The 630 | December 2015

By Naperville Magazine
December 2015 View more 630

Poinsettia Open House and Sale

December 1, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Visitors to the Cantigny Greenhouse will witness a sea of poinsettia plants at their holiday best. See 15 or more varieties and 3,000-plus poinsettias in total, all plants are grown on site. Fresh plants will be available for sale and Cantigny horticulturists will be on hand to answers questions. Groups are welcome but advance notice is requested for groups of 10 or more call 630.260.8162. Admission and parking are free. Visitors should park in the main lot at the Visitors Center, then walk to the greenhouse or ride the free shuttle. Cantigny Park Greenhouse 1s151 Winfield Road, Wheaton.

Naperville Park District Santa House

Throughout December
A Naperville tradition continues. Visit Santa Claus on the Naperville Riverwalk at Jackson Avenue and Webster Street throughout December to have your photo taken with Santa. Photos can be purchased for $8 each or two for $15. General hours of operation
are December 5-6, noon to 6 p.m. December 11-13 and 15-23 (closed December 14), Monday-Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Visit the www.napervilleparks.org/santahouse for more information and to pre-register for special nights at Santa House.

Toys For Tots Program

Ongoing through December 16
Naperville Park District Police invite the community to contribute new, unwrapped toys for the 2015 Toys for Tots program, hosted by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. Toys will be collected at various locations through Wednesday, December 16. Toys have been collected for this program to brighten the holidays for children in need since 2008.

Collection sites are:

• Park District Administration Building, 320 W. Jackson Ave. Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon.
• Park District Planning Office, 425 W. Jackson Avenue. Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center, 305 W. Jackson Ave. Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Barn Recreation Center, 421 W. Martin Ave. Sunday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon.
• 95th Street Center, 2244 W. 95th St. Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Knoch Knolls Nature Center, 320 Knoch Knolls Rd. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Santa House, located at the corner of Jackson Avenue and Webster Street on the Naperville Riverwalk. Toys may be dropped off at Santa House for Toys for Tots December 2 -16. Toys can be dropped off at Santa House after December 16 and will be donated to local charities. Toys for Tots accepts new, unwrapped toys; no stuffed animals or toy weapons.

Photo courtesy Naper Settlement

Naper Lights

Thursdays through Saturdays, Ongoing through December 31
Stroll through the Naper Settlement grounds and experience a magical holiday lights celebration. Naper Lights, the downtown Naperville lighted holiday display, is bigger than ever. Presented by Naperville Sunrise Rotary, the display features a number of large holiday-themed figures, lighted trees, hot chocolate on Fridays and Saturdays and occasional holiday music. Illuminated from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings through December 31, Naper Lights is free to the public. Free-will donations benefit Sunrise Rotary community projects in support of youth and families and youth leadership development. Visitors are advised to dress for outdoor strolling. The lights are located on the lawn between the Bandstand and the Martin Mitchell Mansion along Aurora Ave. For additional information on Naper Lights visit www.naperlights.com.

Cup of Cheer House Walk, Holiday Market & Tea

December 3 (preview day)
December 4
Naperville Garden Club will feature four homes located throughout Naperville in the annual holiday tradition that has been taking place for more than 50 years. Subdivisions featured this year are downtown Naperville and Ashbury. Homes are private residences and not handicap accessible. Tickets allow guests to tour all floors of the homes and see private living spaces. Ticket holders can also view homes with no entry lines and get first choice to purchase items from the Holiday Market during the Preview Day on December 3. Preview Day tickets are $55. The Holiday Market features gifts and decorations, many designed by Club members. Also pick up souvenir bone china cup and saucer. Coffee, tea and cookies will be served on both days. The Market is located at the Whites Activities Center at North Central College, 325 E. Benton Ave., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, December 3 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, December 4. The Market is open to the general public for shopping on Friday, December 4 from Noon to 4 p.m. For more information visit, www.napervillegardenclub.org.

