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Best Strawberry Picking in Chicago and Summer Strawberry Festivals

Strawberries taste sweeter when you pick them yourself at one of these berry picking farms near Chicago. Photo courtesy of Olive Berry Acres
Strawberries taste sweeter when you pick them yourself at one of these berry picking farms near Chicago. Photo courtesy of Olive Berry Acres
5/10/24 - By Maureen Wilkey

There's nothing quite like strawberry picking in the summer. As the berrying season begins in the Midwest, families can visit local farms near Chicago and do some strawberry picking starting in June, with blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and even gooseberries (if you know what to do with those!) in July and August.

We found 14 farms within 90 minutes of Chicago where kids can get some fresh air and go strawberry picking (or other berry picking) as they enjoy a summer day trip near Chicago. And don't miss the strawberry festivals happening in June!

For more fun things to do with kids in Chicago, check out 30 free outdoor summer movies, what you need to know about visiting the Bristol Renaissance Faire, and the best animal encounters and petting zoos near Chicago.

2024 Strawberry Festivals in Chicago

Elmwood Strawberry Festival – June 1

This year, the Elmwood Strawberry Festival is going prehistoric with a dinosaur-themed festival. With a color run/walk, classic car show, aisles of strawberry treats, drinks, and more, there’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy. You’ll also find kids' activities, live entertainment, and vendors ready with crafts, artwork, and all the strawberries your heart desires. 

Johnson's Farm Strawberry Festival — June 8 & 9, June 15 & 16, June 22 & 23

This family farm is just under an hour away from Chicago and instead of a single weekend, their festival stretches out over three weekends in June. The admission fee gains you access to the U-Pick fields, tram rides, and the FUN FARM activities which include pedal cars, a goat village, a pipe swing, an obstacle course, a spider web climber, duck races, a jump pad and pillow, and much more. Tractor riders are also included. Tickets are $15 each, and children ages 2 and under are free. Hours are from 8am - 6pm, Saturdays and Sundays. 

Long Grove Strawberry Festival – June 21-23 

The iconic Long Grove Strawberry Festival takes place June 21-23 this year. Famous for its lineup of all-things strawberry, you'll find everything from BBQ sauce to fried strawberries on a stick, strawberry fudge, and just about anything else strawberry local chefs and restaurants can dream up. In addition to the strawberry-infused drinks and food, festivalgoers can enjoy live music on multiple stages, carnival rides for kids, and different stations with family-friendly activities. Check out the adorable boutique shopping in historic downtown Long Grove while you're there! 

 

 

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Cody's Farm and Orchard offers strawberry picking northwest of Chicago. Photo courtesy of Cody's Farm and Orchard
Cody's Farm and Orchard offers strawberry picking northwest of Chicago. Photo courtesy of Cody's Farm and Orchard

Strawberry Picking Near Chicago: Northwest Farms

Stade's Farm and Market

McHenry
Opens May, 25, 2024
Stade's Farm and Market has more than 200 acres of fresh fruits and vegetables ripe for the picking. Strawberry picking runs through June, while families can pick raspberries, sugar snap peas, and green beans in July and August. Then come back in the fall to pick apples and pumpkins. READ MORE

TOM's Farm Market

Huntley
This family-owned farm has strawberries available to pick starting in mid-June. Families can also buy fresh fruits and vegetables or baked goods from the farm market. TOM's sunflower fields come alive in late July; and check back year-round for Fall on the Farm, holiday activities, and Easter Bunny breakfasts. READ MORE

Heider's Berry Farm

Woodstock
Heider's Berry Farm has strawberries available for picking in mid-June and raspberries in mid-July. Admission and parking are free; patrons only pay for the berries they pick. Berry picking availability depends on the weather, so be sure to check for updates on Facebook before visiting this family-run farm. READ MORE

Cody's Farm and Orchard

Marengo
Cody's Farm and Orchard is open for the season for strawberry picking by the bucket or quart. The strawberry season usually lasts through the end of June, but check the farm's Facebook page to make sure picking is available the day you want to go. The farm also sells a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the summer including corn, radishes, peppers, tomatoes, watermelon, cantaloupe, potatoes, and cucumbers. READ MORE

McCann Berry Farm

Woodstock
McCann's offers blueberry picking on Wednesdays and Saturdays and opens for the season in mid-July. The 3-acre patch offers free parking; berry pickers are encouraged to call ahead to check on the availability of berries for the day. Parking is free, and the fields are open from 8am until the fields are picked out. READ MORE
Olive Berry Acres has berry picking near Chicago. Photo courtesy of Olive Berry Acres
Olive Berry Acres has berry picking near Chicago. Photo courtesy of Olive Berry Acres

Berry Picking Near Chicago: Southwest Farms

Olive Berry Acres

Mazon
Olive's Berry Farm starts its strawberry picking season in June and continues with raspberry picking in July. Check the farm's Facebook page for daily updates on hours and availability. READ MORE

Tammen Treeberry Farm

Wilmington
Enjoy picking blueberries from more than 50 acres of bushes originally planted in 1964. Berries arrive around the Fourth of July and last 3-4 weeks. The farm stand also has homemade jams, pies and other berry products. Come back in the winter to harvest your own Christmas tree! READ MORE

Berry Picking in Northwest Indiana

Garwood Orchards

La Porte, IN
Fresh produce lovers can pick strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries throughout the season at this 500-acre farm. Return for pumpkins, apples, peppers, and more in the fall. Families must ride a wagon to the picking site. Picking conditions can change quickly due to weather and customer count, so the farm recommends that guests always call (219.362.4385) for a picking status update before visiting. READ MORE

Grandma's Berry Patch

LaCrosse, IN
Grandma's Berry Patch starts its season with blueberries for picking in early July, followed by blackberries and gooseberries later in the season. The farm has a shade shelter and water and beverages available for purchase. Check the Facebook page for the latest weather updates. READ MORE

Johnson's Farm Produce

Hobart, IN
Strawberry season kicks off Johnson's harvest in June, followed by blueberries in July and blackberries, raspberries, and watermelon in August and September. Johnson's Farm Fun Weekends celebrate each fruit in season, beginning with the Strawberry Festival weekends in June. The fields are open daily.  READ MORE

Blueberries of Indiana

La Porte, IN
Blueberries of Indiana opens in July for the season. Check the website for updates on hours and picking conditions. READ MORE

Blue Sky Berry Farm

Wanatah, IN
Blueberry lovers can start picking at this Valparaiso area farm on the 4th of July weekend, with berries typically available through mid-August. Blue Sky Berry Farms prides itself on its large berries, often the size of nickels. The farm also has jam made from freshly picked blueberries and locally harvested honey. Cookbooks, children's books, and cold drinks are also available, along with clean restrooms, a picnic shelter, playground, and lawn games. READ MORE
Head up to Wisconsin for 150 acres of strawberry plants. Photo courtesy of the Thomson Strawberry Farm, Facebook
Head up to Wisconsin for 150 acres of strawberry plants. Photo courtesy of the Thomson Strawberry Farm, Facebook

Berry Picking in Southeast Wisconsin

Thompson Strawberry Farm

Bristol, WI
At one point, Thompson Strawberry Farm had 150 acres of strawberry plants, making it the largest U Pick farm in the nation. Today, families can travel north of the state line to pick strawberries, sunflowers, raspberries, pumpkins, and more. You pay per car for admission plus the cost of strawberries.  READ MORE

Blue Clay Berry Farm

Delavan, WI
Visit this family owned berry farm to pick from 20,000 strawberry bushes and 700 blueberry bushes throughout June and July. Farm fresh eggs are also available in the farm fridge. READ MORE

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