All Weekend
Romeo and Juliet
Time: 7:00 PM Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Cost: Free, donations encouraged
Location: Ridgeville Park
Mudlark Theater presents Shakespeare’s tragedy about two teenagers from rival families.
Thursday, July 16
Baby Storytime
Time: 10:15 AM - 11:00 AM
Cost: Free
Location: Evanston Public Library Main Branch
Babies and caregivers sing, read, and play together while building language and early literacy skills.
Neurodivergent Nerdout
Time: 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Evanston Public Library Main Branch
Neurodivergent children in grades 1–5 can explore LEGO, art, games, graphic novels, and other interests. Fidgets and support tools will be available.
Teen Anime Club
Time: 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Evanston Public Library Main Branch
Teens discuss favorite anime and manga, sample Japanese snacks, and learn a few animation techniques.
NU Summer Cinema: WALL-E
Time: Dusk, between 7:30 PM and 8:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Kahn Pavilion - Norris University Center
Northwestern’s Summer Cinema series screens WALL-E outdoors. Fun family activities, such as glitter artists, free glowsticks and blankets will be available one hour before the movie while supplies last.
Friday, July 17
Babies Who Brunch
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Goldfish Swim School Evanston
Goldfish Swim School hosts a calm swim for young children and their families. The event also includes brunch treats, coloring activities, and a giveaway.
Sand & Stories
Time: 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Cost: Free
Location: Lee Street Beach
Evanston Public Library presents an outdoor storytime with books, songs, and play for children from birth through age 5. Sand and water toys are provided for the program.
Baby-Sitters Club Sleep-Under Party
Time: 7:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Booked
Booked celebrates the new Baby-Sitters Club book with a sleep-under party. Attendees are invited to come in pajamas for crafts, activities, and all things BSC. Free and open to all ages. RSVP required.
Saturday, July 18
Summer Saturday Makers Drop In
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM or 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Cost: $50.00
Location: Art Makers Outpost
Art Makers Outpost hosts a drop-in maker session for ages 5–14. Participants can make art projects using recycled materials, traditional art supplies, painting, sculpture, sewing, wood-shop, and mask making.
Family Gardening
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Cost: Free
Location: Children's Nature Garden at Kamen East Park
Families will care for edible and native plants while exploring how the garden changes through the season. Activities include tending plants and adding new features to the garden.
Saturday Storytime
Time: 11:00 AM
Cost: Free
Location: Bookends & Beginnings
Bookends & Beginnings presents a weekly storytime in its children’s corner. Families can stop by for a morning of books and shared reading.
Bilingual Spanish/English Family Storytime
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Evanston Public Library Main Branch
Storyteller Miss Rosie leads a bilingual family storytime with stories, music, and dancing in Spanish and English. Each child receives a themed craft to take home.
Roll Out: The Young Adventures Guild
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Robert Crown Branch Library
Students in grades 5 through 8 can play Kids on Brooms, a tabletop role-playing game set at a mysterious magical school. Each session tells a complete story, so new players can start at any meeting.
Theater on the Ridge: Alex in Windyland
Time: 2:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Ridgeville Park
Alex Thompson and Lydia Home present Alex in Windyland as part of Theater on the Ridge. The story follows Alex as she is separated from her sister and carried onto a magical train where she faces an uncertain path.
Touch-A-Truck Fest: Evanston Edition!
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Cost: Free
Location: Ingraham Park
The City of Evanston brings a fleet of city vehicles for an afternoon of hands-on exploration. Kids and families can climb aboard a fire truck, police vehicle, bookmobile, recycling truck, street sweeper, bucket truck, and more while meeting the crews that keep Evanston running. The Chicago Union Ultimate Frisbee Association will also be on site for a demo and community game, and Kona Ice will be available for purchase.
Sunday, July 19
Junior Ecologist: Bird Alert
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Cost: $14.00 Residents / $18.22 Non-Residents
Location: Evanston Ecology Center
Young naturalists will use binoculars and field guides to identify birds in the arboretum. The program also explores bird behavior, habitats, and their role in local ecosystems.
Family Yoga
Time: 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM Toddlers, 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM Preschoolers
Cost: $25.00 - $45.00
Location: Grateful Yoga
Cami Codell leads family yoga sessions for toddlers and preschool-aged children with songs, movement, and simple yoga poses. The classes focus on family connection, early childhood wellness, and activities designed for young kids and caregivers.
