Holiday Season Celebrations

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Celebrate the Holidays in Evanston!

Community members and visitors can celebrate the holiday season in Evanston at special events and programs planned throughout December.

Woman's Club of Evanston Holiday Bazaar, November 23 - 24

Join the Woman's Club of Evanston on Saturday, November 23, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, November 24, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., for the 2024 Holiday Bazaar! Shore gift-givers can jump start their holiday shopping with a visit to the Holiday Bazaar sponsored by The Woman’s Club of Evanston (WCE). This annual event features that one-of-a-kind gift for friends and loved ones. Local artisans/vendors offer unique, hand-made or hand-designed home décor, apparel, jewelry, accessories, and gourmet foods sure to inspire that holiday spirit. Proceeds from the annual WCE Holiday Bazaar are awarded to local charities through The Woman’s Club of Evanston’s annual community grants. More information.

2024 Annual Winter Art & Crafts Expo, November 23 - December 20

The Winter Arts & Crafts Expo will take place November 23 - December 20 and includes original, handmade works of jewelry, ceramics, fiber, metal, glass, painting, photography, mixed media, and more. All proceeds from the Expo will benefit the ongoing exhibition, education, and outreach programs at the Art Center. The Winter Expo is also the perfect opportunity for families to shop for everyone on their holiday gift list.

Evanston Flying Turkey 5k, November 28

The Evanston Flying Turkey 5k presented by Endeavor Health returns for the 2024 holiday season on Thursday, November 28, at 9 a.m., Thanksgiving Day morning! Gather your family and join them for a festive 5k run or walk to start the holiday on a healthy note. This certified 5K run and walk will be along the beautiful Evanston lakefront, beginning and ending at the Arrington Lagoon Shelter (Sheridan Rd. and Church Street). They will also be collecting canned goods on-site for the Evanston Vineyard Food Pantry, as well as other donations for local charities during this season of giving. For additional information and registration, click here!

Small Business Saturday, November 30

Get in the spirit by supporting local businesses this holiday season. Buy all your holiday gifts on Shop Small Saturday, November 30, throughout Evanston's eight business districts. Check out Small Business Saturday events in Downtown Evanston, on the Main-Dempster Mile, and Central Street Evanston.

Shop Evanston Made Holiday Market, December 5 - 22

Get excited for the 4th annual Shop Evanston Made Holiday Market! Located at 924 Davis Street, the holiday market will be open from December 5 - 22. Shop for original art, jewelry, ceramics, wearables, textiles, stationery, home goods, and more! Evanston Made artists will also host workshops and special events. More information.

Evanston Holiday Light Celebration, December 7

Join Downtown Evanston on Saturday, December 7, 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., to watch the annual tree lighting at Fountain Square with Santa and other special visitors. Gather at 4:30 p.m. to enjoy holiday music by Evanston Children's Choir followed by the tree lighting by Mayor Biss, City Clerk Mendoza, and Santa. After, enjoy holiday performances by Northwestern Community Singers and other groups to be announced soon. Make your way to The Merion at 1611 Chicago Ave., (enter from the Davis Street entrance) to take photos with Santa from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., warm up with hot chocolate, and more! More information.

Art Makers Outpost Handmade Holiday Market, December 14

Join the Art Makers Outpost for their Handmade Holiday Marketplace on Saturday, December 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in shopping local and supporting local artisans. This is the last Holiday Market this season! Admission is free. For more information, contact iden@artmakersoutpost.com and visit the flyer here.

Evanston Symphony Holiday Concert, December 15

Head to Evanston Township High School on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 3 p.m. to enjoy the award-winning Evanston Symphony Orchestra joined by the North Shore Choral Society, Chicago Ballet Arts, Evanston Children's Choir, Evanston Dance Ensemble, The Evanston Symphony Holiday Gospel Choir, and more! Plus, there will be a visit from Santa and his elves.

CTA Holiday Train on the Purple Line, December

Santa will return to Evanston aboard the CTA Holiday Train, which will visit stops along the Purple Line . View the Holiday train timetables.

Flapjacks & Flannels, December 8

Join the Evanston Parks & Recreation Department for a Flapjacks and Flannels event at the Levy Senior Center on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 9 a.m. to noon. Wear your flannel, bring your family, and enjoy some flapjacks! Attendees will enjoy a full breakfast, selfies with Santa, dreidel, snow globe-making, and more. Registration is required, please register at cityofevanston.org/registration.

Menorah Lighting Ceremony, December 26

The entire Evanston community is invited to join Tannenbaum Chabad House on Thursday, Dec. 26, at 5:30 p.m. to celebrate Hanukkah and ignite a public 10-foot menorah erected at Fountain Square. The celebration will feature greetings from Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, live music, an LED robot dancer, and Hanukkah treats. Evanston's menorah is one of more than 15,000 large public menorahs sponsored by Chabad in more than 100 countries around the world, including in front of landmarks such as the White House, the Eiffel Tower, and this year throughout Ukraine, helping children and adults of all walks of life discover and enjoy the holiday message.

Celebrate with local business districts

Downtown Evanston

Main-Dempster Mile

MDM Hometown Holiday Celebration and Stroll, December 5

Central Street Evanston

Late-er Night on Central, December 12