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Downtown Evanston
Events & Specials
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The Downtown Evanston Gift Card Makes the Perfect Gift!
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New Year's Eve in Downtown Evanston
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Ring in 2014 at the Hilton Orrington NYE Ballroom Party 
Enjoy a welcome cocktail reception, four course plated dinner, four hour premium open bar, wine service during dinner, DJ & dancing! Party favors, balloon drop and champagne toast at midnight. Complimentary valet parking, breakfast buffet and 2pm late check out! for reservations call (847) 556-7901. Complete details here!
First Night Evanston
First Night Evanston, the legendary community-wide New Year's Eve celebration returns! That's  right- after an absence of several years, Evanston's favorite party is back. Start planning which great musical acts and entertainment will make your New Year's Eve the last great event of 2013! Official First Night Evanston buttons can be purchased at the Downtown Evanston Visitor Information Center at 820 Davis St., Suite 151. Purchase your button before 12/26 and save! Adult Buttons (18+) Before 12/26 - $15 12/26 - 12/30 - $18 On 12/31 - $20 Buttons for kids 9 - 17 years old are $10 no matter when they are purchased and children 8 and under are free when accompanied by an individual wearing a button. Tickets can be purchased here and more information can be found on Facebook. |
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See Santa in Downtown Evanston
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Retail and Restaurant Specials
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If you missed this year's Holiday Bash & Tree Lighting,
check it out here!
It was bigger than ever! Thank you to the City of Evanston, Northwestern University, Music Institute of Chicago and all of our partners!
Cocktail Party at Whole Foods
Thursday, December 5, 5 - 8pm
Join Whole Foods Market at 1640 Chicago Ave. for a cocktail party to celebrate their relatively new collection of spirits. They'll have several vendors coming to pour handcrafted cocktail samples, including local distilleries Journeyman, Koval, and Evanston's own FEW Spirits!
Jane Miller December Trunk Show
December 7 & 14, 10am - 5pm
December 8 & 15, noon - 5pm
Jane Miller would like to thank you for your business and wish you and yours a happy holiday season! Celebrate with Jane during her 4 December Trunk Show dates; in the spirit of the holiday season, a portion of all December sales will be donated to Charity. Jane's signature service will help you find an item or an outfit you'll love! Daytime, Playtime and Special Occasion! Trunk Show dates/times not convenient? Call Jane and set up an appointment. Gallery is located at 708 Church St., Suite 234, (847) 733-7880, janemiller@rcn.com.
Eve's 2013 Holiday Party 
December 7, 12pm - 6pm
Enjoy tasty treats, wine, champagne and multiple raffles to win Eve Jewelry at Eve J. Alfille Gallery & Studio! Have fun and beat the holiday rush with amazing jewelry gifts from Eve's, while helping in the fight against Parkinson's. 10% of all direct sales at the party will go to benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Please join Eve J. Alfille Gallery & Studio and Make It Better Magazine on Saturday, December 7th from noon to 6:00 pm for Eve's Holiday Party to benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
Comedy Night at Unicorn Cafe 
December 7th from 7:30-9pm
Head to the Unicorn Cafe for a night of laughter! The Unicorn Cafe will be hosting three comedians; enjoy seasonal beverages and laughs!
Toys for Tots at Becky & Me Toys 
Through December 20
Becky and Me Toys is once again collecting toys for Toys for Tots. Help them collect enough toys to fill one of their display windows! Cash donations (which will be matched) are also be collected for donation to Toys For Tots. All toys purchased at Becky & Me Toys for their donation boxes receive 20% off.
Third Thursdays at The Galleria
December 19, 6 - 8pm
Don't Miss It! The Galleria in Evanston will be hosting Third Thursdays each month. Join The Galleria on Thursday, December 19 from 6 - 8pm at 1627 Sherman Ave.
A Home for the Holidays - Holiday Party and JT's Charity Drive 
December 22, 6 - 9pm
JT's Bar & Grill at 1639 Orrington Ave. is hosting a donation drive to help those experiencing homelessness. Bring a donation gift and receive a complimentary drink! Clients who have been placed in permanent housing are still in need of some basic home care supplies such as: bed sheets, pillows, comforters, towels, home decor, rugs, cleaning tools and supplies, Men's & Women's suits, dress shoes and gift cards. Donations support participants of North Side Housing and Supportive Services.
Holiday Gifting at Uncle Dan's 
Uncle Dan's now carries GoPro, the world's most versatile camera. As seen on 60 minutes, the small, high quality camera allows people to capture engaging photo and video content during their favorite activities from skiing to scuba diving. A perfect holiday gift for the active person in your life. Check out the GoPro here!
Koi Fine Asian Cuisine and Lounge December Events
Sushi Tasting  December 10, 7-9PM
Tickets on sale here!
$15 for $30 of food from Koi Valid from 12/9-1/15. Enjoy this special deal from Koi Restaurant in Evanston. For $15, you will receive $30 worth of authentic Chinese food and fresh sushi. Purchase tickets now here!
