All Weekend
Yamel Cucuy
Time: 7:30 PM Thursday - Saturday, 3:00 PM Sunday
Cost: $28.52 - $33.85
Location: Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts
Glass Half Full Theatre presents a magical realism thriller about a girl navigating immigration agents and folkloric specters as she comes of age. The show blends puppetry with live actors and is performed in English and Spanish with subtitles.
Racing Simulator Pop-up with Fast Lane Chicago
Time: All day Friday - Sunday
Cost: $10.00 - $15.00
Location: Double Clutch Brewing
Fast Lane Chicago sets up racing simulators at Double Clutch for a three-day pop-up. Visitors can test their driving skills on the rigs and see how fast they can go.
Oktoberfest at Sketchbook
Time: All day Friday - Sunday
Cost: No Cover
Location: Sketchbook Brewing
Sketchbook Brewing celebrates Oktoberfest with seasonal German-style beers, food, and activities.
The Front Page
Time: 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM Saturday, 2:00 PM Sunday
Cost: $30.00 - $108.00
Location: Northlight Theatre
This stage adaptation follows reporter Hildy Johnson's last big story in a 1930s Chicago press room, as editor Walter Burns tries to keep her from quitting for marriage. A death row escape, rival reporters, and crooked politicians complicate the scoop.
Midnight Circus in the Parks
Time: 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM Saturday, 2:00 PM Sunday
Cost: $31.33
Location: Tallmadge Park
Acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, clowns, and a rescued pit bull perform under the Big Top in this touring circus show marking its 20th anniversary. The performance is designed for all ages.
Thursday, September 17
Goodbye Party Cookout
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Cost: $5.00 suggested donation
Location: The WasteShed
The WasteShed Evanston marks its move to Edgewater with a cookout featuring grilled food, drinks, and potluck contributions. Music, crafts, and artwork from Glass Case Gallery artist Frank Pollard round out the send-off.
Souper Simple
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Cost: $25.00 suggested donation
Location: Noyes Cultural Arts Center
This monthly community soup and bread gathering celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with Evanston Latinos. The menu includes Aztec tortilla soup, September harvest vegetable soup, and corn poblano soup, with bread donated by Button Bakery.
Kickball Club
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Kamen East Park
Ridgeville Park District's adult, co-ed recreation kickball club is part clinic, part league, and all fun, offering simple skill development alongside organized games.
Friday, September 18
Northwestern University Walking Tour
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost: $35.00
Location: Segal Visitors Center
The tour covers Northwestern's lakefront campus and its mix of architectural styles, from 19th century Collegiate Gothic buildings to newer contemporary designs.
Sip, Swirl and Paint
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Cost: $40.00 Residents / $50.86 Non-Residents
Location: Prieto Community Center
An instructor leads a step-by-step painting project while attendees sip drinks and snack on small bites. The first drink is included, with additional alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
Rhythm Evolution Community Drum Circle
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: Free, donations encouraged
Location: Ridgeville Park Community House
A free, lightly facilitated, family-friendly community drum circle for all ages, hosted by Ridgeville Park District in partnership with Rhythm Evolution NFP. Bring a hand drum, percussion instrument, or "found sound."
Move-in Friday night at the Dearborn Observatory
Time: 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Dearborn Observatory
Dearborn Observatory is opening its doors for a free public viewing to help welcome everyone to NU. All are welcome, no reservation required .
Saturday, September 19
Downtown Evanston Farmers Market
Time: 7:30 AM - 1:00 PM, early shopping at 7:00 AM for seniors and those with disabilities
Cost: Free
Location: Evanston Farmers Market
The Downtown Evanston Farmers Market features over 70 local vendors offering fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, and more, with live music and local group collaborations weekly. Early access at 7:00 AM for seniors and adults with disabilities.
Guided Meditation & Sound Bath with Cats
Time: 9:00 AM
Cost: $35.00
Location: Paws and Claws Cat Rescue
Guided imagery and sound bowls anchor this meditation session, held in the company of rescue cats. Participants can pet or watch the cats while relaxing during the session.
Birding by Boat
Time: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Cost: $22.00 Residents / $28.63 Non-Residents
Location: Dammrich Rowing Center
Paddlers get a guided canoe trip along the North Shore Channel to spot local bird species, with binoculars provided. Basic paddling instruction and safety information are covered beforehand, and no canoeing experience is necessary.
