The birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and it’s that time of year again when the weekends (and even some weekdays) are filled with bustling farmer’s markets in the YEG! These markets are always fun to stroll through to stock up on delicious, fresh, local produce, organic meats and variety of homemade baked goods that would rival even your grandma’s baking skills. And, whether you want to shop, enjoy the live entertainment, let the kids run around and explore, or dive into fresh, ready-made food, these markets have everything you need to relish in the blissful summertime season. If you’re not sure where to start or which markets are worth the visit, we’ve rounded up the best farmer’s markets in Edmonton not to miss this summer. Check them out!
City Market on 104
This farmer’s market is a year-round event so you can enjoy it anytime! It offers locals goods and produce inside City Hall during the winter, and then moves outdoors once the summertime hits. This City Market on 104 is located in a bustling area right in the heart of the city surrounded by the vibrant downtown streets, buskers, and thousands of other patrons exploring the many different vendors, making it one of the best markets in the city.
Aside from the exciting, central location, here you can find just about everything, from organic local meat and produce, to ready-made meals, to diverse, multi-cultural food, along with sweet treats, wine, seasonal plants, local art, handmade clothing and so much more. So if you’re looking for a farmer’s market that includes a central location and a hoppin' city buzz while you shop, this is it!
What’s Makes it Unique?
It’s truly the best way to experience the buzz of the downtown area in summer. You can also see what’s going on in the local community by visiting their different community exhibitors that they spotlight each week.
Quick Facts:
Season: Outdoor – May 19th to October 6th / Indoor - October 19th to May 20th, 2019
Time: Saturdays: Outdoor - 9am to 3pm / Indoor - 10am to 3pm
Location: Outdoor - 104 St. from Jasper Ave to 103 Ave. / Indoor - City Hall (1 Sir Winston Churchill Square)
Setting: Year-long market
Things To Know: Dogs are not permitted in the indoor market (except service dogs) but are welcome at the outdoor market.
Parking: No onsite parking, check here for options.
How To Get There: Take Bay Enterprise Square station to access the Outdoor Market and the Churchill Square station when the Market is indoors. Check here for bus information.
For More Info: city-market.ca
To Become A Vendor: See how here
Old Strathcona
Welcome to Edmonton’s largest indoor farmer’s market in the YEG! The Old Strathcona farmer’s market is open every Saturday all year round and features over 130 vendors in a large enclosed building in the heart of Strathcona. And, while many other farmer’s markets in Edmonton close up shop in the winter months, here, you can find everything, including local wine and beer, locally grown produce, meats and seafood, fresh baked goods, preserves and dips, specialty foods, bath and body care, flowers, jewellery, décor and other random treats all season long.
There’s also a café on site, so you can grab a coffee before spending some quality time browsing. And, as a word of caution - be prepared to spend more time here than you had planned. When you shop at the Old Strathcona market, it’s easy to spend several hours here getting lost in the variety of vendors!
What Makes it Unique?
They don’t allow re-sale items, so each vendor makes everything personally. How’s that for supporting local!
Quick Facts:
Season: Year Round
Time: Saturdays from 8am to 3pm
Location: 10310 83 Ave
Setting: Indoors
Things To Know: The market has an app that showcases their weekly vendor schedules and allows you to make a shopping list, get directions and receive updates on new vendors, events, and more!
Parking: 275 Stalls of Free Parking is available in the lot across Gateway Blvd.
How To Get There: Located on 83rd Ave and 103 Street. Check here for bus information.
For More Info: osfm.ca
To Become A Vendor: Fill Out An Application
Callingwood Farmer’s Market
Once you’ve done your Saturday market crawl, it’s time to head to the West End on Sunday to check out the Callingwood Farmer’s Market. This popular market has been operating for a whopping 34 years and has been coined as Edmonton’s original Sunday farmer’s market. It features a wide variety of vendors selling fresh organic produce, top quality meats, unique arts and crafts, clothing, seasonal plants, and a number of handmade products and delicious food from local businesses throughout the YEG. And, if you’re a fan of Kettle Corn, you’ll be happy to know that this market is renowned for theirs! So make sure you stop off at the vendor to pick some up to enjoy while you browse.
