Holiday Parties

Are you looking for a beautiful, intimate, and unique holiday party venue for your special holiday party? Whether it may be a company's annual Christmas party, a traditional family event, children's Halloween party or a Fourth of July barbeque, Danada House is a popular holiday party location in the greater Chicago area. Danada House and grounds, located in the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County near Wheaton, Illinois, is open year-round for functions including anniversary and birthday parties, weddings, meetings, concerts and more. The historic mansion has several rooms that can accommodate groups of up to 250 guests.

Features of Danada House

The two-story house was built in 1939 by Dan and Ada Rice, philanthropists and Chicago business people, as part of a 1,350-acre working farm that included a 23-stall equestrian center and outbuildings. The Forest Preserve acquired 825 acres of the farm in 1980 including the house, the Kentucky-style horse stables, woodlands, wetlands and restored prairie.

The 19-room house is available for events year-round. The ground floor rooms work well for affairs like cocktail parties and can hold up to 90 guests. Ground floor rooms include several enclosed porches, an 18- by 30-foot living room and a library with a fireplace adjacent to entryway. The formal dining room accommodates 110 guests. Upstairs rooms are reserved for staff, but rooms may be made available on a limited basis to wedding parties for dressing rooms.

The atrium, recently added to the main house, can hold up to 250 people. Floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides give a spectacular view to the natural forest preserve. Winter-time parties look out on snow-tipped trees and winter wildlife that inhabits the forest. At night, the interior lights shimmer, giving an appearance of far-off night-time stars. The atrium is climate-controlled, so whether your holiday party is in the heat of summer, cool fall or brisk winter weather, guests will be comfortable. A central 18- by 18-foot wooden dance floor is bordered by attractive tile flooring. Wireless Internet is also available in the atrium.

Lovely, landscaped gardens are part of the 78-acre tract that surrounds the house and can be used as part of your holiday party. The gardens include native plants and trees as well as decorative flowers that enhance the atmosphere. Flowers and foliage add to the aesthetic appeal of the property in all seasons.

The facility is wheel-chair accessible. A dedicated parking area has space for 150 vehicles.

Holiday Party Planning

Friends of Danada, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, operates Danada House and grounds. Staff and volunteers are happy to work with you to make sure your holiday event is a success. Equipment available on the property includes banquet, cocktail, conference, highboy and dinner tables, banquet chairs and garden chairs. Friends of Danada maintain a list of approved caterers who offer a range of menus to suit any diet or festive occasion. Other local businesses supply sound equipment, decorations, linens and other equipment to meet your holiday party planning needs.