Looking for fun things to do in Naperville and the Chicago area?

Excited about local live music? Check out Naper Nights at Naper Settlement 

Prepare yourself for a summertime ritual that includes cool beverages, delicious food, and amazing music! Naper Nights hosts themed tribute concerts all summer long to honor significant moments in rock and pop culture. As you eat, drink, dance, and enjoy the best tribute bands playing your favorite Rock, Pop, Motown, and Soul tunes, rock out with your neighborhood!
This year, Naper Nights will feature two new beverage tent locations as well as the alcoholic seltzer Freshie. To view their Naper Nights menus, click here.

Adult: $20

Youth (4-12): $15

VIP Member Tickets 

Click HERE for ticket information

2022 Naper Nights Community Concert Series Line-Up

Find a seat on the lawn with your blankets and lawn chair! Every night at 5 PM, the gate opens with a School of Rock pre-show performance.

July 2022

Friday, July 15 | 5-10 PM 

Red Hot Chili Peppers Tribute (8 PM)

Red NOT Chili Peppers

Blink-182 Tribute (6 PM)

Blink-180TRUE

Saturday, July 16 | 5-10 PM 

Pearl Jam Tribute (8 PM)

The Ten Band

Nirvana Tribute (6 PM)

Smells Like Nirvana 

August 2022

Friday, August 19| 5-10 PM 

Bruce Springsteen Tribute  (8 PM)

Bruce in the USA

Louisiana Party Music (6 PM)

Hurricane Gumbo

Saturday, August 20 | 5-10 PM 

Eric Clapton Tribute (8 PM)

Journeyman

Steely Dan Tribute (6 PM)

Brooklyn Charmers 

More info

The post Live Music at Naper Settlement: Naper Nights Concert Series Featuring Local Artists appeared first on Brookdale on the Park Blog.

Naperville was settled and founded in 1831, and is rich in history. It was incorporated in 1857 by Joseph Naper and he became President of the Board.

To preserve some of the history and showcase the development throughout the ages, Naper Settlement was created in 1969. It was founded through the City of Naperville management and is under operation through the Naperville Heritage Society.

It’s 12-acre property consists of an outdoor history museum and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The land is home to 30 historical buildings, many of which were moved to the current location from the surrounding Naperville area. They have been refurbished to fit their time periods, offering visitors a walk through the ages of Naperville all the way into the 20th century. Caroline Mitchell gave the land to the city of Naperville in 1936. 

The museum is very hands-on and hosts numerous activities and exhibitions taking a deep dive into the history of Naperville, including the current WW2 exhibition. Museum educators in period costumes give tours and teach visitors about the area.

The Martin Mitchell Mansion

One of the most prominent buildings onsite is the Martin Mitchell Mansion, originally known as Pine Craig. Materials from Naperville businesses and stone from the Dupage River Quarries make up this 12-room house built by the local George Martin II. He was the son of a Scottish immigrant and used local resources to create an agricultural fortune for himself. The land continually expanded to around 1,000 acres, at which point Martin developed a limestone quarry along the river. This is why Naper Settlement exists so close to downtown Naperville and the Riverwalk. These stones were in high demand after the Great Chicago Fire destroyed a lot of buildings. His riches came from Naperville Tile and Brick Works where he made and sold over a million tiles and bricks.

This tile was primarily used in draining farms of their swamps, and he operated out of this house after it was built in 1883 and his family lived there until 1936. In 1975, the house was registered to the National Register of Historic places in 1975 and then underwent massive restoration from 2000-2003.

Activities and Programs

Civil War Days, a two-day reenactment, lasted from 1982-2019 and the settlement was turned into a large encampment where hundreds of actors and actresses partook in historical life and epic battles. Christkindlmarket and NaperLights, two events also canceled in 2019, may return in the future and we hope to see more events like them soon!

The settlement received public funding along with 47 other Illinois museums in 2014 from the Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants Program.

Visiting the Naper Settlement

Naper Settlement
523 S Webster Street
Naperville, IL 60540
Phone: 630-420-6010
Fax: 630-305-4044

Visitors are allowed year-round and the local museum has winter hours starting November 1 through March 31. 

You can see the settlement Tuesday – Friday from 10 am – 4 pm.

Downtown walking tours are available as well; for a schedule click here. 

