Bid 2014 a fond farewell and welcome in 2015 with gusto at family-friend events in Naperville. There are several great ways for children to celebrate New Year Eve together with their grown-ups around town morning, noon and night.
Bubble Bash 2014 at the DuPage Children’s Museum
Time: 9 a.m. – noon
Location: 301 North Washington Street, Naperville, IL
Cost: $20 for members, $25 for non-members
The DuPage Children’s Museum is hosting a super-powered New Year’s Eve party culminating at 12 p.m. instead of 12 a.m., when hopefully all little ones will be sound asleep! The party features an abundance of fun, superhero-themed activities for little celebrants.
Kids can create glowing Kryptonite and Super Stretch hero putty (and learn some science while doing so). They can also create a light with their own special symbol to flash in the night, fend off evil-doers with crime-fighting devices, and design their own cape that represents their superhero.
Families can dance the morning away to music by Mr. Dave and the Superhero Sidekicks. Mayor Pradel is considered a local superhero and he will be leading the little ones in a countdown to noon.
Families can register here.
Early Family Countdown at the Carillon
Time: 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Location: 443 Aurora Avenue, Naperville, IL
Cost: Free
Families can literally ring in 2015 at this free event at the Carillon, a real bell tower. The largest bell weighs nearly 6 tons and is called “Big Joe.” The big tower, which is 14 stories tall and taller than the Statue of Liberty, is a perfect setting for a big night.
The family-friendly New Year’s Eve Countdown festivities begin at the base of the Carillon at 5 p.m. and lead up to a countdown to 6 p.m. The countdown will be led by Mayor Pradel and radio personality Dolly McCarthy.
There will be music from the Carillon, crafts and free hot chocolate will be available at the Riverwalk Eatery. Snacks, hot dogs and drinks will be available for purchase. You can find information here.
Shops and restaurants in downtown Naperville will be getting in on the celebration prior to the early family countdown. Look for roving entertainment, a scavenger hunt and more festivities from noon to 5 p.m. Get information here.
Traditional Countdown at the Carillon
Time: 11:30 p.m. – midnight
Location: 443 Aurora Avenue, Naperville, IL
Cost: Free
For those who are not bound by bedtime, another countdown will take place at the Carillon midnight. This is a good option if you have kids determined to see the first few seconds of 2015 for themselves. Be sure to dress warmly! Mayor Pradel will make it a trifecta, also leading this countdown.
