December 2 is going to be a winter wonderland in downtown Aurora. Aurora Downtown’s fourth annual Cocoa Crawl joins First Fridays to bring a night of holiday festivities to downtown.
First Fridays is a free event. To participate in this year’s Cocoa Crawl, patrons must have a mug and a button. Mugs and buttons can be purchased prior to the event for $20 at Aurora Historical Society, 20 E. Downer Pl.; Society 57, 100 S. River St.; Renew Salon & Spa, 160 S. River St; Wyckwood House, 80 S. River St.
A guaranteed number of mugs and buttons will be sold until sold out starting at 9 a.m. at Art and Market Aurora held at Society 57, 100 S. River St.
Buttons are not needed for ages 12 and under. Buttons are sold separately for $10 to use with a Cocoa Crawl mug from previous years. Mugs must be official Aurora Downtown Cocoa Crawl mugs from 2019, 2020, and 2021 (pictured | Amy Nelson photo). A button acts as your ticket and is required to participate in the event.
* Denotes participating Cocoa Crawl locations from 5 to 9 p.m. unless otherwise listed
^ Denotes Winter Lights windows decorated for Holidays Around the World
ART
*Aurora Historical Society | Aurora Public Art at The DLP, 20 W. Downer Pl.
Winter Garden of Youth art showcase on 1st & 3rd floors + Aurora Story on 2nd floor
6 to 9 p.m.
^*Compton Law Group | Latino Immigration and Legal Center, 22 E. Downer Pl.
Gerardo R. Madrigal Art Exhibit
5:30 to 9 p.m.
*The ArtBar at Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway
Featuring Jason Essex and Jessi Buzzkill-Cox. Art by Pierre Lucero
6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Cocoa Crawl: Hot cocoa & hot toddies (21+)
Artesan Lofts Art Gallery, 2 S. Stolp Ave.
The Magic Night: Holiday photography series featuring Nattaya Worrakitpoonpol
6 to 9 p.m.
*Gary Brown Art Gallery & Studio, 7 S. Broadway
Art & Vintage Holiday Bonanza feat. cool antique + artistic gifts by Gary Brown + Mark Radina
6 to 9 p.m.
Cocoa Crawl: Special Secret Santa Toppings
*French 75 Gallery and Lounge, 56 E. Galena Blvd.
New works by Hope Ashworth and Jake Beltran and Fabulous Hot Apple Cheer Cocktail ($)
4 p.m. to midnight
*Nuna Ceramics, 77 S. Lake St.
Holiday Ceramics + Raffle + Wheelthrowing Demos
5 to 8 p.m.
Cocoa Crawl: Spicy Aztec Hot Cocoa (Dairy Free)
*Holz Fine Art | Aurora Artist Studios, 50 E. Galena Blvd. 2nd floor
Affordable painterly gifts for the art or nature lover in your life. Most $20 or under
5 to 9 p.m.
Cocoa Crawl: Enjoy hot apple cider at this stop
MUSIC
Santori Public Library, 101 S. River St.
Full Sparkle: Enjoy an evening of live jazz from Petra van Nuis, get a sparkling snowflake tattoo, take home a cocoa cone, enjoy a greenscreen photo op, and enjoy the Holiday Celebrations in Many Lands exhibit
6 to 8 p.m.
^*Altiro Latin Fusion, 1 S. Stolp Ave.
Live Spanish Rock feat. Damián Rivera
6 to 8 p.m.
Cocoa Crawl: Mexican Hot Chocolate
Tavern on Broadway, 24 N. Broadway
Live music
8 to 10 p.m.
*Aurora Tap House, 134 W. Downer Pl.
Stay for karaoke
5 to 9 p.m.
Cocoa Crawl: Hot chocolate with Peppermint Schnapps (21+)
MORE
^*McCarty Mills Taproom, 140 S. River St. Ste 108
TAMALES+/CHAMPURRADO/DJ ROGUE1TBA
Open until 11 p.m.
^*Kathryn’s Place, 61 S. Stolp Ave.
5 to 9 p.m.
Cocoa Crawl: Toppings bar
*G.A.R. Museum, 23 E. Downer Pl.
“When the War is Over,” a traveling exhibit from the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, detailing government programs developed after the war to care for soldiers and their families
5 to 9 p.m.
^*Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway
Holiday Fun: Stop by our special Watch Office Gift Shop to check out new holiday merchandise. The First Floor of the museum will also be open
5 to 9 p.m.
^*Wyckwood House Boutique + Cocktail Bar, 80 S. River St.
Live Music + Hot Cocoa Bar + Holiday Shopping
5 to 9 p.m.
