If your family hasn't locked in plans for the July 4 weekend yet, Naper Settlement has three days of programming starting Thursday, July 2, and some of it is already selling out.

The museum's America 250 celebration runs Thursday, July 2, through Saturday, July 4, at the 13-acre campus on 523 S. Webster St. Here's the day-by-day breakdown of what's free, what costs money, and what requires advance registration.

Thursday, July 2: Trivia night (21+)

The weekend kicks off with an adults-only trivia night at the Pre-Emption House, Naper Settlement's on-campus tavern. Topics cover American people, inventions, and historical moments. One drink ticket is included with your $20 admission. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the event runs until 9 p.m. Bring a valid ID. Advance registration is required.

Friday, July 3: Gettysburg Day + free community conversation

Gettysburg Day runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is included in general admission. The event marks the 163rd anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg with hands-on activities: a Civil War fashion show, a reading of the Gettysburg Address, fireworks-in-a-jar crafts, and a chance to experience what life in Naperville looked like in 1863. Kids ages 6 to 13 can learn to drill like a Civil War soldier, though that activity requires advance registration.

Also on Friday, a free community conversation comparing the Gettysburg Address to the Declaration of Independence runs 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It's part of the "History Belongs to All of Us" series, a partnership between Naper Settlement and 12 Illinois communities. Snacks are included.

Friday, July 3 & Saturday, July 4: National Treasure Escape Room

This is the one to book now. The family-friendly escape room sends teams across the full 13-acre campus to solve puzzles and uncover clues. Time slots are 10:30 a.m., noon, and 1:30 p.m. both days. Cost is $15 per person, and registration is required. As of Friday, June 26, some slots had already sold out, according to the Naperville Sun. Check napersettlement.org for current availability.

Saturday, July 4: America 250 campus celebration

The settlement is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a full campus celebration. Visitors can explore the historic buildings, the year-long "We the People: Naperville and the American Story" exhibit, and interactive activities tied to 250 years of American history. The exhibit, on view through December 2026, connects Naperville's local story to the nation's through artifacts and hands-on displays.

What it costs

General admission covers Gettysburg Day and the July 4 celebration: $11 for adults, $10 for students and youth (ages 5–17), $9 for seniors, and free for children 4 and under, veterans, and active military, according to Naper Settlement. The escape room ($15 per person) and trivia night ($20) are separate tickets requiring registration at napersettlement.org.

The bigger picture

Mayor Scott Wehrli called Naper Settlement the institution "leading our city's celebration" when he attended the America 250 flag-raising ceremony on the campus in January. The July 4 weekend is the peak of that year-long commitment.

After the holiday, the next America 250 milestone is a community conversation about historical keepsakes from America's bicentennial at noon on Saturday, July 25, followed by the USA 250 Hometown Picnic on Saturday, August 8.