Brookfield Zoo Holiday Magic

Saturdays and Sundays in December
December 28 to 31
See the Lights. Feel the Magic. Continue the Tradition at Chicagoland’s largest lights festival featuring more than one million twinkling LED lights. New this year, visit Polar Lights where your magical touch will color the sky with an interactive light extravaganza and dazzling music, including 30 moving lights that you will enable you to control the colors and shapes and four pixel-mapped LED trees that are capable of generating patterns with thousands of different colors. Plus, enjoy a 41-foot talking tree, train display, carolers,ice carvers, and more. Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Festivities begin at 4 p.m. Photos with the Animals will take place in the ITW Animal Ambassador building featuring animals from Wild Encounters including alpaca, llama, reindeer and Animal Ambassadors. Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in Seven Seas Underwater Viewing on December 5 and 6, 12 and 13, 19 and 20. For more info, visit ww.czs.org/Brookfield-ZOO

Photo courtesy Paramount Theatre

The Second City’s Holidazed and Confused Revue

December 4 through 20
Spend your holidays with the country’s funniest comedy crew, Chicago’s own Second City, when The Second City’s Holidazed and Confused Revue descends on the Paramount’s Copley Theatre, 8 E. Galena Blvd. in Aurora, for a holiday run. Second City’s annual holiday engagement in downtown Aurora is a seasonal must-see, thanks to their famous skits, naughty songs and many laughs. The Paramount’s 173-seat Copley Theatre – a space so intimate, you’re up close and personal with all that Second City fun – is the ideal setting, and convenient too. The Second City’s Holidazed and Confused Revue stars Second City National Touring Company members Pat Ivansek, Shantira Jackson, Dewayne Perkins, Emma Pope, Tanner Tananbaum and Kimberly Michelle Vaughn. Watch out when this hilarious ensemble unleashes their whip-smart improvisation, comic offbeat songs and willingness to skewer any seasonal topic you can name. Nothing is too sacred for The Second City’s Holidazed and Confused Revue. Show times are Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. For tickets and information, visit www.paramountaurora.com, call 630.896.6666, or stop by the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. Note: this performance is rated R for strong adult language and content.

Photo Courtesy North Central College

Organic Theatre Company “Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol”

December 10 through 13
You probably know Jacob Marley as the ghostly former business partner of Ebeneezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” In Organic’s production of the award winning play by Chicago’s Tom Mula, we follow Marley in a story of his own. Along with a cheery sprite named Bogle, Marley travels through space and time, revealing a new side to the holiday classic. As it turns out, behind Scrooge’s adventure, Marley also visits boyhood struggles, modern day merriment and a glimpse of what’s yet to come. Share in the joy of Marley’s fresh start by joining Marley and Bogle on their hilarious and touching journey. North Central College Theater at Meiley-Swallow, 31 S. Ellsworth St., Naperville. For show times and ticket information visit finearts.northcentralcollege.edu.

LEGO Train Show

December 12 , 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
December 13, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The LEGO show is a holiday tradition in the Western suburbs thanks to the Northern Illinois LEGO Train Club. The show, at the Cantigny Visitor’s Center, is the group’s largest annual show in terms of display space and attendance. Free with $5 parking. Stop by for an exclusive event on December 12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to celebrate the 12th anniversary of the LEGO Train Show. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy the LEGO Train Show without the long lines waiting to view the spectacular LEGO displays. Guests will also enjoy a variety of snacks, desserts and hot chocolate. A cash bar will also be available. Guests will receive a special holiday gift and parking is included in the price of the ticket. Tickets to this event are nonrefundable. For questions, call 630.260.8162

Holiday Mansion Tours

December 12 and 13
The beautifully decorated Martin Mitchell Mansion, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a showpiece of Naper Settlement, especially decked out in full Edwardian splendor during the holiday season. This year, the home is being decorated by the Naperville Garden Club, reflecting the year 1915. Take a guided tour of the two-story Mansion and Carriage House and stay to enjoy the holiday lights on Saturday. Tours will be held at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., December 12 and 13. Tickets are $7 person, $5 Settlement-6 members and above. Visit www.napersettlement.org or call 630.420.6010.

