ParkTalk Blog – Spreading Holiday Cheer and Merriment in Naperville

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

The holiday season is when friends and family gather to decorate, exchange gifts, and celebrate the season’s holidays. Throughout December, loved ones come together and take part in the joyful spirit that defines this time of year. However, the season can be difficult for some. Along with hectic schedules and the pressure to continue holiday traditions felt by many, others may struggle to find joy due to financial hardships or the absence of loved ones. To help create more holiday spirit locally, the Fry Family YMCA and Naperville Park District collaborate annually to host the Community Christmas Luncheon – an event where seniors and families in need can celebrate the season together. With the support of dozens of volunteers and generous donors, for many years the Community Christmas Luncheon has become a place for people to gather and enjoy a memorable holiday.

A Decades-Old Tradition

In 1981, an individual approached the Naperville YMCA and expressed that they didn’t want seniors to be alone during Christmas. This interaction was the impetus to host the first Community Christmas Luncheon. It was held in December 1981 at the Holiday Inn Select in Naperville, which is now the Chicago Marriott Naperville. The luncheons hosted in those earlier years served approximately 50 people every holiday season, and the event quickly became an annual Naperville tradition. Since the beginning, the luncheon has remained complimentary to all attendees, thanks to the generous donations from community members and businesses. 

In 2010, the YMCA and the Community Christmas Luncheon faced a significant hurdle when the Holiday Inn unexpectedly closed. With no venue available weeks before the event, the gathering was in jeopardy. However, the Naperville Park District stepped in and offered the use of the then recently remodeled Community Hall at the Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center. Community Hall was able to accommodate up to 160 guests for large events, making it the perfect location for the luncheon. It was hosted at Community Hall again in 2011, and after the event returned to the newly opened Chicago Marriott Naperville in 2012, the Naperville Park District continued to partner with the YMCA to assist with raising money and promoting the event. In 2014, invitations to the luncheon were extended to families in need in Naperville, senior or not, because everyone should have the opportunity to celebrate the holidays.

Then in 2020, the Community Christmas Luncheon faced another major challenge. For the first time in its 40-year run, the event could not be held in person due to pandemic restrictions. However, the YMCA and Naperville Park District were determined to brighten people’s holidays, especially during a time of uncertainty and heightened stress. Similar to many other programs during the pandemic, both organizations came up with a creative solution to deliver meals to seniors and families so they could enjoy a special holiday dinner in their own homes. The first year of the meal deliveries surpassed expectations, and the organizations delivered meals to approximately 260 people. From 2020 to 2023, the YMCA and Park District were able to continue delivering meals. In advance of the 2024 event, the community expressed interest in bringing the Community Christmas Luncheon back to its original in-person format. On December 24, 2024, seniors and families in need gathered at the Chicago Marriott Naperville and celebrated the first in-person Community Christmas Luncheon in five years. Despite the challenges the event has faced, the determination of event organizers and the overwhelming support from the community have helped keep this holiday tradition alive for many individuals and families. 

Holiday Traditions Stand the Test of Time

Holiday traditions tend to be personal and memorable and are an essential part of people’s celebration. Traditions foster closeness among family and loved ones while evoking nostalgia. Every tradition is special to each person, and the Community Christmas Luncheon has been a special holiday tradition for many people. Since 1981, the luncheon has provided a communal meal to people with different backgrounds and stories. People coming from different walks of life and experiences are connected with the common desire to celebrate the holiday and enjoy camaraderie.

The Community Christmas Luncheon would not be possible without the generosity of volunteers and community donors. If you would like to donate to the 2025 Community Christmas Luncheon, please visit www.napervilleparks.org/donate.  If you know a senior or family in need who would like to attend the luncheon, please have them RSVP to Myles Cochran at the Fry Family YMCA, mcochran@ymcachicago.org by Monday, December 8.