Naperville Park District offers holiday programs
Naperville families can look forward to a variety of events and activities offered through the Naperville Park District to celebrate the December holidays.
Santa House will be open the first two weekends of December, with hours of 4 to 8 p.m. Fridays and noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. From Wednesday, Dec. 14, through Friday, Dec. 23, Santa House will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. weekdays and noon to 6 p.m. weekends.
Admission to Santa House is free. Photos with Santa can be purchased for $8 each or two for $15.
Volunteers, including middle school and high school students, greet visitors and provide activities for children as they wait to speak with Santa.
The park district will host special evenings at Santa House by reservation only, including: Special Needs Nights from Tuesday to Thursday, Dec. 6 to 8; Pet Night on Monday, Dec. 12; and Military and First Responders Night on Tuesday, Dec. 13.
Families who attend these evenings may register for a specific time to minimize any waiting time. Reservations may be made online at napervilleparks.org/santahouse.
Volunteer positions are still open for Santa House and other holiday events. For information or to volunteer, check the volunteer page at napervilleparks.org/volunteer-with-the-naperville-park-district or contact Volunteer Coordinator Lynnette Hoole at lhoole@napervilleparks.org.
In addition to visiting Santa on the Riverwalk, parents can request a phone call from Santa for their children through the park district's Santa Hotline from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8. For information on how to register for a call from Santa, call (630) 848-5000.
Another opportunity to spend time with St. Nick is Skating with Santa from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at Rocket Ice Arena. Online registration is available at napervilleparks.org.
Culinary programs to help prepare for the holidays include Quick Holiday Appetizers on Saturday, Dec. 3, in the culinary arts kitchens at the 95th Street Center, 2244 W. 95th St., Naperville.
Fort Hill Activity Center is offering two Kids Night Out programs in December, giving parents a chance to enjoy an evening out or catch up on holiday shopping. Gingerbread Wonderland takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, and Candy Cane Express will be from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16.