Naper Settlement in Naperville will be celebrating the holidays in style beginning Wednesday, December 4, with the annual tree lighting ceremony, followed by the popular Holly Jolly Days, Weed Ladies Winter Sale, and wonderful educational programs illuminating Christmas traditions from the past.
Tree Lighting Ceremony
Wednesday, December 4 • 5-7 PM
Free to attend | RSVP Here
Sponsored by the Stenger Family and open to the public, many of Naper Settlement’s buildings, along with the evergreen tree near the main entrance, will be illuminated for all to enjoy. In addition to the museum lighting ceremony at 5:15pm, the event will feature time to visit with Santa, complimentary hot cocoa and cookies, and an opportunity to write a letter to Santa.
Holly Jolly Days
December 6, 13, 19, & 20 • 3-7 PM
December 7, 8, 14, & 15 • 1-6 PM
$5/person; free for children under 4 | Register
Celebrate the wonder and joy of the holiday season with holiday crafts, stories, and more. Learn how reindeer shoes are made with a special story time and demonstration by the blacksmith at the forge. Create your own holiday crafts to take home in the Meeting House, listen to holiday stories in the one-room Schoolhouse, and end your visit with a special family photo at the Victorian Christmas photo stop at the Paw Paw Post Office. Don’t forget to send a letter to Santa for an extra touch of holiday magic! New this year, several of Naper Settlement’s historic buildings will be lit for the holiday season.
Weed Ladies Winter Sale
December 6, 13, 19, & 20 • 3-7 PM
December 7, 8, 14, & 15 • 1-6 PM
Free to attend the sale | Learn More
The Weed Ladies Winter Sale features creative seasonal floral arrangements for sale. Each one-of-a-kind silk or dried floral creation has been designed by the Weed Ladies of the Naperville Heritage Society volunteer group. Proceeds benefit the Naperville Heritage Society. Admission to the Weed Ladies Winter Sale is free.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Historian: Victorian Christmas Traditions
Thursday, December 12 • 7-8 PM
$10/person | Register
Your Christmas traditions are probably not as old as you think. Learn how Victorians in Britain and the United States invented many winter holiday traditions. Attendees can receive 1.0 CPDU credit.
Teacher Tuesdays: Victorian Christmas Traditions (Virtual)
Tuesday, December 17 • 4-5PM
$10/teacher | Register
Transform your Tuesdays into an engaging historical discussion and leave with 1.0 CPDU credit. Your Christmas traditions are probably not as old as you think. Learn how Victorians in Britain and the United States invented many winter holiday traditions. Teacher Tuesdays is a virtual professional development program for teachers. Pre-registration is required.
Finally, the museum is open Tuesday-Friday from 10 AM-4 PM and with general museum admission $6 for adults (13+), $5 for seniors (62+), and $4 for youth (4-12). Naperville residents with proof of residency, children under 4, and members receive complimentary admission. For more information about a specific event or program and to purchase museum admission tickets, please visit NaperSettlement.org.
