Shorewood Winter Farmers Market: Complete 2026 Guide

The Shorewood Farmers Market is launching its first-ever winter market in January 2026—a major expansion that transforms this beloved Wisconsin market into a year-round destination. Located on the North Shore of Milwaukee, this 501(c)(3) nonprofit brings together over 70 vendors each summer and will now offer indoor winter shopping with bloody marys, mimosas, and football viewing at The Atrium. For visitors planning ahead, here's everything you need to know about both seasons.

Winter market debuts at The Atrium

The Shorewood Farmers Market is making history with its inaugural winter market launching January 4, 2026. This marks the first time in the market's 10-year existence that vendors will gather during the colder months.

Winter Market 2025-2026 Schedule:

• Dates: January 4 through February 22, 2026

• Day/Time: Sundays, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

• Location: The Atrium, 2107 E Capitol Drive, Shorewood, WI 53211

• Duration: 8 consecutive Sundays

The indoor venue at The Atrium offers a distinctly different experience from the summer market. Organizers have added bloody marys, mimosas, and football viewing to create a winter community gathering space. According to founder Arthur Ircink, the goal is to "create an opportunity for people to come out and have a good time and be around their neighbors and be around awesome food, music."

While the full vendor roster was still being finalized as of late 2025, market organizers confirmed that many summer vendors have expressed strong interest, particularly local bakeries. The winter market will feature a curated lineup rather than the full 70+ vendor roster of summer, with an emphasis on baked goods, specialty foods, and items that translate well to indoor shopping.

Summer 2026 dates follow Father's Day tradition

No official 2026 summer dates have been announced as of late December 2025, but the market follows a consistent pattern that makes projection straightforward.

Expected 2026 Summer Schedule:

• Projected Opening: June 21, 2026 (Father's Day)

• Projected Closing: October 25, 2026 (last Sunday of October)

• Day/Time: Sundays, 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

• Location: South end of Estabrook Park, 4100 Estabrook Parkway

The market's official tagline—"SUNDAYS • Father's Day – Last Sunday in October"—has guided scheduling for years. The 2025 season ran June 15 through October 26, and Father's Day 2026 falls on June 21, making this the most likely opening date. Check the official website (shorewoodfarmersmarket.com) in early 2026 for confirmation.

For the 2026-2027 winter season, no announcements have been made, but the success of the inaugural winter market will likely determine whether it becomes an annual tradition.

Two distinct locations serve summer and winter seasons

The market operates from two completely different venues depending on the season, each with its own character and logistics.

Summer Location: Estabrook Park The outdoor summer market occupies the south end of Estabrook Park near the historic Benjamin Church House. This has been the market's home since 2021, and 2025 marked their fifth year at this location. The park setting offers ample space for 70+ vendors spread along Estabrook Parkway, which becomes an "Active Street" during market hours.

Parking for Summer Market:

• Primary lot: South end of Estabrook Park near Benjamin Church House (enter from Capitol Drive, head north on Estabrook Parkway)

• Secondary lot: Across from Picnic Area 6 (enter from Hampton Avenue)

• Street parking: Available along N Wilson Drive

Bike/Walk Access: The Oak Leaf Trail connects directly to the market with access points at Olive Street, Congress Avenue, and Kensington Boulevard. The market notes that visitors should watch for cyclists and runners on this popular 135-mile paved trail system.

Winter Location: The Atrium The new indoor winter market operates from The Atrium at 2107 E Capitol Drive in the heart of Shorewood's commercial district. This industrial-style event space brings the market directly into the village center. Parking details for the winter location should be confirmed closer to January 2026.

Summer Features Over 70 vendors

The summer market features an impressive diversity spanning far beyond typical produce stands. Vendors are categorized as "every week" regulars or "partial season" participants.

Produce and Farms: Amy's Acre, Hidden Garden, Happy Day Farmhaus, Turtle Creek Gardens, Wunberg Produce, and Kynsee's Produce bring Wisconsin-grown vegetables. Tree Ripe Fruit Co. imports Georgia peaches, Michigan blueberries, and New Mexico pistachios for items that can't be grown locally.

Orchards and Maple: Ela Orchard, Weston Orchard, and Log Cabin Orchard provide apples, cider, cherries, pears, and maple syrup. Log Cabin's donuts and cider slushies are crowd favorites.

Meats, Eggs, and Seafood: D & L Pastured Meats offers pasture-raised beef, pork, lamb, and chicken. Alaska Fresh brings wild Copper River salmon, halibut, and sablefish directly from Alaska, while Silver Moon Springs provides regional fish including trout, walleye, and perch. Wild Child Farms supplies duck and chicken eggs.

Baked Goods: A strength of the market, with Donut Monster (fresh donuts and nitro coffee), Rocket Baby Bakery (artisan bread), Matilda Bakehouse (pastries, pies, and cake), Peace and Love Sourdough, Kelly's Pot Pies, and Bunny's Bite (vegan and gluten-free options).

