10.23.2025

Good morning, Naperville! Spooky season is here, in our house, that means persuading the littles to try something other than five consecutive years of firefighter costumes for Halloween. Hope you’re having more luck than we are!

In this weeks Niche…

• World War II love letters

• The Naperville Park District’s Halloween Happening

• New restaurant review

Here we go!

-Elrie & Carly

📰 The Digest

🎃 Naperville is no stranger to being ranked at the top of every magazine list, but here’s more good news! For those hitting the pavement for tricks or treats the next few days, rest easy! According to Safehome, Naperville scored 96/100 for the safest cities to trick-or-treat. In other news, if you’ve got more Reese’s than you can handle, feel free to send them our way for safe disposal. 😁 

🏈 Naperville North kept their playoff hopes alive with a win over the undefeated Lincoln-Way East. The gritty 14–6 victory, fueled by two touchdowns from senior William Eloe and a dominant defensive performance led by Gabe Hill and Griffin Jurjovec gave Lincoln-Way East their first regular season loss since 2021. Up tomorrow is their crosstown classic against Naperville Central!

🎨 Local Naperville artist, Marilyn Dale has turned her father’s love letters to her mother during World War II into art. After reading all of the letters, Dale reimagined the letters as mixed media art like paintings and collages to illustrate their love story. 30 of Dale’s pieces will be featured in an exhibition titled “Between the Lines” at North Central College through December 5th.

Sponsored by the Gardner School of Warrenville

Where you send your little ones matters. If you’re looking for a preschool that blends academic excellence with nurturing care, you’ve found it! Welcome to The Gardner School of Warrenville, where children ages 6 weeks to kindergarten thrive in a warm, secure, and engaging environment.

Conveniently located near the heart of Warrenville, this premier early childhood center offers a blended curriculum, designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence in every child. Mention the Naperville Niche and get your registration fee waived ($200 for a single child or $300 for a family). Check them out here.

Looking to put your business in front of local readers? We’d love to help—get in touch here! 

📍Naper Now

🧙 Get ready for a frightfully delightful afternoon at the Naperville Park District’s Halloween Happening this Sunday from 1:00–4:00 PM. The event is free and is tailored for kids 10 and under. Give those candy baskets a pre-Halloween trial run and cap the event off with a cauldron of Kona Ice. I 10/26

🐺 Why should the kids have all the fun? Enjoy outdoor performances and attractions at Naper Settlement’s Howlin’ at the Moon. Grab a drink and choose food from the Grumpy Gaucho, Billy Bricks Wood Fried Pizza and more. Come dressed to impress, because there’s money on the line for the best costume! I 10/24-25

🎻 Ignite your week with impassioned music from the West Suburban Symphony that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster at North Central College with Classical Fireworks. This concert also honors the start of Maestro Peter Lipari’s 25th season as the West Suburban Symphony’s music director. I 10/26

🏙️ Around Town

• 👯‍♀️ Join girlfriends old and new for a Galoween Party at Solemn Oath Brewery. Paint your own doormat, exchange boo baskets and raise a toast to friends I 10/24

• 🥕 Enjoy the last week of the Naperville Farmers Market (Nuts to go Chicago and Honey Trails Honey are a couple of our faves) I 10/25

• 🧘 The Naperville Park District is hosting Tai Chi classes at the beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. Registration is open now and there are virtual and in person class options. Current schedule runs through late December

• 🐴 Trick-or-treat with the horses at the Danada Equestrian Center. The horses will be passing out candy in their Halloween best I 10/25

• 🍻 Get a seasonal taste from 20 vendors in the Blind Brewing Company parking lot at Brews, Booze & Boo’s Backlot Bazaar. The event will include curated shopping with some Halloween spice I 10/25

• 🍷 Make your own perfume at the Spritz or Treat Charcuterie & Perfume Making Workshop at Tasting DeVine Cellars I 10/26

• 🕵️ Let your inner detective out at Gia Mia’s Murder Mystery Cocktail Dinner I 10/28

• 📜 Feeling crafty? Have a glass and learn some calligraphy with a Sip & Script Class at Tasting DeVine Cellars I 10/29

• 🎙️ Sing your heart out and create spooky art at the Pottery Bayou’s Halloween Costume Karaoke Night I 10/30

• 🍪 Throw on your Costumes and get a free monster cookie at JoJo’s ShakeBAR (with the purchase of another item in store) I through 11/2

• 🎅 Registration for Santa’s Naperville workshop is open, workshops run throughout the month of December

🎉 The Niche Launch Giveaway!

