A guide to the city's hottest summer events
By Mark Zonca
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Sun-drenched days and starlit nights, summer seems to bring out the best in our city. From concerts in the park, to triathlons and sidewalk sales, to fine arts and food festivals, Naperville offers something for everyone to enjoy this time of the year. Naperville Magazine has compiled a list of some of the hottest events of the summer you won’t want to miss.
June
NAPERVILLE MUNICIPAL BAND SUMMER CONCERTS *FREE*
- Naperville Community Concert Center, Central Park
- 7:30 p.m.
- Every Thursday from June 7 to August 16
- Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Bench seating is available.
- www.napervilleband.org
SheROX NAPERVILLE TRIATHLON
- Centennial Beach
- June 10
- 7 a.m.
- The Naperville race was formerly part of the U.S. Women’s Triathlon Series. .75K (.5 mile) swim, 22.8K (14.2 mile) bike, 5K (3.1 mile) run
- www.uswts.com
CARILLON CONCERT *FREE*
- Millennium Carillon, Rotary Hill
- Tuesday’s at 7 p.m.
- www.naperville-carillon.org
NAPERVILLE JAZZ FESTIVAL
- Naperville Community Concert Center, Central Park
- June 16
- 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Advance tickets $25
- Day of event tickets $30
- Proceeds from this popular annual music event will benefit H.E.L.P.
- www.napervillejazzfest.com
FATHER’S DAY BRUNCH
- Cantigny Golf
- Wheaton
- June 17
- Dad can enjoy all his favorites in the scenic Red Oak Room at Cantigny Golf.
- Seating’s available: 10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.
- Call 630.260.8194 to make reservations.
- www.cantigny.org
VINTAGE BASEBALL TOURNAMENT *FREE*
- Cantigny Park
- Wheaton
- June 24
- 1 p.m.
- Enjoy baseball as it was played during theAmerican Civil War. Visit beautiful Cantigny Park and enjoy a spirited tournament of skill and good sportsmanship.
- Free event but parking fee applies.
- www.cantignypark.com
NAPER NIGHTS: COMMUNITY CONCERT SERIES
- Naper Settlement
- 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Naperville Heritage Society presents its annual outdoor concert series featuring national and local entertainment. No outside food or beverages allowed. All proceeds benefit the Naperville Heritage Society, administrators of Naper Settlement.
- June 22 – American English
- June 23 – The Smithereens
- July 27 – Kashmir
- July 28 – Buckwheat Zydeco
- August 24 – ARRA
- August 25 – Al Stewart
- Friday Concerts:
- $10 adult/senior (13+)
- $5 youth (ages 4-12)
- Under 4 years of age, Season Pass holders, and Naperville Heritage Society Sustaining Members are free Saturday Concerts:
- $15 adult/senior (13+)
- $10 youth (ages 4-12)
- Under 4 years of age, Season Pass holders, and Naperville Heritage Society Sustaining Members are free
SUMMER PLACE THEATRE
- “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” Naperville Central High School auditorium
- June 15 to 24
- Tickets $13 to $21
- A typical day in the life of Charlie Brown is sure to bring much happiness to the stage as favorite characters from Peanuts sing, dance, and make you laugh.
- www.summerplacetheatre.com
ROLLIN’ ON THE RIVER CONCERT SERIES *FREE*
- Riverwalk Free Speech Pavilion
- Jackson Avenue and Webster Street
- Friday’s from June 15 to August 10
- 7 p.m.
- Join the Naperville Park District for live music all summer long!
- www.napervilleparks.org
STEP UP FOR AUTISM WALK
- Downtown Naperville – Riverwalk
- June 24
- Benefiting Little Friends and the Little Friends Center for Autism. This family-friendly event promises to be a morning of fun for walkers and runners of all ages.
- Festivities will include a 2.5-mile walk and fun run and a one-mile kid-friendly route.
- www.littlefriendsinc.org
RIBFEST
- Knoch Park
- June 29: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- June 30 to July 3: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Enjoy live music by the Steve Miller
- Band, Joe Walsh, ZZ Top and Joe Nichols.
- All tickets will be available only online or at the gate. Children 11 and under are free every day with a paying adult.
