Green City Market is Chicago’s year-round nonprofit farmers market, and its main outdoor market is held in Lincoln Park at 1817 N. Clark St., at the south end of the park near the Chicago History Museum. In 2026 the outdoor Lincoln Park market runs Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., from May 2 through the last Saturday, November 21. It is free to walk in; you pay only for what you buy, and Link (SNAP/EBT) is accepted with a match.
Details below come from Green City Market’s Lincoln Park page and market calendar, checked in October 2026. For other recurring events, see the Lincoln Park events calendar.
Good to know
| Days | Wednesdays and Saturdays (outdoor season) |
|---|---|
| Hours | 7 a.m.–1 p.m. per the market calendar (one line on the market’s page says Saturdays run 8 a.m.–1 p.m.; check before an early trip) |
| 2026 season | Sat May 2 to Sat Nov 21, 2026; last Wednesday on the calendar is Nov 18 |
| Location | 1817 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60614, south end of Lincoln Park |
| Cost | Free to visit; Link (SNAP/EBT) accepted, with $25 in Link matched by an extra $50 to spend |
| Parking | $14 for two hours with market validation, Chicago History Museum lot off Stockton Drive |
| Organizer | Green City Market, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit |
| Winter market | Not yet announced for 2026–27 (the site says “coming soon”) |
| Source checked | Green City Market Lincoln Park page and calendar, October 2026 |
History and what to expect
Green City Market was founded in 1998 by chef and author Abby Mandel, who modeled it on sustainable farmers markets she had seen in Europe. It began with nine farmers next to the Chicago Theatre downtown, later moved to Lincoln Park and went year-round in 2008. The market reports more than 270,000 visitors a year.
Expect dozens of local, sustainable farmers and food producers, with stalls that change through the season:
- Produce: greens, roots, squash and herbs, then apples, pears, plums, grapes and chestnuts in fall
- Meat and fish: beef, pork, lamb, poultry and fish such as salmon and trout
- Pantry staples: bread, cheese, eggs, honey, jams, pasta and mushrooms
- Ready to eat and drink: donuts, sandwiches, pastries, pies, soups and quiches, plus cider, juice, coffee and tea
- Plants: potted herbs, seedlings and cut flowers
Acoustic musicians play on market days, and the market runs community and kids’ programming during the season. Chefs and restaurant buyers shop here too; the market has a Chef Connection program for them.
Remaining 2026 Lincoln Park dates
As of late October 2026, the calendar lists these Lincoln Park market days: Wednesdays October 28 and November 4, 11 and 18, and Saturdays October 31 and November 7, 14 and 21. November 21 is the final listed outdoor Saturday. Green City Market also runs a Saturday market in the West Loop at 900 W. Monroe St. A winter market is listed as “coming soon,” with no dates or location posted yet.
Getting there
The market sits on Clark Street between the Chicago History Museum and the zoo, so buses are the easiest way in. Green City Market lists:
- CTA buses: the 22 Clark, 36 Broadway, 73 Armitage and 151 Sheridan stop directly in front of the market
- CTA trains: Sedgwick (Brown Line) and Clark/Division (Red Line) are the nearest stations
- Driving: discounted parking is $14 for two hours with validation in the Chicago History Museum lot off Stockton Drive; pick up a validation card at any market entrance
See Getting around Lincoln Park for bus and Divvy details and the neighborhood’s permit parking zones.
Tips for market day
- It is a morning market: everything wraps up at 1 p.m.
- Bring your Link card if you use SNAP: spending $25 in Link gets you an extra $50, which the market calls triple matching.
- Wednesday and Saturday markets keep the same hours on the calendar, so a midweek trip works if Saturdays are busy for you.
- Driving? Pick up a validation card at a market entrance to get the $14 two-hour rate in the History Museum lot.
- Late October and November are the time for apples, squash, roots and chestnuts as the outdoor season winds down.
Nearby in Lincoln Park
Our Green City Market listing has the basics. Make a morning of it with:
- Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St., next to the market
- Nature Boardwalk at South Pond (1940 N. Clark St.) and Lincoln Park Zoo just north, both free
- Twin Anchors, 1655 N. Sedgwick St., a short walk west in Old Town Triangle
- More food shops in the groceries and markets directory, including Blue Door Farm Stand and Dirk’s Fish & Gourmet Shop
Frequently asked questions
When is Green City Market open in Lincoln Park?
In 2026, Green City Market’s outdoor Lincoln Park market runs Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 1817 N. Clark St. The season started May 2 and the last listed dates are Wednesday, November 18, and Saturday, November 21.
Where exactly is Green City Market?
The Lincoln Park market is at 1817 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60614, at the south end of Lincoln Park between the Chicago History Museum and Lincoln Park Zoo. CTA buses 22, 36, 73 and 151 stop in front.
Is there parking at Green City Market?
Yes. Shoppers get discounted parking of $14 for two hours with market validation in the Chicago History Museum lot off Stockton Drive. Validation cards are available at every market entrance.
Does Green City Market take SNAP or Link?
Yes. Green City Market accepts Link (SNAP/EBT) at all its markets, and spending $25 in Link earns an automatic $50 match.
Is there a winter Green City Market?
Green City Market has run year-round since 2008, but as of October 2026 the 2026–27 winter market dates and location are not yet announced. The market’s site lists it as coming soon.
Sources
- Green City Market: Lincoln Park market (hours, parking, transit, Link)
- Green City Market: Market calendar (2026 dates)
- Green City Market: About (history, founder, nonprofit status)
Have a question we didn’t answer, or spot something out of date? Tell us and we’ll update the guide. Back to the Lincoln Park events calendar.
Last updated October 2026 by Live Lincoln Park.