Main Street Fair organizers anticipate welcoming about 15,000 attendees this year, marking a significant increase from last year’s 11,000. The event will take place on June 27 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with an expanded footprint to accommodate more visitors and activities.
The fair has added new locations including Eiden Park and the stretch of Washington Street between Custer Avenue and the park’s western edge, broadening the traditional Main Street venue. This expansion aims to create a safer, more efficient environment with better community integration and parking options for residents and vendors alike.
Entertainment will be distributed across three stages. The main stage, positioned near Sherman Avenue at the west end of Main Street, will feature headliners such as Justin Roberts, DJ Sean Alvarez, and Funkadesi, with additional acts to be announced. On the east side, at Main Street and Hinman Avenue, the lineup includes School of Rock students, singer Tom Durrenberger, 7th Period, Pam and Miko, and Hasta Mañana. Meanwhile, a dedicated kids’ stage at Washington Street and Custer Avenue offers family-friendly entertainment, including performances by Jamberry, Evanston Township High School’s mariachi band, Mr. Scott’s Giant Bubble Show, Chicago Ballet Arts, and interactive acts like unicyclist UniKyle and the play “Let’s Go Camping.”
To enhance sustainability, organizers collaborated with Urban Canopy, a Chicago nonprofit focused on urban farming and composting, to manage waste stations and promote correct trash disposal during the event. Volunteers will assist attendees with composting and recycling.
Infrastructure improvements are also nearing completion, with water main replacements on Chicago Avenue expected to finish before the festival, reducing potential disruptions. Parking accommodations for residents affected by street closures will be available at Park School to ensure convenience and minimize local disturbances.
The event is produced by a coalition of eight local organizations, including Main-Dempster Mile, Hive Center for the Book Arts, Evanston Latinos, Shorefront Legacy Center, Evanston Made, Evanston Chamber of Commerce, Around Evanston, and Evanston ASPA. These groups plan to share any proceeds equally. Organizers have appealed for community donations throughout the spring and successfully secured financial sponsorships to help cover festival costs.