Come Sip and Shop With Us This August
August is one of my favorite times of the year. Summer is still going strong, the breweries are full of life, artists are bringing some of their best new work, and we get to start sneaking in a little bit of fall and Halloween fun before the season officially arrives.
Full Calendar for August:
8/1/2026 - Comics, Cards & Vinyl Market
8/8/2026 - Prism Market: Summer Edition & Cat Day
8/9/2026 - Tighthead's Summer Bazaar
8/15/2026 - State Street Artisan Market
8/16/2026 - Crafted at the Oak: Metal, Magic & Mystery Market
8/22/2026 - Comics, Action Figures, Cosplay & More Market
8/23/2026 - Nik & Ivy Maker's Market (6th Anniversary Events)
8/29/2026 - Fright Market at Camp Lake Zurich 2026
8/30/2026 - Hoptoberfest at Hopvine Brewing
We kicked off the month with an incredible Comics, Cards & Vinyl Market at Noon Whistle Brewing in Naperville, where collectors, artists, vendors, and craft beer fans came together for a fantastic afternoon celebrating comics, trading cards, vinyl records, pop culture, and local small businesses. If you joined us, thank you for helping make it such a fun way to start August. If you missed it, don't worry—we still have an incredible lineup of markets coming throughout the rest of the month.
At the Streetz Artz Alliance, we've always believed that shopping local should be more than just buying something handmade. It should be an experience. It's about discovering artists you've never met before, talking with the people who actually create what they're selling, grabbing a great craft beer, supporting a local brewery, and spending an afternoon with family and friends. That's exactly what we strive to create at every market we organize.
August is packed with a wide variety of events across the Chicago suburbs, each with its own personality. Whether you're into handmade art, fantasy and dark aesthetics, comics, collectibles, spooky season, vintage treasures, or simply looking for something fun to do on the weekend, we've got a market for you.
Our next stop is the Prism Market: Summer Edition & Cat Day on Saturday, August 8, at Maplewood Public House in Glen Ellyn from noon until 5:00 p.m. This outdoor market celebrates everything we love about summer with a fun nod to National Cat Day, bringing together talented local artists, comics, handmade goods, and plenty of unique finds. Whether you're shopping for something one-of-a-kind, enjoying a craft beer on the patio, or simply looking for a fun afternoon supporting local small businesses, there's something for everyone. The event is free to attend, family friendly, and will take place rain or shine. We still have a few artist spaces available if you'd like to be part of the event.
On Sunday, August 9, we head north to Tighthead Brewing Company in Mundelein for Tighthead's Summer Bazaar. This indoor market has become one of our favorite summer stops, bringing together an incredible mix of handmade goods, original artwork, vinyl records, comics, trading cards, vintage treasures, handcrafted furniture, chainmaille, baked goods, sweet treats, and so much more. It's a fantastic opportunity to meet talented local makers while enjoying one of Lake County's outstanding craft breweries. The event is full, but artists are welcome to join the waitlist.
Saturday, August 15, takes us to Art History Brewing in Geneva for the State Street Artisan Market, curated by Alissa Harris. This seasonal makers market combines indoor and outdoor shopping with a carefully selected lineup of talented artists and craftspeople. Every booth is chosen with variety in mind, making it a fun event whether you're searching for home décor, gifts, artwork, or something completely unexpected. Artist spaces are currently full, with a waitlist available.
One of the events I'm personally most excited about returns on Sunday, August 16. Crafted at the Oak: Metal, Magic & Mystery Market transforms Imperial Oak Brewing in Willow Springs into something unlike any traditional craft fair. This event celebrates fantasy, gothic art, heavy aesthetics, mythology, occult themes, and darker styles that deserve their own spotlight. It's become one of our signature themed markets because it gives artists the opportunity to showcase work that doesn't always fit into conventional events. Whether you're a longtime fan of fantasy or simply appreciate creative artistry, this market is always memorable.
Comic book fans, gamers, collectors, and cosplayers should mark Saturday, August 22, on their calendars. We'll be back at Soundgrowler Brewing in Tinley Park for our Comics, Action Figures, Cosplay & More Market. Along with an outstanding selection of comic books, collectibles, gaming vendors, artists, and pop culture merchandise, we'll once again be hosting our cosplay contest, which has become one of the highlights of the day. The creativity and enthusiasm everyone brings make this one of the most energetic markets we host each year.
On Sunday, August 23, we're excited to help celebrate six years of Nik & Ivy Brewing in Lockport during their anniversary celebration. The Nik & Ivy Makers Market is always a wonderful combination of great beer, community, and local handmade talent. It's a perfect example of why we enjoy partnering with independent breweries. They understand that supporting local artists helps create stronger communities, and we're proud to be part of that celebration. Artist applications are still being accepted.
As August begins to give way to fall, we couldn't resist bringing back one of our favorite seasonal events. On Saturday, August 29, Fright Market returns to Phase Three Brewing Company in Lake Zurich. If Halloween is your favorite holiday, this market was made for you. Expect spooky artwork, creepy décor, horror-inspired creations, Halloween collectibles, and artists who embrace everything eerie and unusual. Every year this event continues to grow, and it's become one of the best ways to kick off spooky season before September even begins. Applications remain open for artists interested in participating.
Finally, we wrap up August on Sunday, August 30, with Hoptoberfest at Hopvine Brewing Company in Aurora, curated by Alissa Harris. Great beer, excellent food from the kitchen, and a curated collection of local artists make this a relaxing way to close out the month before everyone shifts into the busy fall festival season. While the event itself is full, artists are still welcome to join the waitlist.
If you're an artist looking to become part of the Streetz Artz Alliance family, applications for many of our upcoming events are available on our website. We continue adding new opportunities throughout the year, and because every market is carefully curated to maintain variety and quality, many of them fill faster than ever before.
Most importantly, thank you. Whether you've attended one market or twenty, shared one of our posts, purchased something from an artist, or simply stopped by for a beer and a conversation, you've helped build something truly special. Streetz Artz Alliance has always been about more than organizing markets. It's about creating opportunities for artists, supporting small businesses, helping independent breweries thrive, and giving our communities a place to gather, connect, and discover something new.
I also want to thank every brewery and venue that continues to partner with us. They believe in supporting local artists just as much as we do, and these events simply wouldn't happen without them. If you visit one of our markets this month, be sure to support the brewery while you're there. Grab a pint, enjoy some food, and let them know you appreciate what they're doing for the local creative community.
I hope we'll see you somewhere this month. Whether it's your first Streetz Artz Alliance market or your fiftieth, there's always something new to discover.
Come sip and shop with us.
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