49 things to do this week

Good morning, Naperville. Settle in, sip whatever gets you going, and let The Naperville Brief serve up everything you need to know for the week ahead ☕️

*Friendly reminder that we’re springin’ forward at 2 am on Sunday.

In today’s edition:

• Spring fun 🌻 

• Rent a garden 🌼 

• Public art comp 🎨 

• Wild turkeys? 🦃 

• 42 things to do 📆 

Let’s get to it.

This week’s highlights

🥚 The Spring Program Guide is HERE

Last week, we mentioned that registration for several new programs and camps with Naperville Park District opened up for residents. They’re now wide open for non residents, too but there’s still plenty of fun worth checking out in the summer camps guide and 2025 spring program guide →

They’re also hosting a spring hiring event on Monday if you’re looking for a seasonal position →

Live closer to Fox Valley District? Their summer camp registrations open March 15th (same day as their job fair), and their spring adventure playbook plus summer camp guides are available now. Learn more →

🌱 Rent a garden in Aurora

There are still a few plots left to rent for the season at the Oakhurst Forest Preserve. Each plot is 20 × 30’ and are $30 for non residents or $15 for residents →

🎨 Artists, start your brushes!

The Naperville Art League’s annual public art competition for high schoolers, college students, and adults is back. This year’s theme is inside outside — it’s entirely open your interpretation and submissions are due by April 8 at 4 pm →

If you’d rather just admire, it will all be on display from April 15 to May 16.

🦃 Have YOU seen any wild turkeys?

Wheaton used to have turkeys everywhere, but today they’re (allegedly) few and far between. Many thought they were gone for good, but a local reporter recently discovered otherwise →

Other highlights this week:

• Self Defense Class | Monday @ 6 pm

• Business networking event | Tuesday @ 7:15 am

• LGBTQIA+ youth support group | Tuesday @ 6 pm

• EVT F1 Prep Class | Tuesday and Wednesday

• Free K-12 tutoring | Wednesday @ 4 pm

• Swim team info meeting | Wednesday @ 7 pm

Here’s your weekly Naperville brief, featuring (at least) 20 things worth checking out over the next seven days 👇

Today - March 7th

📚 A book swap with a plot twist

6 pm: Bella Boba is hosting a blind book swap where you bring a pre-wrapped book, trade it sight unseen, and leave with a surprise read plus optional fun extras like bookmarks and chocolate →

🎨🍽️🎶 First Friday in Aurora

5 pm - 9 pm: March’s First Friday is a great excuse to explore Downtown Aurora with art exhibits, live music, pop-up deals, and plenty of good food — all for free (minus the short drive to get there) →

Stop by the library to shop a wide selection of woman-owned small businesses (to celebrate Women’s Day), including home decor, jewelry, candles, and more.

🍸 Sip, spark, and throw it back

8 pm: Flirty Friday at Anthem Ale House is your excuse to mix, mingle, and maybe meet your match… all while vibing to the best hits of the 80s and 90s. Round up your friends, bring your best moves, and see where the night takes you →

Tomorrow - March 8th

💡 Stories, resilience, and real talk

9 am: The HER Story Conference is all about real conversations, real challenges, and real inspiration from financial literacy to imposter syndrome and mental health for women. Whether you need a career reboot or just want to be in a room full of powerhouse women, this is where you find your people →

☘️ Family fun, Paddy’s Day style

9:30 am - 4 pm: St. Patrick’s Family Day at Ballydoyle Pub is back with all the festive fun you love — live Irish music, dancing, crafts, and classic pub fare. Tickets are just $5, and seating is first-come, first-served, so get there early to grab a spot →

🎶 A symphony to remember

7:30 pm: Beethoven’s Ode to Joy is an undeniable masterpiece, but the real hidden gem of this concert? Florence Price’s Song of Hope written in 1930, forgotten for nearly 80 years, and finally performed in 2022. Two powerful works come together for one unforgettable night →

🔭 Look up

7:30 pm: The Naperville Astronomical Association is setting up telescopes for a free stargazing night, open to the public. Whether you’re an astronomy nerd, star curious, or just looking for a unique way to spend a Saturday, the universe is putting on a show →

Sunday - March 9th

🍁 Maple Fest in Aurora

11 am: Learn how to turn sap into syrup with this family-friendly indoor presentation and day-time hike where you’ll learn more about maple’s history and get to taste some →

🏕️ Your search for summer camps ends here

Noon: The Naperville Camp Fair is your one-stop shop for summer camp planning. With over 50 day camps, overnight camps, and specialty programs all in one place, you can meet camp reps, try out activities, and even win free registration →

Monday - March 10th

🌯 Burrito bowls for a cause

4 pm - 8 pm: Skip cooking and support Goodwin Elementary at the Chipotle on Orchard in Aurora. You can order in person and mention the school, or use code GEVY6PN for online pickup, and 25% of your order goes back to them →

🪕 A music club for kids

5:30 pm: Kids grades 5 through 12 are invited to The Alive Center’s Chords and Chaos Music Club where they’ll learn about rhythms, melodies, and music theory through games, challenges, and hands-on activities. It goes down the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month →

Need a way to keep them entertained before 5 pm? Drop in hours are from 3 to 7 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during the school year.

