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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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:
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.
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.
!