Happy Friday!

Santa Claus is coming to a block near you. Naperville’s annual Santa’s Sleigh Tour is officially underway, with Mr. and Mrs. Claus rolling through more than 80 neighborhoods over 12 nights. The sleigh is lit up, the elves are out, and local families are turning out to catch a glimpse — or snap a photo — before Christmas Eve. 🎅

❄️ Today’s weather:
Light snow with a high of 28°F (–2°C). 10% chance of precipitation, 76% humidity, and 10 mph winds. Winter’s settling in, so grab the gloves if you’re heading outside.

📺 AVOID Moving to the WRONG Area in Chicago: In this week’s video, I break down the red flags and lesser-known pitfalls to watch for before picking a Chicago neighborhood.

🍴 Check out The Foodie’s Guide for this week’s best eats, and scroll down for WHAT'S HAPPENIN' IN THE 'BURBS? — your weekend events roundup. 

Let’s dive in!

 —Brandon Blankenship, Founder of Living Chicago Suburbs / Realtor with Keller Williams Premiere Properties

Events

💭 WHAT'S HAPPENIN' IN THE 'BURBS? 

This Weekend Events…

Electric Illumination: I Want My MTV and TRL

Experience a special adults-only holiday light show at The Morton Arboretum, with immersive light-and-music displays synchronized to a DJ and a 90s–2000s MTV/TRL theme.
📍 Location: The Morton Arboretum, Lisle
🗓️ Date & Time: Dec 5 | 4:30 PM to 9:30 PM
🎟️ Tickets: Pricing may vary, check the website
🔗 More Info

Donuts with Santa

Enjoy a festive morning with Santa, donuts, hot chocolate, and a holiday story at Naperville Park District.
📍 Location: ARRCC Community Hall, Naperville
🗓️ Date & Time: Dec 6 | 9 AM
🎟️ Tickets: Registration required; infants under 1 are free
🔗 More Info

The Second City: Jack Frost Roasting on an Open Fire

Enjoy a holiday comedy revue full of seasonal songs, sharp sketches and improv at the McAninch Arts Center.
📍 Location: Belushi Performance Hall, Glen Ellyn
🗓️ Date & Time: Dec 6 | Performances at 5 PM and 8 PM
🎟️ Tickets: $32 (B) | $39 (A) | $49 (Gold Circle)
🔗 More Info

Holly Jolly Days

Celebrate the holiday season at Naper Settlement — a living-history museum — with hands-on crafts, storytelling, blacksmith demonstrations, chestnut roasting, and festive photos in a Victorian Christmas backdrop.
📍 Location: Naper Settlement, Naperville
🗓️ Date & Time: Dec 6–7, 13–14 & 20–21 | 1 PM to 6 PM (last entry at 5 PM)
🎟️ Tickets: $6 per person; free for children under 4
🔗 More Info

Latin Jazz Ensemble Fall Concert

A high-energy Latin jazz performance by North Central College students.
📍 Location: Madden Theatre, Naperville
🗓️ Date & Time: Dec 7 | 5 PM
🎟️ Tickets: $7
🔗 More Info

MORE EVENTS→

Nothing in this section is sponsored, I will let you know when it's sponsored

Free Home Buying Seminar This January

Learn how to buy a home in Chicagoland in a relaxed, easy way.

Jesse Furrow and I are hosting a free home-buying seminar on January 10 at Ko-Ze Wine Room in Glen Ellyn. You’ll get practical tips, market updates, and answers to your questions. Coffee and bagels are on them. A great chance to learn, meet people, and feel confident about your next move.

News

🎅 Track Santa in Real Time as He Visits 80+ Naperville Neighborhoods

Driving the news: Santa Claus is taking a 12-night ride through Naperville as part of the sixth annual Santa’s Sleigh Tour, bringing festive cheer to more than 80 neighborhoods, and he’s not alone. Mrs. Claus and a few elves are along for the journey, too.

Details:

• The tour began as a pandemic-era idea in 2020, started by local resident Matt Doyle.

• What started as a simple gesture has grown into a nonprofit: Santa’s Christmas Charities.

• Santa’s sleigh — a trailer decked out in Christmas lights — cruises through town each night from Dec. 3 to Dec. 10 (rescheduled stops due to snow are being added).

• Residents can track Santa in real time with the Santa Tracker and even sponsor Santa Stops for quick visits.

Neighborhoods on Santa’s radar:

• Dec. 4: Green Trails, Huntington Ridge

• Dec. 5: Brighton Ridge, Maple Brook

• Dec. 6: Green Ridge Estates, Oak Creek

• Dec. 7: Naper Carriage Hill, Heritage Knolls

• Dec. 8: Timber Creek, Prairie Ridge

• Dec. 9: Stillwater, Wheatland West

• Dec. 10: Whispering Lakes, Clow Creek (reverse route from previous years)

The big picture: Santa’s Sleigh Tour has become a defining December moment in Naperville. Families gather on porches, sidewalks, and cul-de-sacs, bundled in scarves and mittens, waiting for the lit-up sleigh to roll by.

What began as a response to social distancing has now turned into a tradition many look forward to more than their holiday shopping.

What’s next: Keep an eye on Santa’s updated route, especially if you live north of Ogden Avenue, those stops were delayed due to last week’s snowstorm and will be rescheduled.

 🎉JOIN THE FUN ON INSTAGRAM 🎉

Find us on Instagram @LivingChicagoSuburbs where 90,000+ people love the content! ⤵️

🍔 The Foodie's Guide

BREAKFAST

LUNCH

DINNER

Watch This

🎥 AVOID Moving to the WRONG Area in Chicago

📦 Moving to the Chicago Suburbs or thinking about buying or selling a home?
We’d love to help!
Just send us an email at [email protected] or fill out the form here!: https://livinginchicagosuburbs.com/contact/

Market

📊 Real Estate Insights

The real estate market in the Chicago suburbs (especially Naperville, Elmhurst, Wheaton, and Glen Ellyn) remains active and competitive. Whether you're planning to buy or sell, having the right local expert makes all the difference.

Thinking of selling? I’ll craft a strategic marketing plan and help you price your home to attract serious buyers and get the best return.

Ready to buy? With today’s interest rates and available inventory, now could be the perfect time to make your move. I’ll help you find the right home and navigate every step of the process with confidence.

🗞️ In Other News…

• Spirit Christmas opens new Naperville location

• Chicago suburb named the biggest boomtown in Illinois

• The secret Chicago 'suburb' where house prices have soared almost 40%

Until next Friday, take care and stay curious! 
—Brandon

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