FIRST FRIDAYS IN DOWNTOWN AURORA | The Hot Cocoa Tradition Continues at Friday's Event

DECEMBER 1 • FRIDAY

It’s time for Aurora Downtown’s annual Cocoa Crawl in conjunction with the downtown group’s monthly First Fridays event on December 1.

The popular seasonal event offers more than 40 holiday activities throughout downtown including photos with Santa, holiday shopping, live music, and more.

To participate in the Cocoa Crawl portion of First Fridays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., an official Cocoa Crawl mug and button are needed. Mugs and buttons are currently on sale at a handful of downtown locations including Aurora Historical Society, Aurora Regional Fire Museum, G.A.R. Military Museum, Renew Salon and Spa, Society 57, and Wyckwood House. A mug and button sells for $20.

With a Cocoa Crawl mug and button, visitors to First Fridays will be able to sample hot chocolate of different varieties including non-dairy options and hot cider at about 30 participating locations.

“It’s our fifth year hosting the annual Cocoa Crawl. It’s always a fun, festive time that showcases the amazing local businesses downtown,” said Marissa Amoni, interim event director for Aurora Downtown, a nonprofit group of business and property owners.

Throughout downtown, the First Fridays event lineup includes more than 40 activities for all ages.

Holz Fine Art, 50 E. Galena Blvd., upstairs, will be open with Painterly Presents. Enjoy hot apple cider while shopping for one-of-a-kind painted ornaments, including onion dome shaped ornaments, wine bottle fairy lights, and stocking stuffers that are mostly $20 and under.

5 to 7 p.m.

Nuna Ceramics Art Studio, 77 S. Lake St., will be open for the Cocoa Crawl with a pottery sale. Pick up a special, one-of-a-kind piece of pottery made by local ceramic artists from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

The Nolan Gallery, 33 S. Stolp Ave. (accessible by elevator), will be open for visits to the photo art gallery on First Fridays in the lower level of the Graham Building from 6 to 9 p.m.

Aurora Historical Society and Aurora Public Art at The DLP, 20 E. Downer Pl., will be open for Cocoa Crawl and the opening of Winter Garden of Youth from 6 to 9 p.m.

The ArtBar at Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, will feature the collective’s Greatest Hits: Pop up art gallery for First Fridays in the cafe. Original art and prints for sale from 7 to 11 p.m.

Artesan Lofts Art Gallery, 2 S. Stolp Ave., will be open with a new gallery show from 6 to 9 p.m.

Endiro Coffee, 29 W. New York St., will be open with live music by Demi Clara. Try the Nutcracker Latte: Hazelnut and brown sugar latte, almond milk, topped with whipped cream and pecans from 5 to 9 p.m.

Ballydoyle Irish Pub, 28 W. New York St., will be open for the Cocoa Crawl.

The Venue, 21 S. Broadway (entrance on Water Street Mall), will be open for the Cocoa Crawl with live music featuring Dave Glynn and friends. Enjoy a free concert at Aurora's premier live music room while you sip cocoa from 5 to 9 p.m. Music starts at 6 p.m.

Wyckwood House Boutique and Cocktail Bar, 80 S. River St., will feature live music by Josh Goodman along with hot cocoa and cocktails from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Waubonsee Community College, 18 S. River St., will be open from 5 to 8:30 p.m. with family-friendly activities, jazz and chorale performances, student art exhibition, pottery sale, throwing demo, and hot cocoa from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

Tavern on Broadway, 24 N. Broadway, will be open with hot cocoa and live music by Corey O’Donnell from 8 to 10 p.m.

Aurora Tap House, 134 W. Downer Pl., will present JazBlusion, combination of R&B, funk, blues, jazz, and more from 9 p.m. to midnight

Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce, 43 W. Galena Blvd., will welcome visitors to the office to meet the staff from 4 to 6 p.m. Enjoy photo ops, eggnog, and cookies.

Community Christian Church, 78 S. Lasalle St., will join the Cocoa Crawl with free pictures with Santa and Mrs Claus from 5 to 9 p.m.

Office of State Representative Barbara Hernandez, 1 E. Benton St., Suite 101, will be open for Cocoa Crawl and to celebrate their grand opening. Learn about services and enjoy food from Café Tlahuica from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Sammy Wammy Floral, 32 N. Broadway, will open for Cocoa Crawl plus shop plants, flowers, and candy from 5 to 9 p.m.

Yetee Station Arcade, 11 N. Broadway, will be part of the Cocoa Crawl. Beat the staff high score on Pengo to win a free day pass to the arcade. Open until 11 p.m.

