May 18 – Oct. 5, 2025
Free admission  • Maxwell Street between Halsted Street and Union Avenue 

Maxwell Street Market is Chicago’s oldest market, with roots dating back more than a century. The seasonal Sunday bazaar features an eclectic mix of food, handmade crafts, housewares, clothing, live entertainment, and so much more. 

This vibrant outdoor market is located on Chicago’s fabled Maxwell Street, an area shaped by generations of immigrants. The community became a melting pot of cultures from around the world and played an integral role in the rise of Chicago’s signature style of blues music. 

Learn more about Maxwell Street Market and its role in the cultural fabric of Chicago.

About Maxwell Street Market

This long-running Sunday market is a true Chicago tradition. Shoppers can browse a huge array of items, including homemade items, resale goods, clothes, jewelry, home goods, and beyond. There’s also plenty to do and see, from sampling the wide range of international food to enjoying live performances from local musicians. 

The market is held one Sunday a month from May through October. This year’s Maxwell Street Market dates include:

  • Sunday, May 18, 2025
  • Sunday, June 8, 2025
  • Sunday, July 13, 2025
  • Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025
  • Sunday, Sep. 14, 2025
  • Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025

The market will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free for everyone. 

Enjoy a variety of events and happenings throughout the 2025 market season, including:

  • Maxwell Street Blues Series: Head to the market on June 8 for a local blues showcase, featuring performances by Omar Coleman and Westside Soul, Marty “Big Dog” Mercer, Harmonica Hinds, and more.
  • Maxwell Street Walking Tours: Dive into the history of this storied community with free historic walking tours each Sunday. 

History of Maxwell Street Market

Maxwell Street first appeared on a map of Chicago in 1847. Situated just southwest of downtown, this stretch of road quickly became a haven for Jewish immigrants from across Eastern Europe. These newly arrived residents began holding informal Sunday markets, where local peddlers sold a wide variety of goods from pushcarts and sidewalk stands. 

The market became known as a platform for entrepreneurs, along with emerging musicians. In the late 19th century, the street was filled with Klezmer music from Eastern Europe. After World War I, the Great Migration brought a wave of African American musicians from the South to Chicago.

These new arrivals brought the South’s blues and jazz traditions with them, and soon this new music could be heard all over Maxwell Street. In order to be heard above the hustle and bustle of the city, instruments had to be amplified — giving rise to a new genre of electrified blues, later known as Chicago-style blues. 

In 2024, the city moved the Maxwell Street Market back to its original historic location at Maxwell and Halsted Streets. Today, Maxwell Street is adorned with placards and bronze statues commemorating the area’s rich history and its contributions to the city’s cultural heritage.

Getting to Maxwell Street Market

Public transportation
Take the CTA Blue Line to the UIC-Halsted Blue Line Station and walk less than a mile south. Or take the #8 Halsted Street bus and the #12 Roosevelt Street bus, which both stop near the market. 

Parking
Paid parking is available for customers at nearby lots and parking structures.