McHenry County Winter Farmers Markets: Your 2026-27 Indoor Guide

The outdoor stalls are packed up, but local food in McHenry County keeps going. Five markets move indoors for the 2026-27 season, setting up in an orchard barn, a lakeside mansion, a township hall, and a historic factory from November into spring.

Winter tables run heavy on root vegetables, squash, hardy greens, pasture-raised meat, eggs, cheese, honey and maple syrup. Bakers bring bread and pie. Makers bring soap, candles, and gifts you won't find at the mall. Add a coffee and a chat with the person who grew your carrots, and a cold weekend morning has a plan.

Here's where to go, when, and what to know before you head out.

The Markets

Woodstock Farmers Market (Indoor)

Running since 1982 and producer-only, which means every vendor grew, raised, baked, or made what's on the table. For winter, the market trades Woodstock Square for the barn at All Seasons Orchard on Route 176. It's the county's most frequent winter market, so it's the easiest one to build a routine around.

• When: Saturdays starting Nov. 7, 2026. Every Saturday through Thanksgiving, the first three Saturdays of December (Dec. 5, 12 and 19), then every other Saturday from January through April 2027.
• Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Where: All Seasons Orchard, 14510 IL-176, Woodstock
• Good to know: The market runs a LINK Match program, so SNAP dollars stretch further.
• More info: woodstockfarmersmarket.org

Farmers Market+ at The Dole (Indoor)

The "plus" is earned. Voted the top farmers market in Illinois by American Farmland Trust shoppers and Best of the Fox four years running, The Dole's market heads inside the historic mansion on Crystal Lake's shore once the lawn season wraps. Expect 50+ vendors under one roof.

• When: Sundays, November 2026 through April 2027
• Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Where: Inside the Dole Mansion, 401 Country Club Rd., Crystal Lake
• Good to know: Free admission and free parking. There's an ATM on site. SNAP/EBT isn't accepted. Market+ Money, sold in $1 increments, makes an easy stocking stuffer.
• More info: farmersmarketatthedole.org

Cary Farmers Market (Indoor Winter Market)

The summer market lives by the Cary Metra station. Winter moves it a short drive north to the Algonquin Township building on Route 14, where regulars come for eggs, produce, and tamales.

• When: First and third Sundays through May 2027
• Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Where: Algonquin Township Building #6, 3702 US-14, Crystal Lake
• Good to know: The winter market is in Crystal Lake, not downtown Cary. Plug the address into your GPS.
• More info: Cary Farmers Market on Facebook

Huntley Farmers Market (Indoor)

Small, friendly, and local through and through. Huntley's market goes monthly for winter and splits the season between two downtown buildings, both a short walk from the square.

• When: Second Saturday of the month: Nov. 14 and Dec. 12, 2026; Jan. 9, Feb. 13, March 13 and April 10, 2027
• Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Where: American Legion Hall, 11712 Coral St. (November and December), then Huntley Village Hall, 10987 Main St. (January through April)
• More info: Huntley Farmers Market

Harvard Downtown Market (Indoor)

Harvard's monthly market leaves Ayer Street for the Starline Factory, a 19th-century barn-equipment plant turned art and event space. Come for the vendors, stay to wander the building.

• When: Second Saturdays, November through April (no January market)
• Where: Starline Factory, 208 W. Front St., Harvard
• More info: Harvard Downtown Market on Facebook

Winter Markets at a Glance

Tips for Winter Market Days

• Pack an insulated bag. Meat, eggs and cheese ride home better in a cooler bag than a paper sack, especially if you're stopping for brunch on the way back.
• Go early for bread and eggs. Winter vendor counts run smaller than summer, and the staples sell first.
• Carry some cash. Most vendors take cards, but not all. The Dole has an ATM; elsewhere, plan ahead.
• Check social media before you leave. Snow can shift dates. Each market posts changes on Facebook or its website.
• Shop the December markets for gifts. Honey, candles, soap, preserves and handmade goods make easy local presents. Pair them with our McHenry County Made Gift List.

Make a Morning of It

A Woodstock market run pairs well with a lap around the Square and its shops. Sundays at The Dole sit a few steps from the lakefront. Huntley's market is steps from the downtown square, and Harvard's comes with a whole historic factory to explore. Find more ideas for the season on our Winter page.

See you at the market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there farmers markets in McHenry County in the winter? Yes. Five markets run indoor seasons in 2026-27: Woodstock, Farmers Market+ at The Dole, Cary, Huntley and Harvard. Most run November through April.

Which winter farmers market is open most often? Woodstock. It meets every Saturday in November, three Saturdays in December, then every other Saturday through April at All Seasons Orchard.

Is there a Sunday winter farmers market near Crystal Lake? Two. Farmers Market+ at The Dole meets Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the Cary market meets the first and third Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Both are in Crystal Lake.

Can I use SNAP or LINK at winter farmers markets? The Woodstock Farmers Market offers LINK Match. Farmers Market+ at The Dole does not accept SNAP/EBT. Check with other markets directly.

Where is the Woodstock winter farmers market held? All Seasons Orchard, 14510 IL-176 in Woodstock. It moved there from the McHenry County Fairgrounds.