Explore Evanston, IL

Evanston, Illinois is a vibrant and family-friendly city located just north of Chicago. It is an ideal place for bringing up kids, offering a plethora of educational and entertainment opportunities for families to enjoy. One of the highlights of Evanston is its excellent school system, which is nationally recognized for its high academic standards and innovative teaching methods. The city is home to several top-rated public and private schools that provide a nurturing and intellectually stimulating environment for children of all ages. From preschools to high schools, Evanston offers a diverse range of educational options to meet the needs and interests of every child. Beyond its exceptional schools, Evanston boasts an abundance of educational opportunities for kids. The city is home to Northwestern University, a prestigious institution that offers a wide variety of cultural and educational events for families to enjoy. From science and art exhibitions to theater performances and lectures, there is always something enriching happening on campus. Additionally, the Northwestern University campus provides a beautiful setting for children to explore and learn. When it comes to entertainment, Evanston has plenty to offer. The city has a vibrant downtown area filled with shops, restaurants, and cultural venues. Families can enjoy strolling along the charming streets, popping into local boutiques, or grabbing a bite to eat at one of the many family-friendly restaurants. Evanston is also known for its numerous parks and recreational facilities, providing ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, and picnicking. In conclusion, Evanston, IL is a wonderful place to raise kids, offering outstanding educational opportunities and a wide range of entertainment options. With its excellent schools, educational events, and family-friendly amenities, Evanston provides a nurturing and enriching environment for families to thrive.

Activities in Evanston

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a girl sitting on a swing playing a guitar

At School of Rock Evanston, our Performance Program is designed to challenge students to express their musical abilities and to reach a level of confidence and mastery that extends beyond the stage. We’ve seen our students transform from absolute beginners to rock stars in the community, and to witness the growth of our students is truly an inspiring experience. Through our Performance Program, we provide students with the opportunity to perform live in front of family, friends, and the local community. Photos, videos, posts, and more showcase the amazing progress our students have made in such a short amount of time. At School of Rock Evanston, we strive to provide the best possible music education experience for our students. We are dedicated to creating an environment where our students can explore their musical abilities and grow into confident and inspiring musicians. Our Rookies and Rock 101 programs provide the perfect entry point for beginner musicians, while the Performance Program helps students take their music to the next level. From beginners to music superstars, our students are making their mark in the Evanston community.

a person holding a baby

Founded in 2016, Stages Chicago is dedicated to providing the highest quality, developmentally appropriate performing arts experiences. Our curriculum is designed by a team of professional actors and early childhood development professionals, who have decades of experience both onstage and in the classroom. At Stages Chicago, we are proud to offer a wide range of inclusive programming for all ages and abilities. For infants, we offer developmentally appropriate music classes that are both entertaining and educational. We also offer after school programs, which provide a great training ground for the next generation of performers. We are committed to making quality performing arts education experiences accessible to all children and families. That’s why we transitioned to a not-for-profit organization in 2021, so we can expand our reach and better support our mission of providing access to the performing arts.

a person holding a baby

Kindermusik classes provide much more than a fun way to learn about music. The research-based and developmentally appropriate curricula offered by Northwestern are designed to help children succeed in school and in life. Children are welcomed into a playful and nurturing environment where they will learn an array of musical styles, genres, and cultures. Through a variety of activities, they’ll develop a variety of music, language, and motor skills. With the guidance of instructors, children also learn important social skills, such as taking turns, following directions, and interacting with other children.

a group of children with face paint

If your child is ready to explore the wonderful world of music, look no further than the Old Town School of Folk Music's Wiggleworms®! Established in 1957, this 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization offers an expansive range of music, dance, theater, and visual arts courses for children of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. From private lessons to workshops, the Old Town School has over 700 accredited class offerings to choose from. Your contribution helps to fund financial aid and arts programming for Chicagoans in need. Join us today to make music and friends!

a person and a group of children sitting on the grass

At Jamberry Music, we recognize the importance of fostering a love of music in our little ones. We believe that music should be experienced and interacted with, regardless of talent or experience. To help children develop a natural inclination to music, we offer classes that introduce them to the language of music. In our classes, we nurture and encourage the natural musical tendencies and instincts of the children. Our goal is to help them grow into adults who are able to enjoy the beauty and intricacies of music, whether it be through clapping along to a beat, singing along with a simple song, or understanding the nuances of a live concert. At Jamberry Music, we strive to provide a positive and encouraging environment for children to explore their musical passions. We want to ensure that all little ones have the opportunity to develop their musical skills and find joy in music. Our classes provide the perfect platform for this to happen.

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Are you looking for an exciting way to introduce your child to music? The Conservatory offers a comprehensive piano program for students of all ages and levels. Our curriculum includes theory, music history, and aural training. We also offer a variety of performance opportunities, such as recitals, annual exams, and piano festivals and competitions. We strive to make learning fun and engaging for our students. Our instructors are experienced in teaching, and are passionate about music and its education. We offer a supportive and encouraging environment to help your child reach their musical goals. Come and visit the Conservatory to learn more about our program and performance opportunities. Our staff is here to answer any questions and help your child get started on their musical journey. We look forward to meeting you!

a group of people on a boat

At the Northwestern University Sailing Center, everyone is welcome. We offer sailing classes, windsurfing, and paddle boarding for people of all skill levels, from first-time sailors to experienced skippers. On top of that, the center provides breathtaking views of the Chicago skyline. So, if you're looking for an exciting outdoor activity, why not try sailing? It's an experience you won't forget!

