# Oktoberfest at Naper Settlement, 60+ ciders and beers at the Arb, and glowing lotuses on the Quarry Naperthrill, Friday, October 2, 2026 > A Halloween pinewood derby, free Shrek with bingo, and five restaurants headed to Block 59. Source: https://www.naperthrill.co/p/oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry --- ## Oktoberfest at Naper Settlement, 60+ ciders and beers at the Arb, and glowing lotuses on the Quarry ### A Halloween pinewood derby, free Shrek with bingo, and five restaurants headed to Block 59. [Kevin Magnan](https://naperthrill.beehiiv.com/authors/kevin-magnan) October 02, 2026 ### This Weekend Friday stays mild and dry with a high of 65, so a light layer covers you from morning coffee to Oktoberfest. Saturday opens cold at 48, real-jacket weather, then climbs to 67 by midday and holds in the 60s into the evening; keep the jacket handy once it's dark. Sunday is the warmest of the three: 51 at breakfast, 72 by afternoon, and the layer comes off by late morning. ### From Kevin Appreciate the patience for the late send today - been traveling for work this week. ### Heads Up #### [BrightSide's Addams Family musical opens at North Central, runs through October 18](https://brightsidetheatre.com/the-addams-family/?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry) BrightSide Theatre's Addams Family Musical opens Friday, October 2, at North Central College's Meiley-Swallow Hall, [31 S. Ellsworth St](https://www.google.com/maps/search/31+S.+Ellsworth+St?entry=gmail&source=g&utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry)., and runs through October 18. It's the most on-brand October date night in town. Plan on about two and a half hours with intermission; the Saturday, October 17 show at 7:30 p.m. is ASL-interpreted. #### [Filipino cuisine demo at Downers Grove Library on October 7](https://downersgrove.libnet.info/event/17390964?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry) Lumpia and adobo are on the lesson plan Wednesday, October 7, when Downers Grove Public Library hosts a hands-on intro to Filipino cooking from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The Meeting Room holds 100, so show up early for a good seat. #### [Wheaton Library hosts Route 66 talk on October 7](https://www.wheatonlibrary.org/event/route-66-chicago-st-louis-148900?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry) Traveler John Kokoris covers the towns, food, history, and roadside stops along Route 66 between Chicago and St. Louis, timed to the highway's 100th anniversary. It's free: Wednesday, October 7, 7 to 8 p.m., at the Wheaton Public Library, [225 N. Cross St](https://www.google.com/maps/search/225+N.+Cross+St?entry=gmail&source=g&utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry). #### [Plant a cauldron at Noon Whistle Brewing on October 8](https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd4JQcrx_u2/?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry) Practical Magic fans get their night Thursday, October 8: Noon Whistle Brewing Naperville and Antiqueness Apothecary host Cauldrons & Cuttings from 7 to 8 p.m. You pot your own String of Pearls in a cauldron and walk out with a houseplant Sally Owens would approve of. Tickets are on sale now. ### The Read #### [Naper Settlement Oktoberfest starts Friday, with a ZZ Top tribute subbing in](https://www.napersettlement.org/237/Oktoberfest?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry) Naper Settlement's Oktoberfest kicks off Friday, October 2, 5 to 10 p.m., and wraps Saturday, October 3, 3 to 10 p.m., with German food and beer, a stein holding contest, family activities, and live music from modern polka to pop. Friday's lineup changed. The Polkaholics canceled, so Eliminator, billed as the longest-running ZZ Top tribute act in the world, plays 8 to 10 p.m. Tickets you already bought still work. 90s cover band Fool House is back, too, and Saturday's 3 p.m. start is the better pick for a long afternoon. ### New This Week #### [La Plaza Taqueria opens in Wheaton with tacos and all-day breakfast](https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd7rfkDjTIA/?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry) La Plaza Taqueria is open at Town Square Wheaton with tacos, ceviche, and fresh seafood. The menu leads with Yucatan pulled pork and crispy fish tacos, and the all-day breakfast covers mornings too. #### [Lola's Handcrafted Churros is finally open on Jefferson](https://www.nctv17.org/news/lolas-handcrafted-churros-opens-monday-in-downtown-naperville/?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry) After a summer of 'coming soon,' Lola's Handcrafted Churros opened Monday, September 28 at [8 W. Jefferson Ave](https://www.google.com/maps/search/8+W.+Jefferson+Ave?entry=gmail&source=g&utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry)., next to Naper Nuts & Sweets. Churros come in classic cinnamon sugar, Biscoff cookie butter, cookies and cream, and strawberry with Fruity Pebbles, and the churro sundaes come s'mores, pistachio, or Nutella and strawberries. There's soft serve, milkshakes, and fizzy refreshers too, which makes it an easy stop after Oktoberfest or a LOTUS walk. ### The Roundup #### [Last free Styrofoam drop-off of the year is Saturday at Route 59 Station](https://www.positivelynaperville.com/2026/10/01/free-styrofoam-recycling-event-in-naperville-saturday-oct-3/161396?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry) Curbside recycling won't take Styrofoam, so the foam packaging stacked in your garage needs this. The Naperville Noon Lions, NEST, and the city run their third and final free foam drop-off of 2026 on Saturday, October 3, 9 a.m. to noon, in the north lot at Route 59 Station, 475 Fairway Drive. Bring it clean, with the labels and tape off: cups, to-go containers, egg cartons, coolers, rinsed meat trays, and packing foam all count. #### [Block 59 is getting 5 more restaurants, opening late 2027](https://www.nctv17.org/news/new-buildings-to-bring-five-restaurants-to-napervilles-block-59/?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry) Construction started last week on two new buildings behind Cheesecake Factory and Yard House at Block 59, and all 5 tenants are restaurants: a Japanese steakhouse, a speakeasy from a Naperville group, a specialty chicken spot, a dumpling place out of New York, and a bakery. The buildings finish in May and June 2027, so expect the restaurants to open closer to the end of 2027. #### [Christmas at Cantigny tickets are on sale, plus a $25 decor workshop October 8](https://www.cantigny.org/events/christmas-at-cantigny/?