# Lucha Libre at the Arboretum, a Cars night at the museum, and a free repair fair

Naperthrill, Friday, September 25, 2026

> Cantigny Fall Fest, Barkapalooza in Lisle, a free empanada class, and fire demos at Naperville's public safety open house.

Source: https://www.naperthrill.co/p/lucha-libre-at-the-arboretum-a-cars-night-at-the-museum-and-a-free-repair-fair

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## Lucha Libre at the Arboretum, a Cars night at the museum, and a free repair fair

### Cantigny Fall Fest, Barkapalooza in Lisle, a free empanada class, and fire demos at Naperville's public safety open house.

[Kevin Magnan](https://naperthrill.beehiiv.com/authors/kevin-magnan)
September 25, 2026

This Weekend

Friday stays cool and gray, low to mid 60s all day, so bring a light layer. Saturday starts crisp around 54, then turns mostly sunny and warms into the low 70s by midday. Another cool start Sunday gives way to highs in the high 60s under partial clouds. Both days look dry.

Moon · Full moon

FROM KEVIN

Trying a new look for the newsletter. Please send any feedback, just reply to this email!

HEADS UP

#### [Aurora closes downtown streets Friday for the Fall Food Truck Fest](https://www.facebook.com/ParamountAurora/posts/pfbid02ppMhwtMpHtmmw6tJxEXY7dfuBNvTvwNoRiMv71a3FS1D1QsC9pjXJKFMtdPgGHtTl?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=lucha-libre-at-the-arboretum-a-cars-night-at-the-museum-and-a-free-repair-fair)

Heading to Paramount Theatre or the Fall Food Truck Fest in downtown Aurora on Friday? Benton Street (River Street to Broadway) and Stolp Avenue (Benton Street to Downer Place) close from 2 to 10 p.m. The Stolp Island Parking Garage and the B and Q lots across from City Hall stay reachable from Downer Place, and Paramount says to leave extra time for travel and parking.

#### [Fire demos, K-9s, and drones at Naperville's Public Safety Open House Saturday](https://www.naperville.il.us/PSOH?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=lucha-libre-at-the-arboretum-a-cars-night-at-the-museum-and-a-free-repair-fair)

Naperville police and fire open the Public Safety Campus at 1380 Aurora Ave. on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and it's free. Expect a flashover fire demo, hazmat and K-9 demonstrations, drones, a mock traffic stop, hands-on fingerprint dusting, and food trucks.

#### [Knife-forging sign-up with the Lisle Park District closes Monday](https://secure.rec1.com/IL/lisle-park-district-il/catalog/index/5331f10a10a0f5dc72b15a1f3dd5df4e?filter=c2VhcmNoPVRyYWRpdGlvbmFsJTIwS25pZmU%3D&utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=lucha-libre-at-the-arboretum-a-cars-night-at-the-museum-and-a-free-repair-fair)

You have until Monday, September 28, to register for Lisle Park District's knife-forging program. It starts with a lecture and demo on October 9 (6:30 to 9 p.m.), then a hands-on workshop on October 24 and 25 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at the Museums at Lisle Station Park. You shape the blade with a hammer and finish it with a riveted wooden handle. It's $290 for ages 18 and up, with materials and safety equipment provided.

#### [Register by Monday for a Cars-themed Night at the Museum in Wheaton](https://wheatonparkdistrict.com/events/10-2-night-at-the-museum-cars/?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=lucha-libre-at-the-arboretum-a-cars-night-at-the-museum-and-a-free-repair-fair)

The DuPage County Historical Museum in Wheaton goes full Cars for Night at the Museum on Friday, October 2, 6 to 8:30 p.m. The night has a flashlight scavenger hunt, NASCAR crafts, model trains, snacks, and a movie at 6:30. Everyone leaves with a goodie bag. Tickets are $22.58 a person, kids need a paying adult with them, and registration closes Monday, September 28.

#### [Wednesday is the last day to join a free six-hike fall challenge](https://theconservationfoundation.org/take-a-hike/?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=lucha-libre-at-the-arboretum-a-cars-night-at-the-museum-and-a-free-repair-fair)

The Conservation Foundation's free Take a Hike Challenge runs through October 27, and registration closes Wednesday, September 30. Sign up at theconservationfoundation.org/take-a-hike, log six hikes anywhere with no minimum distance, and turn in your tracker for an award. Hikes at the Morton Arboretum count, but admission there is separate.

THE READ

### [Professional Lucha Libre comes to the Morton Arboretum this weekend](https://mortonarb.org/explore/activities/events/celebracion-de-los-arboles/?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=lucha-libre-at-the-arboretum-a-cars-night-at-the-museum-and-a-free-repair-fair)

There's a wrestling ring at the Morton Arboretum this weekend. Celebración de los Árboles is Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. at the Arboretum in Lisle, and Lucha Libre headlines it. Professional luchadores fight four rounds of six or seven matches across the weekend, with a live MC calling the action and the championship match Sunday afternoon. Between matches you can meet the luchadores, get autographs and photos, and browse the merch table. The festival honors the cultures of Mexico and Mesoamerica, where the Arboretum works to protect threatened trees. The rest of the lineup is music, dance performances and lessons, and Spanish-language walking, tram, and herbarium tours on both days. All of it comes with general admission. Ringside seats for the matches cost extra, and the full schedule is on mortonarb.org.

THE ROUNDUP

#### [Knoch Park playground reopens with 17-foot slide and inclusive spinner](https://www.facebook.com/Naperparks/posts/pfbid0mD7VQ2ptosRGpoZ1x2HfrqAitpnmJrquU3Y24HMQabc45JSy6wRtf5QZNn6NhUChl?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=lucha-libre-at-the-arboretum-a-cars-night-at-the-museum-and-a-free-repair-fair)

The renovated Knoch Park playground in Naperville is open, and the biggest upgrade is a 17-foot slide. A stone climber and an inclusive spinner are new too, so there's finally something in the rotation the kids haven't worn out.

