Small Business Saturday is a nationwide celebration that takes place on the Saturday after Thanksgiving (this year, it's on November 30) to encourage everyone to support local businesses. In this season of giving, consider the heartwarming experience of supporting your community by choosing to shop local. Our Holiday Shopping Passport will help to guide your local shopping experience, and offer a gift that gives back to the Evanston community: spend $100 (or more) at participating Downtown Evanston businesses and receive a $20 Evanston Gift Card. And, be sure to enjoy the FREE trolley rides between the Main-Dempster Mile and Downtown Evanston!

Join Mayor Biss, City Clerk Mendoza, Santa & Mrs. Claus, and other special guests for our annual Holiday Light Celebration at Fountain Square. Evanston's Children Choir will sing holiday tunes starting at 4:30PM, followed by the tree lighting at 5PM, and then additional musical performances at Fountain Square. From 5:30 to 7PM, take photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus at The Merion (1615 Chicago Avenue) and warm up with hot cocoa and other treats!

Enjoy a self-guided stroll throughout Downtown Evanston, visiting shops, restaurants, and other businesses offering a variety of warm beverages and shopping or dining specials. Warm Bevvy Walk tickets are $10/person, and include a custom (and reusable) warm bevvy mug! A portion of the ticket price will be donated to The Rotary Club of Evanston. ID will be required if you intend to have alcoholic beverages. 

Our 10th Annual Holiday Window Decorating Contest kicks off on Small Business Saturday, November 30. Evanston businesses are encouraged to decorate their windows with an "Enjoy Evanston" theme. You will be able to view the window decorations at the Evanston Holiday Window Contest Facebook page, and vote for your favorites on a separate website. Winners will be announced on December 23 at 5PM.