Summer will be here soon …
Summer on the North Shore means access to fresh air, fresh water, and lots and lots of fresh produce thanks to all of the open air markets, with their abundance of locally grown fruits, veggies, and herbs as well as baked goods, eggs, cheese, meats, flowers – and so much more. Fortunately there’s a market on the North Shore almost every day of the week. Here’s a roundup.
HIGHLAND PARK: The 39th Annual Ravinia Farmers Market will be held Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 7 to October 25, 2017, rain or shine. The Market will operate on Dean Avenue between Roger Williams Avenue and St. Johns Avenue at Jens Jensen Park across from the old train station in Ravinia District. Click here to read more about the Ravinia Farmers Market.
New in 2017, Highland Park now offers a French Market which will run Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 17 through October 14 (the market will not operate June 2 and August 26). Gather, socialize and purchase small batch goods directly from artisans and purveyors selling produce, flowers, food, craft goods, jewelry and more. The French Market is located at 1800 St. Johns Avenue – North St. Johns Parking Lot (at St. Johns Avenue north of Central Avenue).
Also new in 2017 is the Food Truck Market. Come by on Thursdays from 4:30 p.m. until dusk June 1 through September 14 for this outdoor market featuring local restaurants and food truck vendors. You can even catch live music from 5 p.m. until the market closes.
The Food Truck Market will be located on Dean Avenue between St. Johns & Roger Williams Avenues and Jens Jensen Park. Music Sponsored by Highland Park Community Foundation and the Ravinia District SSA 17.
HIGHWOOD: Highwood Evening Markets are vibrant parties in the park and have become a tradition for friends and family seeking great food, entertainment, and shopping. Highwood Evening Markets will be held Wednesdays from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m June 14 to August 30 in Everts Park. Guests are able to enjoy dinner and cocktails, while exploring the market’s many vendors and listening to live music acts. Everts Park is located on Highwood Avenue west of Green Bay.
NORTHBROOK: The Northbrook Farmers Market runs Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m June 21 to October 11. Handicapped accessible, it is a community gathering place with several Special Event Days for all ages and interests. Shop for locally grown, in-season fruits and vegetables, as well as delicious artisan creations, then head over to the downtown stores and boutiques. The market is held at Cherry Lane & Meadow Roads in downtown Northbrook.
Photo courtesy of Northbrook Farmers Market
LAKE FOREST: The 7th Annual City of Lake Forest Open Air Market is held on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m beginning June 17, 2017. The Market commits to providing the best local, fresh, healthy food to the community and the surrounding area. Farm-to-table vendors provide vegetables, fruit, artisan breads, jams, honey and specialty items.
The market is located in the Central Business District, at the northwest corner of Deerpath and McKinley Road in downtown Lake Forest, with free parking in all city lots. The Food Share Food CSA pick-up is located at the Open Air Market.
LAKE BLUFF: The Lake Bluff Farmers’ Market, is open Fridays from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m June 9 to October 13, 2017. From produce, proteins and pastries to flowers, cheese and more, the Lake Bluff Farmers’ Market is one of the Village’s best places to stock your fridge and pantry. With knife sharpening services, live music and cooking demonstrations, the Lake Bluff Farmers’ Market works to create an experience that will kick off summer weekends in Lake Bluff in style. For more on this popular market, click here to read a DNS story.
The market is located at the Lake Bluff Village Green. Throughout the Farmers’ Market season, patrons will find accessible parking near the Central Business District at the Walnut Avenue Parking Lot, the Train Station Lot (fee required) and at Artesian Park.
Photo courtesy of Lake Bluff Farmers’ Market
LIBERTYVILLE: In 2017, the Libertyville Farmers Market is celebrating its 37th year in operation! This year there will be more vendors than ever, so you’ll be able to find more fresh food and flowers, and also have more fun shopping for them. The market can provide you with the opportunity to get to know your food and the producer who grows it or makes it. The market will be held from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays June 1 and June 8, and then June 22 to October 19.
