Overview The City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) produces its own farmers markets and the Maxwell Street market from May through October. A partner can join the Daley Plaza Farmers Market on Thursdays in the Loop, the Division Street Farmers Market on Saturdays on the Near North Side, and Maxwell Street on select Sundays, or plan a season-long tour that stops at all three. On site Entry is free. Daley Plaza fills with farm stands under the Picasso sculpture from early morning to mid-afternoon, with cooking demonstrations, a spring seed swap and free compost drop-off. Division Street closes to traffic on Saturday mornings between Clark and Wells for produce, flowers, cheese and baked goods. Maxwell Street sets up between Halsted and Union with vintage goods, crafts, clothing and street food, and each market day has a theme: opening day, a blues day linked to the Chicago Blues Festival, SummerDance lessons, a kids' edition and a closing block party. Audience DCASE says the markets draw shoppers of all ages and incomes. Daley Plaza catches downtown office workers on a weekday lunch. Division Street is a weekly shopping stop for residents of one of the city's busiest neighborhoods. Maxwell Street pulls bargain hunters and families from across Chicago. SNAP shoppers get their purchases matched dollar for dollar through Link Up Illinois. Talent and Influencers The stars here are regional growers, bakers and makers, many of them returning vendors. Maxwell Street books live music every market day, from DJ James Porter to blues sets by John Primer and the Harmonica Hinds Duo, and the Maxwell Street Foundation leads free walking tours of the market's history. Track record Daley Plaza is Chicago's longest-running farmers market and the largest one DCASE runs. Maxwell Street has operated for more than a century as one of the city's oldest open-air markets. Attendance rose at all three markets last season, fastest at Maxwell Street. Brand presence The Chicago Transit Authority supports Maxwell Street, and Urban Canopy works with Daley Plaza to redistribute surplus food and collect compost. DCASE pitches the markets as a flexible activation tour, with booth space and giveaways in front of weekly shoppers. Sampling is approved case by case.