Summer fun continues in Downtown Evanston, with plenty of ways to enjoy the season throughout the rest of July! Spend your evenings at our Downtown Summer Sounds concerts on July 16, 23, and 30, explore the Evanston Plein Air Festival through July 19, and cruise over to our first Evanston Cars & Coffee on Sunday, July 19. Mark your calendar to save big during the Sidewalk Sale & Chalk Art Contest, taking place July 24–26.
Read on to discover what’s happening around town, and follow Downtown Evanston on Instagram and Facebook for daily updates!
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Join us every Thursday, 6-8PM this summer for Downtown Summer Sounds a series of free outdoor concerts at Fountain Square! Enjoy an exciting lineup of local and regional bands while supporting featured nonprofit organizations each week. Check out the July concerts below:
- July 16: Chicken Bone in partnership with James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy
- July 23: Joel Paterson Swing Quartet in partnership with Partners for Evanston Public Library
- July 30: Mixx Company Band in partnership with Evanston Cradle to Career
Concertgoers can enjoy food vendors, beer and beverages, free children's art activities, and are encouraged to bring their own chairs for an evening of music in the heart of downtown. Learn more here.
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Join us this Sunday, July 19, 9:30AM-Noon for the first Evanston Cars & Coffee, a free community event celebrating vintage classics, muscle cars, exotic vehicles, and unique rides! New this year, the event will take place on Sherman Avenue between Church and Clark Streets.
Enjoy coffee and donuts from Outside Coffee while exploring the cars, and vote for your favorite to help crown the People's Choice Award winner. All vote purchases benefit the Partners of the Evanston Public Library, making it a fun way to support a great local cause. Learn more here.
Thanks to our event sponsors: Autobarn Mazda of Evanston, J. Blanton Plumbing, American Vintage Home, BCU Risk Advisors, Double Clutch Brewing Co., Evanston Community Bank & Trust, Floor Coverings International and TORQ Coatings.
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Get ready for one of Downtown Evanston's favorite summer traditions! From July 24–26, our local retail shops will have unbeatable sales inside and outside their storefronts!
While you're shopping, don't miss the 8th Annual Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest on Saturday, July 25, from 9AM–3PM, when artists of all ages and skill levels will transform downtown sidewalks into vibrant works of art outside participating businesses. Find out more here.
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Waldo is back in Downtown Evanston this July! Pick up a Find Waldo Passport at any participating business and search for the famous striped-shirted character hidden in local shops through July. Collect stamps from 20 or more participating businesses to be entered into the grand prize raffle, return your completed passport to Bookends & Beginnings and join the Find Waldo Local Celebration Party on Saturday, August 1 at 12PM. Learn more.
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Join us at Fountain Square in downtown Evanston for a relaxing lunchtime at Sunday Jazz at the Square, a weekly live music series showcasing the next generation of local jazz talent. The music will run every Sunday from Noon to 2PM now through August 16! Each week, Zach Sorkin will convene a dynamic trio or quartet of young musicians to perform an assortment of jazz tunes. View schedule here. |
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Join us for Evanston Rides! – a series of monthly adult and family-friendly rides.
Saturday, July 25, 10AM: Family Ride from Harbert Payne Park to Downtown Evanston Sidewalk Sale
Tuesday, August 7, 5:30PM: Adult Social Ride from Fountain Square to the North Branch Trail
Learn more and register here.
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- JULY 17, 7PM
Music Institute Hosts EStrella Piano Duo
The EStrella Piano Duo, comprised of Elena Doubovitskaya and Svetlana Belsky will perform works by Gershwin, Rachmaninoff and Barber, among others.
- JULY 18, 4:30-7PM
Bella Otér Hosts Summer Series
Escape to the French Riviera for an evening of live jazz, cocktails, light bites, and a Cannes-inspired styling session celebrating effortless summer style. Registration required.
- JULY 18, 5:30PM
Chicago Stars FC vs Angel City FC
Cheer on the Chicago Stars as they take on Angel City FC while enjoying special Kids Night activities, making it a fun-filled evening for the whole family.
- JULY 19, 2PM
Watch the World Cup
Cheer on your favorite team, soak up the final game-day atmosphere, and support local businesses while enjoying great food, drinks, and community spirit.
- JULY 19, 12-4PM
Evanston Plein Air Festival Grand Finale
Enjoy an afternoon of art, an Outdoor Art Market, and a plein air café featuring small bites and wine from Café International. Browse the festival artwork, vote for your favorite piece from 12-3PM, and stay for the Festival Award Ceremony at 3:30PM.
- JULY 20, 7PM
Pure Barre Evanston Hosts Free Midlife Women's Wellness Event
Begin with gentle movement, stay for connection, and deepen your understanding of pelvic health during perimenopause and menopause. Limited to 20 attendees.
- JULY 22, 6-7PM
Bookends & Beginnings Hosts Author Rowan Beaird
Join Chicagoland author Rowan Beaird for a discussion of her latest novel, Tenderness, a gripping slow-burn mystery set during a 1970s island wedding, where a bride's escape from a sinister cult may not be as complete as she hoped. Rowan will be joined in conversation by Julia Fine, followed by a book signing.
- JULY 22 & 29, 9-11PM
Prairie Moon Live Jazz
Enjoy an evening of live jazz complete with drink and food specials featuring the Parachute Trio (7/22) and Miles Franklin Smith Quartet (7/29).
- JULY 29, 11AM-12:30PM
Art Encounter Hosts Downtown Mural Tour
Celebrate 10 years of murals in Downtown Evanston with a guided walking tour led by Art Encounter Executive Director and mural program co-founder Lea Pinsky. Discover the large-scale public artworks that have transformed downtown over the past decade.
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CITY BEAT MEETING
On behalf of the Evanston Police Department (EPD) and the Downtown Evanston Special Service Area, we hope that you will join us for our upcoming City Beat Meeting. This in-person meeting is a free event for downtown Evanston residents and business owners & employees. Advance registration (below) is requested to ensure that we have enough space and refreshments for all who attend. We'll also email you a reminder a day or two before the meeting date.
Wednesday, August 19, 6-7PM
Creative Coworking, 922 Davis Street
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
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