Latest reporting from the Community desk.
Community
The Naperville Public Library's Teen Pitch Program opens for applications Saturday, August 1, giving groups of students in grades 7-12 the chance to design and run their own library program in summer 2027.
Community
A free photo exhibition at North Central College's Oesterle Library Gallery showcases color slides of Naperville community life from 1975 to 1985, shot by late history professor Robert Shoemaker during the city's fastest decade of growth.
Community
Rich Eckhardt, Toby Keith's lead guitarist for 26 years, headlines the final Naper Nights concert weekend Aug. 14-15 at Naper Settlement, with tickets at $25 for adults and proceeds benefiting the Naperville Heritage Society.
Community
North Central College's Nutrition Sciences and Occupational Therapy students are delivering free telehealth services to West Suburban Community Pantry clients through an Endeavor Health grant, while a new application window for $100K–$500K capacity-building awards is open through Friday, August 21.
Community
Naperville Central's Claire Shen, 16, placed second internationally in the Classic Art category of the 2026 Sister Cities Young Artists and Authors Showcase for her oil-and-charcoal painting "Through the Looking Glass," inspired by a train ride from Naperville to Chicago.
Community
The Naperville Jaycees' Last Fling festival returns to Jackson Avenue from Friday, September 4, through Monday, September 7, with four nights of live music, carnival rides, Special Needs Day, a veterans' lunch, and a Labor Day parade from Naperville North to Naperville Central.
Community
Naperville's free National Night Out kick-off at the Fry Family YMCA on Monday, Aug. 3, features a bounce house, magic act, police equipment displays, and an outdoor movie at sunset, followed by 36 neighborhood block parties on Tuesday, Aug. 4, with a donation drive benefiting Little Friends.
Community
Downtown Naperville's annual block party returns Sunday, Aug. 9, rebranded as Naperville Neighborly Day and hosted by DuPage PADS, with four live bands, five food vendors, and free admission after a two-year hiatus caused by downtown construction.
Community
Naper Settlement's USA 250 Hometown Picnic brings living history demonstrations, lawn games, and food to its 13-acre downtown campus on Saturday, August 8, the same day Naperville's rescheduled community fireworks launch at 9:30 p.m.
Community
A roundup of free and low-cost events for Naperville families the week of July 22, including a free Zumba Party at Wagner Pavilion on Friday, July 25, BrightSide Theatre's outdoor Broadway concert, the River Rhapsody series, a joint NMB/DSO concert, and the 185th DuPage County Fair.
Community
Naperville's 60565 ZIP code ranked No. 1 in Illinois for parental stress in a new national survey by mental health provider A Mission for Michael, spotlighting how the combination of school pressures, commuting, and childcare costs weighs on families near Naperville Central, Ranch View Elementary, and Washington Junior High.
Community
The 29th Annual Naperville Sunrise Rotary Ride offers three cycling routes on Sunday, Aug. 9, with early bird registration at $40 closing July 31 and proceeds supporting youth mental health, respite care, and preschool scholarships.
©2026 Naper Today
Powered by Surround Sound Media