COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Stay tuned for rules and participating Waldo lairs.

Find Waldo in dozens of stores on the Main-Dempster Mile (and Downtown Evanston too!) and win prizes from our friends at Booked.

Prize Party at Booked on July 26th.

Join us for a summer evening of queer joy, community, and connection at Custer Oasis, the breezy outdoor patio tucked behind La Principal — a beloved neighborhood favorite.

We’ve reserved a private section just for Out North, and you’ll enjoy Happy Hour Special Pricing on select drinks and bites — including low-ABV and non-alcoholic options so everyone can raise a glass, their way.

What to expect:

• Exclusive outdoor seating for Out North
• Extended happy hour specials
• Low-proof & alcohol-free selections
• LGBTQIA+ community vibes (21+)

We're partnering with Evanston Made during the Evanston Plein Air Art Festival!

Everyone is invited to meet the competing artists, view the Paint Out competition, shop the plein air art market, enjoy live music and delicious drinks and bites! Main Street, between Hinman and Chicago Avenues.

Whether you're just daydreaming about your next piece or ready to get it started — this event is for YOU!

✨ What’s Happening?
🍺 Sip on delicious local craft beer
✍️ Sketch out your tattoo ideas
🎨 Browse artist portfolios and get inspired
🎟️ Enter our RAFFLE for a chance to win tattoo credit and other fun prizes!
🖤 Chat with Sweetheart Ink artists about your ideas — no pressure, just good vibes and creativity!

Bring your wildest ideas, your best doodles, or just come hang with us and get inspired. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a first-timer, this is the perfect night to get your next piece in motion!

Join your favorite people and drink your favorite beers! If that's not enough ...

Sat 7/5 - Live Music

Sat 7/12- Karaoke

Sat 7/19 - Trivia

Sat 7/25 - Music Bingo

Join Doodle Matt (aka illustrator Matthew LaFleur) for a Doodlin' Book Party with children's authors Greg Bradley and Molly Raske!

• Doodle and draw with Matt!
• Storytime with Greg Bradley (author of From Earth to Eris, illustrated by Matt)
• Meet Molly Raske (author of A Magnificent Misunderstanding, illustrated by Matt)

Let's get doodlin'!!!

Get ready for the best prices of the year, with most items in the Clearance Event priced at $10 or less. PRO TIP: this is a great time to shop for holiday cards and decor.

The Sidewalk Market will include local artists, vintage sellers and more!

We’re celebrating! It’s been 15 years since a diverse group of photographers established the community non-profit that would become the Perspective Group and Photography Gallery. Please join us for a fifteen-year gallery anniversary party: 15 Years In An Instant!

15 Years In An Instant! marks time well spent promoting fine art photography within our Chicagoland community. And to further commemorate this milestone, we will be launching an instant film installation project In November to honor the work of our many past and current members. This mobile installation of Polaroid prints will be on exhibit in the gallery from November through the end of the year.

Step into a powerful fusion of movement, creativity, and self discovery in this dynamic workshop designed to restore, inspire, and rejuvenate. Blending the ancient wisdom of yoga, the expressive power of art, and the psychological depth of Carl Jung’s work, this unique experience offers participants a gateway to deeper self awareness and emotional clarity.

Using accessible chair yoga (no mat needed!) and breathwork, we begin by gently awakening the body and unblocking stagnant energy—creating space for imagination to flourish. From this grounded place, we move into the world of neurographic art, a science-based creative process that transforms stress into insight by literally redrawing your inner neural pathways. This meditative drawing technique aligns beautifully with Jung’s belief in the symbolic language of the unconscious and the power of art to make the invisible visible.

There is literally always something amazing to do in the neighborhood once you understand that we're the home of one of the most amazing concert venues in Chicagoland. Enjoy browsing the packed schedule at the link.

Tuesday Night Trivia

at Pour!

Every Tuesday

6pm-8pm

Evanston Pour

528 Dempster St

1st, 2nd and 3rd Prizes, plus Happy Hour Specials

DETAILS

Wednesday Night Trivia at Firehouse Grill!

Firehouse Grill

750 Chicago Ave

DETAILS

Sunday Trivia at Sketchbook!

Every Sunday

3pm

Sketchbook Brewing

821 Chicago Ave

Free to participate!

DETAILS

Booked Club for

Grown-Ups!

Third Wednesday, 7pm

Booked, 506 Main St

DETAILS

POUR Book Club

Last Wednesday, 7pm

Evanston Pour,

528 Dempster

DETAILS

Sunday Smut Book Club

Last Sunday, 3pm

Booked, 506 Main St

DETAILS

Cooked Book Club

First Wednesday, 7pm

Booked, 506 Main St

DETAILS

Frog on a Log Storytime at Booked!

Tuesday and Friday, 10:30am

Booked, 506 Main St

DETAILS

Meter parking is free city-wide the first Saturday of each month from 6pm-9pm.

Click the link above for more information.

First Saturday Evanston Art Events invite the community to explore Evanston’s Creative Community, at openings and events across Evanston. Build your art-filled day using the event listing below (all have different times and locations) and the Google Map

Every first Saturday of the month, Sketchbook teams up with @evanston_made for our monthly Sketch at Sketchbook event from 1-2:30 p.m. This family-friendly session offers up sketching tips from professional artists and free materials.

Institute for Therapy through the Arts is inviting Evanston-based arts and culture

organizations to help us bring our street to life with the vibrant, diverse, and powerful

creative energy that defines our community.

Join us for ITA’s first-ever Block Party for the Arts! A free, family-friendly celebration

that brings neighbors, artists, and creatives together in the heart of Evanston.

Running August 2 - September 28

• Lee Hanten, mixed media
• Renee Witherwax, watercolor
• Bo Williams, photography

Brought to you by Booked! It’s the new book in the bestselling Peapod Farm graphic novel series, a favorite of kids and adults alike. Will this be the coziest one yet??

Event happenings:

• Q&A and book signing with Lucy
• Free exclusive Peapod Farm minicomic
• Games and prizes--you could win a portrait of YOU drawn by Lucy!
• Sugar Shack themed mocktails and cocktails

We're so lucky that SPACE is hosting this party! This is a free event, but space is limited and RSVPs are required. Get your ticket at this link: https://www.ticketweb.com/.../sugar-shack.../13863454...

And preorder the book if to guarantee she can sign your copy at the party: https://www.bookedevanston.com/.../sugar-shack-graphic-novel