Cocoa Crawl: Handmade marshmallow bar. 21+ can purchase a shot from our cocktail bar
*Zen Loft Wellness Center | I of the Angeles, 6 W. Downer Pl. upstairs
8 p.m. Songwriter Showcase benefiting Mutual Ground, $1/min chair massage, $10/mini-tarot readings, hang in hammocks, shop local vendors, 5 p.m. live music by Mo Pippy
5 to 10 p.m.
*All Spoked Up, 14 W. Downer Pl. Ste 10
Santa Toy Ride: Bring a toy for Toys for Tots and come ride bikes to Philips Park Holiday lights. Easy pace, dress WARM
6 to 9 p.m.
^*Pure Skin Solutions | you+ Medical Aesthetics, 26 S. Stolp Ave.
Stocking stuffer booth
5 to 9 p.m.
Cocoa Crawl: Vegan Hot Cocoa with a toppings bar
Superjumbo, 102 E. Galena Blvd.
VHS Sale
Noon to 8 p.m.
*Alive Center for Teens, 78 S. LaSalle St.
Santa photo booth
5 to 8:30 p.m.
Cocoa Crawl: Chocolate Abuelita
^Amy Morton’s Stolp Island Social, 5 E. Galena Blvd.
Special cocktail: Cocoa Cocktail ($) with a twist
5 to 10:30 p.m.
Endiro Coffee, 29 W. New York St.
Open for First Fridays
5 to 9 p.m.
^*The Cornucopia Tea & Gift Shop, 63 S. Broadway
Teas from Around the World: Learn about the world of teas, health benefits, how to brew loose leaf teas + find your new winter favorite – in shop discounts.
5 to 9 p.m.
Cocoa Crawl: Toppings bar
*The Perch | Aurora Business Center, 31 W. Downer Pl. 3rd Floor
Enjoy free refreshments plus holiday shopping. The Perch will offer gifts focused on mindfulness, self-love + connection
5 to 9 p.m.
Cocoa Crawl: Dairy-Free Hot Cocoa
*Waubonsee Community College, 18 S. River St.
Ceramics Club holiday pottery sale, silk screen printing, live music featuring the college jazz combos, chorale + more
5 to 9 p.m.
*La Quinta de los Reyes, 36 E. New York St.
Balloon artist + music + ponche con piquete/hot punch with liquor ($)
6 to 9 p.m.
*Alice’s Corner, 37 W. New York St.
5 to 9 p.m.
*Tredwell Coffee, 14 W. Downer Pl.
Tredwell’s Winter Wonderland: Llive music by Stephanie Su & Marcus Jefferson from the Jade Moon Jazz Band + Buho Candle Company + children’s coloring station
5 to 9 p.m.
*Warehouse 55 | Blissful Blooms, 55 S. Lake St.
Winter Wonderland: Enjoy Christmas cookies and shop for the holidays
Cocoa Crawl: Visit Blissful Blooms on the 2nd floor for Abuelita Hot Chocolate
*Society 57, 100 S. River St.
Cocktails + Bites
6 to 10 p.m.
*Christian Science Reading Room, 34 S. Stolp Ave.
Cocoa & Warmth: Warmed Oberweis Chocolate Milk + a take home art project for kids
6 to 8 p.m.
^*Ballydoyle Irish Pub, 28 W. New York St.
5 to 9 p.m.
Cocoa Crawl: Toppings bar
*FNBO Mortgage, 140 S. River St. Ste 112
5 to 9 p.m.
*Community Christian Church, 78 S. LaSalle St.
Free Picture with Santa
6:30 to 8 p.m.
*Renew Salon and Spa, 160 S. River St.
Holiday Shopping + Dessert Charcuterie Cups + Grazing Boards by A&J
5 to 8 p.m.
POP UP
*Hoof & Horn, 14 W. Downer Pl. Ste. 16
Holiday Bake Sale Pop-up feat. Aurora pop-up chef YudyCooks
5 to 9 p.m.
*Yetee Station Arcade, 11 N. Broadway (next door at Public Access)
Vintage Wonderland: Curated vintage by Offbeat Thrift and Ruby Retro. Center your seasonal intentions with a tarot reading from Huge Witch
5 to 9 p.m.
Cocoa Crawl: Homemade sweet treats plus vegan cocoa
*The Cotton Seed Creative Exchange, 64 S. River St.
Fresh Gems +artist Fundamental customizing holiday artwork + Closer Fragrances with handmade oils
5 to 9 p.m.
*Chupacabra Puerto Rican Kitchen, 31 N. Broadway
Aroma Roots Holiday Market feat. handcrafted bathand body products + clothing
4 to 9 p.m.
Cocoa Crawl: Puerto Rican Coquito Hot Chocolate
FOOD TRUCKS
Food Truck Food Court, Water Street Square, 65 S. Water St.
Holy Pierogi | Burritoville | Home Run Hot Dogs | Strawberries BBQ | Tapville Social (subject to change)
5 to 9 p.m.
Original source can be found here.
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