Sun-Sational Summer—A rundown of the hottest events of the season

By Mark Zonca
June 2015 View more Featured

Soak up the sun and fun with these sizzlin’ summer events in the Naperville area.

June

Naperville Farmers’ Markets:

Naperville Farmer’s Market Association
Saturdays, June 7 through October 25, 7 a.m. to noon.
Fifth Avenue Station Parking Lot.

St. John’s Episcopal Church Farmers’ Market
Wednesdays, June 4 through September 24, 3 to 7 p.m.
Church Parking Lot, 750 Aurora Avenue, Naperville.

Wednesdays, Woods and Wine
Wednesdays, June 3 through August 26, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Enjoy wine, light fare, and live music outdoors every Wednesday night. The Morton Arboretum Ginkgo Restaurant, 4100 Route 53, Lisle.

Craft Beer Festival
June 6, 1 to 5 p.m.
The second annual Craft Beer Festival takes place at The Morton Arboretum. Sip on local favorites and explore new brews while enjoying live music and the beautiful surroundings of the Arboretum.

Downtown Naperville Wine Walk
June 6, Noon to 5 p.m.
Stroll through downtown Naperville’s favorite shops while tasting a variety of wines and enjoying appetizers and music by ArranmoreArts musicians. Proceeds benefit ArranmoreArts. Check-in starts at Sullivan’s Steak House, 244 S. Main Street, Naperville.

Naper Nights Community Concert Series
A summer tradition continues with cold drinks, great food, and fabulous music on the 12-acre grounds of Naper Settlement. Gates open 5 to 10 p.m. each night.Friday, June 19

The Neverly Brothers, 6 to 7:15 p.m.
Featuring music from the early days of American and British rock from the ’50s and ’60s.
American English, 8 to 10 p.m.
Celebrating 50 years of Beatlemania, American English kicks off the summer concert series with two full sets of Beatles.

Saturday, June 20
OMT, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Local Naperville favorites play a variety music ranging from rock, indie, country and classic, to current hits.
Elevation, 8:15 to 10 p.m.
One of America’s premier U2 tribute bands.

Cantigny Fine Art Festival
June 20, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; June 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
One of Cantigny Park’s biggest events of the year and a Father’s Day Weekend tradition features a juried art show, nearly 100 exhibiting artists, activities and crafts for kids, demonstrations, live music and great food. Free with paid parking. Cantigny Park 1s151 Winfield Road, Wheaton.

Passport Europe Festival
June 20 and 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Explore the centuries-old traditions and fascinating cultures of European countries through dancing, storytelling, athletic demonstrations, and authentic dishes native to several European countries at The Morton Arboretum. Free with admission.

Cabernet Cabaret—Say My Name
June 20, 6:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Get personal with the most iconic names in music: Jack, Diane, Rhiannon, Mr. Jones, Mrs. Robinson and more. The Cabernet Cabaret Concert Series (CabCab) takes place on the expansive lawn of Arranmore Farm & Polo Club, 34 Rance Road, Oswego. Admission is $20.

July

Naperville RibFest

July 2 through 5, Noon to 10 p.m. Daily
The 28th Naperville Ribfest, draws visitors with its family activities, award-winning rib vendors from across the country, and crowd-pleasing musical entertainment at Naperville’s Knoch Park.
July 3: Rocker Sammy Hager and The Circle takes fans on a musical journey through rock history spanning four decades of Hagar’s hits and other rock classics.
July 4: Annual fireworks display starts at 9:30 p.m.
July 5: Academy of Country Music 2014 Vocal Group of the Year winner The Band Perry performs.

Summer Sidewalk Sales
July 9 through July 11
Downtown Naperville shops and restaurants will be taking it to the streets during the popular Summer Sidewalk Sales and Downtown Naperville Days. Visitors can enjoy hot deals on cool styles from downtown merchants.

Naperville Woman’s Club 56th Juried Fine Art Fair
July 11 and 12, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Illinois’ longest running Art Fair with more than 100 local and national artists selling, exhibiting, and demonstrating their original works of art including painting, drawing, ceramics, jewelry, wood, photography, fiber, and glass. Naper Settlement.

2015 Naperville Ale Fest
July 18, Noon to 6 p.m.
The third annual Naperville Ale Fest showcases more than 200 unique beers from craft breweries around the country, live music, and food on the grounds of the Naper Settlement. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Naper Settlement and the Naperville Heritage Society.

Rockin’ For The Troops Concert
July 18, starting at noon
Operation Support Our Troops-America (OSOT-A) celebrates the 10th anniversary with this annual benefit concert to pay tribute to our troops. Cantigny Park.

Best of Naperville 2015
July 30, 5:30 p.m.
Winners of this year’s Best of Naperville Magazine Awards will be announced during an evening of fun, food, and celebration at Hotel Arista, Naperville. Voting continues through June 15. To vote and purchase tickets, visit www.napervillemagazine.com.

Naper Nights Community Concert Series
Gates open 5 to 10 p.m. each night. Naper Settlement

Friday, July 24
Fortunate Sons, 6 to 7 p.m.
All the classic songs from Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Daryl Stuermer, 7:45 to 10 p.m.
The virtuoso guitarist for Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductees Genesis and Phil Collins’ band brings his own stellar band and guest vocalist to perform fan favorites from the ’70s through ’90s.

Saturday, July 25
Think Floyd, 6:30 to 10 p.m.
Think Floyd performs Pink Floyd classics, including the album “Dark Side of the Moon” in its entirety, accompanied by a choreographed light show.

August

Cabernet Cabaret – Funkadelic Dance Party
August 1, 6:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Dance the night away during this annual outdoor dance party at Arranmore Farm and Polo Club, 34 Rance Road, Oswego. Admission is $20.
Naperville Wine Festival
August 14: 4:30 to 10 p.m.
August 15: 4 to 9:30 p.m.
Sample more than 300 wines from around the world. Learn about new and exciting varieties from the experts in a relaxed festival setting at CityGate Centre. Live music plus wine seminars and cooking demonstrations.

Naper Nights Community Concert Series
Annual concert series continues at Naper Settlement.

August 21    
Heartless, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
A tribute to Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductees Heart.
Mike and Joe, 8:15 to 10 p.m.
Alternative rock hits from the ’90s to today including songs from Train, Dave Matthews Band and Mumford & Sons.

August 22
Deacon Blues, 6 to 7:45 p.m.
A Steely Dan tribute band takes the stage.
Simply Elton, 8:15 to 10 p.m.
The music and stage presence of Sir Elton John is recreated in stunning detail to wrap up the summer concert series.

September

Naperville Jaycees Last Fling
September 4 through September 7
This end of summer bash features carnival rides, food, music and fun for the entire family. Jackson Avenue and the Riverwalk. Grammy Award-winning artist Daughtry performs at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5. The Last Fling Labor Day Parade will be held September 7, at 10 a.m.