# Illumination opens, The Rink at Block 59 reopens with falling snow, and a Diwali night with Indian Idol stars Naperthrill, Friday, November 13, 2026 > Wheaton smashes pumpkins, a chili cook-off, moon viewing on the Riverwalk, and a sunny Sunday. Source: https://www.naperthrill.co/p/26-illumination-opens-the-rink-at-block-59-reopens-with-falling --- This Weekend Friday starts at 34 and only reaches 41, so bring a real coat, hat, and gloves. Saturday is sunny, 33 to 46: a warm coat for the morning, then a fleece you can shed. Sunday is the mildest of the three, sunny and 34 to 48, and a midweight jacket covers it. ### HEADS UP #### [Naper Settlement films your keepsakes this weekend and lights its tree Wednesday](https://www.napersettlement.org/742/Tree-Lighting-Ceremony) Naper Settlement is filming people with an object that matters to them, plus the story behind it, for its next exhibit; slots run Saturday, November 14 and Sunday, November 15, with sign-up through the link on its Facebook page. Then on Wednesday, November 18, the historic buildings light up from 5 to 7 p.m., with the tree lighting at 5:15, hot drinks, cookies, and Santa. The tree lighting is free, but you need to register ahead on the Naper Settlement site. (Image: Romeoville Festival of Lights runs November 19 to January 3, 2027) #### [Romeoville Festival of Lights runs November 19 to January 3, 2027](https://www.romeoville.org/1202/Festival-of-Lights) Romeoville's Festival of Lights runs November 19 to January 3, 2027, at 1050 W. Romeo Road, with an opening event from 5 to 6 p.m. on November 19. Nightly hours are on Romeoville's event page. ### THE READ (Image: Illumination opens Saturday under a 400-foot northern lights canopy) #### [Illumination opens Saturday under a 400-foot northern lights canopy](https://mortonarb.org/explore/activities/exhibitions/illumination/) Illumination opens at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle on Saturday, November 14, and this year's headliner is a 400-foot northern lights canopy that only runs this season. It's one of four new installations, along with the Pine Whistle Railroad, a model train add-on ($9, free for ages 3 and under). Adult tickets start at $22 and climb as the date gets closer, so pick your night early; the trail runs through January 2. For a head start, IllumiBrew on Friday, November 13, from 5:30 to 10 p.m. pairs an early walk with 18 beer, cider, and mead tastings ($95, 21 and up, advance tickets only). ### NEW THIS WEEK (Image: Lyfe Kitchen is now serving at Rice Lake Square in Wheaton) #### [Lyfe Kitchen is now serving at Rice Lake Square in Wheaton](https://lyfekitchen.com/) Lyfe Kitchen is open at 25 Rice Lake Square in Wheaton. The menu and hours are on lyfekitchen.com. (Image: Redhot Ranch brings its cash-only burgers and Chicago dogs to Downers Grove) #### [Redhot Ranch brings its cash-only burgers and Chicago dogs to Downers Grove](https://patch.com/illinois/downersgrove/redhot-ranch-now-open-downers-grove) Redhot Ranch, the Chicago stand known for crispy-edged burgers under its signature sauce, is now open at 60 Ogden Ave. in Downers Grove. It's open every day from 10:30 a.m. to midnight, and it's cash only. (Image: Ivy & Alchemy mixes Gucci bags, cowgirl boots, and antiques in downtown Wheaton) #### [Ivy & Alchemy mixes Gucci bags, cowgirl boots, and antiques in downtown Wheaton](https://patch.com/illinois/wheaton/ivy-alchemy-now-open-wheaton) Ivy & Alchemy, a new boutique at 102 N. Hale St. in downtown Wheaton, sells vintage brooches, Gucci bags, cowgirl boots, and antique jewelry. Walk-in hours are Wednesday through Sunday, until 7 p.m. on Thursday, and you can book a personal shopping visit. (Image: 7 Brew's drive-thru coffee is open on Diehl Road in Warrenville) #### [7 Brew's drive-thru coffee is open on Diehl Road in Warrenville](https://locations.7brew.com/il/warrenville/28231-diehl-road) 7 Brew opened a Warrenville drive-thru on Monday, November 9, at 28231 Diehl Road by Target, about a mile from the Nike Sports Complex. ### THE ROUNDUP #### [Binny's pours Champagne, Cava, and Prosecco for $10 on November 14](https://www.shoppingpromenade.com/event/sparkling-wine-tasting-event/) Ten dollars gets you a walk-around tasting of Champagne, Cava, Prosecco, and American sparkling, with charcuterie alongside, at Binny's Beverage Depot at The Promenade Bolingbrook on Saturday, November 14, from 4 to 6 p.m. It's 21 and up, and the RSVP link is on the event page. #### [Fair Game's Heavy Cardboard Night saves Saturday evening for long board games](https://www.downtowndg.org/event/fair-game-heavy-cardboard-night-2/) Fair