Photo courtesy of Naper Settlement

History Speaks Lecture Series: The Legend of St. Nicholas

December 13, 4 p.m.
A presentation of the History Speaks Lecture Series, The Legend of St. Nicholas, will be held from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Naper Settlement’s Century Memorial Chapel, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Terry Lynch of HFK Presents, dressed as the English interpretation of St. Nicholas (Father Christmas), will tell the festive tales and explain the influence this fourth century bishop has had on the many traditions of the holiday season throughout the world, both religious and secular. No important secrets revealed! Day of event tickets are $7 adults, $6 for youth (4-12), students and Settlement-6 members and above. Advance tickets save $1 each. Reservations are recommended, call 630.420.6010 or visit www.napersettlement.org.

Photo courtesy North Central College

The Tenors

December 18, 8 p.m.
Get ready to hear The Tenors like you’ve never heard them before. On their new album, “Under One Sky,” the multi-platinum Juno Award-winning foursome co-wrote eight tunes, showing facets of themselves they’ve longed to share with their millions of fans. The Canadian vocal group has written a handful of songs for its previous three sets, but “Under One Sky” marks the first time its songwriting talents stand toe-to-toe with its vocal expertise. In the process, The Tenors created a rich collection that expands on their earlier efforts, while delving deeper into their collective strength as artists. “Under One Sky’s” material covers the full range of tunes that has made The Tenors one of the most popular live draws across the globe. Since their formation in 2007, The Tenors have performed more than 500 concerts on five continents and made more than 150 television appearances. The Tenors’ first album is certified double platinum, and their holiday album is certified triple platinum in Canada. Their third album, 2012’s “Lead With Your Heart,” went double platinum, won a 2013 Juno Award for Adult Contemporary Album of the Year and debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Classical and Classical Crossover charts. They have sold almost 1 million albums worldwide. North Central College Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Avenue, Naperville. For more info, visit finearts.northcentralcollege.edu.

Jingle Bell Jamboree

December 19, 3 to 9 p.m.
Enter a world of holiday magic at the Jingle Bell Jamboree that will be held at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. Bring the whole family and be charmed with live holiday music by the Chicago Sinfonietta’s Project Inclusion Ensemble and the Alena Quintet from Metea Valley High School. Enjoy the sugar and spice of decorating cookies in Mrs. Claus’s Bakery and prepare to summon Santa’s reindeer with a magical treat and tradition. Don’t forget to leave a letter for Santa Claus. Be dazzled by Naper Lights, a festive outdoor illumination display, on the way to see the Martin Mitchell Mansion, adorned in Edwardian splendor. Registration is recommended. Visit www.napersettlement.org.

Winter Break Camps

Throughout December
Looking for something to keep the kids busy during winter break? The Naperville Park District is offering winter break camps for all ages at various locations around Naperville. Camps include: Cool Science: Chocolate Chemistry, Eco-Explorers, Gymnastics, Coed and girls Basketball, Badminton, Baseball, Bowling, Cheerleading, Dodgeball, Flag Football, Indoor Tennis Clinic, Ultimate Frisbee® Camp, Volleyball Camp, Junior Robotics Using LEGO®. For a complete list of Winter Break Camps visit www.napervilleparks.org or call 630-848-5000 to register.

Ringin’ In The New Year

December 31, 6 p.m.
A family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration. Enjoy the final day of 2015 shopping, dining and celebrating downtown leading up to a 6 p.m. countdown to ring in the New Year at the base of the Carillon at Rotary Hill. There will be another countdown to 2016 at midnight. Your day downtown includes roving merriment, scavenger hunt for prizes, sales and celebration.