All Weekend
SimWorks PopUp + Mack's Social Ride
Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Pop-up Friday and Saturday, 11:00 AM Social Bike Ride Sunday
Cost: Free
Location: Mack's Bike & Goods
Simworks USA joins Mack's for a two-day pop-up featuring their Doppo bikes on display and exclusive merchandise not otherwise available in-store. On Sunday, Mack's leads a social, roughly 10-mile bike ride through Evanston, including a stretch on Bike the Ridge. The ride ends with a stop at a local hot dog spot.
Thursday, September 24
Witchy Bitches Mini Night Market
Time: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: No cover
Location: Witchy Woman World Apothecary
The monthly mini night market marks the Autumn Equinox with local artists, makers, and vendors. Five readers offer tarot, astrology, intuitive, Akashic Records, and past life readings.
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 - part clinic, part league, all fun, with simple skill development and organized games.
Kristine Hansen: Frank Lloyd Wright's Illinois
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Cost: Free / $25.00 with book
Location: Bookends & Beginnings
Author Kristine Hansen discusses her book "Frank Lloyd Wright's Illinois" in conversation with the Evanston History Center's Kris Hartzell. A book-signing follows the discussion.
Evanston Shop Ride
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Wheel & Sprocket
Wheel & Sprocket hosts a Thursday evening group bike ride covering about 23 miles at a 13–17 mph pace.
Irma Vep (1996) in 35mm
Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: The Block Museum
Olivier Assayas's 1996 film follows a French director's chaotic attempt to remake the silent classic Les Vampires with a Hong Kong action star in the lead role. The screening opens Block Cinema's 25th anniversary year with the same film that launched its first program in 2001.
Evanston Author Sara Levine, in Conversation with Rebecca Makkai
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Nichols Concert Hall
Sara Levine discusses her new novel The Hitch with bestselling author Rebecca Makkai. The conversation is part of RoundTable Reads, the Evanston RoundTable’s book discussion series. A book signing follows, with copies available for purchase through Booked.
Friday, September 25
Dempster Design Row Day
Time: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Multiple Venues
Four salon-style conversations and showcases along Dempster Street explore the process behind finished design work, from furniture and ceramics to painting and vintage rugs. Sessions include panels with local designers, a furniture maker showcase, and a talk on sustainable vintage sourcing.
Northwestern Field Hockey vs. Michigan State
Time: 3:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Lakeside Field
Northwestern’s nationally ranked field hockey team takes on Michigan State at home in Evanston.
Racing Simulator Pop-up with Fast Lane Chicago
Time: 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Cost: $10.00 - $15.00
Location: Double Clutch Brewing
Fast Lane Chicago sets up racing simulators at Double Clutch Brewing for another pop-up session. Visitors can test their driving skills and compare lap times.
Tales on Tap
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: $40.00 per person (includes 2 drink tickets)
Location: Ridgeville Park Community House
The Ridgeville Foundation presents its annual community 21+ storytelling event. Local residents share stories centered on community pride and celebration.
CIERA Astronomer Evenings
Time: 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Dearborn Observatory
CIERA astronomers lead a short astronomy talk followed by an open Q&A and demonstrations. Visitors can also look through Dearborn Observatory’s historic telescope and talk with astrophysics experts.
Saturday, September 26
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.
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.
Harvest Fest
Time: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Eggleston Park
Harvest Fest features live music, a pumpkin patch, crafts, fall games, farm tours, and a scarecrow-making contest. Food and drinks will also be available, with music from Old Town School of Folk Music, Nu Mariachi, Pierce Crask, and Grace and the Butterfly Effect.
Paper Bag Book with Ellen Gradman
Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Cost: $80.00
Location: Hive Center for the Book Arts
Participants fold and glue paper bags together to form pages and pockets, creating a small book that doubles as a notebook or scrapbook. The finished pockets can hold writing, drawings, collage materials, or small keepsakes.
