Peace Love & Light

Get into the holiday spirit early this year. Spend the day shopping and dining on Central Street. Enjoy special promotions all day long, with an afternoon of holiday festivities kicking off at 2 PM: Trolley rides, Santa, strolling entertainment, a tree lighting ceremony, and more.

Your RSVP via Eventbrite is appreciated.

HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES SCHEDULE:
Strolling Santa | 2 - 6 PM (Visit the Santa schedule)
Free Printing for Kids at Storm Print City | 2 - 4 PM (Location 2601 Prairie Ave.)
Strolling Entertainment | 2 - 5 PM
• Strolling Elves
Letters to Santa with Lisa the Elf | 3:45 PM in the Independence Park Dining Plaza
Other Visiting Guests
• Goldfish Swim
• NU's Dolphin Show
Free Trolley Rides | 2:30 - 4:30 PM (Visit the trolley schedule)
Frozen Robins Carolers | 3 - 6:30 PM (Learn more)
Tree Lighting Ceremony in Independence Park | 5 PM (Location 2627 Stewart Ave.)
Stop by the table in the Independence Park Dining Plaza on your way to the tree lighting to pick up an LED candle from the orange bins (while supplies last). 1 per family please!

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PARKING INFORMATION
• Enjoy Free metered street parking along Central Street from Eastwood to Hartrey. Free parking does not include side streets or City lots.
• Free Parking Northwestern's Ryan Field West Parking Lot located at Ashland/Central. Link to parking location. *Please be mindful of parking restrictions.
• Free Parking Chase Bank at Central Street and Green Bay Road - After 2 PM. 1900 Central Street.
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Visit this link and save the dates for more Central Street holiday events.

BLACK FRIDAY/ SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY | NOVEMBER 28-29
Our shops are filled with treasures, and our restaurants serve delicious food. Shop our local shops and give a gift from the heart. When you invest your dollars at a local business, you are also investing in the local community. Show your support, shop small on Central Street, and make a *Big* impact!

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Stay tuned for more information and shopping promotions!

Come enjoy an evening of shopping and dining on Central Street. Participating businesses are staying open until 7pm. Stay tuned to this page for updates and a list of participating businesses.
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Stay tuned for more details.

Looking for a gift for that special someone on your holiday list? We have something for everyone on Central Street. Visit the link to our 2025 Holiday Gift Guide.

Do you have a special wish or something you want to tell Santa this year? Drop a letter in one of our *official* Santa letter boxes. Don't forget to leave your return address!

MAILBOX STOP LOCATIONS:

Mack's Bike & Goods | 2948 Central Street

Maya Papaya & Tony Macarony | 1901 Central Street

Free parking is back for the Holiday 2025 season! Shop local this season with up to two hours of free parking daily in Evanston’s business districts.

The City of Evanston is making local holiday shopping easier this year by offering a “Holiday Parking: Free for 2025” promotion. Community members and visitors to Evanston’s business districts enjoy up to two hours of free parking daily, November 26 through January 1, 2025. This offer is valid for app users once per day per account.

Nov. 26, 2025 – Jan. 1, 2026!

Step 1: Download the Park Evanston App, available for both iOS and Android devices

Step 2: Start your parking session through the app

Step 3: Tap "Redeem" and enter the validation code: Holiday2025

Support local Evanston businesses, enjoy stress-free parking, and celebrate the holidays with family and friends!