thumbnail image
  • Shop Evanston For The Holidays
  • Small Business Saturday
  • Holiday Parking
  • 2019 Holiday Events
  • Food & Toy Drive
  • Social Feed
  • Shop Evanston Videos
  • Connect
  • …  
    • Shop Evanston For The Holidays
    • Small Business Saturday
    • Holiday Parking
    • 2019 Holiday Events
    • Food & Toy Drive
    • Social Feed
    • Shop Evanston Videos
    • Connect
    • Shop Evanston For The Holidays
    • Small Business Saturday
    • Holiday Parking
    • 2019 Holiday Events
    • Food & Toy Drive
    • Social Feed
    • Shop Evanston Videos
    • Connect
    • …  
      • Shop Evanston For The Holidays
      • Small Business Saturday
      • Holiday Parking
      • 2019 Holiday Events
      • Food & Toy Drive
      • Social Feed
      • Shop Evanston Videos
      • Connect
      • Shop Evanston For The Holidays
      • Small Business Saturday
      • Holiday Parking
      • 2019 Holiday Events
      • Food & Toy Drive
      • Social Feed
      • Shop Evanston Videos
      • Connect
        • Shop Evanston For the Holidays!

          Enjoy a full calendar of community

          events and support Evanston's

          independent businesses!

           

        • Small Business Saturday, November 30

          Shop Small. Shop Local. Shop Evanston!

          Be a part of Small Business Saturday on November 30 and shop at Evanston's small, local shops in various business districts, including Central Street, Downtown Evanston, Main-Dempster Mile, and Howard Street. Holiday shoppers are encouraged to support the small, independent businesses that help make the Evanston community so special!

           

          Check out these Special Small Business Saturday events:

           

          Downtown Evanston's "Keep Evanston Awesome" Shopping Passport

          Spend $100 at participating businesses and receive a gift from Downtown Evanston

           

          Main-Dempster Mile

          Spend $100 at participating business and receive a gift from MDM

           

          Brunch and lunch specials will be available throughout the city.

        • Parking validation

          From Saturday, November 30 through Saturday, January 4, Evanston shoppers can have their parking validated at participating Evanston businesses with a qualifying purchase. Validation can be used for free two-hour parking at City meters and surface lots every day. Shoppers parking at City meters and lots must use the Park Evanston mobile app in order to redeem validation.

        • Holiday Events in Evanston

          Celebrate the holidays in Evanston all season long

          2019 Winter Art & Crafts Expo

          November 16 through December 21

          Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

          Saturday & Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

          The Evanston Art Center's Winter Art & Crafts Expo is one of the largest and most celebrated craft shows in the Chicago area. The annual Expo features original arts and crafts by over 140 selected artisans, featuring works of jewelry, ceramics, fiber, metal, glass, painting, photography, mixed-media, and more.

           

          Holiday Bazaar

          Friday, November 22, 5 to 9 p.m. (Preview Party)

          Saturday, November 23, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

          Sunday, November 24, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

          The Women's Club of Evanston's Holiday Bazaar is a juried gift fair featuring artists and makers of handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gifts. Exhibitors include makers of fashion and accessories, gourmet foods, home decor, jewelry, and specialty items.

          2019 Native American Fine Arts Holiday Market and Artist Demonstrations

          Friday, December 6, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (Preview Party)

          Saturday, December 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

          Sunday, December 8, 12 to 4 p.m.

          Come find unique pieces handcrafted by Native American artists from around the country to give as incredible gifts.

           

          Downtown Evanston Tree Lighting

          Saturday, December 7, 5pm

          Fountain Square

          Celebrate the holiday season at the Evanston Tree Lighting ceremony on Saturday, December 7, 5-7pm. Join Mayor Hagerty, Santa and Mrs. Claus to light up the live tree at the south end of Fountain Square plaza!

           

          The Evanston Children's Choir will perform at 5pm followed by a holiday greeting from Mayor Hagerty who will then light the tree at 5:30pm.

           

          Northwestern Purple Haze, an acapella group, will perform after the Tree Lighting followed by other musical acts to be announced soon.

           

          Following the Tree Lighting, meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and warm up with hot chocolate a location to be announced soon.
           

          Evanston Symphony Holiday Concert

          Sunday, December 8, 3pm

          Evanston Township High School - 1600 Dodge Ave.

          Don’t miss enjoying these favorite Yule festivities with your family and friends … and you can take advantage of our special rates for a package of 2 adult tickets and 3 children's tickets.

