January is here, and there is plenty to look forward to in 2026! From new fitness classes, to evening retail events, to MLK Day celebrations, and live jazz music, there are lots of fun activities for all to enjoy.
As we settle into 2026, we’re also gearing up for another exciting year of family-friendly events that bring our community together including two winter faves: Love Local Chocolate Crawl (Feb. 12) and S'mores on the Square (March 7).
Read on to discover what’s happening around town including a list of new business openings, and follow Downtown Evanston on Instagram and Facebook for daily updates.
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Bundle up and gather your friends, coworkers and family (yes, this is kid-friendly!) for an evening stroll stopping in local shops to enjoy a variety of chocolate treats and special offers. Learn more.
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Residents and visitors of all ages are invited to join in the fun, bringing their enthusiasm and a sweet tooth to a delightful and cozy community event around open fire pits at Fountain Square. Learn more.
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- JANUARY
Trufit Now Offering 10 New Group Classes
TruFit Group Fitness Studios is rolling out 10 classes this month including Box & Burn, Joint RX, Kettlebell Strength, Sporty 40s & more! You can try out a few with their 5 Class Pass.
- JANUARY 10, 3-6PM
Creative Coworking Celebrates 15 Years in Evanston
Join Creative Coworking on January 10, 3-4PM for a Q&A session with artists David Bender and Robyn McMurray followed by a reception with wine and charcuterie spread from 4-6PM.
- JANUARY 10, 4-7PM
Grove Gallery Opens New Exhibit: Triptych
Attend the opening reception of Triptych featuring artwork by Kate Berry-Brown, Vanessa Filley, and Darren Oberto. On January 17, 3-5PM, attend a discussion with Amy Kartheiser, Interior Designer about works of art in your home.
- JANUARY 11, 10-11:30AM
Trufit Hosts Kettlebell Workshop
Join Emily Dalton, personal trainer and kettlebell athlete, at a new 90-minute Kettlebell Strength class to explore all of the benefits the kettlebell and learn skills like the swing, clean, and Turkish Getup.
- JANUARY 11, 1:30-4PM
McGaw YMCA Community Family Day
Kick off 2026 at the first Community Day of the year! Explore the Y, take a tour, and enjoy free access to fitness classes, Family Gym, and Family Swim. Open to all—participants must be 18+ or accompanied by an adult
- JANUARY 14, 7-8:15PM
Grateful Yoga Yoga Foundations: The Pleasure & Power of In-Person Yoga
Immerse yourself in a 4-week in-person yoga journey that highlights breath, mindful movement, and fundamental postures. This series offers a welcoming space to experience the essence of yoga in real time, with the support and shared energy of community practice.
- JANUARY 14, 21 & 28
Prairie Moon Hosts Live Jazz
Enjoy live jazz every Wednesday hosted in partnership with Fulton Street Collective, one of Chicago’s most respected and well-known venues for producing high-quality live jazz. Performers included Aaron Brenton Quartet (Jan. 14), Andrew Meyer Quintet (Jan. 21) and Millie Aheart Quintet (Jan. 28).
- JANUARY 18, 3PM
Music Institute of Chicago MLK Day Celebration
Reserve your free tickets to the 23rd annual tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. featuring performances by Music Institute students and community partners, and a keynote address given by Dr. Jonathan Bailey Holland, dean of the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University.
- JANUARY 19
Evanston Public Library Celebrates MLK Day
Join the EPL throughout the day to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Take part in their day of service activity to create reusable sanitary pads for Girls 4 Girls Ghana from 10AM–12:30PM or 2 PM–4:30PM. Kids can also enjoy storytimes, films and Reverend Eddie Reeves interpretation of Dr. King's "I Have A Dream" speech.
- JANUARY 24, 7-10PM
McGaw YMCA Y140 Party
Join the McGaw YMCA for their Y140 Party presented by Northwestern University — a night of community, fun, and purpose. Enjoy music from across the decades, reconnect with familiar faces, and expect a packed dance floor, all while supporting an organization dedicated to creating brighter futures in Evanston. Get tickets by January 21!
- JANUARY 27, 6-7PM
Bookends & Beginnings Hosts An Evening with Johnathan Gleason
Attend an evening with Jonathon Gleason, author of Field Guide to Falling Ill, a riveting exploration of illness and medicine that imagines a more humane form of care. Free but please register.
- JANUARY 29, 4:30-7PM
Bella Oter Hosts Oter After Dark
Join Bella Oter for a relaxed after-work happy hour designed around finding your perfect fit in a way that feels calm, personal, and pressure-free.
- THROUGH FEBRUARY 15
Wheel & Sprocket Ride Winter Service Special
Don't miss this once-a-year Winter Service Special including $100 OFF Premium Service Package, $50 OFF Annual+ Service Package and $50 OFF Annual Service Package.
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- JANUARY 11, 14, 15 & 17
Northwestern University Women's & Men's Basketball Games
Cheer on the 'Cats at the Welsh Ryan Arena this month at one of several home basketball games. View the women's schedule and men's schedules & purchase tickets!
- JANUARY 14, 12-1PM
Evanston History Center Curiosity Cafe
Join the EHC in the historic Dawes House for a lunchtime conversation about Evanston greenhouses. Historian Kris Hartzell will lead an informal conversation focusing on the unique history of the greenhouse industry in Evanston. Free event, no RSVP needed.
- JANUARY 16, 5:30-7:30PM
YWCA Evanston/North Shore Hosts I Have a Dream Career Event
Join the YWCA for an inspiring event for D65 families! Bring your children for hands-on career exploration activities designed to spark curiosity and imagination, while you learn about resources and strategies to save for your child’s future.
- JANUARY 17, 12-3PM
City of Evanston Hosts Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Celebration
Join the City of Evanston at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center to honor the brave young people of the movement with keynote speaker Northwestern University Student Brooks Lansana, Evanston's Children's Choir, The Musical Offering, MC4 singing group, Ayodele Drum & Dance, and singers Treasure and Jayla.
- JANUARY 19, 11AM-1PM
Interfaith Action Network Hosts Walk for Warmth
Take part in the family-friendly Walk for Warmth in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.'s Day of Service. Help Interfaith Action raise awareness of homelessness in our community and raise funds to support Interfaith Action programs including the Overnight Shelter.
- JANUARY 20, 5PM
Northwestern University MLK Commemoration 2026 Keynote
Attend a panel of experts comprised of Northwestern faculty and community leaders followed by a reception at the Mary B. Galvin Recital Hall. Free but please RSVP.
- JANUARY 23-31
83rd Annual NU Dolphin Show Presents Footloose
Based on the iconic '80s movie, Footloose follows a rebellious Chicagoan teenager who finds out dancing is outlawed in his new town. Filled with chart-topping songs, high-energy dance numbers, and characters guaranteed to make you laugh, this new take on Footloose explores what happens when the youth decide to take a stand!
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Downtown Evanston was excited to welcome a number of new businesses and business owners to the downtown district this past year. Each brings fresh energy, creativity, and community to our downtown. From restaurants to specialty retail shops to wellness studios and more, we hope that you'll explore and support these new businesses in the coming year!
And, we’re already looking ahead to several anticipated businesses in 2026!
And just in the planning stage, a new restaurant from Chefs Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark of Parachute Hifi and Anelya, as reported in Evanston Roundtable.
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