Evanston's Holiday Event Roundup!

Shopping & Small Business Days

Central Street Holiday Stroll & Tree Lighting
Saturday, Nov. 14 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. along Central Street
Get into the holiday spirit early! On Saturday, November 14, spend the day on Central Street enjoying shopping and dining specials, free trolley rides, pop-up entertainment, and holiday festivities, then cap off the celebration with a tree lighting in Independence Park at 5 p.m. More info.

Downtown Evanston Small Business Saturday
Saturday, Nov. 28 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Downtown Evanston
Pick up a Holiday Shopping Passport packed with special offers from downtown businesses. Spend $100 or more locally, and you’ll receive an Evanston Gift Card. More info.

Central Street Small Business Saturday
Saturday, Nov. 28 along Central Street
Celebrate the shops that make Central Street special by checking items off your gift list at the district’s independent businesses. More info.

Downtown Evanston Warm Bevvy Walk
Thursday, Dec. 10, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. throughout Downtown Evanston
Get into the holiday spirit during Downtown Evanston's annual Warm Bevvy Walk. 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 info. 

Late-er Night on Central
Thursday, Dec. 10, through 7 p.m. along Central Street
Many Central Street shops stay open late so you can finish your holiday shopping after work. More info.

Holiday Markets & Craft Fairs

Woman’s Club of Evanston Holiday Bazaar
November 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  |  November 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Kick off the holiday season with the annual Holiday Bazaar, bringing together a wonderful selection of unique, one-of-a-kind gifts you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re checking names off your list or treating yourself, it’s the perfect place to start your holiday shopping and soak up some seasonal cheer. Bring your friends and family, and make the Holiday Bazaar part of your holiday tradition. 

Evanston Made Holiday Market
November 20 through December 23 at 822 Dempster St.
Find original art and handmade gifts by local Evanston Made artists, including jewelry, ceramics, textiles, wearables, ornaments, and more, at Shop Evanston Made, 822 Dempster St., from November 20 to December 23. Hours are Wednesdays and Thursdays from noon to 6 p.m., Fridays from noon to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The shop is half a block west of the CTA Dempster stop, and everything is also available online at shopevanstonmade.org.

Evanston Art Center Winter Arts & Crafts Expo 
November 21 to December 20, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 1717 Central Street
The Evanston Art Center’s Winter Arts + Crafts Expo returns with original, handmade work by more than 160 selected artisans, including jewelry, ceramics, fiber, metal, glass, painting, photography, mixed media, and more. General shopping runs November 21 through December 20. More info. 

Downtown Evanston Holiday Farmers’ Market
Saturday, November 21, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at University Place at Oak Avenue
Shop fresh foods, handmade gifts, and unique finds from local farmers and artisans at Evanston’s first annual Holiday Farmers’ Market. While you’re there, help Stuff the Trailer for the Mayor’s Holiday Food, Book & Toy Drive by bringing nonperishable food, books, or new, unwrapped toys. Every donor gets a coupon for the annual Flapjacks & Flannels on December 5. 

Gichigamiin Museum Fall Artist Market
Saturday, November 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 3001 Central St.
Celebrate Small Business Saturday on November 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the museum’s Dagwaagin (Fall) Native Arts Market. Meet local Native artists, shop for one-of-a-kind handmade holiday gifts, talk with artists about their work, and learn about Native-owned businesses and the services they offer. Admission is free. More info.

Other Community Events

Downtown Evanston Holiday Light Celebration
Saturday, December 5, from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Fountain Square
Celebrate the season at Fountain Square in downtown Evanston on Saturday, December 5, from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Live holiday music from local singing groups kicks off at 4:30, with the tree lighting around 5 p.m., plus hot cocoa from Colectivo Coffee. Starting around 5:30, Santa and Mrs. Claus will pose for free photos in The Crystal Ballroom at The Merion (1611 Chicago Ave.), which will also serve complimentary warm drinks and sweet treats until 7 p.m. More info. 

Community Chanukah Menorah Lighting
Tuesday, December 8, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Fountain Square
Join Acting Mayor Jonathan Nieuwsma and neighbors from across the city to light the menorah on the fifth night of Chanukah. All are welcome.

The Great Chicago Holiday Food Festival at New Ryan Field
November 27 to December 27  |  Thursday to Saturday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the New Ryan Field
The Village at Ryan Field (1501 Central St.) will become a winter food market with holiday menus from Chicago favorites like Rick Bayless, Stephanie Izard, Gibsons and Publican Quality, plus a rotating artisan gift market, a decorated Holiday Hall and an outdoor light garden. Admission is free with reservation; food and drinks are for sale. More info. 

Evanston Symphony Holiday Concert
Sunday, December 13, at 3 p.m. at the Evanston Township High School Auditorium
Join the Evanston Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, December 13, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. for a shortened holiday concert designed to welcome everyone, including those who vocalize, move, or experience music in their own ways. Tickets are $5 for adults and free for anyone under 18; phone reservations are required. More info.

Evanston Parks & Recreation Events

Flapjacks and Flannels
Saturday, December 5 at 9 a.m. at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center
Presented by First Northern Credit Union. Pull on your coziest flannel and join us for a heartwarming winter morning at Flapjacks and Flannel! Families will enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast, festive winter crafts, and a chance to meet Santa himself. Be sure to stop by our themed photo booth to capture the memories! Registration required.

Kwanzaa Celebration: Umoja!
Saturday, December 26, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Robert Crown Community Center
Celebrate culture, community, and togetherness with a community African drum circle, a dance performance by the Chofit Dancers, the lighting of the first Kwanzaa candle, and an introduction to Kwanzaa’s seven principles, symbols, and traditions. Open to all; no registration required.

Mayor’s Holiday Food, Book & Toy Drive
Help every Evanston family celebrate the season by donating new toys and games, new or gently used children’s books, and non-perishable holiday meal items at drop-off locations around town, or make a tax-deductible online donation to the Evanston Parks Foundation so food and toys can be bought in bulk. Families in need can pick up food and toy bags on December 9, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Center. Food bags require no registration and are first-come, first-served, but you do need to register for toy and book bags, and registration opens November 3 and closes December 1. Eligibility requirements have been updated this year, and the program now uses Access Evanston, so check the City’s drive page for details and drop-off locations.