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 Enjoy: Valentine's Day events around Evanston
Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and Evanston is brimming with events to make your celebration special. Whether you're planning a romantic evening, a fun outing with friends, or family-friendly activities, there's something for everyone. Here's a curated list of events happening in and around Evanston to help you celebrate love in all its forms.
K.I.S.S. Dance (Kids Invite Someone Special)
Sun., February 2 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center
This family-friendly event invites kids to bring someone special for an afternoon of dancing, crafts, food, and a special photo area. Tickets are $15 per person.
Kids Heart Scavenger Hunt
Sat., February 8 from 11 a.m. to 1p.m. at Mack’s Bike & Goods
Bring the kids for a Valentine's Day scavenger hunt on Sat., February 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pick up your Scavenger cards at Mack's Bike Shop and travel to The Fat Shallot finding hidden hearts along the way. End at The Fat Shallot for a goodie bag
Decorate Your Own Cupcakes
Sat., February 8 from 3 to 4 p.m. at Foodstuffs
Calling all young cupcake artists! Join Foodstuffs for a "Decorate Your Own Valentine’s Day Cupcakes" event!
Flower Bouquet Workshop
Tues., February 11 from 6 to 7 p.m. at The Fat Shallot
Learn how to create beautiful bouquets with Mila Floral Art School on February 11, 6 to 7 p.m. Perfect for yourself or as a Valentine’s Day gift! Limited spots available—buy your tickets now.
Galentine’s Day
Tues., February 11 from 7 to 10 p.m. at The Fat Shallot
Come celebrate Galentine's Day with The Fat Shallot and Mack's Bike Shop at The Fat Shallot, February 11 from 7 - 10 PM. Enjoy massages, shopping, karaoke and cocktails!
Charmed! A Special Galentine's Evening
Wed., February 12 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Pink & Tan
Celebrate Galentine’s with a cozy evening with pals! Come personalize necklaces and bracelets with special gold-filled Jessica Matrasko charms while enjoying beautiful meringues from Dream Cake Test Kitchen, a glass of bubbly, and delectable snacks. Local astrologer Natalie Canizares will offer personalized Venus readings as we explore ways to feel centered, protected, and connected.
Love Local Chocolate Crawl
Thurs., February 13 at 6:30 p.m. in Downtown Evanston
Celebrate the season of love by indulging in a chocolate crawl through downtown Evanston. Visit various local businesses to sample chocolates and sweet treats.
Valentine's Day Specials at Local Restaurants
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Alcove Evanston: Enjoy an elegant four-course prix fixe dinner on February 14.
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Blind Faith Cafe: Offering a romantic three-course Valentine's dinner with a glass of Prosecco on February 14.
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Comida Cantina: Special Valentine's Day menu available February 14.
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Evanston Corner Bistro: Open for Valentine's Day dinner on February 14.
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Nakorn: Indulge in a special Valentine's Day dinner on February 14 and experience Thai perfection
Love You Madly: A Valentine's Day Songbook with Alyssa Allgood
Wed., February 12 at SPACE
Enjoy an evening of jazz as vocalist Alyssa Allgood performs a selection of love songs to set the mood for Valentine's Day.
Valentine's Live, Love, RUN 5K/10K/13.1
Sat., February 15 at Elliott Park
Participate in this scenic run along Lake Michigan to celebrate love and fitness. Various race lengths are available to suit different fitness levels.
 Enjoy First Saturdays in Evanston
Enjoy an art-filled weekend with First Saturday Evanston Art Events, a free self-guided tour of Evanston’s creative community. See art on display, shop for art and handmade goods, meet small business owners, enjoy a delicious meal, learn to sketch and make art friends!
 Check out Evanston restaurants during Chicago Restaurant Week
Chicago Restaurant Week is happening now through February 9. Make sure to check out the below specials at participating Evanston restaurants:
What a great excuse to visit one of these amazing restaurants and support local businesses! Try them all during this event.
