Thursday, November 20, 2025 | View in browser
Read below for information about this year's free holiday parking promotion, local holiday shopping opportunities, a fraud alert, and more!
 Holiday Parking: Free for 2025!
The City is making local holiday shopping easy this year by offering a “Holiday Parking: Free for 2025” promotion. Community members and visitors to Evanston’s business districts will enjoy up to two hours of free parking daily from November 26 through January 1, 2026.
How to get free parking: Users can simply enter the code "Holiday2025" while using the Park Evanston app to access two hours of free street parking. This offer is valid for app users once per day per account.
 Jumpstart your holiday shopping!
Holiday Bazaar: Start off the holiday shopping season at The Woman’s Club of Evanston’s Holiday Bazaar, featuring handmade gifts from local artisans. Stop by the Clubhouse at 1702 Chicago Avenue this Saturday and Sunday.
Winter Art & Crafts Expo: The Winter Arts & Crafts Expo takes place November 22 through December 20 at the Evanston Art Center, and includes original, handmade works of jewelry, ceramics, glass, and more.
Small Business Saturday: Support local businesses this holiday season! Buy your holiday gifts on Shop Small Saturday, Nov. 29, throughout Evanston's nine vibrant business districts. Check out events in Downtown Evanston, the Main-Dempster Mile, and Central Street for some added fun.
Evanston Made Holiday Market: Evanston Made will host their 5th Annual Holiday Pop-up Market again this year, opening December 4 at 1710 Maple Avenue. Visit Thursdays through Sundays through December 21 and enjoy a festive, handmade holiday experience. Discover one-of-a-kind creations from local artists and makers, perfect for gifting or treating yourself.
 Beware of scammers posing as City staff
The City has been made aware of incidents of scammers posing as City staff, requesting payments or personal information. Please note that the City will never demand immediate payment by phone, email, or in person, and legitimate City staff will always present City-branded identification.
What to Do if You Suspect Fraud:
- Do not respond to or engage with the scammer
- Do not click links or download attachments from suspicious messages
- Hang up immediately if it is a phone call
- Report incidents to the Evanston Police Department by contacting 847-866-5000
 Help ensure every family can celebrate this holiday season
The Mayor’s Holiday Food, Book, and Toy Drive is underway! We are collecting new, unwrapped toys, non-perishable food items, and new/gently used children’s books to support local families in need. Donations can be dropped off at locations throughout Evanston through December 1.
More News and Events
Final fall cleanup reminders
Additional Fall Street Cleaning: Street cleaning continues through December 15, with dates added for residential streets. View the schedule and sign up for parking notifications.
Food and Yard Waste Pickup: The final week for 2025 food and yard waste pickup is December 1-4. Food and yard waste is collected on residents’ normal refuse pickup day.
2024 Second Installment Property Tax Bills
Cook County mailed the long-delayed 2024 second installment property tax bills on November 14, with payment due December 15, 2025. Delays were due to system upgrades, so the payment window is shorter than usual. Bills can be paid online, by mail, or in person. Learn more.
Give the gift of life this holiday season – donate blood!
The We Give Blood Campaign is wrapping up on December 5, and there’s still time to give back to the community by donating blood. Whether you donate on campus or at any blood center in the U.S., your contribution can make a life-saving difference this holiday season.
Upcoming NU on-campus blood drives will take place on December 1 (Schedule appointment) and December 2 (Schedule appointment) at the Norris University Center.
Salt smart, water safe
The City's Public Works Department recently participated in The Conservation Foundation's Salt Smart video! As a proud Salt Smart Community, Evanston is part of a collaborative effort to reduce the amount of salt, or chlorides, entering our local rivers and streams. Learn more.
Join the Equity & Empowerment Commission
The City’s Equity & Empowerment Commission is seeking passionate residents to fill three open seats. Commissioners help advance equity, inclusion, and community engagement by identifying barriers within City programs, partnering with local organizations, and promoting resources that benefit all residents. If you’re committed to making Evanston a more inclusive community, consider applying today.
Accessible solar comes to Evanston!
The City has received federal funding to install solar panels on income-qualifying residential homes, with up to four units. If you would like to be a part of this program, please fill out the interest survey.
Community Calendar
Hope Ignites Chicago recently received a Love Your Block grant from the City of Evanston, and the impact is already visible. The grant funded landscaping materials for the front yards of their four Evanston homes, where the organization provides safe, stable housing and supportive services for young people transitioning into adulthood.
Thanks to the grant, Hope Ignites Chicago was able to purchase the supplies needed, and a dedicated volunteer team from Rotary International rolled up their sleeves to complete the initial landscaping work.
Last week, staff from the City's leadership team and members of the Public Works Agency joined forces to help complete the project, focusing on yard waste cleanup and trash removal.
That’s it for today's e-news. Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
The City of Evanston Communications Team
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