DEERFIELD: Celebrating their 22nd season, the Deerfield Farmers Market will be held on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m June 17 to October 14 in the Metra Commuter Lot at Deerfield Road and Robert York Avenue. The market includes seasonal vegetables and fruit locally grown by farmers in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. There will be organic and naturally grown vegetables, fresh-cut flowers, potted flowering plants, annuals and perennials. There will be freshly baked breads, muffins, hand-crafted Wisconsin cheese, tasty maple syrup and honey, and other specialty products.
Photo courtesy of Deerfield Farmers Market
GLENCOE: The Glencoe French Market is on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 10 to October 14. Vendors feature fresh produce, baked goods, meats and cheeses, crafts and more. The market brings local and healthier ingredients, arts and crafts, and delicious foods to Glencoe. It is held on the Wyman Green, 675 Village Ct.
The Chicago Botanic Garden also holds a Summer Farmers’ Market. On Saturday and Sunday, July 15 and 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Chicago Botanic Garden welcomes local, sustainable farmers and producers to this public farmers’ market. Gather seasonal produce, flowers, herbs, and other local, sustainable products at this Garden event that is held rain or shine. Talk with vendors and sample fresh fare.
Photo courtesy of Glencoe French Market
NORTHFIELD: The Northfield Farmers Market is celebrating its 40th year. The market opens for the season on May 27, and will run for 21 weeks to October 14, 2017, rain or shine. The market, which is operated by the Winnetka-Northfield Chamber of Commerce, will run from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays at 6 Happ Road in Northfield.
Shoppers enjoy a relaxing Saturday morning, visit with friends and neighbors and bring home some of the most luscious, fresh-picked fruits and vegetables your family has ever tasted. You will also find beautiful blooming plants, shrubs, cut flowers, cheeses, a variety of delicious baked goods and wonderful specialty foods.
Photo courtesy of Northfield Farmers Market
GLENVIEW: The Glenview Farmers Market will run on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The market is located directly across from Historic Wagner Farm providing an opportunity to combine shopping at the Farmers Market with a visit to a working early 20th Century farm.
Market will also feature the following: The Green Table – 9 a.m.-12 p.m. – Sponsored by the Village of Glenview and the Glenview Park District, this booth is staffed each week with different local experts who will provide education about sustainable living. Weekly Entertainment – A different musical artist or group is featured each week. Community Booth – A different non-profit group from our local community is featured each week, giving them an opportunity to put on a bake sale and/or spread the word about their organization.
Photo courtesy of Glenview Farmers Market
WILMETTE: The Wilmette French Market runs on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 22 to November 4. The French Market offers a variety of traditional farmer’s market goods, like fruits, vegetables, flowers, cheeses, meats and breads from local and regional vendors.
Because the Wilmette market is allowed to carry some non-local produce — as long as it’s clearly marked – in addition to a variety of hardscape products, they are able to have a longer season. Whereas many suburban markets have either just opened or will be opening in mid June, the Wilmette market runs April to November.
The Wilmette French Market is on the Village Center parking lot that is adjacent to the Wilmette Metra train station in downtown Wilmette — just east of Green Bay Road at Lake Avenue. If you drive, you’ll have no problem finding parking. The Metra north line is also an easy way to visit the market as it is right there when you disembark at the Wilmette stop.
EVANSTON: The Downtown Evanston Farmers’ Market is celebrating its 42nd year. The market will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday May 6 through November 4. The market has a festive atmosphere and is a real crowd-pleaser, with exciting tent activities most Saturdays. As many as 58 Midwest vendors sell fruits, vegetables, meat, flowers, cheese, eggs, baked goods and more. LINK cards are accepted. Please note that dogs are not allowed at the market (with an exception for service animals).
Free parking is available at the Maple Ave. Garage with validation at the City of Evanston tent. The market is located at the Intersection of University Place and Oak Ave (behind Hilton Garden Inn, east of East Railroad Avenue).
The Central Street Green Market features all-organic produce from Lake Breeze Organics and other market goods. It will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays June through October. The Green Market is located in Independence Park, Central Street at Stewart Street (west of Green Bay Road).