          The award-winning Evanston Symphony Orchestra is joined by:

          North Shore Choral Society [learn more]

          Evanston Dance Ensemble [learn more]

          The Evanston Symphony Holiday Gospel Choir

          Evanston Children’s Choir [learn more]

          ETHS A Cappella Choir

          Audience Sign-a-long

          And, a BIG bonus for all kids from 1 to 101 — a visit from Santa and his elves!

           

          Tickets & Info

          Warm Bevvy Walk

          Thursday, December 5, 5 to 8 p.m.

          Downtown Evanston

          Sip and shop your way throughout downtown Evanston during the 5th Annual Warm Bevvy Walk on Thursday, December 5 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Enjoy an evening stroll with friends and family, stopping at stores to try tasty beverages and shop for the holidays. Check-in at Newport Coffee House to pick up a map of the stops and get wristband if you'd like to enjoy "spiked" beverages. ID required.

          Event is free, but RSVPs required.

          The Evanston History Center Presents the Annual Holiday Open House

          Sunday, December 8, 2 to 4 p.m.

          Dawes House, 225 Greenwood St.

          Visit the Dawes House for live music, holiday treats, kids' crafts, and see the Dawes House dressed up and decked out for the Holidays. This event is free and open to all.

           

          Main-Dempster Mile Treat Walk

          Thursday, December 12, 2019

          This FREE event is fun for the entire family! Stroll along the Main-Dempster Mile enjoying traditional (and not so traditional) holiday treats

          Pictures, Brunch, and Pizza with Santa at Firehouse Grill!

          Sunday, December 15, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

          Visit Firehouse Grill Sunday, Dec. 15 for pictures with Santa! Ticket price includes visit with Mr. Claus and a brunch/lunch buffet. There will also be a craft project available for the kids. Make sure to bring your camera to snap a photo!

          Buy tickets here

          Peckish Pig Holiday Market

          Sunday, December 15

          2 to 5 p.m.

          Come find your perfect holiday gifts, enjoy mulled wine, and festive treats at the first ever Holiday Market at Peckish Pig featuring jewelry, art, CDB products + cookies, dog treats, merchandise, home goods, and more!

           

          The Nutcracker(ish)

          December 21,22 and 28,29
          Noyes Cultural Arts Center - 927 Noyes St.

          The Nutcracker meets The Wizard of Oz in this popular holiday show for all ages; combining ballet, hip-hop, and modern dance with storytelling theatre and the Tchaikovsky score you know and love. Join Clara, Toto, The Snowman and the Nutcracker on their fun and mysterious journey. This is a holiday play for the entire family.

           

          Tickets & Info

          Grand Chanukah Menorah Lighting

          Monday, December 23, 5:30 p.m.

          Fountain Square

          Tannenbaum Chabad House invites you to join Mayor Stephen Hagerty and Evanston's civic, business and Jewish communities to Evanston's Public Chanukah Lighting and Celebration. The 10-foot Menorah will be lit at Fountain Square at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, December 23.

           

          For more information, please call 847-869-8060.

          CTA Holiday Train on the Purple Line

          December 18, 20, 21

          Santa will return to Evanston aboard the CTA Holiday Train, which will visit stops at the along the Purple Line. Then shop and eat downtown with your family! Holiday train timetables here.

          Community Kwanzaa Celebration

          Thursday, December 26, 6 to 8 pm

          Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center - 1655 Foster St.

          Join your friends and neighbors in celebrating the first day of Kwanzaa at Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center in a free celebration for all ages! There will be music, spoken word, and dancing. There will also be the traditional lighting of the Kinara and recitation of the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa.

           

          For more information, please call 847-866-5914.

          First Night Evanston

          Tuesday, December 31

          First Night Evanston is a family-friendly event featuring live music, poetry, dancing and more, at a variety of indoor Evanston venues surrounding Raymond Park, located at Chicago Ave. and Lake St.

           

        • Mayor's Annual Food & Toy Drive

          November 4 - December 13, 2019

          To ensure every Evanston family gets to celebrate this holiday season, Mayor Stephen Hagerty is encouraging all community members to participate in the 11th annual Mayor's Holiday Food, Book and Toy Drive.

          Through Friday, December 13, the City is collecting new, unwrapped toys that encourage physical and/or social activities, in addition to staple food items for holiday meals, including stuffing, green beans, yams, mac and cheese, corn and corn bread mix. New this year, the City is also collecting new and gently used children's books.