#### [Mahjong 101 comes to Noon Whistle Brewing in Lombard on September 29](https://luma.com/mahjwith-oydw?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=lucha-libre-at-the-arboretum-a-cars-night-at-the-museum-and-a-free-repair-fair)

Mahj with Kayli leads a Mahjong 101 class at Noon Whistle Brewing in Lombard on Tuesday, September 29, 6 to 8 p.m., covering the tiles, the card, and how to build a hand. No experience needed, and $65 covers the class and a beer.

#### [Cosley Zoo's Pumpkin Fest starts Thursday and runs all October](https://cosleyzoo.org/pumpkin-fest/?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=lucha-libre-at-the-arboretum-a-cars-night-at-the-museum-and-a-free-repair-fair)

Pumpkin Fest opens at Cosley Zoo in Wheaton on Thursday, October 1, and runs daily through October 31, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular zoo admission is all you need. New this year: a scavenger hunt, plus face painting on Saturdays for a donation.

#### [Build a robot with Naperville North's team at DuPage Children's Museum Saturday](https://www.facebook.com/DCMFanPage/posts/pfbid02XUkYWxQ9hwFcgWM6PTNqxG4PbCpgRCWDHEYJuVAoFFDHUR5cGE8AHdGJMrKJJZQTl?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=lucha-libre-at-the-arboretum-a-cars-night-at-the-museum-and-a-free-repair-fair)

Huskie Robotics Team 3061 from Naperville North High School sets up at DuPage Children's Museum on Saturday, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Visitors can watch the robot demos, then build and program robots alongside the team. It's included with museum admission or membership.

THE EAT

#### [Learn to make empanadas from scratch at the 95th Street Library Saturday](https://napervillepl.librarycalendar.com/event/learn-how-make-argentinian-empanadas-79553?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=lucha-libre-at-the-arboretum-a-cars-night-at-the-museum-and-a-free-repair-fair)

Chef Violeta Trujeque teaches a free empanada class Saturday, 2 to 3 p.m., at Naperville's 95th Street Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Dr. She covers scratch dough, a beef filling, chimichurri, and how to shape them. There's no registration, but samples go to the first 40 people, so get there early.

#### [Two Brothers' second Oktoberfest is Saturday at its Warrenville Tap House](https://www.twobrothersbrewing.com/event-details-registration/oktoberfest-2026-at-two-brothers-tap-house-warrenville?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=lucha-libre-at-the-arboretum-a-cars-night-at-the-museum-and-a-free-repair-fair)

Two Brothers moved last weekend's Roundhouse Oktoberfest into the Tavern Room when it rained, and the crowd came anyway. Round two is Saturday, September 26, at the Two Brothers Tap House, 30W315 Calumet Ave. in Warrenville, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Plan on German food, live music, and stein-holding, dirndl, and lederhosen contests with prizes. The first keg of Atom Smasher gets tapped at 11 a.m.

THE WEEKEND

#### [Cantigny Fall Fest has 60-plus vendors, live music, and food trucks this weekend](https://cantigny.org/event/fall-fest-2026/?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=lucha-libre-at-the-arboretum-a-cars-night-at-the-museum-and-a-free-repair-fair)

Fall Fest is at Cantigny Park in Wheaton Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with 60-plus vendors, plant sales, bounce houses, and garden tours led by the horticulture team. Call Me Jo plays live in the Beer Garden. Food trucks include Hippie Gourmet Grilled Cheese, Kissed By Fire Pizza and BBQ, and Wally's Waffles. Parking is $21 a car, and you can pay ahead. The petting zoo, Paint-A-Pumpkin, and hayrides are paid add-ons.

#### [Run a 5K or just walk the dog at Barkapalooza in Lisle Sunday](https://wshs-dg.org/news-events/upcoming-events/215-barkapalooza-2021-save-the-date-1-1-1-1-1?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=lucha-libre-at-the-arboretum-a-cars-night-at-the-museum-and-a-free-repair-fair)

West Suburban Humane Society's Barkapalooza turns 33 on Sunday at Lisle Community Park. The 5K starts at 8 a.m., the one-mile Waggin' Tails Walk goes at 9:30, and Rescue Fest runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for anyone who'd rather skip the running. The whole event is pet-friendly, so the dog comes too. The money goes to homeless dogs and cats, and this year's goal is $100,000.

#### [Get broken lamps and appliances fixed at a free repair fair Saturday](https://www.scarce.org/event/st-timothy-repair-fair/?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=lucha-libre-at-the-arboretum-a-cars-night-at-the-museum-and-a-free-repair-fair)

Bring the broken lamp. The St. Timothy Repair Fair is Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon, in the Fellowship Hall at St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 1313 N. Mill St. in Naperville. Appliances, electronics, jewelry, sewing projects, garden tools, and ceramics all get first-come, first-served repair help. It's free, and a few repairs carry small fees.

#### [Sing along with Jim Gill at the Glen Ellyn library Saturday morning](https://gepl.librarycalendar.com/event/sing-along-play-along-family-concert-jim-gill-39266?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=lucha-libre-at-the-arboretum-a-cars-night-at-the-museum-and-a-free-repair-fair)

Musician and author Jim Gill brings his family sing-along concert to the Glen Ellyn Public Library, 400 Duane St., on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. It's for adults and kids of all ages, and everyone has to register, adults included.

YOUR TURN

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[Suggest an event or idea](https://app.naperthrill.co/submit?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=lucha-libre-at-the-arboretum-a-cars-night-at-the-museum-and-a-free-repair-fair)

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