Christmas, Hanukkah Events Near Naperville: Parades, Lightings, More

NAPERVILLE, IL — There is no shortage of things to do in and around Naperville to get the winter holiday season off to a rollicking good start.

Christmas and Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, intersect this year, with Hanukkah running Dec. 18-26. Christmas, of course, is on Dec. 25, but you don’t have to wait to start taking in all the sights and sounds of the holidays.

An ice menorah will be lit on Dec. 26 outside Naperville City Hall. To view the menorah lighting, head to 400 S. Eagle St. at 5:30 p.m. The festivities include hot chocolate and other goodies.

Christmas parades — often complete with Santa Claus, festively decorated floats and marching bands — are a holiday tradition, both nationally and locally.

Several big parades are taking place this year, including the Mayor’s Annual Christmas Parade in Baltimore City, Maryland, and the Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach, California.

Naperville's 2022 Parade of Lights was held on Nov. 25.

Holiday lighting displays are another holiday favorite. Throughout the season, downtown Naperville will be aglow with painted windows and twinkling lights.

Water Street will feature the city's Great Tree, along with NaperLights' new projection features and displays synced to festive music that will reverberate along the Riverwalk.