Thursday, October 22, 2026 | View in browser
Read below for information about Halloween events, weekend happenings, additional fall street cleaning dates, and more!
 Spooktacular fun awaits!
Grab your family, friends, and even your pets, and join in for a weekend full of Halloween-themed events and activities.
Bug-A-Boo: Celebrate Halloween on Saturday at this non-scary nature event for all ages at the Evanston Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd. Meet live animals and costumed wildlife characters, roast marshmallows, and make a craft! Register online.
Spooky Saturday on the Main-Dempster Mile: Bring the family, pets included, to the Main-Dempster Mile on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Trick-or-treat at local businesses, then head to the Spooky Block Party for a kids' costume parade, pumpkin carving contest, and pet costume contest.
Downtown Evanston Trick-or-Treat Stroll: Join Downtown Evanston on Saturday, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., for free trick-or-treating. Come in costume, grab a map at Fountain Square, then visit businesses with Trick-or-Treat posters in their windows! More info.
Central Street Trick-or-Treating: Trick-or-treat at Central Street businesses on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and snap fall selfies in Independence Park. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., the West End Kids' Fest at Mack's Bike & Goods and The Fat Shallot offers games, crafts, and a DJ dance party.
 Help build the Clyde-Brummel Park playground
A new community-designed playground is coming to Clyde-Brummel Park, and we need your help bringing it to life! Join the City, KABOOM! and The Purpose & Calling Foundation for prep work on October 27-28, and a Build Day on Thurs., Oct. 29, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
No construction experience is needed. Instructions, tools, materials, safety equipment, breakfast, and lunch will be provided. Volunteer for the full day or select a shift that works for you. Sign up today!
 Weekend happenings
Brush up on Evanston's mural scene: Peek behind the curtain with Art Encounter this month to see their recently completed mural projects, learn about the artists behind the work, and find out how murals get made! Join in for a tour on Sat., Oct. 24, from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Register today.
Plan for Northwestern's home game: Northwestern will host Rutgers at Ryan Field on Sat., Oct. 24, at 11 a.m. Residents near the stadium should expect heavier traffic, noise, road closures, and tow zones starting at 9 a.m. District 6 parking restrictions will be enforced. Learn more.
Enjoy the "Passport to Noyes" Festival: As part of the City's Putting Assets to Work initiative, the Passport to Noyes Festival invites the community to explore Noyes Street on Sat., Oct. 24, from noon to 5 p.m., centered at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center. Visitors can step inside the arts center to enjoy visual arts, galleries, classes, and performing arts.
Participate in Evanston's Public Health Day: The City's Health Department is partnering with Turning Point Behavioral Health to bring its Mobile Living Room to the Robert Crown Center on Sat., Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop by to talk with mental health professionals and connect with free health resources. The event is free and open to all.
 Extra fall street cleaning is scheduled
Additional fall street cleaning is scheduled for November and early December to ensure that debris is cleared before the winter months. Make sure to check the posted parking signs at the beginning and end of each block for dates.
Want to get a friendly reminder? Sign up to receive street cleaning text/email alerts, and view the schedule at cityofevanston.org/streetcleaning.
More News and Events
Early voting continues through November 2
Election Day for the 2026 General Election on November 3 is approaching, and Evanston voters can skip the Election Day lines by voting early in person at the Robert Crown Community Center, 1801 Main Street, Rooms B/C. Early voting runs through November 2.
Last chance: Recycling Truck Design Competition
Middle schoolers can still enter the City's Recycling Truck Design Competition through Fri., Oct. 23. Designs must feature Loop the Cart, the mascot of SWANCC's Feed the Cart campaign, and two winners will appear on Evanston recycling trucks. Submit online.
Make a plan for your post-holiday pumpkins
Rescue your Halloween pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns from withering on the front porch by dropping them off to be composted at the 11th annual “It's the Great Pumpkin Compost” Collection event on Sat., Nov. 7, 9 a.m. to noon, at the Morton Civic Center parking lot.
Student-led battery recycling drop-off
ETHS student Elaine Harris-Stapleton is hosting a free battery recycling event open to the whole community. Bring your used household batteries to Evanston Township High School, Lot 2A, on Sat., Oct. 24, from 8 a.m. to noon. Please note: lithium-ion batteries will not be accepted.
Free catalytic converter marking this Saturday
The Evanston Police Department is partnering with Jiffy Lube to host a free Catalytic Converter Marking event on Sat., Oct. 24, at 1941 Dempster St. from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Mechanics will label participants' catalytic converters to help deter theft. This program is for Evanston residents. Register today.
Donate and volunteer for the Fall Food Drive
Evanston Community Cares is hosting a fall food drive at ETHS to serve up to 500 families. Drop off donations at the Fieldhouse on Sat., Nov. 7, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Distribution is Sun., Nov. 8, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Help by shopping the donation list, giving grocery gift cards, or volunteering.
A fresh look for Chandler Tot Lot!
Construction is complete at Chandler Tot Lot. Located at the Chandler-Newberger Center, the renovated space features a new children’s playground, updated pavement, drainage improvements, basketball court modifications, and refreshed landscaping. Learn more about the project.
Get Engaged
Community Calendar
Coyote Safety Tips
 Click to view video.
Over the past few weeks, there have been a couple of coyote sightings in Evanston. While they usually avoid people, here are a few safety tips if you see one (remember, coyotes are more afraid of us than we are of them):
- Don’t feed coyotes
- Keep garbage, compost, and pet food sealed
- Keep dogs on a leash and cats indoors
- If you see a coyote, make loud noises and wave your arms
- Stay alert; coyotes are most active at dawn and dusk
By following these tips, we can safely share our community with wildlife.
That’s it for today's e-news. Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
The City of Evanston Communications Team
|
