12.18.2025

Your go to source for all things Naperville!

Author

Elrie Chrite
December 18, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

Good morning, Naperville! To our readers celebrating, Happy Hanukkah! 🕎 An early Merry Christmas 🎄 and Happy Holiday season to all! As we head into another busy week, we’re excited to share a little local cheer, good eats, and the best of what’s happening around town to brighten your days.

Given the crazy holiday schedule, we’ll be jumping into your inbox at a different cadence over the next couple weeks. Keep an eye out for the next issue on December 30th. We’ll resume our regular Thursdays in the new year!

In this week’s Niche…

  • L.L.Bean is coming to Naperville

  • Christmas day eats

  • Dining at The George

Here we go!

-Elrie & Carly

📰 The Digest

🧣 Not quite in time for your holiday shopping needs, but L.L.Bean has announced plans to open a new store in Naperville as part of an eight-location expansion slated for 2026, with the local opening expected in fall 2026. While the exact location has not been disclosed and no city permits have been filed yet, the move follows the company’s successful rollout of new stores in 2025. The Naperville store will join seven others nationwide.

🎤 Are you ready for it? Swiftmas has returned to Naperville for one final, enchanting year at the Taylor Swift–themed home on Atlas Lane. The Scott family announced this will be their last Swiftmas display, as the elaborate tradition has become harder to maintain with their daughters now home less often. Since debuting in 2023, the display has drawn thousands of visitors and even national attention, becoming a must-see holiday stop. This final year features tributes to Lover, Midnights, and Swift’s newest album, while continuing to raise money for Little Friends, a local nonprofit.

Missing the greens this winter? X-Golf Naperville has you covered with state-of-the-art simulators, a laid-back vibe, and a full bar—perfect for practicing, playing, or hanging out with friends. Bonus: it’s an easy last-minute gift for the golfer in your life. Grab a gift card and use code NICHE15 for 15% off through January (max $30 off).

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

📍Naper Now

🍽️ Whether you’re planning a festive meal out or looking to simplify the holiday hustle, here are a few restaurants open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day:

Just make sure your referral confirms on their end, and you’re good to go!

🍳 Bite Sized Review

The corner of Washington and Chicago in Downtown Naperville is no stranger to top notch restaurants. The latest addition, The George, is no exception. This place is high on ambiance and atmosphere. Upon entering, you’re welcomed by a warm brown leather and a brick facade above the indoor fireplace. Think modern styling with a classic color scheme.

The dining experience itself upheld the decor standards. Here’s the recap from your resident non-food experts. We kicked it off with the Ruffle Revival; chips with French onion, queso, hot honey and scallions. The first word that comes to mind is unique, but definitely in a good way. Crispy, savory and sweet, all in one bite. Before the main entree, we tried the French onion soup. Bread and cheese ratios were generous and it’s a solid option for these colder days. Last but not least, the Chicken Cesar sandwich. We loved this one! If you prefer a lightly breaded chicken, this one was perfectly done. The sandwich portion size was reasonable, paired with fries, it was plenty filling.

Should space allow after your meal, head out to the covered patio where you’ll find a large inviting fireplace. Their lengthy cocktail menu will likely have just what you’re looking for to stay extra toasty by the fire. Shoot us a note back if you try this place out, we’d love to hear about it!

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

🏙️ Around Town

📆 Interested in sharing an event with us? Submit it here! 

🎨 Kids Corner

Dinner with Santa @ JoJo’s ShakeBAR (12/19)

Reserve a magical evening filled with festive cheer, a delicious dinner, and a visit from Santa! Share a cozy meal, enjoy holiday fun, and make memories the whole family will treasure.

Tea with Santa Painting Class @ Pottery Bayou (12/20)

Enjoy a cozy morning filled with warm tea, creativity, and a special visit from Santa! Kids can paint their choice of charming teacups, saucers, or decorative teapots and take home a one-of-a-kind holiday keepsake.

Holiday Fun with the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who @ The Vaughan Center (12/20)

Help the Grinch grow his heart a couple of sizes. Join the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who for cocoa & cookies, crafts, and Whoville Bingo! Fun for the whole family at the Vaughan Center. All ages welcome. Kids under 2 are free.

Train Saturdays @ DuPage Society of Model Engineers (12/20)

Join the DuPage Society of Model Engineers to witness the operation of the HO scale model train. The layout extends to over 2,000 feet of track and showcases landmarks across DuPage County.

Sweet & Savory Kid’s Winter Baking Camp @ The Walton Sweet Studio (12/29)

Let your young bakers explore two cozy days in the kitchen filled with hands-on fun, creativity, and learning. Kids will make a variety of delicious treats, from soft pretzels and pizza bread to s’mores cupcakes and animal cookies, while building real kitchen skills and teamwork. Perfect for aspiring chefs in grades 3–6 (ages 8–12).

Cookie Decorating @ Cookie Dough Creations (now-Dec 31)

Sweeten your day with a hands-on cookie decorating experience! Decorate sugar cookies with icing and toppings, sip a beverage of your choice, and enjoy arcade fun after.

🎶 What’s Happenin’

  • 12/19 Holidays of Hope @ Wentz Hall 7pm

  • 12/20 80’s Christmas Party @ Quigley’s Irish Pub 9pm

  • 12/20 Candlelight: Tribute to Coldplay 8:30pm

  • 12/21 Christmas Story Trivia @ Tapville Social 6pm

  • 12/23 Taco Bingo Tuesday @ The Piazza 5:30pm

  • 12/23 Northside Brass Quintet Holiday Concert @ Blind Corner Brewery 7pm

  • 12/26 Santana Tribute @ The Venue 8pm

  • 12/27 Chicago 1971 @ Center Stage Theater 7pm

  • 12/28 Harry Potter Trivia @ The Piazza 7pm

  • 12/31 New Year’s Eve Concert @ Belushi Hall 1:30pm, 5pm, 8:30pm

🌤️ The Niche Forecast: Week at a Glance

  • Friday: 🌥️ Partly cloudy, high 24°

  • Saturday: ☁️ Cloudy, high 41°

  • Sunday: ☀️ Sunny, high 28°

  • Monday: ☁️ Cloudy, high 40°

  • Tuesday: ☁️ Cloudy, high 46°

  • Wednesday: ☁️ Cloudy, high 40°

  • Thursday: ☁️ Cloudy, high 49°

Thanks for reading the Naperville Niche today. If you enjoyed, please share it with a friend!