Fresh vegetables, eggs, flowers, locally sourced honey — all are quintessential trappings of a farmers market.
There are dozens and dozens of these little slices of Americana happening all over the Chicago ‘burbs this summer. All are free to attend (unless otherwise noted.) Many markets accept the Link card.
Here’s a list of farmers markets in the Chicago suburbs and northwest Indiana.
Aurora
Aurora Farmers Market at Water Street Square: 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturdays June 1-Oct. 5 at 65 S. Water St.
Aurora Farmers Market at West Plaza: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays July 3-Aug. 21 at 1999 W. Galena Blvd. 630-256-4636; aurora-il.org/1595/Aurora-Farmers-Market.
The Aurora Farmers Market’s 113th season has vendors selling fresh produce, pastry items, live music and local food trucks.
Batavia
Batavia Farmers Market: 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturdays May 18-Oct. 26 at North River Street between Wilson and Spring Streets.
Batavia Evening Farmers Market: 5-8 p.m. Wednesdays June 5-Aug. 28 on North River Street between Wilson and State Streets. 630-761-3528; downtownbatavia.com/farmers-markets.
More than 50 vendors will offer items like produce, meats, eggs, baked goods, honey and more. An Artisan Collective featuring handmade items will be on the third Saturday of the month. The markets include live music and a kids’ tent.
Chesterton, Indiana
Chesterton European Market: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 26 at Thomas Centennial Park at Broadway and Third Street. 219-926-5513; dunelandchamber.org/chestertons-european-market.
This market features artisan breads and pastries, cheeses, ethnic foods, meats, spices, oils, fresh produce and flowers and more.
Coffee Creek Farmers Market: 3-7 p.m. Wednesdays April 10-Oct. 30 at Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve, 2300 Village Point. 219-707-9327; coffeecreekfarmersmarket.org.
Founded by Native Roots Farm in 2016, farmers continue to be the backbone of the vendor base. All the produce sold is grown locally. Artisan Weeks are the first and third Wednesdays of the month; Health and Wellness are the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month.
Crown Point, Indiana
Crown Point Farmers Market: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays May 25-Sept. 28 at Bulldog Park, 183 S. West St. 219-662-3250; crownpoint.in.gov/373/Farmers-Market.
The market features more than 70 vendors selling everything from produce to pottery, a splash pad and live music. No market July 20.
Elgin
Elgin Downtown Market: 3-8 p.m. Fridays June 7-Aug. 30 and then 3-7 p.m. through Oct. 11 at Riverside Drive Promenade, 53 S. Riverside Drive. 847-695-7540; facebook.com/DowntownElginMarket.
There will be vendors, live music, cooking demonstrations, kids’ activities, food trucks and more.
Evergreen Park
Farmers Market: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays May 2-Oct. 24 at Yukich Fields, 89th Street and Kedzie Avenue. 708-422-8776; evergreenpark-ill.com/162/Farmers-Market.
At this market, shoppers will find fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers and more.
Frankfort
Frankfort Country Market: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays April 21-Oct. 27 in Breidert Green, 2 S. White St. 815-469-2177; frankfortil.org/residents/special_events/frankfort_country_market.php.
This large-scale market sprawls across three parking lots and features vendors selling a variety of specialty foods, hot sauces, baked goods, coffee, artisan cheeses, produce and flowers — to name just a few items. Live music begins at 10 a.m.
Geneva
Geneva French Market: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 17 in the Geneva Metra station parking lot at South and Fourth streets. 630-232-6060; genevachamber.com/events/geneva-french-market.
This open-air market features fresh fruits and vegetables, fine textiles, baked goods, specialty food vendors and more.
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Grayslake
College of Lake County Farmers Market: 3-5:30 p.m. Thursdays June 6-Oct. 31 at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St. 847-543-2632; facebook.com/clchorticulture.
The college’s horticulture department sells organic vegetables, berries and herbs. The market is held on the H building lawn.
Grayslake Farmers Market: 3-7 p.m. Wednesdays June 5-Sept. 25 at 201 Center St. 847-289-7138; grayslakefarmersmarket.com.
Fruits, vegetables, baked goods, meats and more are for sale.
Griffith, Indiana
Griffith Central Market: 4:30-10 p.m. Fridays May 17-Aug. 2 at Central Park, Pine and Broad streets. 219-924-7500; griffith.in.gov/specialevents/page/griffith-central-market.
There will be live music, food trucks and craft vendors.
Hickory Hills
Hills Farmers Market: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays June 7-Sept. 27 at 8652 W. 95th St. 708-267-0974; facebook.com/hillsfarmersmarket.
The market has a new name and an additional 19 vendors this year.
Highland Park
French Market: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays June 9-Sept. 29 at The Lot, 525 Central Ave. enjoyhighlandpark.com/frenchmarket.
Browse an array of specialty foods and crafts vendors while enjoying live music.
Highwood
Evening Gourmet Market: 4:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesdays June 5-Aug. 28 at Everts Park, 111 North Ave. 847-433-2100; celebratehighwood.org/highwood-evening-gourmet-market.
This upscale market features a collection of food, beverages and artisan craft vendors along with live music. No market July 3.