Tuesday - March 11th

🎭 Commit to the bit

7 pm: Whether you're an aspiring comedian or just need an excuse to let loose, Drop-In Improv at The Bit Theater is the place to be. No experience? No problem. Just show up, play some hilarious games, and embrace the chaos. It’s only $10, and laughs are guaranteed →

Wednesday - March 12th

🐱 A free class for cat people

5 pm: Whether you just adopted your first kitten or your cat's been judging you for years, Wheatland Animal Hospital’s Complimentary Cat Class has something for you. Learn about behavior, enrichment, vaccinations, and all the little mysteries of feline life — plus, you’ll leave with a goodie bag →

🏆 Could you BE any better at trivia?

7 pm: Test your knowledge of Ross’s divorces, Joey’s acting gigs, and all things Central Perk at SixtyFour Wine Bar’s Friends Trivia Night. There’s wine, cocktails, craft beer, and prizes for the top teams → Next week’s theme is the 90’s, the following week is all about The Office.

🎨 Paint Frida Kahlo

7 pm: Pinot’s Palette is serving up a paint-and-sip experience in honor of Women’s History Month and the iconic Frida Kahlo. Their instructors will guide you through creating your own masterpiece while you enjoy drink specials and good company →

Prefer painting nature? Blackberry Farm is also hosting a paint and sip where you’ll paint a four-seasons tree, starting at 6:30 pm →

Thursday - March 13th

🏡 Trends fade, good design lasts forever

7 pm: Fast fashion is fun, but fast home trends? Not so much. Naperville Preservation’s new series kicks off with Be Trendy with Your Clothing, Not Your House. It’s a deep dive into timeless design principles you can use for remodeling, new builds, or just avoiding regretful backsplash →

🌕 Hike under the moon

7 pm: Find out why March’s full moon is called the Worm Moon on a guided night hike at Whalon Lake, where a naturalist will walk you through lunar eclipse science, moon lore, and the magic of the night sky. It’s free, but you gotta sign up by March 11th →

🎷 Live jazz + a jam session you can join

8 pm: The Venue’s Jazz Sessions brings together live music lovers and musicians every second Thursday. Catch Jonny Gifford and his band for a set of smooth, soulful jazz. The brave can jump in and jam, too. Watching is $5, but performing is free →

Live music, gatherings, & entertainment

This weekend:

• 3/7 Basil and The Wrath Bones @ 6 pm

• 3/7 Metal Mayhem Vol 1 @ The Piazza - 7 pm

• 3/7 The Dirty Dead @ Two Brothers Roundhouse - 8 pm

• 3/7 Jessie’s Girl @ Potter’s Place - 8:30 pm

• 3/7 The Era’s Edge @ Draft Picks - 8:30 pm

• 3/7 Saturday night drinker’s club @ The Town Bar - 7 pm

• 3/8 Mid Life Crisis @ Potter’s Place - 7:30 pm

• 3/8 LW Power Trio @ Two Brothers Roundhouse - 8:30 pm

• 3/9 Jason Benefield @ Go Brewing - 1 pm

• 3/9 Billy Elton @ The Venue - 7 pm

Next week:

• 3/10 Trivia @ Empire Burgers - 7 pm

• 3/10 Bingo @ Noon Whistle Brewing - 7 pm

• 3/10 Trivia @ Aurora Brewing Co - 7 pm

• 3/11 Taco bingo @ The Piazza - 5:30 pm

• 3/11 YuGiOh Locals @ Chupacabra Games - 7 pm

• 3/11 Karaoke @ The Lantern - 8:45 pm

• 3/12 Trivia @ Tapville Social - 7 pm

• 3/12 Commander night @ Chupacabra Games - 7 pm

• 3/13 Love Letters @ Wentz Concert Hall - 6:30 pm

• 3/13 Trivia @ Miskatonic Brewing - 7 pm

• 3/13 Rock and Roll Bingo @ Freedom Brothers - 7 pm

• 3/13 Bingo night @ Aurora Tap House - 8 pm

Price Is Right - Naperville edition

How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).

Listed by: Trevor Pauling

This newly renovated 1931 home has four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and 2,696 square feet of natural light and modern finishes. With premium quartz counter tops, Jenn Air appliances (including a 6-burner), a large island, screened-in porch, white oak wood floors, a temperature controlled greenhouse, and windows for days, it’s got charm in all the right places.

It also has a long list of brand new high-ticket items, including the furnace, A/C, water heater, driveway, water service, and electrical service.

Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →

Naperville fun & games

As always, this week’s wordle features a 5-letter word hidden inside this edition. Let us know how many guesses it takes you!

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Trivia question of the week

❓Question: What instrument are you playing if you’re creating piobaireachd music?

🤔 Hint: You’ll need a good set of lungs and deaf neighbors to learn it.

Reply and shoot us your best guess (no cheating!) - Same time, same place next week → we’ll share the answer and a fresh question to ponder.

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Last week’s answer: 117 years.

See ya next week!

P.S. Know of an event or business we should share, interested in certain types of events & stories, or want to ask a question? Feel free to reply (or email us) any time.