Upcoming and Annual Events

Save the dates for First Fridays on Central Street! Extended shopping, dining, and entertainment.

Central Street is a vibrant, eclectic and artistic neighborhood business district. Did you know there are 10 public art murals tucked away throughout the entire Central Street Business District? Take a self-guided tour and view the murals!

Come to Central Street for the biggest sale of the year! *For those who can't resist more bargains, shop indoors at participating businesses on Sunday.

Save the date! On August 26 from 6 - 8 PM, Central Street Evanston invites you to join us for the 4th annual summer evening Takeout Picnic in our newly-renovated Independence Park. Come early to grab your seat and and support the local Central Street community restaurants by ordering a takeout special from one of our many Central Street restaurants. Bring a blanket or chair to sit in, grab your takeout picnic dinner, and enjoy an evening under the lights. This year we are excited to partner with Evanston's Starlight Concert Series, featuring Evanston Folk Fest bluegrass duo The Sullivan Sisters! Why is this event so important? This is our annual event to support our great Central Street restaurants.

The streets come ALIVE on Central Street! Experience a myriad of entertainers in the streets, from musicians to artists, sampling, strolling, sipping and more to stimulate all the senses!

Family fun awaits! Celebrate Halloween on Central Street, Saturday, October 25 from 11 AM - 1 PM. Trick-or-treat at participating Central Street businesses, enjoy Halloween-themed crafts, and more.

RSVP for Central Street Evanston's Annual Meeting. Gather with other Central Street businesses and celebrate the business district highlights from 2025, thank outgoing Board Members, welcome new Board Members, enjoy a sneak peek of what's to come, and share a glass of wine to toast a great year. We'll be hearing from Ripple Public Relations, Central Street's PR firm, who will share updates about what they are working on.

Get into the holiday spirit early this year! Spend the day shopping and dining on Central Street Saturday, November 15! Enjoy shopping and dining specials, and holiday festivities. Tree lighting in Independence Park at 5 PM.

Light the way to your holidays on Central Street! Shop small on Central Street November 29, and show your support in a big way. When you invest your dollars at a local business, you are also investing in your local community.

Shop and dine with us during Later-Night Central on December 11! Enjoy extended shopping hours and dining specials until 7pm. Special promotions at 25+ businesses.

Enjoy extra savings on holiday, fall & winter clearance items at participating Central Street businesses.

Join us for a flavor adventure during the first annual Central Street Restaurant Week featuring specials and special menus from 14 businesses, including: Backlot Coffee, Celtic Knot Public House, Comida Cantina, Curt’s Cafe, DeSalvo’s Pizza, Foodstuffs, Great Harvest Bread Co., Hartigan’s Ice Cream Shop, Jilly’s Cafe, Leonida’s, Parlor on Central, Pinto Thai, Ten Mile House, and The Fat Shallot.

From cards to gifts and all things sweet, we also have restaurants for date night on our beloved Central Street. Give a gift from the heart and support a local business!