If you thought it was time to pack away your rolling market cart and kiss farmers’ markets goodbye until Spring, you’ll be pleased to learn that plenty of farmers' markets across Ontario remain open and ready to delight and inspire year-round.
You don’t have to live in or near the GTA to locate an impressive one that has enough to offer to make an afternoon of it, and there are loads of year-round markets all across the province that are worth a visit. Take a scenic fall drive to one of the Ontario farmers markets—or use the link below to locate one near you.
Here’s your guide to bustling markets worth visiting this fall.
Northern Ontario
- Sudbury Farmer's Market: In the heart of Sudbury, this market showcases a diverse array of local produce, artisanal goods, and live entertainment. Once the weather cools in October, the market moves indoors to continue offering the ripest fresh produce year-round.
- Thunder Bay Farmers Market: This vibrant market in Thunder Bay features local farmers, bakers, and artisans proudly displaying their products year-round.
- North Bay Farmers Market: Another market committed to serving its community all winter long, the North Bay Farmers Market boasts a wide selection of fresh produce, meats, and handcrafted goods at their bustling Saturday market.
Eastern Ontario
- Kingston Farmers Market: This historic market in Kingston offers a unique shopping experience, highlighting local and artisanal products. This popular market remains open every Saturday until November 23 in the County Courthouse parking lot, and then switches to an alternating Saturday schedule at The Old Dutch Church in Uptown, Kingston.
- Ottawa Farmers Market: Located in the nation's capital, The Ottawa Farmers Market consists of five markets in Lansdowne, Westboro, Main Street, Orléans, and Barrhaven with a diverse range of vendors selling fresh produce, meats, and prepared foods, with the Lansdowne location remaining open year-round.
Central Ontario
- Barrie Farmers Market: This popular market in Barrie features a wide range of vendors selling fresh produce, meats, and artisanal products on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., all year round.
- Orillia Farmers Market: The Orillia Heritage Farmers Market, established in 1842, offers fresh local produce, baked goods, prepared foods, crafts, and more. It runs every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Orillia Library. Starting Saturday, October 19, the market will move indoors, but you’ll still find all the fantastic local goods that make this market so special.
Western Ontario
- The Kitchener Market: Open year-round, this long-standing market offers a sprawling array of local food vendors, handmade artisan goods that make one-of-a-kind gifts, and live music weekly leading up to winter.
- Covent Garden Market: Located in London, this market is known for its unique shopping experience open seven days a week with endless aisles of ripe, local produce, baked goods, handcrafted jewellery, live music performances, ice skating in the winter months, this market is worth travelling to.
Don’t see your city or town on this list? You can find farmers’ markets located near you here.
About the Author
Alicia is a journalist and editor in digital and print media specializing in health, nutrition, fitness, and wellness. She was previously the Editorial Director of Clean Eating and Vegetarian Times. Her work has also appeared in Hone Health The Edge, Yoga Journal, Women’s Running, and Oxygen, among others. In addition to being a content creator, she's an ISSA-certified nutritionist, certified personal trainer, and fitness studio owner in Toronto. Alicia loves spreading the word about helpful, science-backed health information, and she can be contacted via her website at aliciamtyler.com.
