April is here, bringing fresh energy, new beginnings, and plenty to explore in Downtown Evanston! 🌸 Celebrate the season with festive Easter and Passover specials at your favorite local spots, discover ways to recharge at the Refresh + Renew Wellness Open House, and get involved in Earth Day events happening throughout the community. From wellness to sustainability (and a little indulgence in between), there’s something for everyone this month—take a look at what’s ahead!
Scroll down for all the details and ways to join us this April! Follow Downtown Evanston on Instagram and Facebook for daily updates.
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Hop Around Evanston is a free community shuttle 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 shuttle kicks off this Saturday, April 4 and will be available every Saturday from 6-9PM through June 20. View the route and plan your Saturday evenings out on the town!
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Join us for Refresh & Renew: Health & Wellness Open House on Saturday, April 25 from 10AM–2PM! Spend the day exploring local fitness and wellness businesses in downtown Evanston—try free mini-sessions, meet owners and instructors, tour spaces, and discover new ways to feel your best. As you visit participating locations, be sure to get your Refresh & Renew punch card stamped. Collect four (4) stamps to be entered into a raffle for great prizes! Learn more and register for activities.
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Join Downtown Evanston, The Woman's Club of Evanston and Brightview Landscaping on Sunday, April 26, from Noon-2PM for an Earth Day Clean-Up event aimed at fostering community engagement and environmental stewardship. Individuals, families, office groups, students, etc. are all encouraged to lend a hand in making our downtown business district a cleaner and more welcoming place to live, work and visit! Learn more and register.
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The Downtown Evanston Let’s Eat Challenge is a self-guided dining challenge that helps locals and visitors discover the best Downtown Evanston restaurants, cafes, bars and coffee shops, while earning badges, prizes and exclusive savings passes at select participating businesses. The challenge is open now through May 15th.
Download the Vibemap App to join the challenge, check in at participating Evanston restaurants, earn points, unlock rewards, and use savings passes for discounts as you explore Downtown Evanston.
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Starting in May, take part in monthly adult and family bike rides that promise fun, fitness, and a whole lot of community spirit! Learn more and sign up for these free, guided bike rides.
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ENSEMBLE’s first Spring Market, taking place on May 2 & 3 at Bookman's Alley, will feature independent Chicago-area businesses obsessed with quality, design, and connection. Learn more.
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- NOW OPEN
Pizzeria Deville is Now Open!
Show some love to the newest restaurant in town! Located at 1527 Chicago Avenue, Pizzeria Deville has more than just pizza. Try out Wildcat Ribeye Fries, Fried Avocado Smashburger, Roasted Portabello Unburger and much more!
- APRIL 1-9
Bennison's Bakery Easter & Passover Specials
Check out the menus and pre-order Easter and Passover specials including Lamb Cakes, Bunny Butt Cupcakes or Rugalach, Vanilla Sponge Cake and more!
- APRIL 4-5
Evanston Corner Bistro Easter Brunch
Enjoy $22 bottomless mimosas with purchase of any breakfast entree all weekend!
- APRIL 5, 10AM-2:30PM
LeTour Hosts Easter Brunch
Spend the morning with family and friends with a special brunch menu including a make your own dessert plate! $52.95 Adults / $18.94 children under 10.
- APRIL 5, 10AM-3PM
Prairie Moon Easter Champagne Brunch
Enjoy more than 40 delicious Easter brunch items along with prosecco, mimosa or mango mimosa! $39.95 per adult and $16.95 for children 12 and under.
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- APRIL 4, 5-8PM
The Saw Room at The Alley Gallery Exhibit Reception
View the current exhibit Dimensions and meet artists Jesus Monsivais & Scott Mossman.
- APRIL 9, 7PM
Bookends & Beginnings Hosts Author Coim TĂłibĂn
Acclaimed author Colm TĂłibĂn in conversation with Mary Dixon (WBEZ) about The News from Dublin, followed by author in-person book signing. Event is at First United Methodist Church.
- APRIL 16, 6PM
Bookends & Beginnings Write-On Happy Hour with Sarah Becan
Readers can wet their whistles with Sarah's new book Let's Make Cocktails!: A Comic Book Cocktail Book and enjoy a cocktail from Nakorn Kitchen.
- APRIL 18, OPENS AT 8AM
Animal Records Record Store Day
Swing by for vinyl, music, freebies, pets & fun! The shop will open at 8AM and follow along on Instagram for updates.
- APRIL 18
Vintage Vinyl Record Store Day
Stop by for vinyl, live music and more including a sidewalk sale with thousands of records on sale. Follow along on Facebook.
- APRIL 25, 11AM-6PM
Madison Grace Celebrates 5th Year Anniversary
Swing by to celebrate 5 years in business with cupcakes, discounts, and new spring styles to shop!
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- APRIL
Grateful Yoga April Workshops
Treat yourself to a relaxing workshop this month.
- April 11, 2-4PM: What the Shoulders Carry: A Melt & Yoga Workshop
- April 12, 11AM-12PM: Spring Qigong & Sound Bath
- April 17, 7-8:15PM: Evening Elixir
- APRIL 25, 10AM-2PM
McGaw YMCA Healthy Kids Day
Come ready to play, explore, and connect with YMCA staff and community partners who bring the excitement — and the resources. Free and open to the public.
- APRIL 29, 6:30-8PM
Trufit Studios Evening Strength Training Happy Hour
Enjoy a feel-good, all-levels session designed to help you build strength, move better, and leave feeling accomplished, followed by post-workout bites and refreshments.
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- APRIL 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 9-11PM
Prairie Moon Live Jazz
Experience some of the country’s best jazz musicians and enjoy a Raw Bar, late night grill, and special cocktails. Cover charge is $7 and goes entirely to the artists: Gregory Dudzienski (4/1), Ricardo Jimenez (4/8), Ellie Rui (4/15), Steve Million Trio (4/22), Kyle Madsen Due (4/29).
- APRIL 4, 2-3PM
Grove Gallery Hosts Artists' Talk: the Female Gaze
Join Sarah Kaiser for an engaging discussion with Joanna Pinsky, Art Encounter Artistic Director about the current exhibition Women Painting Women.
- APRIL 11, 3-6PM
Creative Coworking Hosts Spring Gallery Night
Elevate your evening with art, wine, and discussion! Come at 3PM to hear from Erin Kae Petty and Zhanna Biletska. They will participate in a Q&A discussion about their work.
- APRIL 17, 1PM
The Merion Hosts ESO's Musical Insights Concert
Attend a preview of Evanston Symphony Orchestra's concert featuring Jeffrey Biegel with a new piano concerto by Peter Boyer, Rhapsody in Red, White & Blue.
- APRIL 19, 6:45-8:30PM
Evanston Public Library Hosts Trivia After Dark
Join the EPL for a unique opportunity to support EPL and play trivia with library lovers, trivia enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates a new Evanston experience.
- APRIL 25, 7:30PM
Chicago A Capella Presents Building American Pop
Step into a musical time capsule as we revisit the Brill Building era of the 1950s and ’60s with narrator Geoffrey Baer. These catchy, heartfelt songs capture the joy of everyday life and still strike a chord today.
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The Evanston Community Foundation (ECF) wants to hear from you so they can understand how to better engage and partner with the Evanston community. Take the survey.
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Millions of birds will migrate through the Midwest over the next few months. Help keep the birds safe by turning off non-essential lights between 11PM to 6AM. Learn more here.
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