Join us every year for these fun and family-friendly, annual events in Downtown Evanston. While a couple of our annual events have a modest ticket price, most events are free and open to everyone! Please follow this link to learn more about helping to sponsor Downtown Evanston's 2026 programming.
Celebrate the season of love at our Love Local Chocolate Crawl on Thursday, February 12, 4:30-7:30PM. Bundle up and gather your friends, coworkers and family for an evening stroll stopping in local shops to enjoy a variety of chocolate treats and special offers. More details to come.
Downtown Evanston and the City of Evanston Evanston Parks and Recreation are excited to cohost S'mores on the Square, a delightful and cozy community event around open fire pits at Fountain Square. This free and informal gathering (no ticket required) will take place on Saturday, March 7, from 5-7PM. Residents and visitors of all ages are invited to join in the fun, bringing their enthusiasm and a sweet tooth to the event.
Downtown Evanston will provide attendees with wooden sticks and free s’mores "kits" (1 kit per person) to create perfect golden-brown marshmallows over the fire pits provided by Evanston Parks & Recreation. Feel free to also bring your own s'mores fixings if you'd like extras! More details to come.
Join Downtown Evanston and The Woman's Club of Evanston on Sunday, April 26, 12-2pm for our annual Earth Day Clean-Upevent aimed at fostering community engagement and environmental stewardship. Individuals, families, office groups, students are all encouraged to lend a hand in making our downtown business district a cleaner, greener place to live, work and visit!
Participants will gather at Fountain Square to get outfitted with gloves, bags and maps before heading out to pick-up litter and debris. When finished, participants will bring the trash bags back to Fountain Square for disposal. Thanks to Brightview Landscaping for providing the supplies and removing all trash collected during the event. More details to come.
Get ready to pedal into summer with Downtown Evanston's new partnership with the Evanston Transit Alliance and Chicago Family Biking/Evanston Kidical Mass! From May through October, we're bringing you two fantastic series of monthly bike rides that promise fun, fitness, and a whole lot of community spirit.
Tuesday Evening Rides for Adults: Join us for six invigorating bike rides designed just for adults. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or just dusting off your old bike, these rides are perfect for all skill levels. Explore the beauty of Evanston and the North Shore, meet fellow biking enthusiasts, and discover the hidden gems of our community. Best of all, these rides are entirely free, so grab your helmet and pedal your way into the sunset.
Saturday Morning Family and Children Rides: Saturdays are family days! Bring the little ones and join us for six family-friendly bike rides tailored for all ages and skill levels, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. We'll cruise through Evanston's charming streets, creating lasting memories and promoting a love for cycling in the next generation. Like our Tuesday rides, these family adventures are free of charge—just bring your helmets and let's roll!
Join us on Thursday, June 11, 5-8pm for our Spring Sip & Stroll! Explore downtown with friends and family while visiting local shops for sips of wine, bubbly, and other treats. This year's Spring Sip & Stroll will be held in conjuction with the first Thursday Night Market of 2026. More details to come.
Now entering its 7th year, our Thursday Night Markets are an opportunity to show support for Downtown Evanston and the local and regional artists, makers and retailers from our community. Each market will feature 30+ vendors, live music, and children's craft activities. The 2026 market dates are June 11, July 9, August 6, and September 3, from 5-8PM at Fountain Square. The July, August and September markets will each coincide with our Downtown Summer Sounds concert series.
More details to come. If you are interested in being a vendor, please contact Laura Brown at lbrown@DowntownEvanston.org.
Where’s Waldo? In Downtown Evanston, of course! The famous children’s book character in the striped shirt and black-rimmed specs is visiting local businesses in Downtown Evanston this July. Stop by a participating businesses to pick up a Waldo Passport and start your hunt in Downtown Evanston. More details to come.
Downtown Evanston’s popular weekly summer concert series is returning in 2026! Downtown Summer Sounds is a free outdoor concert series on Thursday evenings from 6-8PM at Fountain Square, from July 9 to September 3. Join us for nine community-oriented events featuring a variety of musical genres and a range of diverse performers. We'll also have adult beverages for sale, food trucks, children's art activities, and a couple of opportunities to show off your dancing skills! More details to come.
Downtown Evanston invites you to display your vintage (pre-2000) cars at one or more of our Evanston Cars & Coffee events. In 2026, we have three gatherings planned on the following Sundays from 9:30AM-Noon: July 19, August 23, and September 20. We are expecting about 75 cars on each date, and car owners may register for one, two, or all three of the dates. All cars will be showcased in our new location on a blocked-off section of Sherman Avenue from Clark Street to Church Street. These events are all free and open to the community. More details to come.
Prepare for a burst of color and an abundance of fantastic finds as Downtown Evanston presents its annual Sidewalk Sale & Chalk Art Contest. Join us for a vibrant weekend filled with shopping, art, and community spirit! Shop Local Treasures: Explore the charming sidewalks of Downtown Evanston lined with local shops and boutiques, offering incredible deals and unique finds. From fashion to home decor, there's something for everyone.
Culinary Delights: Treat your taste buds to the culinary delights of Evanston's restaurants and cafes. Enjoy outdoor dining and special promotions as you shop and stroll.
Community Connection: Engage with fellow shoppers and local business owners, fostering a sense of community and support for our incredible downtown merchants.
Chalk Art Contest: Express Your Creativity! Calling all artists! Grab a piece of chalk and showcase your artistic flair on our sidewalks. The Chalk Art Contest will take place on Saturday, July 25 and is open to participants of all ages, from aspiring young artists to seasoned creatives. Artists can begin creating their designs at 9am and must finish by 3pm. More details to come. Please contact Laura Brown at lbrown@DowntownEvanston.org if you are interested in participating as a chalk artist.
Bring your kids Downtown Evanston to trick or treating at local businesses! Stroll around downtown to stop at participating businesses for candy and other goodies. Meet up at Fountain Square (the plaza north of Davis Street) to pick up a map and take part in a variety of fall arts and crafts activities. More details to come.
Shop BIG at your local shops during the holiday season! Join us on Saturday, November 28 for the nation-wide celebration of independent retailers and restaurants. Downtown Evanston will provide a Holiday Shopping Passport with lots of special offers. When you spend $100 or more at local businesses, you'll receive an Evanston Gift Card! More details to come.
All families, friends, and neighbors are invited to Fountain Square in Downtown Evanston on Saturday, December 5, 4:30-7PM to celebrate the holidays at our annual tree lighting event with local elected officials, Santa & Mrs. Claus, and other special guests. Throughout the evening, you'll enjoy holiday-themed music performed by several local singing groups. Live entertainment will start at 4:30PM. The brief tree lighting ceremony will take place right around 5PM, followed by more live entertainment at Fountain Square. Starting around 5:30PM, Santa & Mrs. Claus will offer free photo ops in The Crystal Ballroom at The Merion (1611 Chicago Avenue). More details to come.
Celebrate what we love most about the season -- a special holiday mug filled with warm bevvies, shopping, and supporting our local businesses. Enjoy a self-guided stroll throughout downtown Evanston, visiting shops, restaurants, and other businesses that will be offering a variety of complimentary warm beverages, along with shopping or dining specials. More details to come.
