10.16.2025

Good morning, Naperville! We’re already halfway through October, that snuck up on us faster than your neighbors Halloween decorations. The first 12-foot skeleton sighting of the year is always a treat! Let’s jump into what’s happening around town this week.

In this weeks Niche…

• Naperville Park District referendum

• Harvest soup and chili stroll

• Safety town trick or treat

Here we go!

-Elrie & Carly

📰 The Digest

🚸 The Naperville Park District is considering a $135 million referendum for six new projects to address increasing demand and capacity challenges. These include a community activity center, improvements at Nike Park and seasonal ice rinks. An open house to gather community feedback is scheduled for October 21st. A final decision on the referendum is expected to be made by the end of the year.

🏃‍♀️ If you’ve got plans downtown this weekend, you may want to give yourself a few extra minutes to find parking. This Sunday, the Naperville Half Marathon will be hosting 5k, 10k and 13.1-mile races. Check out the course maps to cheer on your neighbors! If you’re one of the runners, good luck out there!

🍂 We may not have the scenic New England fall, but the local foliage changes are still a sight, even if they’re not always so pleasant to clear from your yard. The city of Naperville will begin curbside leaf collection on Oct 20th. If you want to mix it up this year and convert some of that leaf nutrients into compost for your garden, here’s a guide.

📍Naper Now

🧟 Throw on your costume and check out All Hallows Eve at Naper Settlement. Get your spooky fix with a zombie hotel, funhouse and mythical entertainment I 10/17-18

🥘 Few things go together like fall and Chili! This Sunday, Downtown Naperville is hosting the Harvest Soup and Chili Stroll (limited tickets remain). Get your fill of the best soups, chilis and stews our town has to offer I 10/19

🐩 Register to join the Pet Trick or Treat Parade. Separate parades will be held across Burr Ridge and Downtown Naperville. Those with the best costumes will take home the title. If you’re looking for inspiration, we think a Taco Terrier could steal the show I 10/22-23

🏙️ Around Town

• 🍽️ A weekly lunch-and-learn where seniors can enjoy a structured time for social connectivity and interaction over a hot buffet at Kebab King and Sara’s Pakistani & Indian Cuisine I Thursdays

• 🍪 Hone your artisan design skills with Halloween Cookie Decorating @ Cookie Dough Creations I through 10/31

• 🎻 Watch the convergence of a Bollywood star and a French fairy tale with the Chicago Sinfonietta BOLLYWOOD & BEYOND I 10/17

• 🍷 Enjoy a guided wine tasting and light appetizers from the Prisoner Wine Company @ SixtyFour Wine Bar & Kitchen I 10/23

• 🤝 Meet other local business professionals over breakfast @ the Naperville Chamber of Commerce, hosted by the Young Professionals Network I 10/21

• 🐶 Bring your pups and support a great cause @ Dog Training Elite’s Annual HOWL-O-WEEN fundraiser fair benefiting our nations veterans I 10/18

• 🖌️ Ready to create the perfect fall piece missing from your mantle? Sip some wine while you paint sunflowers in the style of Van Gogh @ Pinot’s Pallette I 10/20

• 🏎️ Support Turning Pointe Autism Foundation as they turn pumpkins into race cars @ Rotary Hill or purchase your own home pumpkin racing kit I 10/25

• 💒 Ready to plan the wedding of your dreams? The first annual Bridal Expo at Embassy Suites has everything you need to make your special day shine! I 10/19

🎉 The Niche Launch Giveaway!

✨ Have you entered our Launch Giveaway to win a $50 gift card to Anderson’s Bookshop or Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria?

How to enter:
1️⃣ Make sure you’re subscribed to the The Naperville Niche (click here if not)
2️⃣ Share this newsletter with 3 friends or neighbors
3️⃣ You’re in!

Giveaway ends November 3rd — winners announced November 6.

✨ Good luck & thanks for helping to grow The Naperville Niche!

🎨 Kids Corner

Tiny Great Performances STEMusic Concert @ DuPage Children’s Museum (10/18) at 11am & 11:45am

Included with admission, experience where music and STEM collide! Enjoy experiments, math challenges, coding dances, and rocket launches hosted by Roy Moye III, “The Singing Engineer.”

