A night when Naperville comes alive

Naperville will dance its way into the holiday season with an Olympic-sized celebration this year.

The annual Hometown Holidays festivities begin tonight with a performance of the "Naperville Slide," as well as the Friends of Little Friends Electric Lights Parade and the Grand Illumination that secure the city a spot on the holiday cheer podium year after year.

"It's a great night for when people have families or out of town guests, a night Naperville comes alive and all the lights are turned on and Santa (arrives)," said Katie Wood, executive director of the Downtown Naperville Alliance.

The parade includes about 40 entries this year and steps off at 4:30 p.m. today from Centennial Beach. It will head east on Jackson and north on Webster to Van Buren ending at Naper School.

"The parade is always just a huge hit," Wood said. "It's hard to fix what isn't broken because people genuinely love it. It's a short, sweet simple parade."

Grand marshal Peter Kobs of Naperville, along with his wife and sons, will lead the way. Kobs was captain of the top fundraising team for the Step Up for Autism Walk. Kobs' team raised $11,000.

Other special guests at the parade include National Guard Maj. Tracey Collins, who just returned to Naperville from a deployment to Afghanistan, and Marine Sgt. Matthew Askren, a 2004 Neuqua Valley High School graduate who was deployed to Afghanistan twice.

CBS meteorologist Mary Kay Kleist and Scott Mackay from 95.9 the River will serve as parade emcees.

If the parade isn't enough to light up the night, Santa and Mrs. Claus will take care of that. With the flip of a switch, nearly 400,000 twinkling lights will sparkle throughout the downtown.

The brightest of them all will be on the main stage at Jefferson Avenue and Webster Street where Funkyjazzypop, a group led by Naperville's Karl Knutson, will bring back his "Naperville Slide," which the city used along with a choreographed dance to show its support of Chicago's 2016 Olympic bid.

The lyrics will be a bit different this time around but the moves remain the same. Knutson also will be debuting his new "Christmas Time in Naperville" song.

Tonight's festivities are just the beginning of a monthlong celebration. Throughout the kickoff weekend there will be carolers, free trolley rides. visits with Santa and special giveaways.

For instance, families can have their picture taken from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Main Street Promenade. Each family will receive one free photo compliments of Wolf Camera.

The Naperville Public Library will join in, too, presenting a free children's rock band performance. The Amazin' Raisin Band will be "Raisin Rhyme" at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Nichols Library, 200 W. Jefferson Ave. No tickets or registration is required, but seating is limited to 180.

Hometown Holidays festivities also will feature special sales at downtown stores. Wood said the shops can offer an even better experience than a trip to the mall.

"I really believe the way to really feel like you're part of the magic (of the season) is coming to a quaint charming downtown that really has everything you need in terms of shopping from electronics to boots," Wood said. "We've got you covered."

Shoppers may even get some of their purchases for free. Wood is playing Santa's elf this year, handing out five $25 downtown Naperville gift cards to unsuspecting shoppers every day.

"You might be sipping on coffee at Starbucks, trying on clothes at Eddie Bauer but (I'll) find you ... and give you a gift card to shop or dine in downtown Naperville," she said.

The gift cards are compliments of Main Street Promenade shops but can be used at stores and restaurants throughout downtown.

Every weekend shoppers can also have the gifts they purchased downtown wrapped for free at Roseland Draperies and Interiors at Jefferson and Washington.

Need a stocking stuffer? Little Friends will be selling a limited edition holiday bear named Ike for $10 each. Ike can be found at a variety of shops around downtown.

Hometown Holidays events like a Winter Window Walk, ice-carving demonstration, home tours and guy's shopping night continue each weekend through December. New this year, the DNA is also planning a family friendly New Year's Eve bash.

For a full schedule of events visit downtownnaperville.com or call (630) 544-3372.