Merchants of the Macabre Market comes to Wolfden Brewing Oct. 27

Wolfden Brewing, in collaboration with the Streetz Artz Alliance, will host the first Merchants of the Macabre Market on Sunday, Oct. 27, from noon to 5 p.m. The event takes place at the historic — and reputedly haunted — Wolfden Brewing, 112 W. Lake St. in Bloomingdale.

This outdoor market offers a thrilling blend of the macabre and oddities, appealing to curious minds and Halloween lovers alike. Visitors can explore over fifty local artisans and makers, with many first-time vendors showcasing spooky, handcrafted creations.

Offerings include Entomology framed pieces, monster-themed coasters, skull-patterned bags, Halloween decor, beaded spiders, wet specimens and countless other eccentric treasures. Tarot reading and live caricature creations will also be available at the event.

The free, family-friendly event also welcomes pets in designated areas. “Pets are allowed in the back and on the porch, but not inside,” explains Katie Wolf, owner of Wolfden Brewing.

For refreshments, Wolfden Brewing offers 14 craft beer varieties — including lagers, stouts, and IPAs — along with wine, ciders, seltzers, nonalcoholic drinks, and cocktails.

From whimsical to eerie, the event\'s artists bring an exciting range of goods. However, not everything is dark and macabre. DK Custom Woodworking Co. will showcase finely crafted wood boards, and Wanna Pickle will present a variety of flavorful pickled vegetables. Self Made Body & Soul offers body care and metaphysical products, while The Tangled Dame features handmade brooms, traditional crafts, and nature-inspired art.

Roz Anomaly of Secondhand Nightmares promises to “bring the kooky and the spooky.” Anomaly claims to be a “purveyor of delightfully creepy art and spooky home decor; an eclectic mix of handmade artworks, horrified collectibles, haunting assemblage pieces and wearable art.”

“Wolfden is one of my absolute favorite local places to hang out at! We love meeting all the friendly people and dogs, and especially look forward to their amazing Halloween market every year,” says Rachel Santana, owner of Rantana Creations.

Sharri Grise of Grïmm Prints remarks, “Grïmm Prints believes that Halloween is a lifestyle, not just a holiday. This philosophy is reflected in all of our unique and spooky creations. Whether you live the ghoulish life all year, or just during this season, we definitely have something for you.”

Participating artists are giving back to their communities by supporting a variety of charitable causes. Jakub Advanced Manufacturing Inc. donates to WOŚP (Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity), and Masterclass Savory Sweet Foods contributes to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Secondhand Nightmares supports Love You More Animal Rescue and Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation, while Spicy Grrrls Hot Sauce funds organizations such as The Center for Missing and Exploited Children, The Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, and The Gary Sinise Foundation.

Bosco’s All Natural directs a portion of its sales to CFVC, providing veterans with essential items and service dog training. Wanna Pickle Gourmet Foods backs Wanna Help charities, and None of This is Cake donates $10 to the Alzheimer’s Association for every BUTTERfly suncatcher sold. Scarab Sanctuary supports NPR, Planned Parenthood, Sandy Hook Promise, and PAWS, while DK Custom Woodwork contributes to Hearthaven H2O and Restoration Ministries.

With a diverse tap list, welcoming kitchen, and inviting beer garden, Wolfden Brewing sets the stage for a day of unparalleled artistry and spooky discoveries. Whether you’re a solitary wanderer or in the company of friends, this event promises an unforgettable shopping experience.

Artist lineup includes: Adara Selene Creations, Always Dreaming — Artwork by Linda Sue Osborn, Art of Alex Kujawa, BlackCraft Arts, Bosco’s All Natural Dog & Cat Holistic Store, Catalogdex Co., Cats, Crafts & Cooking, Crafted Laserworks, Crizltron, DK Custom Woodwork Co., Dye the Day Away, Emily Strange Art, Ethereal Locs & Handicrafts, Fine-Tooned Caricatures, Flock & Field Naturals, Freya’s Enchantments, Ghost Owl Studio, Gigawatt Coffee Roasters, Gothic Moments, Grïmm Prints, Haley V Ferro, Imps Craft Den & D.A.M, Jakub Advanced Manufacturing Inc., Jennifer Helene Tarot, JoJo CoCo Craft Company, Just Craftin Around, KP’s Candy Factory, Luna’s Loops, Luxelytevibe LLC, Lythanthis Art, Magick Lotus Botanica LLC, Masterclass Savory Sweet Foods, MasterLink Chainmaille, megandowntherabbithole, Mixtape Your Life LLC, Morbid and Mortified, nethercrafts, None Of This Is Cake, Pretty Spooky Handmade, Primtentions, Rantana Creations, Raven Feathers and Bat Wings, Sarah Cats Colors, Scarab Sanctuary, Scary Lair of Doom, Scary Terri’s Crafts, Sealed Fate Curiosities, Secondhand Nightmares, Self Made Body and Soul, Spicy Grrrls Hot Sauce, The Hooked Leviathan, The Tangled Dame, Voodoo'tique and Wanna Pickle Gourmet Foods.

For more information, visit the Facebook event page.

The Streetz Artz Alliance is a network of over 350 artists and crafters from across the Chicago suburbs, NW Indiana and southern Wisconsin who participate in markets all over the area. The SAA goal is promote small businesses including the artists and the breweries.