a hockey player in orange and white uniform on ice

At the Evanston Youth Hockey Association (EYHA), we strive to create an environment that is both supportive and competitive. Our members come from all walks of life, and we are proud to serve as a model of acceptance and inclusion. We have a variety of programs designed to help our players reach their goals, from the youngest beginner skaters to our 14U players who are ready to move on to the Evanston High School hockey program. We believe that hockey is an amazing team sport that can be fun, challenging, and inspiring for young people. At EYHA, we work hard to ensure that all of our players are respected and encouraged to reach their full potential, both on the ice and off. Through the commitment of our players, families, coaches, volunteers, and City partners, we are proud to be part of a program that is deeply invested in the success of our young players.

children sitting at a table

Open Studio Project, based in Evanston, Illinois, has been serving the Chicagoland community for more than 30 years. OSP is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to providing award-winning arts programming in a safe, welcoming atmosphere. We believe that creating art is a powerful tool for personal growth and well-being. OSP offers a variety of classes, workshops, and programs for adults and children of all ages and abilities. Our programming is designed to foster confidence, foster creativity, and strengthen social-emotional learning in a welcoming and supportive environment. At Open Studio Project, we invite you to reconnect with your own creativity and share the joy of making art with others. We believe that art can be a powerful way to connect with ourselves and our community. Our experienced staff and instructors are dedicated to helping you make the most of your experience here. Join us and discover the transformative power of art!

a young girl playing with a cell phone

At Parents Magazine, we are here to help you get started. We have a curated collection of modern and imported fabric from quilting cotton to home decor and apparel fabric, hand-dyed yarn, indie patterns and specialty notions that will help you bring your ideas to life. Sewing and knitting are timeless skills that can be passed down through generations. We want to help you make something special that will be treasured by your family for years to come. Whether you want to make a quilt or a sweater, we have the supplies you need to get started. Our collection of modern and imported fabric, hand-dyed yarn, indie patterns and specialty notions will help you create something unique and special. Let us help you bring your ideas to life and start a new tradition that you can share with your family for years to come.

a person playing football

Quad Indoor Sports is the perfect place to take your sports activities to the next level! Located in the Evanston & Chicago area, this state of the art facility provides a climate-controlled environment that ensures athletes of all skill levels can advance, learn, and have fun while playing the games they love. Whether you're looking to train, play competitively, or just improve your skills, Quad Indoor Sports has you covered. Quad Indoor Sports is also ready to host your next corporate outing, birthday party, or special event. With a facility designed to meet all of your needs, you can be sure that your special event will be a success. Plus, you can rest assured that your guests will appreciate the climate-controlled environment and the dedication to all levels of athletes. If you're looking for a place to take your sports activities to the next level, then Quad Indoor Sports is the perfect place for you! With amenities designed to provide athletes of all skill levels with the opportunity to advance, learn, and have fun while playing the games they love, you can be sure you’re getting the best experience possible. Plus, their facility is also available to host your next corporate outing, birthday party, or special event. So don't wait, head to Quad Indoor Sports today!

a person addressing a group of children

At the ECC, we believe that our ensembles help build confidence and self-esteem in our singers. We also strive to create an atmosphere of inclusion and respect, where everyone feels safe, accepted, and valued. We strive to create an environment in which every singer is encouraged to do their best and to be part of something bigger than themselves. The Evanston Children's Choir (ECC) is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for children and young adults in grades 1 through 12 to explore their musical talents. We offer several choirs and ensembles that aim to achieve musical excellence. Our core program is an after-school treble choir program for students from all over the Greater Chicago area. We sing a wide variety of secular and sacred music with an emphasis on multiculturalism. We also strive to make the choir accessible to everyone, no matter their financial situation. We provide free outreach performances and self-produced concerts to ensure that everyone in the community can experience the joy of music. At the ECC, we understand the power of music in helping to build confidence and self-esteem. We do our best to foster an atmosphere of inclusion and respect, where everyone feels safe and appreciated. We strive to create a space where every singer feels empowered to do their best and be part of something bigger than themselves. We believe that our ensembles can help enrich the lives of every singer and the entire community.

a couple of boys in a store

At our business, we are dedicated to fostering creative reuse and community partnerships, all while promoting environmental consciousness and social responsibility. We source materials in a variety of ways to ensure that we are using all of these elements. To help local businesses, we identify their excess materials and potential throw away items, recyclables and scraps that can be used in our repurposing studio. We are also proud to partner with community groups dedicated to green initiatives to collaborate and collect materials from various warehouses and organizations. This helps us to limit our impact on local landfills, while also assisting in creating an environmentally aware community. We also work with individuals in our community to create regular pick ups and drop offs of materials that are ready for reuse. This helps to ensure that each of our business and organizational partners are proudly named as our partners. By doing so, we are able to elevate each of our partners and showcase their dedication to our mission.

a group of people playing instruments

For nearly 90 years, the Music Institute of Chicago has been a beacon of music in the city. Founded in 1931, this nonprofit community music school provides resources for high-quality music teaching, performing, and service activities. With the belief that music is an essential part of a well-educated and compassionate community, the institute strives to make live music and quality music education accessible to everyone. The Music Institute of Chicago believes that music has the power to educate, inspire, and bring comfort to the communities it serves. Music bolsters the brain, strengthens community bonds, and nourishes the human spirit. The institute is committed to leading people on a lifelong journey of engagement with music and harnessing the power of music to make the world a better place.

a person playing a piano

In addition to our commitment to quality music education, we are proud to be an active member of the Evanston community. We support local schools and partner with organizations that have similar goals of making music more accessible to all. In 2007, we were honored to receive the Evanston Mayor’s Award for the Arts, recognizing our dedication to music education and our history as an arts incubator. We look forward to continuing to create opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to explore and learn music.

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