Paint a canvas for St. Jude's at Gather 
Through December 15th
This holiday season Gather is donating 100 canvases to raise $1,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Help us reach our goal by stopping in today.
It's easy to participate! Just stop in before December 15th; Gather will provide you with an 8 x 8 canvas, paint brushes and a comfy spot to create your painting. Add your masterpiece to the St. Jude's exhibit and pat yourself on the back for a job well done!
Recommended donation of $10. 100% of all donations go directly to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Paintings will be on display at Gather until 12/15 and can be picked up between 12/16 & 12/22 - in time for holiday gifting!
Events at Quince
December 6th, at 6:30pm
Enjoy an amazing 7 course dinner for $77 per person with 5 course wine pairings for an additional $25. For the mouth-watering menu, visit here!
December 12th at 6:30pm
5-course wine dinner for $110 per person
December 17In the spirit of the seasonal Quince tradition, they welcome this year's holiday carolers on December 17th, at 7:30pm in the Q2 Lounge. This event is family friendly and free to attend, however food and drink are encouraged. Evanston Art Center's 11th Annual Winter Arts & Crafts Expo Through December 22nd 
The Evanston Art Center is proud to present the 11th annual Winter Arts & Crafts Expo. Winter Expo features one-of-a-kind pieces of work by over 110 selected artisans. Winter Expo will be held from November 23 to December 22, 2013 at the Evanston Art Center; Mondays - Saturdays from 10am - 4pm (closed Thanksgiving) and Sundays from 12pm - 4pm.
The Arts and crafts offered at the Winter Expo include original, handmade works of jewelry, ceramics, fiber, metal, glass, painting, photography, mixed media, and more. All proceeds from the Expo will benefit the ongoing exhibition, education, and outreach programs at the Evanston Art Center. The Winter Expo is also the perfect opportunity for families to shop for everyone on their holiday gift list. Check out show times and special events here!
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Community Events
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Mayor's Holiday Toy and Food Drive
Help make the holiday season joyful for as many needy Evanston families as possible! Be a part of the annual Holiday Food & Toy Drive sponsored by Mayor Tisdahl and local community organizations.
Donate online quickly and securely using our Holiday Drive payment site. (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, & Discover accepted) or bring new, unwrapped toys and/or non-perishable food items to the lobby of one of our nine convenient Evanston drop-off sites through Friday, Dec. 13:
- Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave. Mon.-Fri., 7am-9pm - Main Library, 1703 Orrington Ave. Sun., Noon-6pm; Mon.-Thurs., 9am-9pm; Fri. and Sat., 9am-6pm - North branch library, 2026 Central St. Mon., 10am-8pm; Tues.-Wed., 10am-6pm; and Sat., 10am-5pm - Robert Crown Center, 1701 Main St. Mon., 9am-6pm; Tues.-Thurs., 9am-8pm; Fri., 9am-9pm; Sat., 8am-9pm; Sun., Noon-4pm - Chandler-Newberger Center, 1028 Central St. Mon.-Fri., 9am-7pm; Sat., 9am-4pm - Evanston Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd. Mon.-Fri., 8:30am-5pm; Sat., 9am-4:30pm - Fleetwood-Jourdain Center, 1655 Foster St. Mon.-Fri., 9:30am-9pm; Sat., 9am-3pm
- Levy Senior Center, 300 Dodge Ave. Mon.-Fri., 8:30am-5pm; Sat. and Sun., 9am-3pm
- Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes St. Mon.-Fri., 8:30am-5pm
Big Holiday Book Sale
December 13 - 15
The Evanston Public Library at 1703 Orrington Ave. will hold its Big Holiday Gift Sale from Friday, December 13 through Sunday, December 15. The 3-day event features an unusually large collection of beautiful gift books in excellent condition at prices buyers will love. Find 1000's of very gently used children's and adult books, audiobooks, movies, music, magazines, large print, and vintage selections in every imaginable category of fiction and non-fiction. The Big Holiday Book Sale has it all.
Book Sale Hours:
Friday, December 13, 2013 and Saturday, December 14, 2013: 10am to 5:30pm. (There will be an Early Bird Preview on Friday from 10am to Noon, $5 fee.) Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013: 12pm to 5:30pm, all books half-price.
Free Holiday Parking in Downtown Garages
The City of Evanston will be offering free parking again in downtown Evanston just in time for the holiday season. The garages at Sherman Plaza, Maple Avenue and Church Street, as well as Lot 60, located at 1234 Chicago Avenue, will observe free holiday parking Thursday, November 28, 2013 through Saturday, January 4, 2014.
For a map and listing of parking facilities, click here.
Hours of free parking for the self-park garages are weekdays from 5 p.m. to midnight and all day on Saturdays. City Lot #60, located at 1234 Chicago Avenue, will provide two hours of free parking between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturdays and after 5 p.m. on weekdays. Sunday parking is always free in the parking garages and lots.