- www.ribfest.net
July
DOWNTOWN SUMMER SIZZLIN’ SIDEWALK SALE
- Downtown Naperville
- July 12 to 14
- Get some cool deals on the hottest styles at the annual sidewalk sale.
- www.downtownnaperville.com
AVALCADE OF BRASS
- Benedictine University
- Sports Complex
- 5700 College Road, Lisle
- July 13
- 7 p.m.
- Get your heart pounding with world-class brass and drum corps perform at this popular annual event presented by the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps.
- Tickets $25.
- www.cavaliers.org
TEXMEX & MUSIC FEST
- CityGate Centre
- July 13: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- July 14: 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Grab friends, family, and a blanket for the ultimate Texmex festival featuring live music by Chris Issak and others musical artists, delicious food from Chicagoland’s best Texmex restaurants, and special appearance by Celebrity Chef Rick Bayless.
- www.texmexfest.com
DUPAGE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
- Outside the First Division Museum
- July 14
- 8 p.m.
- Tickets $12 in advance, $18 day of the event
- The DuPage Symphony presents: “Symphonic Swing!” Enjoy an evening at Cantigny and enjoy the sights and sounds of the DuPage Symphony Orchestra.
- wwwcantignypark.com
NAPERVILLE WOMAN’S CLUB 53RD ANNUAL FINE ART FAIR *FREE*
- Naper Settlement
- 523 South Webster Street
- July 14 to 15
- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Be simply inspired or buy something to take home. Children’s activity tent, entertainment, and food available.
- Admission and parking are free.
ROCKIN FOR THE TROOPS CONCERT FEATURING GARY SINISE AND THE LT. DAN BAND
- Cantigny Park
- July 21
- 12 p.m.
- Tickets $25
- Chicago’s Gary Sinise returns to Cantigny to rock out and raise money for Operation Support Our Troops.
- www.cantignypark.com
DUPAGE COUNTY FAIR
- DuPage County Fairgrounds
- 2015 West Manchester Road
- Wheaton
- July 25 to 29
- Daily 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- There’s no better way to celebrate summer in the Midwest than a trip to the county fair.
- www.DuPageCountyFair.org
FOURTH ANNUAL BEST OF NAPERVILLE MAGAZINE AWARDS
- July 26
- Hotel Arista
- Winners of this year’s Best of Naperville Magazine Awards will be announced during this evening of fun, food, and celebration. Voting continues through June 15.
- To vote and purchase tickets to the best party of the summer, visit
- www.napervillemagazine.com
SUMMER PLACE THEATRE
- “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”
- Naperville Central High School auditorium
- July 27 to August 5
- Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s early collaboration takes the famous Bible story, adds infectious tunes, clever lyrics, and a little bit of Elvis to put a little rock ‘n roll into your summer.
- Tickets $13-$21
- www.summerplacetheatre.com
August
NAPERVILLE SPRINT TRIATHLON
- Centennial Beach
- Sunday, August 5
- 7 a.m.
- The 400-meter swim will be held at Centennial Beach and the bike and run course will take athletes through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Naperville area.
- www.napervilletri.com
THE NEVERLY BROTHERS CONCERT
- Cantigny Park
- August 12
- 3 p.m.
- The Neverly Brothers play all your favorite hits from 1950s American rockabilly & Rhythm & Blues pioneers up through the 1964 British invasion in an awe inspiring concert. All concerts feature lawn seating. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or a lawn chair. Concerts are free with regular parking fee admission.
- www.cantignypark.com
WALK FOR LUPUS NOW
- Naperville Riverwalk
- August 18
- 9 a.m. to Noon
- Join walkers from the western suburbs for a one mile or three mile route.
- www.lupus.org
NAPERVILLE WINE FESTIVAL
- CityGate Centre
- 2135 City Gate Lane
- August 24: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- August 25: 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- The 10th annual Naperville Wine Festival is a celebration of wine, food, music, and friends and is a “don’t miss” celebration of summer! The event returns to the chic CityGate Centre this year.
- www.napervillewinefestival.com
LAST FLING 2012
- Riverwalk
- August 31 to September 3
- Bring the whole family for this end of summer bash with a weekend of food, music and fun. The Naperville Jaycees host this finale to summer 2012.
- www.lastfling.org
