Vancouver Farmers Markets 2026 Schedule & Guide

Farmers markets in Vancouver are one of the best ways to buy fresh, local produce — and sometimes at prices that beat the grocery store, especially for seasonal fruits and vegetables. The season runs roughly from May through October, with a few year-round markets. Here's the full guide for 2026.

Vancouver Farmers Markets 2026 Schedule at a Glance

Every spring I plan my weekends around these markets — Saturday at Trout Lake for the produce, Sunday at Kitsilano for the slower pace. The Vancouver Farmers Markets society runs most of the city's markets, and the 2026 season dates and hours below come from their official listings. Markets move outdoors and shift dates year to year, so I've flagged anything I couldn't pin to a confirmed 2026 listing as "approx — confirm" — always double-check before a special trip.

Market	Area	Day / Season	Hours	Notes
Trout Lake	Lakewood Dr & E 13th Ave, East Van	Saturdays, Apr 4 – Oct 31, 2026	9am–2pm	The flagship — 60+ farms and producers, food & coffee trucks. Get there early on summer Saturdays.
Riley Park (Summer)	50 E 30th Ave & Ontario St, Vancouver	Saturdays, Apr 4 – Oct 31, 2026	10am–2pm	35+ farms and producers, food & coffee trucks. Near Hillcrest / Nat Bailey Stadium.
West End	1100 Comox St (Bute & Thurlow), Vancouver	Saturdays, May 2 – Oct 31, 2026	9am–2pm	30+ farms and producers. Compact, downtown-accessible.
Kitsilano	Larch St & W 10th Ave, Vancouver	Sundays, May 3 – Nov 1, 2026	10am–2pm	50+ farms and producers, food & coffee trucks. Long-running Sunday market.
Mount Pleasant	Dude Chilling Park (btwn 7th & 8th Ave), Vancouver	Sundays, May 3 – Nov 1, 2026	10am–2pm	Neighbourhood market at Dude Chilling Park.
Downtown	šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl'e7énḵ Square, 750 Hornby St (Art Gallery North Plaza)	Wednesdays, May 13 – Dec 23, 2026	2pm–6pm	Afternoon weekday market — handy for the after-work crowd.
Kerrisdale (discontinued)	5500 East Blvd, Vancouver	Permanently closed — no longer running	—	This Saturday summer market (formerly ~Jun–Oct) has been permanently closed by Vancouver Farmers Markets after declining attendance. Listed for reference; don't go looking for it.
Hastings Park (Winter) (paused)	Hastings Park / PNE, East Van	Paused — did not run winter 2025/26	—	Indoor Sunday winter market (10am–2pm in past years); Vancouver Farmers Markets paused it after the 2024/25 season and it did not run in 2025/26. May return — confirm before going. For winter shopping use Riley Park Winter or Kitsilano Winter instead.

A few things worth knowing

• Saturday vs Sunday: Trout Lake, Riley Park, and West End run Saturdays; Kitsilano and Mount Pleasant run Sundays. The Downtown market is a Wednesday afternoon outlier.
• Season length: Most outdoor markets run roughly April/May through late October or early November. The Downtown market stretches longest, into late December.
• Bring cash and bags. Many vendors take cards now, but smaller producers still prefer cash, and bags are bring-your-own.

References: Vancouver Farmers Markets official listings (eatlocal.org), verified June 2026. Hastings Park winter market and Kerrisdale season dates flagged as uncertain — confirm directly before visiting.

Major Farmers Markets in Vancouver

Trout Lake Farmers Market — 3350 Victoria Dr

The biggest farmers market in East Van. Open Saturdays, 9AM-2PM, April through October. Over 60 vendors selling fruits, vegetables, bread, cheese, honey, flowers, and prepared foods. Great vibe — live music, food trucks, and a playground nearby for kids. Prices are reasonable for a farmers market; seasonal produce (berries, tomatoes, corn) can actually be cheaper than Superstore when it's peak season.

