Celebrate the season with Evanston Public Library! Whether you’re looking for festive events, fun holiday activities for all ages, free passes to local winter attractions, or cozy book and movie picks to keep you warm, we’ve gathered everything you need in one cheerful place.
Discover new traditions, revisit favorite classics, and find inspiration for making the most of this magical time of year. Let EPL beyour guide to a season filled with warmth, wonder, and community.
Museum Pass Winter
Chicago Botanic Garden Winter Activities Museum Passes
Get a Museum Pass for the Chicago Botanic Garden through EPL, and enjoy winter programs and displays!
Ring in the New Year Kids Style
Golden Hour Karaoke
Dec 31st | 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Sing in the New Year! Kids are invited to take the mic and perform their favorite songs from hit movies and musicals.
Holiday Spirit: Activate!
Puzzle and Gift Wrap Swap
Puzzle and Gift Wrap Swap (+ Free Wrapping!)
Dec 2nd | 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Bring puzzles and gift wrap to swap. Even if you don't have any, join us to take some home!
Toy Swap
Kids Toy Swap
Dec 10th | 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Swap out your kids toys and make this holiday season more sustainable, affordable and fun!
Event 3
Savor the Season: Enjoy Holiday Meals Without Overindulging
Dec 17th | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Learn strategies to enjoy festive foods without guilt, manage portion sizes, and leave the table feeling satisfied.
Brazilian Holiday Sounds
EISMA Presents: Luciano Antonio - Brazilian Holiday Sounds
Dec 21st | 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Luciano's performance takes the audience on a tour of Brazil by presenting a wide variety of Brazilian compositions.
Get Cozy with a Book or Movie
Cozy Reads
Hibernation Mode Activated List
Hibernation mode activated - I'll see you in April!
It's time to get cosy/cozy. Embrace your indoor kid and the snowy, sleepy season ahead.
Slay Ride
Slay Ride: Holiday Horror Books
The weather outside is frightful, but these books are so delightful (...and also frightful).
The Fire is So Delightful
Dreaming in Black and White
Long Movies Long Nights
Long Movies for Long Nights
Embrace winter’s cold, dark nights and settle in with one of these acclaimed films--all running at least 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Dreaming in Black and White
Dreaming in Black and White
Dream sequences in movies. It is the darkest time of year--ideal for hibernating and dreaming...zzzz
Dreaming in Color
Dreaming in Color
We are officially in hibernation season. The films on this list contain dream sequences that are sure to inspire.
Cookbooks Perfect for Winter
Winter Cooking
This Year's Greatest Hits
2025 Books for Adults
101 Kids
101 Favorite Picture Books
Nov 04, 2025
Check out the list our staff made of their 101 favorite picture books!
More to Explore at EPL
Future Events
Labubu Party!
Dec 3rd | 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Lababu's are taking over the Teen Loft, so come join us for a fun Labubu-themed hang out! Grades 6th-12th
Caldecott Club: Celebrate Great Caldecott Contender Art
Dec 3rd | 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Join us for this fun, interactive look at books that might win the 2026 Caldecott Award for most distinguished illustrations!
Climate-Friendly Things You Can Do at Home
Dec 4th | 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Chat with neighborhood climate coaches to help learn about climate-conscious energy improvements to your homes, condos, and apartments.
Betsy Bird & Brian Wilson's Favorite Picture Books of 2025!
Dec 4th | 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Parents, caregivers, teachers, college students, librarians and anyone who loves picture books are in for a treat with this annual event!
Enrich Your Soul
Visit a Local Museum
Museum Passes
Go on your favorite museum adventure by requesting museum passes from EPL!
Learn to Cook Something New
AtoZ World Food
Explore thousands of global recipes, food cultures, ingredients, techniques, and history in one extensive culinary database.
Read The Atlantic
The Atlantic
Read articles about news, politics, culture, technology, health, and more from The Atlantic through online resource EBSCO.
