It’s not just the fresh vegetables that draw people from all over to North Shore and north suburban farmers markets.
It’s the still-warm croissants and donuts, the hot food cooked right in front of you, the purveyors of naturally-produced, frozen meat and fish, the colorful flowers, the numerous varieties of cheeses, the foodie-pleasing specialties and of course, the live music and the chance to talk with your farmer and perhaps bump into your neighbors.
Following is a day-by-day guide to farmers markets in the area, starting with Wednesdays.
Wednesday
Northbrook Farmers Market
The market will hold its Opening Day Bash Wednesday, June 18 during regular market hours, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., and will continue with those hours every Wednesday through Oct. 8 in the parking lot of Meadow Plaza, at Cherry Lane and Meadow Road in downtown Northbrook. For opening day, free attractions include live music, face painting, slices of cold watermelon, games for kids and swag.
Saturday
Deerfield
The Deerfield Farmers Market operates Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from June 14 through Oct. 11 at Park Avenue, between Jewett Park Drive and Hazel Avenue, Deerfield.
Evanston
Like Skokie, the Evanston Farmers Market is celebrating 50 years in 2025. It’s held Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., though seniors and adults with disabilities may enter at 7 a.m., through Nov. 1 at University Avenue at Oak Street (behind Hilton Garden Inn).
Vendors include Fred’s Bread LLC, Garlic Underground, Gast Farms, Geneva Lakes Produce, gotta b crepes, Great Harvest Bread Co., Hearts & Flour Bakery, Katich Breads, Peasant Revolt Farm, and many more.
Glenview Farmers Market
Running from Saturday, June 21 through Oct. 25, 8 a.m. to noon, the Glenview Farmers Market is the rare market to actually be held at a farm — Historic Wagner Farm at 1510 Wagner Road, Glenview.
Park at either the Saints Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church or Historic Wagner Farm lots. There is no parking on Wagner Road. A crosswalk will help you get across the street safely. Market-goers can use wagons, provided, at the market and to haul purchases back to the parking lot, and there will be designated spots in the parking lot to return the wagons.
Vendors include Artisan Bread Co. of Chicago, Finn’s Ranch of Michigan (meats and eggs), The Cheese People of Quincy, Chicago Honey of Glenview, Diva Chocolates and Confections of Skokie, Good Stuff Eats of Highland Park (smoked meats and seafood), Griffin’s Bottled Cocktails of Wilmette, Ouilmette Spice Company of Wilmette and Wagner Farm Farm-to-Table Produce of Glenview.
Park Ridge
The Park Ridge Farmers Market opened Memorial Day weekend and runs through the end of October each Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. It’s located at 15 Prairie Avenue, between Main and Garden in uptown Park Ridge.
Vendors include A Taste of Michigan Cherries, Allegretti’s Bakery, Forno Pavese individual pizzas hand-made hot on site, Mushyface dog treats, Pasta Bar, Sweet ‘n Dainty cupcakery, Tidey Farms and many more.
Wilmette
Wilmette French Market is open Saturdays through Nov. 1, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 722 Green Bay Road, Wilmette. https://www.bensidounusa.com/wilmette/
Winnetka
The Winnetka Farmers Market takes place every Saturday from May 31 through October 25 from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It’s located at the Winnetka train station parking lot, at 754 Elm St., Winnetka, which is at Elm Street and Green Bay Road. The market, in its 8th season, is hosted by the The Winnetka-Northfield-Glencoe Chamber of Commerce. It had 140 vendors during last year’s season, according to its website. Note: The Glencoe Farmers Market is no longer in operation.
Sunday
Skokie
The Skokie Farmers’ Market runs every Sunday from June 1 through Nov. 2, from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. It’s held at 5127 W. Oakton St., Skokie, outside the Skokie Public Library.
The Skokie Farmers’ Market is turning 50 this year and celebrations include:
- Live music every Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon at two locations
- Free kids’ activities every week
- Pilates on the Green each Sunday at 10 a.m
Vendors include Bennison’s Bakery of Evanston, El Molcajete Sauces of Evanston, Elle’s Marshmallows of Skokie, Ellis Family Farms of Michigan, Hook Point Fisheries
of Chicago, Marek’s Authentic Polish Food of Downers Grove, Pasta by Val of Lake Zurich, Swedish Girl Bakery of Willowbrook, Will’s Place of Skokie, and many more.