Evanston Cars and Coffee is run by the downtown business organization, which is why it has a closed street rather than a lot. The organizer’s page: the meet is held “in our new location, a blocked-off section of Sherman Avenue from Clark Street to Church Street.” And the schedule: “In 2026, we have three gatherings planned on the following Sundays from 9:30AM-Noon: July 19, August 16, and September 20. We are expecting about 75 cars on each date, and car owners may register for one, two, or all three of the dates.” The 2027 dates are not yet published; this page shows the third Sunday of July until they are.
Which cars
Registered ones, and old ones: the organizer invites owners to “display your vintage (pre-2000) cars,” with registration opening by email notice. “These events are all free and open to the community.” No fee for registering is stated. Spectators walk in from downtown Evanston’s garages and the Davis Street Metra and CTA stations two blocks away.
What is not published
No rain policy, no house rules and no founding year appear on the organizer’s page, and no press coverage of the Sherman Avenue meet was found. The organizer’s size figure, about 75 cars a date, is its own.
When is Evanston Cars and Coffee?
Three Sundays a summer, 9:30am to noon; in 2026 they were 19 July, 16 August and 20 September, per Downtown Evanston. The 2027 dates are not yet posted.
Is showing a car open to anyone?
Pre-2000 cars, by advance registration through Downtown Evanston.
- Source: Downtown Evanston, annual events (Evanston Cars & Coffee), read 26 October 2026