Main Street Mural Dedication Day
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: 727 Main St Parking Lot
Open Studio Project celebrates the dedication of its Main Street Mural with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The party also includes art activities, music, treats, and giveaways.
Fall Line Dancing
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Cost: $35.00
Location: Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center
Soul Line Dancing pairs classic soul music with step-by-step choreography for beginners and experienced dancers alike. No partner is needed for the Saturday sessions at Fleetwood-Jourdain.
OktoberFiesta!
Time: 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: $5.00
Location: Saint Mary's Church
The block party features live music from local bands, beer from Sketchbook Brewing Company and Double Clutch Brewing Company, cocktails, and German, Mexican, and American food. Games and activities for kids and adults are planned throughout the afternoon and evening.
Full Moonrise Paddle Meditation on Lake Michigan
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Cost: $50.00
Location: Northwestern Sailing Center
Participants can choose a standup paddleboard, single kayak, or double kayak for a guided meditation session on Lake Michigan timed to the full moonrise.
Crazy Shades of Blue Presents: A Farewell to Summer
Time: 7:30 PM
Cost: $23.00
Location: The Fred Anzevino Theatre
Crazy Shades of Blue performs unscripted improv comedy, with a new show created on the spot.
Sunday, September 27
ETHS Homecoming Hustle 5K
Time: 8:00 AM
Cost: $39.44 in advance, $50.00 day of race
Location: ETHS Lazier Field
The 5K walk/run through Evanston is open to ETHS students, staff, alumni, and the wider community. Entry includes a race t-shirt, finisher medal, chip timing, and a post-race celebration.
Bike the Ridge
Time: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Ridgeville Park
Ridge Avenue closes to vehicle traffic from Howard to Church Streets for a car-free community bike ride open to all ages and abilities. A stop at Ridgeville Park includes live music from School of Rock, food trucks, and a bike raffle.
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 plantings, with stops to spot butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds drawn to the native landscape.
Painting with Monet's Touch
Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Cost: $30.00 Residents / $39.04 Non-Residents
Location: Robert Crown Community Center
Participants will learn Impressionist painting techniques inspired by Monet, focusing on capturing light, color, and movement on canvas. All materials are provided, and no prior painting experience is needed.
Yoga and Drinks at Double Clutch Brewery
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost: $21.68 (includes 1 drink)
Location: Double Clutch Brewing
Tired Mom Yoga leads a yoga session followed by drinks and conversation with other attendees.
Evanston Along the Lake Walking Tour
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Cost: $35.00
Location: Hinman Ave and Lake St
The walking tour covers churches and residences in the Lakeshore Historic District, once home to Daniel Burnham's country retreat. A guide highlights the architecture and history that shaped the area into one of the region's most sought-after suburbs.
11th Annual Pig Roast
Time: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Cost: $65.00
Location: Peckish Pig
The Peckish Pig hosts a pig roast with live music and a buffet of whole pig, carnitas, pork loin, salads, and sides. Beer, wine, and tiki-themed cocktails will also be available for purchase.
Nuestras Historias en Evanston/Our Stories in Evanston
Time: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Evanston History Center
Local Latino community members share stories of building lives in Evanston over pan y cafecito, with music and an open invitation for attendees to share their own experiences. The bilingual event includes English and Spanish translation.
Punchlines
Time: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: $12.89
Location: Northside Boxing & Fitness
Boxing matches alternate with a bracket-style freestyle rap tournament, as 16 emcees battle for the Punchline belt and a 3-month gym membership. Moor's Brewing Co. and 8Trackz present the night, with music from Jesse De La Pena and DJ Quality.
Laughs @ Local Note
Time: 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM
Cost: $15.00 General / $7.50 with NU Student ID
Location: Local Note Jazz Club
Monthly live stand-up comedy show at Local Note Jazz Club featuring a mix of Chicago and Northwestern comedians plus a headliner.
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