✨ We love that you’re here and we want to say thank you! In celebration of our recent launch, we’re giving away two $50 gift cards to Anderson’s Bookshop or Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria!

All you need to do is share your unique referral link below with 3 friends or neighbors so they can be in the know - https://naperniche.beehiiv.com/subscribe?ref=PLACEHOLDER

Giveaway ends November 3rd — winners announced November 6.

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

🎨 Kids Corner

Pumpkin Palooza @ DuPage Children’s Museum (10/25) at 9am

Pumpkin Palooza is packed with festive fun for the whole family. Come in costume and dive into STEAM-powered play, seasonal creativity, and joyful memories.

Naperville Halloween Hop Downtown (10/26) at 10am

Ready to get your steps in? Downtown Naperville is hosting the Halloween hop. 50+ local business will have treats on the ready! There’s some serious ground to cover, so if your legs get tired, hop on the free Trick-or-treat trolley.

Cars & Candy Trunk or Treat @ Cadillac of Naperville (10/26) at 10am

The Be Yourself Group and Forever Friends Foundation are teaming up with Cadillac of Naperville for a Cars & Candy Trunk-or-Treat! Enjoy food from Portillo’s, live music, pumpkin decorating, face painting, and tons of candy, all supporting the local special needs community.

Halloween in the Park @ 95th St Library Wagner Family Pavilion (10/30) at 11:15am

The Naperville Public Library is ready to get your littles in the Halloween spirit with stories, songs and a puppet show! Kids and adults are welcome to come in their costumes to enjoy some Halloween fun.

Discover Creepy Critters Month @ Knoch Knolls Nature Center 

Halloween fun doesn’t always feel like a learning opportunity for our kiddos, but the nature center has your back on this one! Kids can learn about fungus, slime, spiders, bats and more! Do a scavenger hunt and get a Halloween themed prize.

Small Price, Big Memories @ DuPage Children’s Museum  

Just two 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.

🍳 Bite Sized Review

A new flock has landed downtown! The White Sheep opened on Labor Day, their second Chicagoland location. If you want our two cents, it’s worth adding to your brunch rotation. The portions? Generous. The food? Delicious. The house-made donuts? We had two! Highly recommend the strawberry one!

We don’t claim to be food reviewers, we just really love food, so here’s our take: we tried the Buenos Días, one of their exclusive dishes packed with chorizo, sausage, onion, egg, and just the right amount of spice. We also dug into the Nashville chicken sandwich. It was crispy, juicy, and perfectly balanced with that sweet heat kick.

The atmosphere is warm and inviting and there’s an eye-catching coffee bar where you can watch the barista in action. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to linger a little longer with your coffee (and maybe order a second round of donuts).

_{Note: this isn’t sponsored, we just enjoyed it and wanted to share with you!}

🎶 What’s Happenin’

• 10/24 Live Music from Donny Nichilo @ Sullivan’s Steakhouse 5:30pm

• 10/24 Music Bingo @ Noon Whistle Brewing 7pm

• 10/24 Live Music from Elaine Dame @ CityGate Grille 7pm

• 10/24 Live Music from New Groove Revolution @ Quigley’s Irish Pub 9pm

• 10/25 Live Music from Jeff Plueger @ Potter’s Place 3pm

• 10/25 Live Music from The Dennis Anderson Duo @ Sullivan’s Steakhouse 5:30pm

• 10/25 Live Music from VIP Trio @ CityGate Grille 7pm

• 10/25 Live Music from Velvet Rose @ Quigley’s Irish Pub 9pm

• 10/27 Trivia @ Empire Burger Bar 7pm 

• 10/28 Karaoke Night @ The Lantern 9pm

• 10/29 Trivia @ Tapville Social 7pm

• 10/30 Halloween Films Trivia @ Miskatonic Brewing Craft Kitchen 7pm

• 10/30 Rock & Roll Bingo Freedom Brothers Pizzeria 7pm

• 10/30 Live Music from Nick Olson @ Quigley’s Irish Pub 8pm

🌤️ The Niche Forecast: Week at a Glance

• Friday: ☀️ Sunny, high 55°

• Saturday: ⛅️ Sun and clouds, high 59°

• Sunday: ⛅️ Partly sunny, high 60°

• Monday: 🌥️ Mostly cloudy, high 57°

• Tuesday: 🌧️ Cloudy and showers, high 55°

• Wednesday: 🌧️ Cloudy and showers, high 51°

• Thursday: 🌤️ Sun and clouds, high 54°

Thanks for reading the Naperville Niche today. If you enjoyed, please share it with a friend who loves Reese’s!