 
Thursday, May 14, 2026, | View in browser
News and Updates
Much is happening in Evanston this month, and the city is alive with springtime energy and new possibilities beginning to unfold. Quite frankly, there is actually so much to do!
As the weather warms, we all begin bringing out our bikes, making plans for outdoor festivals, and searching for new experiences and places to explore, we got you!
This issue of Enjoy Evanston will not disappoint and represents only a fraction of what can be discovered and enjoyed throughout the city.
This season also marks the launch of an exciting new initiative from the City’s Economic Development Division: the Pop-Up & Incubator Pilot Program. This is a bold effort designed to support, nurture, and help launch Evanston’s next generation of small businesses and creative entrepreneurs.
We invite you to enjoy all that Evanston has to offer as we head into a season filled with outdoor gatherings, cultural happenings, neighborhood experiences.
City of Evanston Pop-Up Incubator Program
Something exciting is coming to Downtown Evanston this October, and your voice will help shape it from the start!
Do you own a business in Evanston? Are you a shop owner, maker, or designer selling online, at markets, or out of your home?
The City of Evanston, in partnership with retail activation strategist Claire Seizovic of @ensemble.place, is launching a Pop-Up + Incubator Pilot Program built with you in mind — offering subsidized short-term storefronts, business training, mentorship, and a real pathway toward permanent tenancy in Evanston.
Whether you're dreaming of your first storefront, ready to test a new concept, or looking to take your next big step — we’d love to hear from you! Take the 10-minute survey at the link in our bio: your responses will directly shape the spaces, the support services, and how businesses get matched with available storefronts in Downtown Evanston.
Complete the survey and you'll receive early access to the program application this summer, before the general public announcement.
Open now through May 29, available in English and Spanish. Every response matters.
Kidical Mass is a hyperlocal family-friendly bike ride that is perfect for meeting neighbors, riding with kids as cargo, and for new two wheeled riders (training wheels not recommended).
Bring the little ones and join us for a bike ride tailored for all ages and skill levels, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. We'll cruise through Evanston's charming streets, creating lasting memories, and promoting a love for cycling among the next generation. Like the Tuesday evening adult rides, these family excursions are free of charge—just bring your helmets and let's roll!
REGISTER HERE so that we know how many riders to expect on this date.
Bop Around Town for Free
Hop Around Evanston is a free community bus tour designed to connect residents and visitors with Evanston’s vibrant downtown and neighborhood business districts. This exciting new program makes it easy to explore local shops, restaurants, and entertainment while supporting the amazing businesses that make our community unique.
The Hop Around Evanston shuttle provides convenient transportation between Evanston’s business districts, giving riders the opportunity to discover new places, enjoy dinner or drinks, and experience everything our local neighborhoods have to offer.
Whether you’re looking to try a new restaurant, visit local shops, or simply spend a fun evening out in Evanston, Hop Around Evanston is the perfect way to explore the city and support our local business community.
On the menu this day!
- Bicycle Goods
- Coffee from @outsidecoffee_evanston
- Food from @hatchetburger
- Vintage Shirts
- Music
Are you interested in being a vendor? They have limited spaces available and do not collect a portion of your sales.
Email kelly@macksbikeandgoods.com - please no DMs
When: Sat, May 16 | 10am-3pm
Where: 2948 Central Street
Free event and all are welcome!
Arts & Culture Corner
Cooler By the Lake brings together community builders, activists, and creatives for an unforgettable night of live storytelling. These aren’t just true tales; they’re sparks of transformation from the hearts of those making a difference. Authentic, emotional, sometimes hilarious, and deeply human, this show proves that storytelling is the heartbeat of our city.
Jill Howe is the producer and founder of Story Sessions, a live storytelling series with real-time illustrations, since 2013. She has performed widely across Chicagoland, served as a resident storyteller at the Field Museum, led storytelling workshops for Newberry Library, and presented a Naperville Tedx Talk on vulnerability. Find more of her work at jillhowe.com
When: Tue May 19th | 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Where: SPACE, 1243 Chicago Avenue
Get more information.
