Last year, the Friday after Thanksgiving in downtown Naperville peaked at 7 p.m., when the floats started moving at Centennial Beach. This year that peak comes about two hours earlier, and the floats are gone. Downtown's Black Friday now runs from 3 to 6 p.m., with Santa driving through in a red pickup around 5. The tradition that survived is Naper Lights, which comes from a different club, works on a different model and has never needed the parade.
The Parade Ended Over Cost
In February, NCTV17 reported that the Rotary Club of Naperville had canceled the 2026 Holiday Parade of Lights after more than two decades of the tradition. City communications director Linda LaCloche told the station the club cited the "high cost of producing the event relative to its return," and said no other information was provided.
The parade had changed hands before. It began as the Friends of Little Friends Hometown Holidays Parade, a partnership between the Downtown Naperville Alliance and Little Friends, Inc., a nonprofit serving children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. The Rotary Club of Naperville became the organizer in 2021 and gave entry fees and sponsorships to charities the club chose.
Downtown Naperville Alliance executive director Katie Wood responded in the same NCTV17 report:
"We're grateful for the years they dedicated to bringing this cherished tradition to our community. While this news is disappointing, we remain hopeful and committed to preserving the warmth and holiday spirit downtown for children and families alike."
Last Year's Friday Next to This Year's
Here is the parade's last run, based on how organizers advertised it in fall 2025, next to the Alliance's listing for 2026.
| Friday, Nov. 28, 2025 | Friday, Nov. 27, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Main event | Holiday Parade of Lights | Downtown Holiday Glow |
| Organizer | Rotary Club of Naperville | Downtown Naperville Alliance |
| Time | Pre-parade entertainment 6:30 p.m., parade 7 p.m. | 3–6 p.m. |
| Where | Centennial Beach, east on Jackson, north on Webster, left on Van Buren, ending at Naper Elementary | Throughout downtown |
| Headliner | Miss Illinois 2025 Missi Craddock as grand marshal | Santa driving through around 5 p.m. |
| Santa's ride | A float with Mrs. Claus | A red pickup truck |
Last year's route is on the Rotary parade page, and NCTV17's preview named the grand marshal and described the raffle to ride with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
The biggest change is the clock. The parade was an after-dinner event that families waited for along Jackson and Webster. The Holiday Glow listing starts at Black Friday shopping and ends at dinner: "Shop Black Friday, then stick around for a festive evening as downtown gets merry and bright," followed by an invitation to "let one of our downtown restaurants do the cooking." Its slogan is "Shop. Glow. Eat. Be Merry!" The Alliance represents downtown businesses, and its plan for the day puts the stores and restaurants first.
How to Spend Nov. 27 Downtown
Based on the published schedules, a full Friday downtown would go in this order.
- Afternoon, from 3 p.m. Holiday Glow starts with roaming performers, face painters, free hot chocolate and giveaways while supplies last. Admission is free.
- Around 5 p.m. Santa drives through downtown in his red pickup. The Alliance says "his sleigh isn't quite ready yet."
- After dark. Naper Lights is already running. The display opens Nov. 26 and runs nightly from 4 to 10 p.m. along Water Street, Foyo Plaza, Jaycees Park and the Riverwalk, with free 3D viewing glasses.
- 8 p.m., away from downtown. The Naperville Trolley Northern Holiday Lights Tour boards at Gemato's Wood Pit BBQ, 1566 W. Ogden Ave., and runs until 9, according to Visit Naperville.
If you plan to eat downtown, the Jefferson Avenue block has a newer name. NCTV17's October roundup of new businesses listed Cantina Taco Grill at 15 W. Jefferson Ave. It also listed Deep Purpl at 120 Water St. and I Heart Gyro at 22 E. Chicago Ave.
The Light Display Is a Different Club's Work
People who think of "the Rotary lights" as one holiday package are blending two separate efforts. Naper Lights is a project of the Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise, a different club from the one that ran the parade. In 2024, chairman Geoff Roehll told NCTV17 the club wanted "something free for the community, something to give back to the community during the holidays." That year was the display's 12th.
Naper Lights has moved more than once. It started in Central Park with a single exhibit, grew at Naper Settlement and has been downtown since 2019. In 2017, Positively Naperville covered its fifth season at the museum grounds, when the giant holiday tree grew another 8 feet to 38 feet and polar bears and a sleigh on loan from Brookfield Zoo were part of the display. By 2024 the tree was 40 feet tall, about 250,000 bulbs lined Water Street and the south side of the Riverwalk, and lights on the Water Street trees and at Foyo Plaza were synced to holiday music.
This November marks roughly the display's 14th season, and it is still built and installed by volunteers. Roehll credited sponsors, volunteers and Naperville SECA funds.
The Tax on Downtown Meals Pays for Both
SECA, the Special Events and Community Arts program, links the parade and the lights. Naperville charges a special 1% tax on food and beverages to help local groups pay for community events and arts projects. A city commission recommends how to divide the money, and City Council gives final approval.
The parade's money is on the record. For 2026, the Rotary Club of Naperville asked for $26,773, and the SECA Commission recommended $22,300. The club notified city staff of the cancellation after the commission's Jan. 28 meeting, so the award still appeared on the final list Council approved on Feb. 17. The city staff report says that, in line with past practice, money for a canceled event goes back to the Food and Beverage Fund unless Council directs otherwise. According to the same report, the discretionary pool commissioners divided for 2026 was $1,200,737 across 86 applications.
So a 1% tax on dinner downtown helps pay for the lights you walk through afterward. The Holiday Glow schedule ends with a restaurant meal, which feeds that same fund.
The Rest of the Season Is on the Calendar
The other holiday dates arrive in quick succession once November starts.
- Already lit. Downtown trees and rooftops started lighting gradually around 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2, and will stay lit every night through Dec. 31. The Alliance held no ceremony.
- Wednesday, Nov. 18. The Naper Settlement Holiday Tree Lighting runs from 5 to 7 p.m. The ceremony starts at 5:15, with refreshments and Santa visits throughout. Admission is free, but registration is required.
- Nov. 28–29. Small Business Saturday Weekend brings a Shop Small Passport, chances to win downtown gift cards and holiday offers.
- Dec. 11–13. Naper Settlement's Holly Jolly Days offer holiday crafts and stories from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday and 1 to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, according to Positively Naperville.
Visit Naperville notes that event dates and times can change, so check each listing before you go.
As a Naperville homeowner, you have probably noticed that what happens downtown affects your block too. If you would like to know how this season's downtown activity and the current market affect your own home's value, Angela Walker Homes can prepare a clear, data-backed estimate. Get a Free Home Valuation and have your numbers before the new year.