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry) Christmas at Cantigny tickets are on sale now: a half-mile walk through lit-up gardens with light shows set to music, ice skating, cocoa, and the McCormick House decked out for the season. Pick your date early on the Cantigny website. If you want to steal their ideas for your own house, Director of Horticulture Jamie Burghardt runs a $25 holiday decor workshop on Thursday, October 8 at 6 p.m.; registration is required. #### [Million Dollar Quartet's farewell run opens October 7 in Aurora](https://paramountaurora.com/shows/million-dollar-quartet/?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry) Million Dollar Quartet was set to close May 31 after more than two years and nearly 700 performances at Paramount's Stolp Island Theatre in Aurora. Instead it got one more run, and Paramount is calling it the farewell: it opens Wednesday, October 7 and goes through January 3, 2027. Tickets are at [ParamountAurora.com](https://ParamountAurora.com?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry). #### [MOM's Organic Market on Ogden slides to spring 2027](https://www.instagram.com/p/Ddm3QIPu_xt/?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry) The MOM's Organic Market at [1163 E. Ogden Ave](https://www.google.com/maps/search/1163+E.+Ogden+Ave?entry=gmail&source=g&utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry). won't open until spring 2027, about two seasons later than originally planned, after renovations and additional property work pushed the timeline. When it does open, the store plans to carry certified organic produce, exclude more than 250 ingredients from its shelves, and stock regional suppliers including Jenny's Tofu, Wisconsin Meadows Beef, Ethel's Baking Co., Heaven's Honey, and Just Coffee Cooperative. #### [Warrenville Mercantile's rotating pop-up shops run through December 6](https://www.warrenville.il.us/993/Warrenville-Mercantile?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry) Eight small-business storefronts fill Leone Schmidt Heritage Park, [28W164 Warrenville Road](https://www.google.com/maps/search/28W164+Warrenville+Road?entry=gmail&source=g&utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry), for the Warrenville Mercantile's first full season, which runs through December 6. Vendors rotate, so a second visit won't look like the first: crystals and candles, natural beauty products, custom apparel, and a sourdough baker who pops in on select dates, including Friday, October 2. ### The Eat #### [Beauty and the Baker moved its cake shop home to downtown Westmont](https://www.beautyandthebaker.com/?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry) Beauty and the Baker spent years as a custom cake bakery in Homer Glen. Owners Mikayla and Marco, high school sweethearts from Westmont and Downers Grove, bought their own building downtown after a landlord fight, and the Westmont shop at [204 N. Cass Ave](https://www.google.com/maps/search/204+N.+Cass+Ave?entry=gmail&source=g&utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry). has been open since its August 25 grand opening. Everything is made in-house: maple pecan scones, kolaczki, cake pops, and specialty cakes like tiramisu, tres leches, and atomic cake. Wedding and special-occasion cakes are made to order. ### The Weekend #### [Cider and Ale Festival returns to Morton Arboretum on October 3](https://mortonarb.org/explore/activities/events/cider-ale-festival/?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry) Twenty three-ounce pours, more than 60 hard ciders and seasonal beers from more than 30 breweries and cideries, and 3 hours to work through them: the Morton Arboretum's Cider and Ale Festival is Saturday, October 3, noon to 3 p.m. General admission includes a tasting glass; VIP gets in at 11 a.m. with a welcome pour and a commemorative pint glass. Choose your 20 wisely, and grab tickets at [arb.eco/4dt7Dun](https://arb.eco/4dt7Dun?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry). #### [Six giant glowing lotus flowers are floating on the Paddleboat Quarry through October 24](https://www.nctv17.org/news/lotus-lights-up-napervilles-paddleboat-quarry/?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry) French artist Nicolas Paolozzi chose the Paddleboat Quarry, [441 Aurora Ave](https://www.google.com/maps/search/441+Aurora+Ave?entry=gmail&source=g&utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry)., for the U.S. debut of LOTUS: six giant flowers floating on the water that glow once it gets dark. It's free and up every day from 4 to 10 p.m. through October 24. Go after sunset and make a Riverwalk loop of it. #### [Solemn Oath hosts a Halloween pinewood derby on October 2](https://www.instagram.com/p/DdZ4lnvhaw9/?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry) Solemn Oath named its Halloween pinewood derby the Redrum Run, because of course it did. It's Friday, October 2, after dark. Public division car kits are waiting at the bar, and costumes are optional. #### [Free Shrek and bingo Friday at the 95th Street Community Plaza](https://napervilleparks.org/anightatthemovies?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry) The Park District's free movie night lands at the 95th Street Community Plaza, [3109 Cedar Glade Dr](https://www.google.com/maps/search/3109+Cedar+Glade+Dr?entry=gmail&source=g&utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry)., on Friday, October 2: bingo at 6 p.m., Shrek at 7. Bring folding chairs or a blanket, plus a sweatshirt for when the sun goes down. #### [DuPage Children's Museum brings a STEM concert Saturday morning](https://dupagechildrens.org/family-fun/tgp/?utm_source=naperthrill.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=oktoberfest-at-naper-settlement-60-ciders-and-beers-at-the-arb-and-glowing-lotuses-on-the-quarry) Roy Moye III, billed as The Singing Engineer, brings science experiments, math beats, coding moves, and rocket launches to DuPage Children's Museum on Saturday, October 3, in two Tiny Great Performances sets at 11 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. Both are included with museum admission or membership, so plan the visit around one of them. ### 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. 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