The free holiday parking is to encourage residents and visitors to patronize the downtown and Dempster/Chicago business areas and use the convenient parking in the garages for shopping, fine dining and entertainment during the holiday season. Check out www.downtownevanston.org for a listing of shops and restaurants or to learn about the Downtown Evanston Gift Card.
Music Institute of Chicago's Nutcracker - Duke It Out! 
December 7, 2013 - 9:00am
Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave.
Start your day with an Open House at the Music Institute of Chicago. Fun for families begins with an open house in the lobby where toddlers can try MusikgartenŽ early childhood demos, kids play instruments at our instrument "petting" zoo, parents talk with faculty, and everyone can enjoy refreshments, student performances and special discounts on lessons and classes.
Open House followed by two concerts: Duke it Out pairs the classical (Tchaikovsky) and jazz (Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn, transcription by James Stephenson) versions of The Nutcracker Suite, performed by Music Institute Ensembles-in-Residence Axiom Brass and Quintet Attacca. Providing a visual illustration of the two musical versions are dance students, ages eight to 18, from Foster Dance Company, the performing ensemble of Foster Dance Studios and Chicago-area professional dancers, totaling approximately 60 dancers. Choreography is by Ronn Stewart, Sarah Goldstone and Phil Brooks. Get your tickets here!
An Evanston Symphony Christmas
December 8, 3pm 
Make sure your holiday season starts with the best holiday event in Evanston! Don't miss enjoying these favorite Yule festivities with your family and friends... Evanston Symphony Orchestra led by Music Director Lawrence Eckerling, North Shore Choral Society, Evanston Dance Ensemble, Evanston Children's Choir, ETHS Concert Choir & A Capella Singers, Audience Sing-a-Long, Handel's Hallelujah Chorus, And, a BIG bonus for all kids from 1 to 101 -- a visit from Santa and his elves! More information and tickets here!
International Family Film Festival at McGaw YMCA 
December 14, 10am
Celebrate the holidays with McGaw YMCA by bringing your friends and family to learn about cultures from all over the world. Join them for holiday entertainment, lunch (provided by the Kiwanis Club), gingerbread houses, food, crafts and visits with Santa. Visit www.mcgawymca.org for a full list of activities.
This event is free and open to the community. Give back this holiday season by bringing a microwaveable canned food and/or non-perishable item to the YMCA to support John's Cupboard.
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Who's Hiring?
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Hot Mama, 1608 Sherman Ave. 
Part Time Stylist
Love to play dress up? Passionate about helping moms feel beautiful? Hot Mama is looking for a PT Stylist to help them empower, inspire + style moms at their Evanston location. Stylists are the frontlines. The product pioneers. The rock stars. They bring the Hot Mama customer experience to life every time they're on the floor. They have a fabulous personal sense of style + strong, positive communication skills. They are the reason our moms walk out the door feeling beautiful.
To apply, send resume and application to Breanne at breanne@hotmamaonline.com. Download + complete application at http://www.shopmama.com/careers.cfm.
Country Financial, 1015 Davis St.
Country Financial is an established and growing insurance and financial services company
interested in individuals who reside in the North Shore and surrounding areas! Click here to learn more about an exciting job opportunity and then visit their website to apply online!
World of Beer - Evanston, 1601 Sherman Ave.
Have a passion for Craft Beer? Dedicated to hospitality? Ready to pair awesome food with great beer? World of Beer- Evanston is looking for a few good people! Now hiring talented and enthusiast individuals to spread WOB Culture one beer at a time! Please visit http://wobusa.com/Locations/Evanston/Employment.aspx and stop by WOB- Evanston with your completed application and resume Monday through Thursday between 1:00PM - 4:00PM. We are looking forward to building our team! |
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Awesome Deals on the Downtown Evanston Mobile App!
| Click to download the Passport to Downtown Evanston App! The Passport to Downtown Evanston App is a great way to take advantage of all that downtown Evanston has to offer.  With over 90 participating businesses, there is sure to be something for everyone. Enjoy exciting discounts and special offers from local businesses for FREE! All you have to do is download the Passport to Downtown Evanston App to your iPhone or Android powered mobile phone.
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Downtown Evanston Visitor Information Center
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Make Downtown Evanston your one stop shop for visitor information. Whether it's information for out-of-town guests, or a long time resident, Downtown Evanston has all of the answers. While your there be sure to pick up a Downtown Evanston Gift Card now available at over 120 participating shopping, dining, and service businesses. Visit Downtown Evanston at 820 Davis St, Suite 151 |
Who is Downtown Evanston?
Downtown Evanston provides marketing and management services to the downtown Evanston Illinois district and is a 501(c) (6) non-profit corporation. The district that Downtown Evanston is responsible for is the Special Service Area 4 (SSA4), Illinois' equivalent of a Business Improvement District (BID). Established in 1987, Downtown Evanston is governed by a Board of Directors and works in partnership with the city of Evanston. |
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this holiday season! Accepted at over 150 participating businesses, everyone on your shopping list is sure to find something they'll love with the 
Downtown Evanston Visitor Information Center
First Bank & Trust