Family Counseling Service, 70 S. River St., will offer hot cocoa and provide information on their services from 5 to 8 p.m.

Offbeat Vintage Collective, 7 N. Broadway, will present a Vintage Wonderland featuring vegan hot cocoa plus homemade sweet treats from 5 to 9 p.m.

Alice’s Corner, 37 W. New York St., will be open with hot cocoa and a deal on empanadas. Buy three, get one free from 5 to 8 p.m.

Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway, will be open for a stroll through the museum's Holiday Museum Store featuring new Aurora, holiday, and fire themed items from 5 to 9 p.m.. Visit tables representing partner organizations Edith Farnsworth House and Schingoethe Center for toppings for hot chocolate.

Zen Loft Wellness Center, 6 W. Downer Pl. upstairs, will be open with hot cocoa from 5 to 9 p.m.. Shop local goods in the shop, hang in hammocks, and enjoy a belly dance performance by Magnolia Dance Collective at 7:30 p.m.

The Perch along with Aurora Business Center, 31 W. Downer Pl., will offer cocoa, treats, and shopping. Meet The Perch, Adecco, Graceful Therapy, Net Realty, New Era Studios, ROAN Solutions, and more from 5 to 9 p.m.

G.A.R. Military Museum, 23 E. Downer Pl., will be open with hot cocoa and an exhibit. The McCormick Foundation presents The Mexican American Experience: On loan from the First Division Museum at Cantigny Park, the exhibit details the challenges and accomplishments of Mexican Americans in the U.S. Army from 5 to 9 p.m.

Warehouse 55 and Blissful Blooms, 55 S. Lake St., will be open with Warehouse 55 Holiday Market plus a Hot Cocoa Bar from 5 to 8 p.m.

Latrice Murphy, 62 S. River St., will offer holiday selfies and be part of the Cocoa Crawl from 5 to 9 p.m.

French 75 Gallery and Lounge, 56 E. Galena Blvd., will be open with hot apple cheer and original artwork. Enjoy a winter apple cider spiced cocktail to warm and discounts on artwork from 4 p.m. to midnight

The Cotton Seed Creative Exchange, 64 S. River St., will be open with Spanish Soul Pop Up and Renee Monique Desserts with Holiday Cookies and treats from 5 to 9 p.m.

Santori Public Library, 101 S. River St., will celebrate Winter Reading Adventure Kick-Off: Meet and sing along with Anna and Elsa, enjoy a snowball treat, decorate a luminaria bag, take a greenscreen photo, and Winter Reading Adventure sign up from 6 to 8 p.m.

Chupacabra Puerto Rican Kitchen, 31 N. Broadway, will be part of the Cocoa Crawl with Puerto Rican Coquito inspired Hot Cocoa (non-alcoholic) from 5 to 9 p.m.

The Cornucopia Tea & Gift Shop, 63 S. Broadway, will be open for Cocoa Crawl with their Christmas Shop opening. Enjoy samples of Gourmet Cocoa or Christmas Tea and pick up a treat from the candy and cookies bar from 5 to 9 p.m.

Society 57, 100 S. River St., will be open for Cocoa Crawl from 6 to 9 p.m.

FNBO Mortgage, 140 S. River St. STE 112, will offer hot cocoa plus sweet bread and Liz Jewelry pop up from 5 to 9 p.m.

Pure Skin Solutions, 26 S. Stolp Ave, will be part of the Cocoa Crawl with healthy, rich, hot cocoa, the vegan way. Enjoy a holistic approach to hot cocoa with a toppings bar from 5 to 9 p.m.

Nide Jardin, 140 S River St., Unit 106, will be open with Un Jardin Navideño: Dapper Brews Authentic Hot Chocolate in our transformed holiday jardin. Enjoy un chocolatito caliente from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Do or Dye Designs, 24 S. Stolp Ave., will be open for Cocoa Crawl with Grinch and more. On the Roxx mobile bar will be serving mocktails. PIC a Booth entertainment will have the Grinch in the house from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

McCarty Mills Taproom and Bottleshop, 140 S. River St. Unit 108, will present Tamales Plus pop up. Add some “cheer” to your cocoa ($) from 5 to 8 p.m.

Yellow Bird Books, 34 S. Stolp Ave., will be open with Snow Folk Arts: Snow Folk inspired arts by local artisans for sale from 5 to 9 p.m.

For more information and a complete map of First Fridays and Cocoa Crawl participating locations, visit www.auroradowntown.org.