          Donate Food & Toys

          Donate toys & food items at locations throughout the community

          Items can be dropped off at locations throughout the city, including:

           

          • Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave
          • Robert Crown Center, 1701 Main St.
          • Chandler-Newberger Center, 1028 Central St.
          • Evanston Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd.
          • Fleetwood-Jourdain Center, 1655 Foster St.
          • Levy Senior Center, 300 Dodge Ave.
          • Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St.
          • Gibbs-Morrison Cultural Center, 1823 Church St.
          • Evanston Police Station, 1454 Elmwood Ave.
          • All five Evanston fire stations, 1332 Emerson St., 702 Madison St., 1105 Central St., 1817 Washington St. and 2830 Central St.
          • Main Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave.
          • North Branch library,2026 Central St. 
          • Chicago Avenue/Main Street Branch library, 900 Chicago Ave., Suite 102
          • J.E.H. Education Center, 1500 McDaniel Ave
          • First Northern Credit Union,  1705 Sherman Ave

          For more locations and drop-off hours, visit cityofevanston.org/holidaydonation or call/text 847-448-4311.

           

          The following Evanston businesses are offering a 20% discount on items purchased at their store for donation to the drive:

           

          • Becky & Me Toys, 620 Grove St.
          • Oliver's Trains & Toys, 2002 Central St.
          • Booked, 506 Main St.
          • Page 1 Books, 1808 Central St.
          • Squeezebox, 743 Main St.
          • Bookends & Beginnings, 1712 Sherman Ave.

           

           

          Donate Cash

          Make a tax-deductible cash donation

          Tax-deductible financial donations can also be made online or by mail to purchase additional items. To submit your donation quickly and securely online, visit cityofevanston.org/holidaydonation.

           

          For mail-in donations, checks should be made payable to “Evanston Parks Foundation,” and mailed to

          Evanston Parks Foundation,

          2100 Ridge Ave., Suite 1100,

          Evanston, IL 60201.

           

          Community members can also support Mayor Hagerty's Holiday Food, Book and Toy Drive by purchasing holiday greeting cards featuring designs by Evanston students.

        • Social Feed

          Use the #12DaysofEvanston hashtag to help spread the word about your favorite local shops and events this holiday season!

        • Shop Small. Shop Evanston Videos

          Take a look and enjoy these videos!

          Stella

          2116 Central St.

          www.stellaevanston.com

           

          Looking for fun and unique gift ideas? Stella offers an eclectic mix of clothing, vintage and handmade jewelry, handbags, accessories, and more. They've got the perfect gift for everyone on your list. We stopped by and spoke with owner Rachel and she told us a few of her favorite things for this holiday season.

           

           

          Cultivate Urban Rainforest & Gallery

          Everyone loves plants! Stop by and few living art, exotic plants labeled for pet safety, artist-made gifts and more.

          Maya Papaya & Tony Macarony

          See Jane Sparkle

          Jan's Antiques

          Follow Your Nose

          Stop by for precious gifts for your four-legged friends.

          Squeezebox Books & Music

          Shoppers rejoice! Take advantage of 20% off the ENTIRE store. Please note: The sale excludes Black Friday Record Store Day titles. 

          Stumble & Relish

          Looking for something unique this holiday season? Stop by and enjoy 20% off ALL holiday greeting cards (Hanukkah, Christmas, New Years, etc.). Shoppers that spend $30 or more will also receive a FREE tote bag while supplies last.

          Shop Local this Small Business Saturday

          Hear from Evanston's aldermen about shopping local!

          The Collage Cafe

          Happy Husky Bakery

          Allegro Dance Boutique

          Oliver's Trains & Toys

          Perennials 

          The Spice House

          Stella's Boutique

          Trattoria D.O.C.

          Vogue Fabrics

          Guitar Works

          Ayla's Originals

          Looking for jewelry this holiday season? Stop by Ayla's Originals.

          Bottle & Bottega

          Have a fun night out painting and drinking. Stop by Bottle & Bottega!

          Smylie Brothers

          Hip Circle Studio

          Sketchbook Brewing Co.

          !

        • Connect With Us

          Make sure to add links to the icons!

          Facebook

          Facebook

          Twitter
          Twitter
          Email

          Email

          Phone

          847-448-8100

        Copyright 2015
        Cookie Use
        We use cookies to ensure a smooth browsing experience. By continuing we assume you accept the use of cookies.
        Learn More