They also feature a number of special events that are worth checking out like Yoga and Fitness classes, a Kidzone that features a petting zoo and bouncy castle, and Bike Day that will allow you to take your bike in for a free tune-up. It’s one farmer’s market not to miss this summer in Edmonton!
What Makes it Unique?
They offer one of the greatest selections of unique and eclectic vendors on the market scene.
Quick Facts:
Season: May 6th to October 7th
Time: Sundays 10am to 3pm and Wednesdays 12pm to 5pm
Location: 6655- 178th Street at Callingwood Shopping Centre
Setting: Covered courtyard area of The Marketplace at Callingwood Shopping Centre. Often spills out into East parking lot facing 177 Street. Enter at Callingwood Safeway and Dairy Queen
Things To Know: Number of exciting events to take place. Check the list here
Parking: Free Parking on-site
How To Get There: Corner of 69 Ave NW and 178St NW. Check here for bus information.
For More Info: callingwoodmarketplace.com/farmers-market/
To Become A Vendor: Call Wayne at 780-487-8649
124 Grand Market
This unique, mid-sized marketplace provides more than just a market. It’s small by comparison to the other markets, but it makes up for it with an impressive variety of delicious food trucks, artisan products, and an abundance of mouth-watering prepared food to munch on! They pack a lot into the area they have, giving visitors a true authentic market feel, combined with an impressive mix of cultural flair.
This year you’ll find some favourite local businesses like the Moonshine Doughnuts, Columbian Mountain Coffee, Theos Greek Kouzina, Pierogerie Polish Foods, Frida Antojitos Mexicanos, and Archive Boutique, to name a few. It’s quite the mix to keep you interested each and every Sunday!
What Makes it Unique?
Sundays they feature live entertainment on stage in Helen Nolan Park. They also have an ATM on-site that issues “Market Bucks” that you can spend right at the market.
Quick Facts:
Season: June 3rd to August 26th
Time: Sundays from 11am to 3pm and Thursdays from 4pm to 8pm
Location: Sundays - 102 Ave and 124 St. / Thursday - 108 Ave and 124 St.
Setting: Outdoors, Rain or Shine
Things To Know: Pet-Friendly
Parking: Free Parking on 123 St for a short-term basis and at Apple Dental. Check here for other options.
How To Get There: There are a number of buses you can take such as the 5 Westmount bus. Check here for bus information.
For More Info: 124grandmarket.com
To Become A Vendor: See how here
St. Alberts Farmer's Market
Just 20 minutes north of the YEG, you’ll find the biggest farmer’s market in all of Western Canada! Located in the heart of downtown St. Albert, the local market has become so large that it now spans a portion of Perron District. Each year, the market attracts crowds of over 15,000 people to check out over 250 vendors, along with great toe-tapping live music during their market season. But don’t worry! It’s strategically spread out so there’s plenty of room to walk around without feeling overcrowded.
Featuring food trucks, homemade crafts, organic meats, fresh produce, baked goods, and also a number of special events like the Rock’ N August and St. Alberta Arts Fest, there’s always something to keep the whole family entertained this summer.
Be sure not to miss the June 30th Canada Day celebration that will be offering different giveaways. Just make sure you get there early as the parking lot fills up fast, or go ‘green’ and park at the Village Transit Station and catch a free ride to the market.
What Makes it Unique?
For the massive selection, live music, and because they are the proud partner of the St. Albert Food Bank, it's makes our list! (Last year they raised over 5,000 lbs of food during their season!) So you can shop while contributing to a great cause.
Quick Facts:
Season: June 9th to October 6th
Time: Saturdays from 10am to 3pm, Rain or Shine
Location: St. Anne Street and St. Thomas Street, St Albert
Setting: Outdoors
Things To Know: No Smoking or Pets permitted (other than service dogs)
How To Get There: If you park at Village Transit Station you can catch a free ride downtown to the market.
For More Info: stalbertfarmersmarket.com
To Become A Vendor: See how here
So don’t miss out on your chance to enjoy some of the freshest local produce, homemade goods and live entertainment from around the YEG this summer. Each of these farmer’s markets in Edmonton have so much to explore and browse through, so make sure that you get out and enjoy some of the best summertime events in the city!
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