Christmas in July on 7/9 at SPACE to Feature Local Indie Rock Star Niko Kapetan in Rare Intimate Performance

Chicago-based nonprofit Santa for a Day (SFAD) will hold its popular Christmas in July benefit concert on Thursday, July 9, at SPACE in Evanston, featuring a first-ever, intimate solo performance by one of the most captivating young performers in music today – indie rock star Niko Kapetan, an Evanston native and acclaimed frontman of Friko. Christmas in July, hosted by SPACE and WXRT-FM, is a milestone moment in the artistic journey of one of the country's most exciting emerging artists. For music fans, the event is a rare opportunity to experience a remarkable talent in an intimate setting and be part of a memorable night.

Kapetan, who serves as musical ambassador for SFAD and Christmas in July, has been called a magnetic songwriter, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist whose live shows are nothing short of mesmerizing. He will play the hometown show at SPACE just two weeks before he heads to Japan to kick off his long-awaited world tour with Friko, a band that Pitchfork hailed as part of a "generational passing of the torch" in indie rock, praising Kapetan's ability to transform songs into a hero's journey.

Also performing at Christmas in July is Chicken Bone, a 10-piece, versatile ensemble that includes Kapetan’s father, guitarist Dimitri Kapetan. The popular funky rock band, which came together in Evanston nearly 20 years ago, plays an eclectic mix of songs from the 1960s through today.

Local music legend and WXRT-FM host Marty Lennartz returns as emcee of the all-ages Christmas in July show. Tickets are on sale now at evanstonspace.com, for $50 (standing room only) or $75 (VIP, including pre-show reception on the patio). Proceeds from the event support SFAD’s mission of delivering holiday gifts to children in underserved communities – gifts specifically requested in heartfelt, shoppable letters to Santa. Last year, the organization served 8,000 children in Chicago, Evanston and six other cities.

“Christmas in July, our biggest fundraiser of the year, helps fund our multi-city effort, which is more critical than ever as increasing numbers of families struggle due to high costs and reductions to assistance programs,” says SFAD founder Rich Gentile. “We’re grateful to Niko for seeing the need and stepping up for the second year – not only as the talent curator but as a performer himself. This - is incredibly generous for a successful musician whose band is exploding on the indie rock scene.”

Kapetan and his band Friko had their breakout year in 2024, with the release of the critically acclaimed album “Where We’ve Been, Where We Go From Here.” In April, the band released its anticipated sophomore album, “Something Worth Waiting For,” which once again had rave reviews.

“It’s an honor to have Niko and Chicken Bone performing in support of Santa for a Day this summer, particularly at this pinnacle moment for Niko,” Gentile says. “We plan to fill SPACE with fans of great music who also want to give back to a great cause.”

SPACE is located at 1245 Chicago Ave. in Evanston. Doors for Christmas in July open at 7 p.m.; the first act takes the stage at 8 p.m.

About Santa for a Day

Santa for a Day (SFAD), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in the Chicago area, pairs the magic of the holiday season with the power of kindness. Every year, thousands of underserved children throughout the United States write letters to Santa – and before SFAD, many of those letters would go unread and unanswered. SFAD partners directly with local housing authorities or other nonprofits to provide letter-writing events for children. The organization then shares redacted versions of those letters with donors, who can select the gift they want to send. Unlike other holiday charities, SFAD fulfills specific wishes for each individual child, rather than utilizing a drop-off distribution model. The organization has grown to serve more than 8,000 children in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Evanston, IL. Learn more about SFAD and how to get involved at www.santaforaday.org.