Friday, June 5, 2026 | View in browser
Good morning,
Check out this week's news on Summer Camp opening, Free Summer Food Program, beer and wine at Café au Lake, Starlight concert, Summer programs, upcoming events, and more.
News
 Summer Camp Starts June 8
Evanston Parks & Recreation Summer Camp is finally here! On Monday, June 8, campers will begin a summer filled with new friendships, outdoor adventures, creative activities and unforgettable memories.
To help your camper have a safe and fun day, please remember to send them with a labeled water bottle and sunscreen. We can't wait to kick off an amazing summer together!
There's still space available in some camps. Find the right fit for your camper.
 Free Summer Meals for Evanston Youth
Beginning June 8, Evanston's Summer Food Program will provide free breakfasts and lunches to youth ages 1 to 18 at locations throughout the city. Meals are available Monday through Friday on a first-come, first-served basis, with no residency or income requirements.
Breakfast is served from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, Robert Crown Community Center and Dawes School. Meals must be eaten on site, and parents or guardians should accompany young children. The program runs through Aug. 14.
Learn more and view menus.
 Now Pouring: Beer and Wine at Café au Lake
Raise a glass by the water! Café au Lake at Arrington Lagoon is now serving beer and wine alongside its favorite café offerings.
Join us on Fridays and Saturdays from 3 to 8 p.m. for a relaxing evening by the lake. It's the perfect spot to sip and savor summer in Evanston.
Alcohol is available on Fridays and Saturdays only. The cafe is open Tuesday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Upcoming Events
 First Fridays: June 5
Kick off the summer with an evening of free family fun at First Fridays on Friday, June 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Mason Park!
Enjoy free food, music, games, bingo, raffles and an obstacle course during this free community event designed for all ages. Bring your friends, neighbors and family for a fun-filled evening to connect and celebrate together.
Event details
Date: Friday, June 5
Time: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: Mason Park, Church St. and Florence Ave.
Cost: Free
 Downtown Evanston Farmers' Market: June 6
Shop the Downtown Evanston Farmers’ Market on Saturday, June 6, to stock up on your favorite local farm products, discover new food vendors and artisans, and enjoy live music, kids’ activities and more each week.
Vendor Spotlight
This Saturday, stop by the City of Evanston booth to pick up coupons for our three featured vendors: Gast, RSVP Gardens, and Great Harvest. Look for the orange flags at each featured booth.
We’re grateful to this week’s sponsors, J. Blanton Plumbing and Compass Real Estate, for helping make these vendor coupons possible.
Live Music
Enjoy live music throughout the morning, with Tim and Liesel Duggan performing at 8 a.m., followed by Green Eggs and Sam at 10:30 a.m.
Spud Club
This week’s Spud Club activity invites kids to create colorful flying insects.
Home Grown Artists and Rotating Vendors
Browse handcrafted goods from Anomaly by Amy, CiprianoStudio, Bela Ponyi, Karmon Family Creations, and Anguaya. And explore a rotating lineup of part-time vendors including Red Bean & Cocoa, Greco Greens, and Dilly Dally.
Event details
Date: Saturday, June 6 (and every Saturday through November 21)
Time: 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: University Place at Oak Avenue (New location for our reserved ADA parking spots. They are now on University Place off of Maple Ave.)
Cost: Free
Get info on the Market, vendors, activities and more.
Looking for a summer job or volunteer opportunity? Several Farmers' Market vendors are hiring!
 "Gee's Bend": Thru June 7
Spanning over 60 years, Gee’s Bend tells the story of Sadie Pettway as she grows up in rural Alabama, joins the Civil Rights Movement, and becomes a celebrated quilter. It is a personal story of family, self-discovery, and artistic expression.
Date: Saturdays and Sundays, thru June 7
Times: Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.
Location: Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre
Cost: $33
Purchase tickets
Listing of the 2026 season productions
 Free Access to Fishing: June 6 - August 22
This popular free program is a great way to introduce children ages 4 years and up to “catch-and-release” fishing. Equipment, bait, and fishing expertise are provided! Drop by on Saturdays from June 6 through August 22, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Lovelace Park. Kids under age 16 don’t need a fishing license but must be accompanied by an adult. Illinois fishing licenses can be purchased at www.illinois.gov.
