It's the first weekend of August — which in Naperville means the quiet countdown to Last Fling has begun, and there's still a whole lot of summer to squeeze. Sunday at dawn, hundreds of swimmers will wade into Centennial Beach for the Sprint Triathlon while the rest of us are still on our first coffee. Between now and then: a three-day festival at the Arboretum, a swing orchestra and Rick Ross on the same weekend, and those painted dog sculptures you keep spotting downtown.

Here's everything worth leaving the house for.

In today's issue:

Let's get to it.

🎉 Destination Asia Festival: The Morton Arboretum turns Lisle into a three-day celebration of Asian cultures — food vendors, live music, traditional dance, and hands-on arts demos. Friday evening (5:30–9 PM), then all day Saturday and Sunday. Worth the short drive.

🎭 Rent: Summer Place Theatre closes its 60th season with the Tony-winning rock musical about chosen family and living for today. Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM, Sunday 2 PM matinee, at the Naperville Central auditorium

🎨 Summer Painted Sculptures: Those hand-painted dog sculptures scattered around downtown are back for the season — free to hunt down on a Riverwalk stroll. A low-key, all-ages way to spend a summer afternoon between shops and the river.

🎶 The Glenn Miller Orchestra

The world-famous 15-piece big band swings through "In the Mood," "Moonlight Serenade," and the rest of the songbook.

7:00 PM · WENTZ CONCERT HALL, NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE · $65

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🎸 Hollywood Nights: The Bob Seger Experience

A 10-piece tribute brings "Night Moves" and "Old Time Rock and Roll" to RiverEdge Park's outdoor stage on the river in Aurora.

8:00 PM · RIVEREDGE PARK, AURORA

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🧸 Mr. Scott's Amazing Musical Backpack Show

A lively, interactive singalong built for little kids — an easy free-form stop at The Green at Block 59 before dinner nearby.

2:00 PM · THE GREEN AT BLOCK 59

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🎬 A Night at the Movies: Homeward Bound

Bring a blanket to Rotary Hill for family bingo at 7:30, then the classic under the stars once it's dark.

8:30 PM · ROTARY HILL · FREE

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🌟 THRIVEFest

Naperville's big health-and-wellness festival takes over North Central — 50+ experiences, two stages, fitness, and music all day.

9:00 AM · NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE / BENEDETTI-WEHRLI STADIUM · FROM $29

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🎸 Rick Ross Live

The rap heavyweight headlines an all-afternoon outdoor show at BaseCamp in Lisle. 21+, and easily the weekend's biggest name.

2:00 PM · BASECAMP PUB, LISLE · $23–$82

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📚 Alice Oseman

Anderson's Bookshop brings the Heartstopper author to the Paramount to celebrate book six — a moderated chat, audience Q&A, pre-signed copies.

2:00 PM · PARAMOUNT THEATRE, AURORA

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🎉 Comics, Cards & Vinyl Market

The second annual pop-up returns to Noon Whistle Brewing: vendors selling trading cards, collectible toys, and rare records, plus a beer.

12:00 PM · NOON WHISTLE BREWING · FREE

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🍎 5th Avenue Farmers Market

Build a farm-to-table haul from local growers at the Metra station — produce, flowers, and prepared bites to start the weekend right.

7:00 AM · FIFTH AVENUE STATION · FREE

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🏊 2026 Naperville Sprint Triathlon

Hundreds take on a swim-bike-run starting right at Centennial Beach — one of the best mornings of the year to cheer from the sidelines.

7:00 AM · CENTENNIAL BEACH

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🎨 Project Pet

Bring your dog (or a favorite photo) and paint their portrait step-by-step at this guided studio session — a wholesome, low-stakes Sunday.

4:00 PM · PINOT’S PALETTE

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🌳 Hydrangea Walk & Talk

A guided stroll through The Growing Place gardens to talk hydrangeas — which varieties thrive here and how to keep yours blooming.

11:00 AM · THE GROWING PLACE

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🎧 John Summit: The Naperville kid who grew up taking piano lessons here is now one of the biggest DJs on the planet, and he's headlining Lollapalooza this weekend.

🎨 Claire Shen: The Naperville Central student placed second in the 15-to-18 age group of an international art contest.

✨ Brightside Car Wash: Is bringing "white-glove" service to two Naperville locations, on E. 75th St. and Ace Lane.

🌟 Naperville: was named Illinois' top suburban retail sales generator in the Chicago metro — again.

🧸 Little Blessing Preschool: Is celebrating its 30th anniversary this fall.

Get your business, service, event, or announcement in front of engaged Naperville readers — locals who actually open every Thursday.

Naperville Nova is free because people pass it on. If a friend would like this, send it their way — and come say hi on Instagram, where we post the week's best between issues.