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.

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.

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

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.
 

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.