Water Street welcomes NaperLights back to downtown Naperville
The spectacular NaperLights holiday display returns to make the season even brighter along Water Street, Jaycees Park and the south side of the Naperville Riverwalk in downtown Naperville.
In addition to the giant Christmas Bear who welcomes families for the perfect photo opportunity, new this year is a huge glittering red and white throne by the Great Tree suitable for Santa's visits and photos of the whole family.
NaperLights will be illuminated from 4 to 10 p.m. daily, Nov. 17 through New Year's.
Santa will visit NaperLights to meet with children and pose for photos on Friday to Sunday, Nov. 23-25, and Friday, Dec. 23, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Visitors can access the display from the Webster Street covered bridge, Main Street and Webster Street.
Strollers can enjoy the outdoors with public parking available in the Water Street and Municipal Center parking decks.
Lights on Water Street trees and the Foyo Plaza is synced to music with an enhanced sound system which projects music across the DuPage River, making a drive-through experience for those wishing to stay in their cars as they enjoy downtown.
The light display, a gift to the community from the Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise, features over 150,000 lights and a growing collection of giant lighted holiday figures including skating polar bears, penguins sliding on an igloo, skaters, snow men, carolers, gifts, baubles, and singing trees.
The Plaza Fountain will be enhanced with dancing skaters and up in the sky high above the Riverwalk, you might just spy Santa and his reindeer flying by.
Animated lights and music are filling the area with carols synced to the lights, and the colorful arch on Foyo Plaza will be a popular photo spot.
Student music groups will make occasional weekend appearances to add to the holiday cheer. A tentative schedule will be found on www.naperlights.com.
While they last, the popular holographic viewing glasses will be available for kids from Water Street shops and restaurants as well as Rotary volunteers on weekends. Freewill donations to support Naperville Sunrise Rotary local and international charitable projects are welcomed.
"Water Street is thrilled to be partnering with the Sunrise Rotary Club again to continue this popular family tradition. We were the first sponsors of the event years ago, so hosting on Water Street, where visitors can enjoy it every night through the holidays is awesome," said Nick Ryan, CEO of Marquette Companies. "We think families with relatives staying at Hotel Indigo will be delighted, and the spa, shops and restaurants on Water Street are eager to welcome you."
NaperLights is sponsored in part by a grant from the SECA Fund. Marquette Companies and Century 21 Circle Ryan Hill Group are lead sponsors along with Naperville Bank & Trust and Gerald Cares. Technical expertise and electrical manpower is provided by ADT.
For more information for NaperLights 2023, visit www.naperlights.com. For more information on Water Street holiday activities, visit www.waterstreetnaperville.com or www.facebook.com/WaterStreetNaperville/.