milkweed pods into surprisingly classy holiday ornaments, with a side of monarch butterfly lore. It’s free, all materials included, genuinely wholesome, and yes, you do need to register like a responsible adult.
🎄 Once Upon a Christmas @ The Museums at Lisle Station Park | Saturday (12/6) at 3:00pm – Holiday nostalgia hits downtown Lisle with Once Upon a Christmas, alongside the Santa Parade, tree lighting, and Merry on Main. Sip cocoa, visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, watch the blacksmith, snag handmade gifts. Free, no registration, and even the parking is free.
🎹 Piano Men – A Night of Billy Joel and Elton John @ Frankie’s Blue Room | Saturday (12/6) at 7:00pm – Two piano powerhouses in one night, as a dead-on Elton and a spot-on Billy light up Frankie’s Blue Room with big choruses, glitter, and ridiculous chops. It is the sing-along you pretend you are above, then absolutely crush. Bring friends, voices, and comfy shoes.
🎵 Holidays A Cappella @ Wentz Concert Hall | Sunday (12/7) at 4:00pm – Trade mall jingles for Chicago a cappella’s real deal harmonies, from cozy classics to festive finds with a passport stamp, around town. It’s family friendly, intermission included, and each show doubles as a Winter Wellness drive, so bring food, warm layers, and your holiday spirit.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
|
🎶 Live music & entertainment
|
🏠️ This house is wild
Listed by: Terri Theodore (Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago)
In Walnut Ridge, a value-strong community, this 4-bed, 2.1-bath, 2,667 sq ft two-story adds a full unfinished basement for future flex space. Siding 2020, A/C 2020, furnace 2022, water heater 2018, plus new rear windows and coverings 2025, create a solid backbone.
Wooded views frame a private backyard with access to Walnut Ridge Park, Whalon Lake, and the DuPage River Trails. Active HOA, community events, and tree-lined streets shape the vibe, while District 203 schools, River Woods Elementary, Madison Junior High, and Naperville Central, headline the roster. Minutes to downtown, dining, and expressways, with smart-upside potential amid higher-value neighbors.
Take a peek inside →
|
|
|
