 
Friday, November 15, 2024 | View in browser
 Photo credit: Becca Heuer
Enjoy Evanston: Shop Small This Holiday Season
With the holidays coming up, gifts are on everyone’s mind. When you shop small, your dollars stay in the community providing jobs and opportunities for all. Get into the holiday spirit and enjoy some of the upcoming small business days in Evanston’s business districts.
Save the date for these upcoming events this season:
Saturday, November 16: Holiday Stroll on Central Street
Enjoy shopping, dining, festivities, and holiday cheer in Evanston’s Central Street District. Spend the day shopping and dining on Central Street with special promotions, holiday festivities, trolley rides, dining, prizes, and more! Learn more.
Saturday, November 23: Howard Street Friendsgiving Block Party and Turkey Giveaway
Join the Howard Street Business Association for their inaugural Friendsgiving Block Party and Turkey Giveaway. Enjoy music, activities, and food pickup stations from neighborhood vendors. They are also hosting a Turkey Giveaway to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy a warm holiday meal this season. Learn more.
Saturday, November 30: Small Business Saturday
Central Street: Show your support, shop small on Central Street and give a gift from the heart. Three lucky winners will receive $100 to the business of their choosing by participating in our Fan Favorites social media photo contest! Learn more.
Main Dempster Mile: Spend $100 and receive a gift bag. Enjoy a special holiday trolley ride from Main Dempster Mile to Downtown Evanston for even more shopping! Learn More
Downtown Evanston: Downtown Evanston is preparing its annual Holiday Shopping Passport to help guide your local shopping experience, and offer a gift that gives back to the Evanston business community. Spend $100 (or more) at participating Downtown Evanston shops on Saturday, November 30 and you'll receive a $20 Evanston Gift Card -- so you can do even more local shopping! Learn more.
Thursday, December 5: Hometown Holiday Stroll at Main Dempster Mile
Enjoy caroling, hot cocoa, and more while shopping at the locally-owned businesses around MDM. Learn More.
Thursday, December 12: Late-er Night on Central Street
Grab some last-minute gifts and enjoy extended shopping and dining hours. Select shops will be offering in-store promotions. Learn more.
Thursday, December 12: Warm Bevvy Walk in Downtown Evanston
Take a stroll with friends around downtown and enjoy warm beverages at local shops, restaurants and more! Learn More
Friday, December 13: Church & Dodge Annual Tree Lighting and Holiday Market
Support local businesses in Church & Dodge and enjoy the annual tree lighting and vendor market!
 Secret Garden at Theo Unique opens this weekend
This enchanting classic of children’s literature is reimagined in brilliant musical style by composer Lucy Simon and Marsha Norman, the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of ‘night, Mother. This Tony and Drama Desk award-winning musical soars in a compelling tale of forgiveness and renewal. The shows runs through December 22. Purchase your tickets today!
 New dining options open in Evanston
Evanston has so many amazing restaurants to choose from, and now there are a few more to add to the list. Check out some of the new spots now open around town.
Inspired Indian | Noyes: Inspired Indian recently relocated to 914 Noyes Street and expanded their offerings. They are now an Indian vegetarian eatery, offering several delicious sandwich options, and boutique food shop. Find all kinds of fun offerings, but not to worry, the spice kits are still available!
Eggs with Benefits | Downtown: A new Korean breakfast spot has opened at 527 Davis Street. You'll find breakfast sandwiches with locally-sourced meats plus egg and rice bowls.
Shanghai Kosher | Ashland Arts: Shanghai Kosher, located at 1601 Simpson Street, is bringing the essence of kosher Chinese cuisine to your table. Choose from a wide variety of dishes made with the finest kosher ingredients.
 Enjoy the holiday season in Evanston
Evanston has a lot to offer for holiday celebrations, whether you’re into festive lights, seasonal markets, or cozy activities. Here are some great ways to get into the holiday spirit in Evanston:
Holiday Lights + Decorating:
We’d be the first to vote for year-round holiday lights but something about them coming up every holiday season makes them feel extra special.
-
Evanston Storefront Window Decorating Contest: Each year, businesses throughout Evanston compete for the best holiday windows. Follow the competition on Facebook for a list of new participants or spend some time exploring each district to judge for yourself. Shops can sign up by completing this form.
-
Downtown Evanston Tree Lighting: All families, friends, and neighbors are invited to Fountain Square in Downtown Evanston on Sat., Dec. 7 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. to celebrate the holidays at the annual tree lighting event with Mayor Biss, City Clerk Mendoza, Santa & Mrs. Claus, and other special guests. Enjoy a variety of holiday music by local performance groups.
-
Main Dempster Mile Holiday Tree Decorating Contest: Try your hand at decorating a small fir tree that will line the streets of Main Dempster Mile. On Dec. 5, the community will vote for their favorites.
-
Ten Thousand Villages, 1509 Chicago Ave: In November & December the shop hosts Community Shopping Events that benefit local nonprofit organizations. Here is the list of partner organizations. The store is also very light and festive with gifts of all kinds.
-
Native American Holiday Event: December 6, 2024: We are truly excited to invite you and your friends to join us in celebrating the season at our Native Festive Holiday Event. It’s a heartfelt celebration of friendship, featuring a unique experience to help embrace the New Year with positive energy and intention. Learn More.
-
Stroll the Streets: Find illuminated streets in Downtown Evanston, Main Dempster Mile, Howard Street, Noyes Street, and Church and Dodge.
Host the Holidays
Whether you’re gathering with your coworkers for your annual holiday party or you’d like to skip the cooking and cater in, we’ve got a list of our favorite places with delicious food and drinks for all.
-
Peckish Pig | Howard Street: Their delicious menu translates well to dinner with friends. Pick up an easy meal for Thanksgiving or Christmas with their catering.
-
Le Tour | Downtown: As one of the most beautiful spaces in Evanston, you’ll impress all of your holiday guests by renting any of their dining rooms for the ultimate glitz and glam party.
-
Soul & Smoke | Ashland Arts: Leave the smoked turkey to the pros. Visit their Evanston flagship and bring home a cajun smoked turkey with plenty of sides to share.
-
Double Clutch | Ashland Arts: Your friendly neighborhood brewery is the perfect place to gather with friends.
-
Blind Faith | Main Dempster Mile: Treat your vegan and vegetarian friends and family to an extra special Thanksgiving dinner.
Stay tuned for more shopping and special events throughout the season on social!
See below for upcoming events and start planning your weekends! You can find the full calendar of events on the Enjoy Evanston website.
Downtown Evanston
Central Street
Ashland Arts
Howard Street
West End
Enjoy Evanston
Have a upcoming event?
Help us add to our calendar! We encourage you to submit all your upcoming events through our website.
Please review the following submission guidelines:
- Only public events may be listed
- Cannot be solely retail in nature
- Cannot be solely religious or political in nature
- Cannot be solely fundraisers or networking events
- Should be leisure time or recreational activities
Event eligibility is also evaluated on a case-by-case basis. At this time, we are only able to accept event listings in English.
 Double Clutch takes home Silver at GABF
Congrats to Double Clutch Brewing Company, located at 2121 Ashland Ave. in the Ashland Arts District, for taking home the silver medal at the 2024 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) for their Altbier, which also won the bronze at the The 2024 World Beer Cup. Head over and go taste it (and their other tasty selections) for yourself!
 What do YOU enjoy about Evanston?
With ten unique business districts, there is something for everyone to enjoy! We want to hear about your faves. Tell us about your favorite places for health and fitness, your favorite store or art gallery to explore, or your favorite place to eat! Send us an email about your favorite spots at hello@enjoyevanston.com.
|
