Friday, June 26, 2026 | View in browser
Good morning,
Check out this week's news on Food Truck Fest, picnic permits, Starlight Concert, Glow in the Park, upcoming events, and more.
News
 Picnic Permits Made Easier
Reserving a picnic site just got a little easier! New signs with QR codes are being installed in several parks. Simply scan the QR code to view available picnic areas and reserve your spot online. When not reserved, picnic areas are available for free use on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserve a picnic permit.
Upcoming Events
 Starlight Movie "Hamilton" and Food Truck Fest: June 26
Join us for our annual Food Truck Fest and enjoy our first Starlight Movie of the season: the 2020 film "Hamilton." The original Broadway production of the award-winning musical that tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, first secretary of the treasury, blending hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and Broadway styles, filmed from the Richard Rogers Theater in New York.
Food truck vendors:
- The Fat Shallot
- Soul & Smoke
- Firehouse Grill
- Culinary Gangster
- El Zorro Tacos
- Pinoy Grill
- C&W Ice Cream
- Pop Shop Dirty Sodas
- City of Evanston Food Program serving beer and wine
The City of Evanston’s Starlight Series brings free outdoor concerts and movies to parks across the city all season long. View the full Starlight Series lineup.
Event details
Date: Friday, June 26
Time: Food Truck Fest starts at 5:30 p.m. and "Hamilton" starts at 6:30 p.m.
Location: Ingraham Park, 2100 Ridge Ave.
Cost: Free
 Downtown Evanston Farmers' Market: June 27
Shop the Downtown Evanston Farmers’ Market on Saturday, June 27, 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: Dulce Caramel, Local Leaf Farm, and Wanda Farms. Look for the orange flags at each featured booth.
We’re grateful to this week’s sponsors, Wintrust Bank and MZs Spotless Cleaning, for helping make these vendor coupons possible.
Live Music
Enjoy live music throughout the morning, with Market Jam performing at 8 a.m. and ~Nois at 10:30 a.m.
Spud Club
Cipriano Studios will host a painting activity.
Home Grown Artists and Rotating Vendors
Browse handcrafted goods from Anguaya, Anomaly by Amy, Cipriano Studios, and Karmon Family Creations. And explore a rotating lineup of part-time vendors including Nuts Over Dates, Madre Mushrooms, Chicky's, and Suzie's Teas.
Event details
Date: Saturday, June 27 (and every Saturday through November 21)
Time: 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: University Place at Oak Avenue
Cost: Free
Get info on the Market, vendors, activities and more.
 How to Camp - Outdoor Survival Night: June 27
Families will learn the basics of camping in a fun, supportive, and team-focused setting, as we complete camping-themed challenges together. Learn how to pitch a tent, discover essential supplies to pack, build a campfire, and practice simple outdoor skills that make time in nature safe and enjoyable. Along the way, enjoy classic camping fun and build confidence for your next outdoor adventure with family or friends. It’s the perfect way to prepare for a night under the stars!
Date: Saturday, June 27
Times: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: Ecology Center
Cost: $15 R/$19.52 NR
Register now online or call (847) 448-8256.
 Starlight Concert - DC & The Love: June 30
Our free June 30 Starlight Concert features DC & The Love, a Chicago-based band led by songwriter and legendary bass player Dennis Carroll.
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.
Event details
Date: Tuesday, June 30
Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: Larimer Park, 1200 Oak Ave.
Cost: Free
View the full Starlight Series lineup.
 Canoe the Canal: July 5
Celebrate July 4th weekend by joining us for our popular canal canoe trips on the North Shore Channel! Canoes, paddles, PFDs, and basic paddling instruction will be provided. Each boat will also have a river-themed scavenger hunt, as we will work together to look for signs of wildlife.
Date: Sunday, July 5
Times: 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Dammrich Rowing Center
Cost: $22 R/$28.63 NR
Register now online or call (847) 448-8256.
 Paddle, Bonfire & S'mores: July 8
Enjoy a beautiful summer evening with a sunset paddle on the water! After some time on Lake Michigan, you will be greeted back on land with a crackling bonfire. Kick back in our comfy Adirondack chairs, enjoy some music by the fire, and indulge in all the s’mores you can eat!
Begin with an on-land orientation, covering types of paddle strokes and the rules of the water. Kayak or paddleboard for up to 1.5 hours and then end the evening by the fire until 8:30 pm. All kayaking equipment and s’mores fixings are included.
Date: Wednesday, July 8
Times: 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Dempster Beach Launch Facility,1251 Lake Shore Blvd.
Cost: 7-15 years - $30 /Adults - $50
Register online
 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
 Free Access to Fishing: Thru August 22 (no program July 4)
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, thru August 22 (no program on July 4th)
Times: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Lovelace Park
Cost: Free
Call the Ecology Center for more information: (847) 448-8256.
 Your Best Summer Starts Here!
From camps and sports to arts, aquatics and family fun, Evanston Parks & Recreation has something for everyone this summer. Plan your season of adventure, learning and play.
Browse programs and register today through our online catalog!
 EcoExplorers Nature Camp: 2 Upcoming Sessions!
EcoExplorers Camp is where adventure meets impact! Designed for ages 10-11, this camp lets older kids dive into nature with tons of outdoor fun - from canoeing and hiking to creative projects and upbeat team games. Along the way, they'll discover simple, kid-powered ways to help take care of the planet. Campers also learn real camping skills, so they're ready for the great outdoors. With a beach day, canoe trip, field trip, and one-night campout at Camp Sullivan each session, it's the perfect experience for growing adventurers ready for more independence.
Times: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Lighthouse Beach
Register online: Session 3 (July 6-17); Session 4 (July 20-31) or call (847) 448-8256.
 Free Summer Meals for Evanston Youth
Evanston's Summer Food Program provides 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.
 Enroll in Prieto Early Learning Center 2026-27 Program
Give your child their first independent learning experience in a warm, nurturing environment at the new Prieto Early Learning Center. Enroll in the 2026-2027 program 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.
Lakefront
 Beaches Are Open! Get Your Passes
Evanston's public swimming beaches are open for the 2026 season . Lifeguards will be on duty daily from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Clark Street Beach is closed July 4 to set up for fireworks).
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.
 Dempster Street Beach Seasonal Launch Pass Available
Summer is here! Have you purchased your Dempster Street Beach Seasonal Launch Pass yet? Seasonal launch passes are now on sale, and the beach office is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Stop by today and get your pass so you're ready to enjoy a summer on the water!
Learn more at cityofevanston.org/boatlaunch or call the Dempster St. Beach Office at 847-866-4167.
 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
Our many amenities are here for everyone to enjoy—and your support helps keep them beautiful. Every contribution makes a difference.
Donate now
Thanks for reading. Have a great weekend,
The City of Evanston’s Parks and Recreation Team
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