Get there: Bus #20 from Commercial-Broadway SkyTrain, or bike along the Ontario Street bikeway.

Kitsilano Farmers Market — 2690 Larch St (Kitsilano Community Centre)

Sundays, 10AM-2PM, May through early November. Smaller than Trout Lake but in a beautiful location. Good for organic and specialty items. Prices tend to be slightly higher — it's Kits, after all. Worth visiting for the baked goods and artisan cheese.

Downtown Farmers Market — 750 Hornby St (Art Gallery North Plaza)

Wednesdays, 2PM-6PM, mid-May into late December. This is the one I send downtown friends to — an afternoon weekday market right behind the Vancouver Art Gallery, perfect for after-work shopping. (Heads up: the old Main Street Station market on Station Street has been closed since 2020 for the St. Paul's Hospital construction, so this is the replacement — don't go looking for the old one.) Good selection of ready-to-eat prepared foods for a quick dinner.

Riley Park Farmers Market — 30th Ave & Ontario St

Saturdays, 10AM-2PM, April through October. A neighborhood market with a loyal following. Less crowded than Trout Lake, which means shorter lines and a more relaxed feel. Good for berries and stone fruits in summer.

West End Farmers Market — 1100 Comox St (Nelson Park)

Saturdays, 9AM-2PM, May through October. Great if you live downtown. Compact market with quality vendors. The bread from Terra Breads and A Bread Affair here is incredible.

Year-Round Markets

Riley Park Winter Market — 4601 Ontario St (Nat Bailey Stadium)

Saturdays, 10AM-2PM, November through late March. Formerly known as the Nat Bailey Winter Market, this is where I shop in the off-season — greenhouse-grown produce, root vegetables, preserved goods, and meats, at 30th Ave & Ontario St near Queen Elizabeth Park. Smaller than summer markets but great for supporting local farmers year-round.

Lonsdale Quay Market — 123 Carrie Cates Court, North Van

Open daily. Not a traditional farmers market, but the lower level has local produce vendors, a butcher, and artisan food shops. Take the SeaBus from Waterfront — the market is right at the terminal.

Budget Tips for Farmers Market Shopping

• Go at 1:30PM (30 min before close) — vendors discount produce they don't want to haul back
• Buy in bulk when something is in peak season — 10 lbs of tomatoes for $15 in August
• Bring your own bags (some vendors charge for bags)
• Cash is king — some vendors are cash-only, and some give discounts for cash payment
• Sign up for a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) box for weekly farm-fresh deliveries at a fixed price

What to Buy at the Market vs. the Store

Buy at the market: berries, tomatoes, corn, stone fruits, eggs, bread, honey — these are fresher and often cheaper in season

Buy at the store: pantry staples (rice, pasta, canned goods), dairy, meat (usually cheaper at the store)

Frequently Asked Questions

Are farmers markets cheaper than grocery stores?

For seasonal produce at peak time, yes — especially berries, tomatoes, and corn. For out-of-season items, no. The real advantage is freshness: farmers market produce was picked 1-2 days ago vs. 1-2 weeks for grocery store produce.

Can I use a credit card at farmers markets?

Many vendors now accept tap and credit cards, but not all. Bring at least $20-30 in cash as a backup. The larger markets have ATMs nearby but the fees are steep ($3-5).

Are farmers markets good for newcomers on a tight budget?

They can be, if you shop smart. Go near closing time for deals, focus on seasonal produce, and buy what's abundant (and therefore cheap). Skip the $12 artisan granola and stock up on $2/lb tomatoes instead.

References

[1] Statistics Canada, "Census Profile, Vancouver CMA, 2021." https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm

[2] City of Vancouver, "Open Data Portal." https://opendata.vancouver.ca/

[3] TransLink, "Metro Vancouver Transit Information." https://www.translink.ca/

[4] BC Housing, "Rental Market Reports." https://www.bchousing.org/research-centre/housing-data

New to Vancouver? Check out our guide to cheap Asian groceries in Richmond for your everyday shopping needs.