Naper Lights Returns to Water Street the Night After SixtyFour Pours Its Last Glass

"We were the first sponsors of the event years ago, so hosting this on Water Street, where visitors can enjoy it every night through the holidays is awesome." Nick Ryan, executive chairman of Marquette Companies, said that in the Naperville Sunrise Rotary's October 2026 release for NaperLights. Marquette built Water Street. When the man running the company calls the light show "awesome," he's describing his own district's winter plan.

The timing this year is close. SixtyFour Wine Bar & Kitchen at 123 Water St. serves its last guests on Wednesday, Nov. 25. Naper Lights turns on along the same street the next evening, Thursday, Nov. 26, and runs through Jan. 1. The block loses a ten-year tenant and gets its biggest crowds of the year within about 24 hours.

A wine bar that lasted almost as long as the district

Patch reported on Nov. 3 that SixtyFour and its Reserve Room are closing after 10 years in Naperville. The owners' announcement said "it is time to move on with other opportunities." That puts it on Water Street for nearly the district's whole run. The district's first shop, Southern Tide, opened in October 2016. Hotel Indigo followed that November, according to the Daily Herald's coverage of the opening. Quiubo became the first restaurant in March 2017.

SixtyFour's draw was the pour itself. As WhatNow Chicago described it, guests used a SmartCard at automated dispensers to pour red and white wines in 1-, 3- or 6-ounce amounts. The kitchen served scratch-made American bistro plates, charcuterie and shareable platters.

Service runs through Wednesday, Nov. 25. If you have a gift card or platinum card, the restaurant asks that you use it before then. After that, card refunds and event-deposit refunds go through 630-780-6464.

The light show that moved to Water Street in 2019

NCTV17's history of Naper Lights traces it to Central Park in 2013. It then moved to Naper Settlement and has been on Water Street since 2019. The Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise produces it as a free gift to the community and accepts free-will donations for its local and international charitable projects.

The funding shows how closely the display is tied to the district. The 2026 lead sponsors are Marquette Companies, Ryan Hill Group and Busey Bank, with support from Naperville Bank & Trust/Wintrust, Gerald Cares and a grant from the City of Naperville SECA Fund. The developer behind a $93 million riverfront project helps pay for the attraction that fills its plaza every night from Thanksgiving to New Year's.

Here's what the Rotary lists for this year:

• Over 250,000 lights on Water Street, Foyo Plaza, Jaycees Park and the south side of the Riverwalk
• Giant lighted figures, including skating polar bears, penguins sliding on an igloo, skaters, snowmen, carolers and singing trees
• Photo stops at the Giant Teddy Bear, the red Santa Throne and the rainbow arch over Foyo Plaza
• The Plaza Fountain, decorated with dancing skaters
• Music synced to the lights on the Water Street trees and Foyo Plaza from 4 to 10 p.m., loud enough to carry across the DuPage River for anyone watching from a car
• Holographic viewing glasses for kids, handed out by Rotary volunteers on weekends while supplies last

You can walk in from the Webster Street covered bridge, Main Street or Webster Street. Public parking is in the Water Street and Municipal Center parking decks. On a weeknight, the Municipal Center deck keeps you across the river and lets you walk in over the covered bridge. Naperlights.com has updates through the season.

Who's on the block when the lights come on

After SixtyFour closes, the rest of the district's roster carries the evening crowd. The Downtown Naperville Alliance directory and Water Street's own directory list these tenants:

Elements Events & Private Dining, on the second floor of 123 Water St., handles group dinners and holiday parties. Two newer names share a single listing at 120 Water St., Suite 101: Deep Purpl, a Brazilian açaí bowl concept, and Lizzano Focacceria & Spritzeria.

Jefferson Avenue's "come and stay" address

Two blocks north, 16 W. Jefferson Ave. is dark again. The Daily Herald reported in late September that Lennon's closed after about a year. The mixed dining-and-entertainment concept opened in August 2025 with the idea that guests would "come and stay." Before Lennon's, the space held AltaVida, a Latin-inspired entertainment complex with a casual Spanish café, which also closed in less than a year.

Across the street, the newer names on Jefferson are smaller and more specific. Cantina Taco Grill has taken 15 W. Jefferson Ave. Owner Jose Oliver also runs Westmont's Taco Grill and Salsa Bar. The announced Naperville menu runs from bone marrow and pork belly tacos to salmon with mole, and the plan calls for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. Lola's Handcrafted Churros opened at 8 W. Jefferson in late September, its third location, and is known for churro sundaes. Farther west, men's retailer State & Liberty Clothing Co. was aiming for a mid- to late-November opening at 144 W. Jefferson, the former Amber Waves Art of Hair Salon.

Two of downtown's big stay-all-evening concepts have now opened and closed at the same Jefferson address. Meanwhile the one that has lasted since 2019 is free, outdoors and run by Rotary volunteers.

Downtown dates from now through New Year's

The Downtown Naperville Alliance's Holiday Glow listing puts the Santa drive-through at about 5 p.m. on the Friday after Thanksgiving. That's the first full night of Naper Lights, and the only overlap of the two this year. If you want both, an early dinner on Water Street works: the Glow wraps at 6, and the lights and music keep going until 10.

The developer is paying to light Water Street this December while one of its longest-running restaurants closes. At The Rafi Group, we track details like that because they shape how a downtown block feels to the people who live near it. If you own a home within walking distance of Water Street and want to know what it's worth this season, request a complimentary home valuation.