 Experience Encore! Evanston in Downtown
Starting Tues., February 4, get ready for a fresh wave of free live music at some of Downtown Evanston's favorite local spots! Introducing Encore! Evanston, a dynamic new program brought to you by Downtown Evanston and Likhaya, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering artists through community and entrepreneurship. Don’t miss out on this exciting collaboration that brings incredible talent to downtown!
 Evanston voted #1 by Chicago Reader
The Chicago Reader community has spoken, and they’ve named Evanston the #1 Chicago Suburb of 2024! From our unique shopping districts and stunning lakefront to our vibrant arts scene and strong sense of community, it’s no surprise our city tops the list.
Thank you to everyone who makes Evanston such an incredible place to live, work, and visit.
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
Main-Dempster Mile
Ashland Arts
West Village
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.
 Spread the love, shop local for Valentine's Day!
Valentine's Day is the perfect opportunity to show love not just to your significant other but also to your community by supporting local small businesses. Whether you’re planning a romantic evening, a fun outing with friends, or a self-love day, there are plenty of ways to make this Valentine’s Day special while keeping it local to Evanston. Here are some creative ideas to inspire your plans and places we love:
1. Dine at a Local Restaurant
Skip the chain restaurants and opt for a cozy dinner at a local eatery. Call ahead to make reservations or order a gourmet meal to-go and set up a romantic table at home.
A few we love:
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C&W Market | Church & Dodge - Share an ice cream sundae with your sweetie!
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Alcove | Downtown - Reserve your table now for their prix-fixe menu.
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Comida | Central Street - A little spice is always nice.
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Dave’s Italian Kitchen | Noyes - Use code ‘Love’ to get a 5% discount when you order online.
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Campagnola | MDM - Bring your honey and plan to share the decadent menu together!
2. Indulge in Local Desserts
Treat your sweet tooth by visiting a local bakery or chocolate shop - we love getting a little something extra for easy gifts for kids, coworkers, or friends. Pick up a box of handcrafted truffles, heart-shaped cookies, or a decadent slice of red velvet cake.
A few we love:
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Sweet Temptations Bake Shop | Howard Street - Go big and treat yourself to one of their cakes.
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Bennison’s Bakery | Downtown - Split donuts with your family or try some delicious macarons solo.
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Hewn | Central Street – Pick up a few items the night before for a special breakfast in bed.
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Belgian Chocolatier Piron | MDM - Upgrade from the drugstore chocolate to this specialty shop.
3. Attend a Wine or Beer Tasting
Celebrate love over locally crafted beverages.
A few we love:
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Double Clutch Brewery | Ashland Arts - Create a fun ‘beer tasting’as an at-home date night.
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Ward Eight | Howard Street – The vibes are immaculate with plenty of cozy seating and great conversation over classic cocktails.
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Wine Goddess | Downtown Evanston – Go for the nice bottle of wine to share over your dinner.
4. Shop for Unique Gifts
Looking for the perfect Valentine’s gift? Visit local boutiques, artisan markets, or craft stores for one-of-a-kind treasures. We love checking out work from local artists to brighten your space.
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Discover Evanston Made | West Village - Browse the portfolio of artists to sort by form, with everything from mosaics and ceramics to quilting and watercolor, and explore local students and other community partners.
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Artem Pop-Up Gallery | Downtown - Discover this boutique featuring local artists and bring home a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
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NiceLena & Friends | MDM - For everyone on your list, pick up cards, and make your kids a sweet gift with stickers, candles, and charms!
5. Order a Customized Floral Arrangement
Nothing says Valentine’s Day like flowers! Instead of ordering from a national chain, visit a local florist to create a customized bouquet. Many florists offer seasonal and sustainable options that are as beautiful as they are thoughtful.
 Artem Pop Up Gallery featured on WGN
WGN's Around Town recently stopped by Artem Pop Up Gallery, located at 1627 Sherman Ave., to feature their unique shop! Watch the video.
 Good To Go Needs Your Help After Fire
Please consider donating to help support Good to Go's recovery efforts after a devastating fire struck their restaurant and forced them to close their doors. Visit their Go Fund Me page for more information and to donate.
 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.
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