Shorefront is proud to be one of the sponsors for this Saturday's Art Festival presented by Young Evanston Artists (YEA)!
We will have a tent set up at Raymond Park. Drop by to draw in one of our coloring books and say hello!
When: Saturday, May 16th | 10am-3pm
Where: Raymond Park - 1489 Chicago Ave
The Umbrella Festival is Back!
The Umbrella Arts Festival is a celebration of Asian American history, culture and art. The umbrella symbolizes the Asian American diaspora which includes a diversity of ethnicities from over 40 Asian, South Asian, Southeast Asian and Pacific Island countries around the world, and is inclusive of the many intersections of identities that exist in our communities. The festival is free and for all ages!
When: Sat, May 30th | 12:00-5pm
Where: Fountain Square, Downtown Evanston
More information on the festival.
Evanson Arts & Crafts Beverage Crawl
Enjoy dozens of one night only pop-up art exhibits inside local shops.
Visit pop-up art galleries in stores all over Main, Dempster and Chicago Avenue! While you're there, try tastings of craft beverages made in Chicagoland.
YOUR ARTS & CRAFT CRAWL TICKET COVERS:
Three hours of meeting inspiring local artists and viewing their work, delicious locally made craft beverages and fun food pairings, a goody bag, some live entertainment along the way, and our undying gratitude! This is a fantastic day to start your Evanston art collection, all works will be for sale unless otherwise indicated. Stay tuned on this page. We will announce stops and tastings as we confirm them.
When: May 14 | 5pm-8pm
Where: Main Dempster Mile
Ticket info
A portion of profits for this event will benefit Evanston Made!
In the Absence of Space is a group exhibition exploring how artists respond to exclusion and invisibility by imagining and building spaces of presence, connection, and community.
Throughout history, minoritized and underrepresented communities have often been excluded from the spaces where culture, memory, and belonging are shaped. When those spaces were closed to us, we created our own.
The exhibition is presented by Evanston ASPA in partnership with Evanston Latinos, Aloha Center Chicago, Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum, Shorefront Legacy Center & Evanston Made.
When: May 30 - June 28 | Opening reception, June 6 | 4-6pm
Where: Grove Gallery, 619 Grove St.
For more information
Theo Ubique New Play
Other Cultural Ways to Enjoy Evanston
Art Exhibitions
Dance
Music
Theatre
Business News
 photo credit: Regan Huizenga
Evanston Made now has new a brick-and-mortar location at 822 Dempster St!
Lisa Degliantoni and Liz Cramer are the dynamic duo behind Evanston Made, a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to promoting and celebrating Evanston artists and creative entrepreneurs. Lisa is the Founder and Co-Director alongside Liz who also serves as Co-director.
From First Saturday Art Events to the annual Holiday Market that features more than 100+ artisans’ works for sale to the Plein Air Festival that takes place every July throughout Evanston - programs are all FREE for patrons to participate in and are known for building Evanston's arts community.
Mark your calendar also for their next First Saturday event on June 6th.
Instagram: @evanston_made| Facebook
We're excited to partner with Chicago Union to kick off their 2026 season with a special Ribbon Cutting Celebration at Lazier Field at ETHS!
5:30 PM – Gates Open
5:45 PM – Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
6:00 PM – Game vs. Minnesota Wind Chill
8:00 PM – Frisbee on the Field
8:30 PM – Post-Game Celebration at Double Clutch Brewing Company
Show your support by wearing blue and come be part of an exciting evening of community, competition, and celebration. Go Union!
Get the details + RSVP → https://www.evchamber.com/.../chicago-union-ribbon...
Beginning on June 2, 2026, SCORE’s free mentoring will return to the Evanston Public Library. SCORE mentors will handle outreach and provide mentoring from 2 – 4 PM, every other Tuesday. If sufficient demand exists, SCORE will add additional mentoring days.
The Evanston Public Library is located at 1703 Orrington Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201. If you need a mentor now, use this link and one will be assigned to you https://www.score.org/find-mentor/how-it-works
We are looking forward to seeing you.
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.
 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.
See below for local upcoming events! In addition, you can find the full calendar of summer events on the Enjoy Evanston website.
Enjoy other Events around town
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