Little Builder Workshop @ Lowe’s (10/18) at 10am

Celebrate Fire Safety Month with a mini-firehouse workshop where your little builder can create their own firehouse with a working pole!

Phantom of the Pipes Trunk-or-Treat @ Grace United Methodist Church of Naperville (10/22) at 6:30pm

Decorated trunks, tons of candy, and a spooky organ tour await. Free for all. Just be sure to register to join the fun!

Lantern-Lit Halloween Hike @ St James Farm (10/24) at 6pm

Enjoy a 2-mile self-guided hike through spooky trails, beginning with a ghost story and ending by the fire with family and friends.

Discover Creepy Critters Month @ Knoch Knolls Nature Center 

Celebrate all things creepy and drop in to enjoy self-guided activities learning about fungus, slime, spiders, bats and more! Do a scavenger hunt and get a Halloween themed prize.

Trick or Treat @ Naperville Safety Town (10/18) from 9:30-12:30

Pumpkin-safe trick-or-treating, games, and goodies from local businesses. Costumes encouraged, perfect for kids ages 3-12.

Small Price, Big Memories @ DuPage Children’s Museum  

Just a few Fridays left to play the night away @ DuPage Children’s Museum for only $5 per person! That’s over 75% off regular admission, so snag your tickets while you can.

🐈️ Furry Friend of the Week

🤎 Meet Ember, a gentle, loving cat with a calm, comforting presence. She adores gentle pets and will happily lean in for affection once she knows you.

Peaceful and easygoing, Ember loves to lounge nearby, watch the world go by, and soak up your attention. If you’re looking for a warm, kindhearted companion, she’s the one.

Interested in adopting Ember (or seeing more adoptable pets)? Visit here to learn more.

🎶 What’s Happenin’

• 10/17 Live Music from The Jose Valdes Duo @ Sullivan’s Steakhouse 5:30pm

• 10/17 Live Music from MyTime Trio @ City Gate Grille 7pm

• 10/17 Live Music from Kicked Outta Choir @ Potter’s Place 7:30pm

• 10/17 Live Music from The Collective @ Quigley’s Irish Pub 9pm

• 10/18 Live Music from Scot “Dae” Sherry @ Potter’s Place 3pm

• 10/18 Live Music from The Joel Burt Duo @ Sullivan’s Steakhouse 5:30pm

• 10/18 Live Music from The Peter Oprisko Duo @ City Gate Grille 7pm

• 10/18 Live Music from The Buzz Worthy’s @ Potter’s Place 7:30pm

• 10/18 Windy City Dueling Pianos @ Spartan Ale House 8pm

• 10/18 Improv Show @ Center Stage Theater 8pm

• 10/18 Live Music from Rock Sandwich @ Quigley’s Irish Pub 9pm

• 10/19 Trivia @ Noon Whistle Brewing Co 3pm

• 10/19 Harry Potter Trivia @ Tapville Social 6pm

• 10/20 Trivia Night @ Empire Burger Bar 7pm

• 10/21 Trivia, Taco Pizzas & Tequila @ Freedom Brothers Pizzeria 7pm

• 10/22 Trivia Night @ The Lantern 7pm

• 10/22 Trivia Night & ½ price pours @ Tapville Social 7pm

• 10/23 Trivia Night @ Miskatonic Brewing Craft Kitchen 7pm

• 10/23 Live Music from The Thirsty Boots Trio @ Quigley’s Irish Pub 8pm

🌤️ The Niche Forecast: Week at a Glance

• Friday: 🌥️ Partly sunny, high 73°

• Saturday: ⛈️ Thunderstorms, high 68°

• Sunday: 🌧️ Cloudy with some showers , high 58°

• Monday: ☀️ Sunny, high 65°

• Tuesday: 🌤️ Partly sunny, high 55°

• Wednesday: ☀️ Mostly sunny, high 54°

• Thursday: 🌤️ Partly sunny, high 58°

Thanks for reading the Naperville Niche today. If you enjoyed, please share it with a friend who puts Halloween decorations up way too early!