Prepared Foods and International Cuisine: Pedro's South American Food, Cheu's Kitchen (crepes, spring rolls), Ruta's Fresh Indian Fare, Immy's African Cuisine (sambusa, jerk chicken), T & N's Eggroll House, and Taco Bros/La Cosecha Tortilla Co. represent diverse culinary traditions.

Specialty Products: Matt's Wild Foods (fresh and dried mushrooms, grow kits), El Gato Chocolates, Alpinage Cheese (raw cow's milk cheese), Mavra's Greek Oil, Dalla Terra Pasta, and DragonFly Farm (neighborhood honey).

Non-Food Vendors: Moleta Artisanal Sharpening (knife and tool sharpening), Rockway Pottery, Indigo Thyme Handcrafted Soap, Nourish Natural Products, and Shorewood Bikes (tune-ups, repairs, e-bike sales).

SNAP benefits accepted with bonus Market Match dollars

The market actively promotes food accessibility through several programs.

SNAP/Quest/EBT: Accepted at the market. Visit the main Market Booth at the south end for assistance processing benefits. The market operates under Wisconsin's SNAP/Quest program.

Market Match Program: This program provides bonus funds for SNAP users purchasing fresh produce—effectively doubling the value of benefits spent on fruits and vegetables. Details are available at the South Market Tent.

WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP): Third-party sources indicate these benefits are accepted, though visitors should confirm at the information booth.

Other Payment Methods: Cash is universally accepted, and most vendors take credit and debit cards.

Live music, plastics-free commitment, and a strict no-pets policy

Live Music: Weekly performances run throughout the summer season, featuring local acts like the Tavern Pedalers, Sliphorn Jazz Band, and steel pan player Alex Wier. The 2025 lineup included 20+ different performers across the season.

Plastics-Free Market: The market brands itself as "plastics-free," encouraging patrons to bring their own bags. This aligns with Shorewood's broader "Bring Your Bag Shorewood" community initiative.

Pet Policy: The market maintains a strict pet-free zone. Only service animals are permitted. This policy is consistently enforced and prominently communicated.

Health Guidelines: Current protocols ask visitors to stay home if sick, avoid touching products before purchase, wash or sanitize hands frequently, and refrain from eating within 20 feet of vendors.

Volunteer Opportunities: The market welcomes volunteers for set-up (7:45–9:30 AM) and take-down (1:15–2:15 PM) each Sunday.

A decade of growth from schoolyard to Estabrook Park

The Shorewood Farmers Market was founded in 2015 by three Shorewood residents: Arthur Ircink, Tia Torhorst, and Barb Hienen. Ircink, creator of the Emmy Award-winning PBS show "Wisconsin Foodie" and publisher of Edible Milwaukee magazine, remains actively involved in market operations and now serves as a Shorewood Village Trustee.

The market originally operated at the Lake Bluff Elementary School playground from 2015 through 2020. In 2021, it relocated to Estabrook Park—a move that wasn't without challenges. The market's equipment trailer was stolen during this transition, requiring a fundraising campaign to replace supplies.

The relocation proved transformative. The larger venue allowed significant expansion, and by 2025, over 70 vendors participate weekly, up substantially from the market's early years. The market has grown to attract "thousands of people" each Sunday, according to Ircink.

The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 81-2196767) governed by a volunteer board of Shorewood residents. Key partners include the Shorewood Foundation (primary sponsor), Village of Shorewood, and Shorewood School District.

The market's mission centers on local food and community connection

Beyond commerce, the market serves as a weekly community gathering that reinforces Shorewood's identity as what village materials call "a vibrant place to live, work and play."

The stated mission emphasizes supporting local farmers and producers while fostering community connections. As Ircink explained: "When we can support small businesses and these small farms, that money stays in our community." The market also prioritizes teaching children about agricultural roots and nutrition—a goal reflected in family-friendly programming and the educational presence of farmers alongside their products.

The 2026 winter market expansion represents the latest chapter in this evolution. By providing income opportunities for vendors during the off-season and creating winter gathering spaces, the market continues adapting to serve both the local food economy and Shorewood's strong sense of community.

Conclusion

The Shorewood Farmers Market enters 2026 as a mature, thriving institution that has grown from a schoolyard experiment to a 70+ vendor weekly destination attracting thousands. The January 4, 2026 debut of the winter market at The Atrium marks its most significant expansion, transforming it into a year-round operation. For 2026 planning, expect summer operations to resume around June 21 (Father's Day) at Estabrook Park. SNAP users benefit from the Market Match program, parking is ample at multiple lots, and the pet-free policy is strictly enforced. For current updates, check shorewoodfarmersmarket.com or follow @shorewoodfarmersmarket on Instagram.