Game, 1015 Curtiss Street in Downers Grove, holds Heavy Cardboard Night on Saturday, November 14, from 6 to 11:30 p.m., for long board games that take an hour or more. Bring a game to teach or come learn one. It's for ages 14 and up, and anyone under 18 must stay with an adult the whole time. Preregister, since past nights have sold out. Players coordinate games in the #board-games channel on Fair Game's Discord server. #### [Cheers For Veterans gala raffles a $75,000 truck in Woodridge Saturday](https://cheersforvets.givesmart.com/) Naperville Responds For Veterans holds its 16th annual Cheers For Veterans gala on Saturday, November 14, from 6 to 11 p.m. at Bobak's Signature Events, 6440 Double Eagle Dr. in Woodridge. There's an open bar, a live auction, and a raffle for a $75,000 truck, with the money going to veterans. Tickets are on the gala's GiveSmart page. #### [Look at the moon through real telescopes on the Riverwalk Thursday](https://www.nctv17.org/news/upcoming-naperville-events/) Naperville Astronomical Association members point their telescopes at the moon from the Dandelion Fountain on the Riverwalk, at Jackson Avenue and Webster Street, on Thursday, November 19, from 7 to 9 p.m. ### THE WEEKEND #### [Indian Idol 12 stars headline a Diwali dinner and show Friday, November 13](https://events.sulekha.com/diwali-celebration-with-ashish-kulkarni-avnie-singh-in-chicago_event-in_downers-grove-il_401585) Two Indian Idol 12 singers, Ashish Kulkarni and Avnie Singh, headline a Diwali dinner-and-show night with a live band on Friday, November 13, at Ashyana Banquets, 1620 75th St. in Downers Grove. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner runs 6 to 7, and the show starts at 7:15. Tickets are $50, or $75 for VIP, on Sulekha, and the organizers run a free bus from Naperville with a ticket; call Manoj Rathod at 630-648-9053 for pickup details. (Image: A pumpkin slingshot in Wheaton takes your leftover pumpkins Saturday) #### [A pumpkin slingshot in Wheaton takes your leftover pumpkins Saturday](https://wheatonparkdistrict.com/events/11-14-smashing-pumpkins-gourds/) The Wheaton Park District's free Smashing Pumpkins & Gourds has a pumpkin slingshot for your leftover pumpkins. It's Saturday, November 14, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Rice Pool parking lot behind Ray Morrill Community Center, 1777 S. Blanchard St. There's also face painting, crafts, a kids' activity area, and food trucks. (Image: Downtown Naperville kicks off holiday shopping this weekend) #### [Downtown Naperville kicks off holiday shopping this weekend](https://downtownnaperville.com/events/holiday-open-house-weekend/) Downtown Naperville's Holiday Open House Weekend is Saturday and Sunday, November 14 and 15, with early deals and giveaways at participating shops; George & Fred on Main Street, for one, pours sparkling sips and adds a free cookie with each purchase. Each store sets its own hours. On Saturday, the Barrel & Heritage Winter Craft Market runs 3 to 8 p.m. at 21 W. Jefferson Ave. (Image: Noon Whistle chili cook-off is Sunday, November 15, $30 to taste) #### [Noon Whistle chili cook-off is Sunday, November 15, $30 to taste](https://www.noonwhistlebrewing.com/locations/naperville-production/) Noon Whistle Brewing in Naperville holds its chili cook-off on Sunday, November 15. Tasters pay $30 for samples of every chili, a vote for the champion, and unlimited pours of select beers (21 and up) from noon until the start of the 4th quarter of the Vikings vs. Packers game. To enter your own chili, email Mary@noonwhistlebrewing.com and bring it in a crockpot, ready to sample at noon. (Image: The Rink at Block 59 opens Friday with falling snow at 6 p.m.) #### [The Rink at Block 59 opens Friday with falling snow at 6 p.m.](https://theblock59.com/events/block-59-the-rink-grand-opening/) The Rink at Block 59 opens its second season Friday, November 13, from 5 to 10 p.m., with snow falling starting at 6 p.m. There's also a tree lighting, a snowman and a stilt walker handing out treats from 6 to 8 p.m., and live music from Michael C. Hayes and DG Sax. Tickets are on Block 59's site. ### YOUR TURN Running an event, or know something happening around town? The best stuff out here spreads by word of mouth. Be the word, we read every submission. [Suggest an event or idea](https://www.naperthrill.co/submit) Thanks! Thanks for reading. Found something worth showing up to? Forward this to a friend who’d love it. That’s how Naperthrill grows. --- Get the next issue free every Friday: https://www.naperthrill.co/#signup