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Naperville Today
By the People, for the People
Naperville's 'Glow in the Snow' Event Debuts Saturday
The new winter event in Central Park features illuminated decorations, games, and stargazing.
Published on Mar. 1, 2026
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Naperville Park District is launching a new free winter event called 'Glow in the Snow' on Saturday, February 21st from 6-8 PM at Central Park. The event will feature illuminated decorations and lights along the park's walking paths, a scavenger hunt to find hidden winter animal figures, animal education stations, glow games like lighted basketball and ring toss, and telescopes set up by the Naperville Astronomical Association to view the moon and Jupiter, weather permitting. Free hot cocoa and photo stations will also be available.
Why it matters
The new 'Glow in the Snow' event aims to get people out of the house and enjoying nature during the winter months, when outdoor activities can be limited. By offering a range of interactive and illuminated elements, the park district hopes to inspire families and residents to embrace the winter season and find fun ways to recreate outside, even on a February night.
The details
The 'Glow in the Snow' event will feature illuminated decorations and lights along the walking paths in Central Park, as well as a scavenger hunt to find hidden winter animal figures. Educational stations will teach visitors about how animals survive the winter, and glow games like lighted basketball and ring toss will be set up. The Naperville Astronomical Association will also have telescopes set up, weather permitting, to allow stargazing of the moon and Jupiter.
- The event will take place on Saturday, February 21, 2026 from 6-8 PM.
The players
Naperville Park District
The local parks and recreation department that is hosting the new 'Glow in the Snow' event in Naperville's Central Park.
Erika Rubo
The community engagement and event manager with the Naperville Park District who came up with the idea for the new winter event.
Naperville Astronomical Association
An amateur astronomy club that will have telescopes set up at the event to allow stargazing of the moon and Jupiter, weather permitting.
What they’re saying
“We don't offer a lot for the winter months that's outside of holiday time. I was looking for something that could get people out of the house to enjoy nature and recreate a little bit, even in the winter.”
— Erika Rubo, Community Engagement and Event Manager, Naperville Park District (chicagotribune.com)
“We're hoping for decent weather so it's not absolutely freezing but still has winter ambiance to really promote that there are fun things to do in the wintertime to get out of the house to get your bodies moving.”
— Erika Rubo, Community Engagement and Event Manager, Naperville Park District (chicagotribune.com)
What’s next
The Naperville Astronomical Association will continue to host regular public viewing nights throughout the winter, weather permitting, where visitors may be able to see the moon, Jupiter, and other celestial objects.
The takeaway
The 'Glow in the Snow' event demonstrates how parks departments can create innovative, interactive outdoor experiences to encourage residents to embrace the winter season and find new ways to enjoy nature, even on cold February nights.