Event details
Dates: Saturdays, June 6-August 22
Times: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Lovelace Park
Cost: Free
Call the Ecology Center for more information: (847) 448-8256.
 Ice Cream Circus: June 7
Get ready for a whimsical, one-of-a-kind performance as Lookingglass Theatre and Actors Gymnasium return to Evanston as part of the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks series. The Circus, told without spoken language, blends dance, clowning, and circus arts—making it accessible and engaging for audiences of all ages and language backgrounds. A C&W Ice Cream food truck will be on-site.
Event details
Date: Sunday, June 7
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Tallmadge Park, 927 Noyes St. (In case of inclement weather, the performance will move indoors to the Actors Gymnasium.)
Cost: Free
Learn more about the event.
 Starlight Series Free Concerts & Movies: June 9 - August 29
Music, movies and summer nights under the stars are back.
The City of Evanston’s Starlight Series brings free outdoor concerts and movies to parks across the city all season long—perfect for gathering with friends and neighbors.
The first Starlight Concert is on June 9. Butter Chicken Brass Band will take the stage in Tallmadge Park. The band plays Jazz, Funk, and styles inspired by New Orleans.
Event details
Date: Tuesday, June 9
Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: Tallmadge Park, 927 Noyes St.
Cost: Free
View the full Starlight Series lineup.
 Beach-No-Bummer: June 11
Take an imaginary stroll on the beach while drawing and painting seashells embedded in the sandy beach. You’ll learn how to make a smooth wash for your sky and techniques to create sand texture for the beach. You can choose from a variety of colorful seashells to represent on your beach. This project is good for beginners and intermediate watercolor artists.
Date: Thursday, June 11
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Levy Senior Center
Age: 55+
Instructor: Carol Turnoff
Fee: $41LM / $53.36NM
Register
 Juneteenth Celebration: June 19
This year, we're celebrating Juneteenth in a stunning new setting — Arrington Lagoon and the lakefront at Dawes Park.
This year's “Youthful” Juneteenth Celebration honors the historic moment in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom — and reflects on the continued journey toward freedom and equality for all Americans.
The celebration is open to people of all ages and backgrounds, bringing the community together through vibrant music, dancing, cultural performances, and meaningful connections. Local food vendors and artisan makers will be on hand, creating a full afternoon of discovery and community spirit.
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Opening Ceremony & Welcome: 12:20 p.m.
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GreenTTea & The Tempos: 1 p.m.
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DJ Corey Bless: 2:15 p.m.
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NAJWA Dance Corps: 2:30 p.m.
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DJ Corey Bless: 3:15 p.m.
Event details
Date: Friday, June 19
Time: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Dawes Park, Arrington Lagoon
Cost: Free
 Glow in the Park: July 10
Glow in the Park returns with an evening of lights, music, and family fun! Don’t miss the newest glow adventure, the Glow Foam Party, a glowing, high-energy foam experience set to music and lights. Bring your glow gear (and a towel) and join us for a night where the park truly comes alive.
Event details
Date: Friday, July 10
Time: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Location: Ingraham Park
Cost: $9
Register
 Unplug Evanston Day: July 11
This summer, Evanston is joining communities across the state in celebrating Unplug Illinois, a statewide initiative that encourages residents to take a break from screens and rediscover the joy of in-person connection, outdoor recreation, creativity, and play.
As part of this movement, Unplug Evanston Day invites community members of all ages to spend the day exploring local parks, cultural spaces, recreational facilities, and family-friendly activities throughout the city.
Free Activities
- Noyes Art Galleries: 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Noyes Cultural Arts Center
- Indoor Walking Track: 6: a.m. to 10 p.m. at Robert Crown
- Open Ping-Pong: 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Prieto Community Center
- Free Access to Fishing: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Lovelace Park (call (847) 448-8256 for more information)
Activities With a Fee
Program and Camp Spotlight
The Summer 2026 Evanston Parks & Recreation Program Guide is open! Evanston residents can register for events by visiting our online catalog.
Please note: discounted Evanston resident pricing is automatically applied at checkout.
 Enroll in Prieto Early Learning Center Summer Program
Give your child their first independent learning experience in a warm, nurturing environment at the new Prieto Early Learning Center. Enroll in the summer session of Explorer Two’s, a supportive introduction to early learning, helping your child build the skills they need for preschool and beyond.
