The 630 | November 2016

By Naperville Magazine
November 2016 View more 630

Sleep Out Saturday

November 5, 8 p.m.

Nearly 2,000 DuPage County residents will spend a frosty night inside tents, boxes and cars to raise awareness about family homelessness and money for Bridge Communities’ Transitional Housing Program. The all-night event will be held in more than 25 DuPage County communities. Sleep Out Saturday participants of all ages will experience a night of homelessness by sleeping out in parking lots and parks and backyards. All money raised from the event will support families in the Bridge program, funding the housing, employment training, mentoring, case management, plus tutoring and summer camps for kids. The event provides participants a forum to learn what it may feel like to be homeless, even if it is for just one night. Participants share their thoughts about their physical and emotional experience of sleeping outside with little or no shelter. Feelings of vulnerability, fear and compassion are common themes found amongst participants the morning following Sleep Out.

Barn Raising Benefit

November 5, 6 p.m.

Join this unique evening to support Naper Settlement’s Agricultural Interpretive Center at the Barn Raising Benefit at 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. This special night will feature a preview of the center, which aims to preserve our region’s rich agricultural history. Guests will enjoy cocktails and a locally sourced farm-to-table dinner by green restaurant and caterer Big Delicious Planet. Tickets are $250 each. To reserve tickets or for more information, contact Nata-Leigh Preas at PreasN@naperville.il.us. The Barn Raising Benefit will present the Agricultural Interpretive Center’s exhibitions, virtual technology and hands-on programming that will showcase stories of real-life farming families of the past and teach the business and science of modern-day farming to Naper Settlement’s 140,400 annual visitors. The proceeds from the benefit will support the new 5,000 square-foot center, which will be the ideal place to share and talk about agriculture, the engine that feeds the planet. The Agricultural Interpretive Center will employ cutting-edge technology to relate the facets of the city’s farming past using a trio of themes and the preservation of key artifacts, each offering a separate aspect of the story. Other exhibits will focus on farming innovation will demonstrate the roles of analytical thinking, mechanical comprehension, a grasp of plant physiology and other intellectual processes that now work under the banner of STEM—science, technology, engineering and math—in fortifying the food chain. Displays that relate the business aspects of farming will convey the crucial part the profession played in the development of the local economy.

Agricultural journalists, Orion Samuelson and Max Armstrong of WGN Radio’s “The Morning Show with Orion and Max” will be the masters of ceremony for the evening. The Barn Raising Benefit will help to sow the seeds for a whole new experience at Naper Settlement. To learn more, visit www.napersettlement.org.

Toy Soldier Show

November 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Come see skill and dedication for yourself at the Cantigny Toy Soldier Show. Several area toy soldier enthusiasts will display their collections of small-scale soldiers and armaments. Items will be for sale. This event is free with regular $5 parking fee admission. For more information, contact Alicia Anderson at AAnderson@cantigny.org.

TEDxNaperville 2016 “Exposure”

November 4, 1 to 7 p.m.

TEDxNaperville is an annual free-thinking conference that brings the brightest minds of Chicagoland and beyond to Naperville to share ideas worth spreading. Since its inaugural event in 2010, TEDxNaperville has become a major venue for spreading ideas and inspiring change. With thousands of previous attendees and nearly half a million online talk views, TEDxNaperville is helping to propel Chicagoland’s idea revolution. Speakers have included artists, innovators, musicians, scholars, and brilliant minds from all walks of life, including Olympic gold medalist Meryl Davis, ethical hacker Nicholas Peroco, microbiologist Jack Gilbert, famed “momtrepreneur” Jill Salzman, and virality media expert Emerson Spartz. TEDxNaperville is a volunteer organization and all ticket revenue goes directly into making the event possible for our attendees. Food and drinks for the evening are provided as part of the TEDxNaperville experience. The Yellow Box, 1635 Emerson Lane, Naperville. For more info, visit www.tedxnaperville.com.

Shades of Crimson: Poinsettia Display and Sale

November 18, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Have you ever seen a sea of Crimson? Cantigny has over 3,000 poinsettias at their finest in their greenhouse poised to be put out on display in their buildings throughout the estate. And, if you would like one of these beauties in your own home, they will offer a variety of sizes in traditional and unique colors and styles for sale. Why not make it a point to stop by and get a dose of color to rev up your holidays? And you’re welcome to make a day of it and visit their museums too–check out the Community Trees display at the Robert R. McCormick Museum. Enter at Visitors Center Parking lot. Parking will be taking place only at the main entrance on Winfield Road. There is no entry fee for this program. There will be trams available to take guests to the greenhouse. This event is available for Park District and senior tours. Advanced registration is requested for groups of 10 or more. There is no fee for this program. Questions? Please call 630.260.8162. Poinsettias will be for sale in the Cantigny Shop and Golf Shop throughout the season.

Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum

November 18 through January 2, 2017

Returning this November to The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum brings exciting new features and re-imagined experiences together for a one-of-a-kind holiday event perfect for all ages. In its fourth year, Illumination ushers visitors through a magical wintertime walk in the woods, surrounded by a kaleidoscope of vivid, colored lights and surprising and delightful interactive effects. From November 18, 2016 to January 2, 2017, 50 acres of the Arboretum’s majestic trees will undergo a transformation as their bare branches shine in hypnotic shades of blue, purple, green and hot pink. As visitors traverse the one-mile path, they will encounter a series of experiences woven throughout their journey, encouraging them to see trees in a different light. Visitors can watch a dazzling light show play in time to classic wintertime music, hug a tree and watch as it reacts or follow beams of light as they dance across the night sky. New for 2016, two brand-new experiences to dazzle and wow. Visitors can watch as projections of abstract designs splash across the Arboretum’s hemlock trees, creating a captivating experience that highlight the conifers’ elegance. In Illumination’s new dramatic grand finale, slender white rods installed between the Arboretum’s hedges will provide magical and reflective layers for pencil-thin pillars of light. Visitors can watch with delight as these synchronized beams chase over one another and extend skyward. Visitors can also interact with trees that respond to voice or touch, find out how a tree responds to a big hug, or control the action of videos projected upon the Arboretum’s towering trees. Enjoy dazzling lighting effects on Meadow Lake, and Ornament Hill, where a series of glowing orbs of varying colors and sizes placed on the Arboretum’s Frost Hill create a glittering vista visible from many locations on the trail. Many other fan-favorite Illumination experiences include Crystal Promenade, where 24 beautiful chandeliers of varying sizes light the forest, and Seasons Greetings, where visitors control the movements of a projected image using towering hemlock trees as a giant movie screen. Illumination will be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day along with the following Mondays, November 21 and 28, December 5 and 12. For more information visit mortonarb.org/illumination.

The Little Mermaid

November 23 through January 8, 2017

No matter your age, no matter your experience with the story, you and your family will want to be front and center when the curtain goes up on the Paramount Theatre’s magical new production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Perfect for the young and the young at heart, the blockbuster Disney movie about a mermaid who longs to leave her enchanted underwater kingdom to find love up above promises to come to amazing, aquatic new life in Paramount’s next awe-inspiring production. Paramount’s can’t-miss, catchy take on this beloved family classic promises to make a huge splash with the show’s familiar fish out of water story, coupled with one Disney hit after another. Performances run through January 8, 2017, No shows Thursday, November 24. Disney’s The Little Mermaid is rated G. The Paramount Theatre is located at 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora. To purchase tickets, visit ParamountAurora.com.

Naperville Turkey Trot

November 24, 8 a.m.

Get ready to burn-off all of those extra calories before you eat, at the 19th annual Naperville Turkey Trot. Online registration only and registration is limited to the first 7,500 participants. The Chip timed race begins and ends at Naperville Central High School, 440 W. Aurora Avenue, Naperville. Walkers are welcome, and are asked to finish in one hour. Running strollers will be allowed. However, regular strollers will not be allowed.

Naper Lights

November 25 through December 24

Thursdays through Saturdays: 5 to 9 p.m., Sundays: 5 to 7 p.m. Stroll the museum grounds of Naper Settlement and experience an expanded magical holiday lights celebration. Presented by Naperville Sunrise Rotary, the display features a number of large holiday-themed figures and lighted trees. Admission is free. For more information on Naper Lights, visit www.naperlights.org.

Christkindlmarket Naperville

November 25 through December 18

A beloved holiday tradition is coming to Naper Settlement. Experience a traditional German holiday season market with all of the sights, sounds and magic as well as delicious smells and treats,handmade ornaments and gifts. The Christkindlmarket Naperville provides space for a vast array of vendors from Germany, other parts of Europe and around the world to showcase their products. Traditional wooden huts will be filled with a wonderland of one-of-a-kind gifts including hand-made holiday ornaments, woodcarvings, and seasonal wares harkening back to the original Christkindemarket in Nuremburg, Germany, which began in 1545. The air at the Christkindlmarket Naperville at Naper Settlement will fill the senses with aromas of German delicacies such as sausages and potato pancakes and sweet treats like Stollen, strudel and roasted nuts that are sure to delight visitors of all ages.

The Christkindlmarket Naperville will boast a large festival tent for additional seating and entertainment. Visitors can enjoy refreshing imported German beers or warm up with a cup of Glühwein (hot spiced wine) served in a unique collectible souvenir mug. Live performances featuring singers, dancers and musicians will spread the holiday cheer. The Christkind, a fairy-like being and namesake of the market, will visit every Sunday to welcome guests. Hours: November 25 through December 18, Thursdays: 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays: 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m.–6 p.m. The week of Christmas: Monday through Friday, December 19–23: 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Saturday, December 24: 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Admission is free.

Santa at the Settlement

Saturdays, November 26, December 3 and 17, 9 to 11 a.m.
Get in the spirit this holiday season by visiting Santa and Mrs. Claus at Naper Settlement. Visitors will be able to enjoy the sugar and spice of decorating cookies in Mrs. Claus’ Bakery, preparing a magical treat to summon Santa’s reindeer in the Reindeer Food Factory, and crafting two ornaments in Santa’s Workshop. Be sure not to leave without leaving a letter for Santa, and gathering around Mrs. Claus for story time. A limited supply of “magical” reindeer shoes will be available for purchase, and bring your cameras for photos with Santa. Tickets: $15 per person; $13 members, Children under 1 are free. Registration is required. Call 630.420.6010 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Little Friends Parade of Lights

November 27, 6 p.m.

Held as part of the Hometown Holidays celebration in downtown Naperville, the Little Friends Parade of Lights features a spectacular collaboration of lights, festive floats and Santa’s arrival in preparation for the busy holiday season. Thousands of people attend this annual parade, which helps to celebrate the holiday season in downtown Naperville. Naperville’s only nighttime electric lights parade will step off at 6 p.m.