Palmer Square Winter Bazaar Expands with Artisan Workshops and Arboretum Tours

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Palmer Square · December 28, 2025

The Palmer Square Winter Bazaar has transformed the former Extraordinarium retail space into a vibrant weekend destination for community members. Operating every Saturday through March 29, 2026, this seasonal marketplace has quickly become a beloved fixture in the neighborhood since its late November launch.

The bazaar's newest addition is a series of guided winter tours of Palmer Square Park, which received Level I arboretum accreditation by the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program in September 2025, making it the first Chicago Park District location to be designated as an accredited arboretum. This classification now gives more weight to tree preservation and education for the Palmer Square area, with species clearly labeled throughout the park for educational purposes. Visitors to the bazaar can now participate in these special guided tours highlighting winter tree identification and the park's impressive collection of over 28 tree varieties.

In addition to the arboretum tours, the Winter Bazaar has introduced weekly artisan workshops where visitors can learn crafting techniques directly from participating vendors. These hands-on sessions offer community members a chance to connect while developing new skills. Residents interested in supporting this growing community tradition can visit the Palmer Square Park Advisory Council website for event details and volunteer opportunities.

Sources:
1. https://thechicagogoodlife.com/2024/11/20/chicago-holiday-markets/
2. https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/palmer-john-mcauley-square-park
3. https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/10/07/palmer-square-park-named-chicago-park-districts-first-arboretum/