A Day to Celebrate Our Pollinators
Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera, OH MY!, 7:30 PM Moth Monitoring
Cost: Free
Location: Harley Clarke Mansion
Jens Jensen Gardens marks pollinator season with a drop-in daytime walk highlighting the butterflies, moths, bees, and wasps drawn to the native landscape, plus an after-dark session using light to attract and catalog moths. C&W Ice Cream and Harley Clarke Coffee/Brewing will sell refreshments during the day.
National Beignet Day Pop-Up
Time: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Cost: Varies
Location: The Laundry Cafe
Beloved Bakery is hosting a pop-up at The Laundry Café for National Beignet Day. The café's full coffee and pastry menu is also available.
Indie-Pendant Jewelry Trunk Show and Ear-Piercing
Time: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Cost: Varies
Location: cloth + home
Cloth + Home and Kinsco Cafe team up for a trunk show of independent jewelry brands, plus on-site ear piercing. Kinsco's pastries are available from 11:00 AM until sold out.
Canoe the Canal
Time: 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Cost: $22.00 Residents / $28.63 Non-Residents
Location: Dammrich Rowing Center
Participants get basic canoeing instruction along with canoes, paddles, and life jackets before paddling the North Shore Channel. Each boat receives a river scavenger hunt to spot signs of wildlife along the way.
Collage Basics Workshop with Morgan Steorra
Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Cost: $80.00
Location: Hive Center for the Book Arts
Participants will cut, tear, and layer found materials to build collages, with all supplies provided. The workshop covers basic techniques for beginners exploring the medium for the first time.
Fall Line Dancing
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Cost: $35.00
Location: Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center
Fleetwood-Jourdain hosts a line dancing set to classic soul favorites, with easy-to-follow choreography for beginners and experienced dancers alike. No partner required.
Main Street Mural Dedication Day
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: 727 Main St Parking Lot
Open Studio Project celebrates its new Main Street mural with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The party includes art activities, music, treats, and giveaways.
Yoga and drinks at the Harley Clarke Mansion
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Cost: $20.60
Location: Harley Clarke Mansion
Tired Mom Yoga host yoga on the front lawn of the Harley Clarke Mansion, followed by a drink in the Beer Garden. Tickets include one drink after the session.
Northwestern Football Watch Party
Time: 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Harley Clarke Mansion
Northwestern takes on Colorado, with the game shown at the beer garden. Beer, wine, and other drinks are available for purchase while watching.
Time & Presence: A Bella Otér Runway Experience
Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Cost: $55.20
Location: Bella Otér
A student-led runway show inspired by the 1920s explores how femininity, identity, and self-expression evolve across a woman's life through fashion, film, music, and storytelling. The evening includes drinks, small bites, a meet-and-greet with the designers and creatives, and an auction supporting the initiative.
Sunday, September 20
Summer Walk in the Gardens
Time: 9:00 AM
Cost: Free
Location: Harley Clarke Mansion
A guided walk through the garden highlights its late-summer growth, with stops to spot butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds among the native plants.
Evanston Cars & Coffee
Time: 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Downtown Evanston
Vintage classics, muscle cars, exotics, and unique daily drivers line Sherman Avenue for this outdoor showcase. Attendees can vote for a People's Choice award, with proceeds benefiting the Evanston Public Library, and grab coffee and donuts from Outside Coffee.
5K Fun Run For Beer
Time: 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Cost: $48.49 - $70.12
Location: Double Clutch Brewing
Runners, walkers, and joggers can tackle a 5K course starting and ending at Double Clutch Brewing, with a craft brew waiting at the finish line. Post-run festivities include music, games, giveaways, and a prize drawing, with 10% of proceeds going to local nonprofits.
Bears Watch Party
Time: 12:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Harley Clarke Mansion
Bears fans can catch the Bears-Vikings matchup on the patio at Harley Clarke Beer Garden.
Hispanic Heritage 2026 con LENS
Time: 1:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Levy Center
LENS hosts a kickoff celebration for Hispanic Heritage Month featuring live music, folkloric dancing, a Spanish rock band, food vendors, and children's activities. Local organizations will staff resource tables, and attendees can make buttons and pick up small giveaways at the library's table.
Chicago Stars vs Washington Spirit
Time: 4:00 PM
Cost: $20.59 - $197.60
Location: Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium
The Chicago Stars host Washington Spirit in NWSL play as part of a "Neighborhood Night" matchday theme. The first 2,000 fans receive a Rally Wave item giveaway.
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