Ravinia District in Highland Park Announces 2026 Schedule for Signature Community Events

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Highland Park's Ravinia District is preparing for a full 2026 season of returning community events, with weekly markets and food truck nights scheduled alongside fall and holiday traditions.

This year's lineup includes the Ravinia Farmers Market, Food Truck Thursdays, Oktoberfest, the Ravinia District Candy Stroll and the Ravinia District Cookie & Cocoa Crawl.

The Ravinia Farmers Market is scheduled for Wednesdays from June 3 through Oct. 28, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jens Jensen Park, 540 Roger Williams Ave. The market is entering its 48th season and will feature produce, organic goods, baked items, plants, flowers and specialty foods from local farms and makers focused on sustainable practices.

The market will also include grab-and-go food, local nonprofits and community organizations, along with weekly live music from area musicians.

Food Truck Thursdays will run from June 4 through Sept. 3, 2026, from 4:30 p.m. to dusk. Dean Avenue between Roger Williams and St. Johns avenues will again serve as an open-air dining area with more than a dozen food trucks, while nearby Jens Jensen Park will host live music and family activities.

Two themed nights are planned for 2026: an America 250 celebration on July 9 with Americana and bluegrass music and patriotic crafts, and a '90s Throwback Night on Aug. 20.

The district's fall schedule includes Oktoberfest on Sept. 26 from 4 to 8 p.m. The event is moving to a new location in the Ravinia District along Dean Avenue and in Jens Jensen Park. The event will include beer and bites, Bavarian music, a headlining band, a stein holding contest, hammerschlagen, axe throwing, dancing and family-friendly activities.

The Ravinia District Candy Stroll is set for Oct. 30 from 3:30 to 5 p.m., inviting children and other attendees to visit neighborhood businesses for treats, show costumes and take part in activities at Jens Jensen Park. The Ravinia District Cookie & Cocoa Crawl is scheduled for Dec. 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with participating businesses and the park offering cookies and cocoa.

Weekly food truck and entertainment details, along with participating businesses for the Candy Stroll and Cookie & Cocoa Crawl, will be announced closer to each event date, according to the announcement. Food Truck Thursdays, the Candy Stroll and Cookie & Cocoa Crawl are presented by the City of Highland Park and the Ravinia District Special Service Area 17 property owners. Oktoberfest is a City of Highland Park event, and the Ravinia Farmers Market is a private seasonal event within the district.