Learn more and register: call 847-448-8167 or email kerrybauer@cityofevanston.org.
 Chicago Bulls Camp
Join the Bulls for this 5-day program designed to improve participants’ basketball skills while providing an unforgettable experience. Open to all skill levels, campers will be split into groups by age and ability, allowing for fine-tuned curriculum and individualized challenges. Participants will practice fundamentals and improve their game through on-court play including skill development and competitions, while also taking part in leadership and teamwork development. Register for the camp.
Lakefront
 Beaches Now Open! Get Your Passes
Evanston's public swimming beaches are open for the 2026 season . Lifeguards will be on duty daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through June 5. Extended hours begin on June 6.
All visitors must present a valid beach pass or daily ticket to enter any of Evanston's swimming beaches. IDs alone will not be accepted at beach entrances.
Free for Evanston Residents Residents in ZIP codes 60201 and 60202 can receive free season beach passes for their household. Proof of residency is required. Passes are available at the following community centers during regular office hours:
- Robert Crown Community Center
- Levy Senior Center
- Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center
- Chandler-Newberger Community Center
- Evanston Ecology Center
- Prieto Community Center
- Dempster St. Beach Office
Non-residents may purchase a season pass or daily ticket at beach entrances or at any of the community centers listed above.
Guest tickets: Evanston residents can also purchase discounted guest tickets ($5 each, up to 20 per household per season) for visiting friends and family.
For full details on admissions, acceptable forms of ID, and beach locations, visit cityofevanston.org/beaches or contact 311 (or call/text 847-448-4311).
 Kayak, Paddleboard and Sailboat Rentals Available
Spend your summer on the lake! Evanston’s lakefront rentals are back with hourly kayak, paddleboard and sailboat rentals at Dempster Street Beach. Whether you're looking for a relaxing paddle, a sailing adventure or a fun afternoon on the water with friends or family, there are options for residents and non-residents, plus convenient multipass packages for frequent visitors.
Rentals are available daily, weather permitting, and can be reserved online or in person at the Dempster Street Beach Office.
 Purchase Your Church St. Boat Launch Permits
Get ready for the season, submit your application today to secure your spot at the Church Street Boat Launch. Complete an online application and a City of Evanston Recreation staff member will reach out to you for payment. Permits can be pick-up at the Dempster St. Beach Office from May 9 through Labor Day.
Other News
 Now Hiring Gymnastics Instructors for the 2026–2027 School Year
The City of Evanston is hiring preschool, recreational and pre-team gymnastics instructors at the Chandler-Newberger Community Center for the 2026–2027 school year.
Instructors will help lead drills and activities, support skill development, and create a safe, positive environment for young gymnasts. Candidates should have recent experience in gymnastics, tumbling or dance, experience working with groups of children, and strong organizational and safety skills.
Apply online or contact Kathryn Dolan at 847-448-8680 or kdolan@cityofevanston.org.
 Volunteer to Support Your Parks and Recreation Team
Looking for ways to support your Parks and Rec team? We're looking for help with events and drop-in activities. We need help with:
- Special Events
- Outdoor Stewardship
- Coaching for Youth Sports
- Program Support
- Downtown Evanston Farmers' Market
- Adopt a Park
- Scout Services
Check out all opportunities on the Parks volunteer web page or thru our volunteer calendar.
 Dog Beach Passes Available
Located just south of Clark Street Beach, the Evanston Dog Beach will open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Pick up your pass: Remember, a valid dog beach pass is required for entry to the Evanston Dog Beach. Passes are available in person at City community centers on weekdays. Learn more.
Get Involved
Accessibility for all
The City of Evanston is committed to promoting a City-wide culture of accessibility and inclusion. To request an accommodation for a program, service, activity, or to request materials in an alternative format, please make an ADA service request by calling 847-866-2919 or submitting a 311 request online.
Facility Locations and Phone Numbers
Chandler-Newberger Community Center: 847-448-8252
Levy Senior Center: 847-448-8250
Robert Crown Community Center: 847-448-8258
Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center: 847-448-8254
Ecology Center: 847-448-8256
Prieto Community Center: 847-859-7697
Support Evanston Parks & Recreation
Your donation will help support lakefront upkeep and the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theater.
Donate now
Thanks for reading. Have a great weekend,
The City of Evanston’s Parks and Recreation Team
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