Homewood
Homewood Farmers Market: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. May 25-Oct. 12 at Martin Avenue Square, 18020 Martin Ave. 708-798-3000; village.homewood.il.us/community/events/homewood-s-farmers-market.
This market has more than 40 vendors selling everything from fresh produce, artisan cheeses, baked goods and teas to soy candles, woodworking crafts, handmade jewelry and wellness products.
Lake Bluff
Lake Bluff Farmers Market: 7 a.m.-12 p.m. Thursdays June 7-Oct. 11 at the Lake Bluff Village Green, 40 E. Center Ave. 847-283-6889; lakebluff.org/residents/farmers-market.
Libertyville
Mainstreet Libertyville Farmers Market: 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursdays May 30-Oct. 17 at Cook Park, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave. 847-680-0336; mainstreetlibertyville.org/farmers-market-mainstreet-libertyville.
The market is in its 44th year of providing residents with local fresh fruits, veggies and flowers. No market June 13.
Naperville
Naper Settlement Farmers Market: 3-7 p.m. Tuesdays June 25-Sept. 17 at the Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St. 630-420-6010; NaperSettlement.org/FarmersMarket.
In addition to several vendors selling a variety of goods, the new Naper Settlement Farmers Market will offer educational classes and live music each week. In addition to produce and plants, vendors will sell items like baked goods, honey, pet foods, cooking oils, jams and jellies, teas and handcrafted items. Country and bluegrass musicians will perform from 4 to 7 p.m. Additionally, there will be educational agricultural programming from guest speakers from 5 to 6 p.m.
The Weed Ladies of the Naperville Heritage Society will sell handmade dried floral arrangements on June 25, Aug. 6 and Sept. 3.
Orland Park
Market at the Park: 4-8 p.m. Thursdays June 13-Aug. 15 at Centennial Park West, 15609 Park Station Blvd. 708-403-6100; orlandpark.org/departments/recreation-parks/special-events/market-at-the-park.
The market moves to a new location this year but still offers a variety of specialty foods, artisanal and handmade arts and crafts, vintage products and free entertainment. For the kids, there’s the Market Roamers children’s activities.
Oswego
Oswego Country Market: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays June 2-Sept. 29 on Main Street in downtown Oswego. 630-554-1010; oswegolandparkdistrict.org/programs-events/special-events/oswego-country-market.
The open-air outdoor market will offer fresh produce, meat, eggs and cheeses, honey, pet products, baked goods, specialty foods and handcrafted items. There will also be live music. Keep your eye out for a Holiday Market coming in December.
Palos Heights
Farmers Market: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays May 8-Oct. 9 in the City of Palos Heights municipal parking lot, 12217 S. Harlem Ave. 708-361-1807; palosheights.org/273/Farmers-Market.
Shoppers will find soft pretzels, fresh produce, tamales, empanadas, baked goods, cheeses, soap and more. No market July 3.
Park Forest
Park Forest Main Street Market: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays May 4-Oct. 26 at 152 Main St., Park Forest. 708-748-2005; facebook.com/ParkForestFarmersMarket.
The market hosts 36 vendors selling a variety of produce, baked goods, herbs and spices, artwork, garden ornaments, jewelry and more.
Plainfield
Plainfield Farmers Market: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays June 2-Sept. 22 at the Plainfield Township Administration Building, 22525 W. Lockport St. 630-608-7344; facebook.com/HistoricPlainfieldFarmersMarket.
This open-air market will have 40 to 50 vendors each week: selling produce, baked goods, handcrafted items, soaps, jewelry and more. There will also be food vendors and live music.
Portage, Indiana
Market on the Square: 3-9 p.m. Fridays June 7-Aug. 30 at 6300 Founders Square. 219-762-5425; facebook.com/portagemarketonthesquare.
Much more than a farmers market, this event will include a beer garden, meet and greets with characters, foam cannon parties, kids bounce zone, food trucks, vendors and of course, farmers. Movies will be shown each Friday and on the last Friday of the month, a band will perform. No market July 4.
Tinley Park
Tinley Park Farmers Market: 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays June 1-Oct. 12 at Zabrocki Plaza, 17375 Oak Park Ave. 708-444-5000; tinleypark.org/farmersmarket.
Vendors will sell tamales, avocado grilled cheese, fresh microgreens, dog treats, fresh produce, baked goods, herbs and spices, oils, salsas, eggs, meats and cheeses. No market July 20.
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Valparaiso, Indiana
Valparaiso Market: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays June 1-Oct. 12 at the William E. Urschel Pavilion at Central Park Plaza, 63 Lafayette St. 219-548-4888; centralparkplazavalpo.com/2234/Valparaiso-Market.
Come for the fresh produce and flowers, specialty goods and bakery items and stay for the live music and community atmosphere.
Waukegan
Waukegan Farmers Market: 3-7 p.m. Fridays May 31-Aug. 30 at Cristo Rey St. Martin High School, 3106 Belvidere Road. facebook.com/WaukeganFarmersMarket.
The market features local foods and crafts. Now with better parking, visibility and accessibility.
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.