Answering the Call: Naperville at War – 1941-1945

This exhibit will run April 12, 2021- January 2022 and it explores the local history of WW2 in Naperville and features the Massier Family Collection – stories of Japanese camp workers who came to work here as well as the history and significance of Kroehler to manufacture the war. 

Come check out this and the rest of Naper Settlement and enrich yourself with the history of our local community! Click here for more information. 

The post Rich Local History and Unique Events and Exhibits Are Only Part of Naper Settlement and Museum appeared first on Brookdale on the Park Blog.

With October in full swing, Halloween fun may already be on your mind. This year there are many new and returning Halloween events in Naperville to help celebrate the spooky season.

Naperville Park District

The Naperville Park District has a few options that are coming up:

• Kids Night Out – Spooktacular at the Fort Hill Activity Center on October 22 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.. Painting pumpkins and games will be part of the event. People can also show up dressed in their costumes.

• Halloween Happening at the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion on October 24 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. This is a free Halloween fest for kids 10 and under. There will be activities, games, and goodies.

• Halloween Hayride at Knoch Knolls Park on October 30 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. People can dress up in their Halloween costumes and kids ages three to 12 will get a goodie bag.

Naper Settlement

• Howlin’ at the Moon on October 22 and October 23 from 5 p.m .to 10 p.m. This is a new event for those 21 and older with live music, a food truck graveyard, booze bar, an illusionist, and fire dancers. Costumes are encouraged.

• Trick or Treat at Naper Settlement on October 31 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. People can dress up in their costumes and take a stroll through Naper Settlement, stopping at historical homes to grab their treats. The blacksmith will also open up shop that day.

Safety Town

The Naperville Junior Woman’s Club Trick or Treat at Safety Town will take place October 23 from 9 a.m. to noon. People can stop by in their costumes and visit each vendor for Halloween treats. Non-perishable food items can also be donated at the event for non-profit Loaves & Fishes Community Services.

Downtown Naperville

Downtown Naperville’s annual Halloween Hop will be taking place on October 24 from 10 a.m. to noon. People can dress up in their costumes and visit downtown businesses to grab goodies. Over 70 shops and stores will be handing out Halloween surprises.

The post The Best Local Halloween Events Happening Right Here in Naperville appeared first on Brookdale on the Park Blog.

The Naperville Jaycees' Last Fling is a local community festival taking place in Naperville over Labor Day Weekend.  The Last Fling is a great way to transition from summer to fall, offering fun events and things to do for everyone. including live music on various stages. There is a Family Fun Land, unique events, and rides such as a carnival, and a local business expo to support the community of Naperville.
 

The 2021 Labor Day Parade

At 10 am on Monday, September 6th, there will be a Labor Day Parade starting at Naperville North High School, turning south on Mill Street, then east on Jefferson Avenue, south on Main Street, west on Porter where it finishes off at Naperville Central High.

The parade will feature all of the good things about the Naperville community.

The Naperville Labor Day Parade has many traditions, including the Color Guard of local Veterans representing the Armed Forces.

The Last Fling

Besides the parade, the 2021 Last Fling will happen from Friday, September 3 – Monday, September 6. There will be a ton of carnival rides, local and festival food, vendors, and more. It takes place on Jackson Avenue. 

There will be live music happening throughout the weekend, with a schedule found here.

This event is hosted by the Jaycees, Naperville’s young person organization dedicated to philanthropy and volunteerism. The Last Fling is one of their largest fundraisers and raises thousands of dollars for nonprofits throughout Naperville and Dupage. 

They have various events throughout the year, including Rock the Mic, East Egg Hunt, Lobster Day.

Supporting the Frontline Workers

Edward Hospital Frontline Workers will be the Grand Marshal of the Labor Day Parade!

“We are proud and honored that our Edward Hospital frontline workers, who have worked tirelessly through the pandemic to keep all those affected safe and in good health, will lead the Labor Day parade,” said 2021 Last Fling Co-Chair Pete Paulsen. 

“We thank the Naperville Jaycees for the opportunity to serve as the Grand Marshal of this year’s Labor Day Parade,” said Joe Dant, President & CEO, Edward Hospital. “We truly appreciate the recognition of the staff’s efforts and are honored to have played such a critical role in caring for our community during the pandemic.”
 

Come check out this awesome event and support healthcare frontline workers and the local community this weekend!

The post The Best Local Labor Day Event: Jaycees Last Fling and Labor Day Parade appeared first on Brookdale on the Park Blog.