What does Naperville do the day after Thanksgiving if no parade comes down the street?
For more than two decades, the Rotary Club of Naperville's Holiday Parade of Lights went through downtown on Black Friday. In 2026 it won't. NCTV17 reported in February that the club canceled the parade over the "high cost of producing the event relative to its return," citing a city staff report. So far, no group has announced a replacement.
Without that one big night, the season is spread across about six weeks. It starts on Nov. 2, and its first deadline arrives in two weeks.
The Black Friday night that's gone
The parade ran on money as well as volunteers. According to the same NCTV17 report, the Rotary Club asked for $26,773 from the city's SECA fund, which is paid for by a special 1% tax on food and beverages. The commission recommended $22,300. With the parade canceled, that money goes back into the SECA fund unless the city assigns it to another event. We haven't found any public record of the city reassigning it.
A few days after the cancellation, the club's president told NCTV17 that he hoped another organization might take the parade over, and that Rotary was weighing a different major fundraiser. He didn't name an event or a date.
"We're grateful for the years they dedicated to bringing this cherished tradition to our community. While this news is disappointing, we remain hopeful and committed to preserving the warmth and holiday spirit downtown for children and families alike."
Katie Wood, executive director of the Downtown Naperville Alliance, said that to NCTV17 after the news broke.
The city's 2026 special-events calendar still shows "Rotary Holiday Parade of Lights" on Nov. 27. That listing is out of date. Don't hold that evening for a parade.
The season now starts on Nov. 2
Downtown's season kicks off almost four weeks before Thanksgiving. The Downtown Naperville Alliance lists Downtown Lights Up for the Holidays for Monday, Nov. 2, at 5 p.m., with decorated storefronts and holiday displays. Two weekends later, Nov. 14–15, comes Holiday Open House Weekend, when downtown businesses run holiday shopping deals.
The first big community gathering is on a Wednesday. Naper Settlement's Holiday Tree Lighting runs Nov. 18 from 5 to 7 p.m. It's free with registration, the ceremony starts at 5:15, and there are refreshments and visits with Santa. Because you have to register, this is the first event on the calendar you need to plan ahead for, even though it costs nothing.
Two ticket sales open before the holidays do
The two downtown walks open ticket sales well before the events themselves, and one of those sales lands in October.
- Monday, Oct. 26: Tickets go on sale for the Downtown Naperville Holiday Wine Walk. The walk is Dec. 3 from 4 to 8 p.m., with staggered check-in starting at 4. The listing says this holiday edition is smaller than the seasonal walks.
- Monday, Nov. 2: Tickets go on sale for the Cookie & Sweets Walk, which runs Dec. 6 from noon to 4 p.m. Each ticket comes with a sweets bag and a map of the stops. This sale opens the same day downtown lights up.
Neither listing shows a price yet. The dates are set, though, and a smaller Wine Walk means fewer tickets to go around.
Thanksgiving weekend runs on lights now
Thanksgiving weekend still has something to see. Naperville Sunrise Rotary's Naper Lights is a free light-and-sound display on Water Street, Foyo Plaza, Jaycees Park and the Riverwalk. It runs from Thanksgiving to New Year's, 4 to 10 p.m. The organizer's page has no 2026 dates yet. The city calendar lists Naper Lights for Nov. 27–30 and all of December. That puts its opening on the night the parade used to run, so Black Friday downtown is still worth a trip.
The city's calendar also lists something new this year: "Lights at Naper Settlement," running November through December and marked "*New." As of today, we haven't found hours, prices, a format or a producer published for it. Naper Settlement's calendar is the place to watch for details.
There may also be a new stretch of Riverwalk by then. North Central College Riverwalk Park, at 430 S. Washington St., is a $2.1 million project from the city, North Central College and the Naperville Park District. In its Sept. 23 update, the city said the park was expected to open by the end of October, with no exact date. The park is planned to connect Riverwalk paths, Washington Street, Fredenhagen Park and the college campus. The city also warns of possible lane closures on Washington Street, and says some work may continue after the park opens.
Where to stop between events
A season spread over six weeks means more short trips downtown instead of one long night. Downtown's mix of shops and restaurants has also changed since summer.
Open now:
- Lola's Handcrafted Churros, 8 W. Jefferson Ave., held its grand opening Sept. 28, as the Daily Herald reported. It's a two-minute walk from the Water Street displays.
- Dumont Creamery & Cafe opened in August at Block 59 on the city's west side.
- L.L.Bean opened a 16,000-square-foot store at Westridge Court, 336 S. Route 59, on Sept. 25. Positively Naperville called it the brand's first store in the western suburbs. Its timing fits the season's first cold nights.
Opening soon, with target dates only:
- State & Liberty Clothing Co. is aiming for mid-to-late November at 144 W. Jefferson Ave. That would put it open around Open House Weekend or the Thanksgiving lights.
- I Heart Gyro, at 22 E. Chicago Ave., was still waiting on city approvals as of late September.
- Cantina Taco Grill, at 15 W. Jefferson Ave., pushed back its original Sept. 15 target and hasn't given a new date.
- The Back Nine, an indoor golf facility at 1271 Rickert Drive with simulators and 24/7 member access, was targeting late October or early November, NCTV17 reported.
Downtown also lost a restaurant. Lennon's, at 16 W. Jefferson Ave., closed in September after about a year. If it was on your holiday dinner list, you'll need a new pick.
December's family events cluster mid-month
After the two December walks, the family events arrive in the middle of the month. Naper Settlement's Holly Jolly Days run Friday, Dec. 11, from 4 to 8 p.m., then Dec. 12 and 13 from 1 to 6 p.m., with holiday crafts and stories. No ticket price is listed yet.
Then comes the ice. The Naperville Park District runs natural-ice rinks at Centennial Park, Nike Sports Complex, Wolf's Crossing Community Park and Gartner Park. The Park District says they usually open on or after Dec. 15 and stay open through Feb. 15, depending on the weather. Natural ice needs a stretch of cold nights, so the opening date depends on the weather, not the calendar.
Here's what that means for planning. The 2026 season starts with a free lighting on Nov. 2 and runs to rinks that might not open until the middle of December. The two dates you need to act on early are Oct. 26 and Nov. 2, and both come more than three weeks before Thanksgiving.
If you're planning to host family in a Naperville house this season, or wondering what your home would be worth before next year's moves, Tim Good Group can run the numbers for you. Ask us "What's My Home Worth?" and we'll get you a clear answer before the lights go up.
