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Two New Outdoor Markets to Love as Chicago's Early Season Marches On
- Bob Benenson
- Apr 5
- 3 min read
Market in Exurban Grayslake Stays Open Into December
The 2026 Chicago region outdoor farmers market season got off to a soggy — but still exciting start — at Green City Market's flagship Lincoln Park location on Saturday (April 4). Click the link below to read all about it — and about what delicious, locally and sustainably produced food you'll find at these earliest season markets.
There are many sunny market days to come. And don't forget, April showers bring May... asparagus?
Two more outdoor markets will be opening for the season next weekend. Grayslake Farmers Market in the Lake County city of the same name wasn't the first market to open, but it will be the last to stay open with a final date of December 12.
Also, the kickoff for the French Market in west suburban Wheaton next Saturday serves as a reminder of a change we're making to the Local Food Forum Market Tracker.
I didn't previously include the French Markets scattered around Chicago Metro because we chose to focus on food producer-only vendors. But over the five years since Local Food Forum launched, many markets have been added non-food vendors, so I decided to stop being stuffy and add in the French Markets. Lots of people love them, as I can testify because the Nettlehorst Market in Lakeview, just a few blocks from our apartment, draws crowds for its Saturday openings.
One more change to note: Now that we have actual open outdoor markets, I'm switching to a weekly schedule of open markets by day. In addition to the week's markets, I'll include (through the peak opening month of June), a list of the markets scheduled to open the following week. I hope you'll find it useful and will share with others who could benefit from the information.
Markets for the Week of April 6-12 (Outdoor Farmers Markets in black and Remaining Indoor Markets in blue)
means season opener
FRIDAY, APRIL 10
St. Charles Indoor Farmers/Baked Goods Market, Baker Memorial Church, 307 Cedar, St. Charles
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
SATURDAY, APRIL 11
Grayslake Farmers Market, 201 Center St., Grayslake *
10 a.m to 2 p.m.
Green City Lincoln Park, 1817 N. Clark St., Chicago
7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wheaton French Market, Main and Liberty, Wheaton *
8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Batavia Farmers Market, Sturdy Shelter Brewing, 10 S. Shumway Avenue
9 a.m. to 12 p.m, through May 9
Evanston Winter Farmers Market, Evanston Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd.
8 a.m to 12:30 p.m.
Garfield Park Neighborhood Market, The Hatchery, 135 N. Kedzie (West Side)
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Huntley Indoor Farmers Market, Huntley Municipal Complex, 10987 Main St.
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Plant Chicago Farmers Market, 4430 S. Marshfield Ave. (South Side)
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ravinia Winter Farmers Market (Saturday), Wayfarer Theater, 1850 Second St., Highland Park
10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
61st Street Market, Experimental Station, 6100 S. Blackstone Ave. (South Side)
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wheaton Indoor Market, Wheaton Mason’s Lodge, 120 W. Wesley
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Woodstock Farmers Market, All Seasons Orchard, 14510 IL 176
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
SUNDAY, APRIL 12
Geneva French Market, Metra parking lot (4th and South), Geneva *
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Buffalo Grove Indoor Winter Farmers Market, 2900 N. Main St.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Farmers Market at the Dole, 401 Country Club Rd.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Skokie Winter Farmers Market, 4051 Main St.
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
FOLLOWING WEEK'S OPENINGS
SATURDAY, APRIL 18
Chicago Nettlehorst French Market... Wilmette French Market
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