Farmer’s markets can be a fun, low-key outdoor activity for the whole family. Not only to find tons of local, organic, and delicious food, but for kid-friendly activities, live entertainment, and surrounding family fun. Many markets are also located near parks, which means you can make a whole day of it by grabbing lunch at the market, and playing all afternoon in the park.
Here is a list of 30 farmers’ markets in the GTA, including our ten favourite famer’s markets. We also included suggestions to help keep the kids happy and busy. Find one near you!
Our Top 10 Farmer’s Markets in Toronto
1. The Stop Farmers’ Market at Artscape Wychwood Barns
This market at Artscape Wychwood Barns has live music and tasty treats, and the adjacent Wychwood Parkette has a great splash pad, sand pits, playground and picnic tables.
Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie St. (at St. Clair Ave. W.), Toronto
Year-round, Saturdays 8 am–12:30 pm (8 am–1 pm in summer)
2. Dorval Crossing Farmers’ Market
There will be tons of food, in addition to the newly added special entertainment for kids. With a bouncy castle, face painting, and stilt walkers, every Saturday will be full of fun!
240 North Service Rd. W., Oakville
May–November, Saturday 8 am–2 pm
3. Annette Village Farmers’ Market
The Annette Village Market has lots of special events, including a corn roast, BBQ, and peach festival. This year will also have special kids programming, including sing-alongs and dancing.
Runnymede Presbyterian Church, 680 Annette St., Toronto
June–early October, Wednesday 3 pm–7 pm
4. Evergreen Brick Works Farmers’ Market
Evergreen Brick Works has lots of other family-friendly activities to enjoy, including guided nature walk, bike lessons and rentals, kids cooking workshops, scavenger hunts, and a children’s garden.
Evergreen Brick Works, 550 Bayview Ave., Toronto
Year-round; hours vary by season: in summer, Saturday 8 am–1 pm, Sunday 10 am–3 pm
5. The Fairmount Park Farm Market
The Fairmount Park has a soccer field, baseball diamond, an amazing play structure, ping-pong tables, and a wading pool. There are also DIY workshops and courses for kids.
Fairmount Park, 1725 Upper Gerrard St. E., Toronto
May–October, Wednesday 3 pm–7 pm
6. Dufferin Grove Organic Farmers’ Market
This market is in Dufferin Grove Park, which has an amazing “dirt playground” with kid-size shovels and running water for making castles and moats, as well as an enclosed playground, picnic areas, children’s garden, wading pool, and skateboarding zone.
875 Dufferin St. (at Bloor St. W.), Toronto
Year-round, Thursday 3 pm–7 pm
7. Leslieville Farmers’ Market
This market is hosted at Jonathan Ashbridge Park, which has a wading pool, and a playground. After you stock up on local goods, head to nearby Woodbine Beach or Ashbridges Bay Park for some biking, grilling, or fun in the sand.
Jonathan Ashbridge Park, 20 Woodward Ave., Toronto
Late May–October, Sunday 9 am–2 pm
8. St. Lawrence Farmers’ Market
This is one of the city’s best farmers’ markets, so kids will be overwhelmed by all their delicious food and drink choices. And it’s open nice and early—perfect if you’ve got early risers! Afterwards, walk over to David Crombie park for some playground time and wading pool cool down, or head down the street to the beautiful Corktown Commons to enjoy the splash pad, playground, and green space.
North Market, 92–95 Front St. E., Toronto
Year-round, Saturday 5 am–3 pm
9. John Street Farmers’ Market
This market also has kids’ programming, live music, and is right next to Grange Park, which has one of the city’s best playgrounds, with super-cool, modern climbers, cubbyholes, and slides—one area each for little kids and big kids—newly redesigned in summer 2017.
Saint George the Martyr Anglican Church, 205 John St., Toronto
June–October, Wednesday 3:30 pm–7 pm
10. The Junction Farmers’ Market
This farmers’ market has a fun scavenger hunt just for kids, face painting, ukulele lessons, and staff visits from the High Park Nature Centre. New activities every week.
Junction Train Platform, 2960 Dundas St. W., Toronto
Late May–early November, Saturday 9 am–1 pm
More Great Farmer’s Markets: Toronto
11. Nathan Phillips Square Farmers’ Market
The market has live music in July and August, and the square itself is a pretty cool place to hangout, walk around, and learn about Toronto.
Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen St. W., Toronto
Late May–mid-October, Wednesday 8 am–2 pm
12. Indulge Farmers’ Market at David Pecaut Square
The market has live music performances in summer and amazing lunch vendors operated by local restaurants. David Pecaut Square has food trucks, regularly schedules special events, and is a great place to take a stroll.
Metro Hall/David Pecaut Square, 55 John St., Toronto
Late May–mid-October, Thursday 8 am–2:30 pm
13. Davisville Village Farmers’ Market
The market takes place in June Rowlands Park, which has a great splash pad, playground, baseball diamonds and outdoor ping pong table. It’s also a short distance away from Moore Park Ravine, which is perfect for a day of bike riding, exploring, and hiking.
June Rowlands Park, 220 Davisville Ave., Toronto
Early May–early October, Tuesday 3 pm–7 pm
14. Appletree Market at Ryerson
Take the kids for an after-market picnic at nearby Devonian Square or Ryerson Community Park, or treat them to a movie at the Yonge-Dundas cinema.
Ryerson University, between Victoria St. and Gould St., Toronto
May–early October, Wednesdays 3 pm–7 pm
15. Sherway Farmers’ Markets
A weekly farmers’ market with Ontario fruits and vegetables and other local goodies including pies, baked goods, salsa, wine, and maple syrup. Its permanent home is at Sherway Gardens shopping centre (indoor play areas! Lego Store!) but for 2017 it’s at a temporary home while construction is underway at the mall.
Time: May–October, Fridays 8 am–2 pm.
Place: Church on the Queensway, 1536 The Queensway, Etobicoke
16. East Lynn Park MyMarket
Toronto has three MyMarket locations—farmers’ markets with vendors inspected and “verified local” by Farmers’ Markets Ontario—but this one on the Danforth is our kid-friendly choice for its location at East Lynn Park, with a wading pool, playground, and picnic area. MyMarket Liberty Village (Sun. 10 am–2 pm) and MyMarket Annex (Wed. 3 pm–7 pm) are in parking lot locations.
East Lynn Park, 1949 Danforth Ave., Toronto
June–mid-October, Thursday 3 pm–7 pm
17. Sorauren Farmers’ Market
Aside from the delicious family-friendly food and live music and this market operated by the West End Food Coop, there is also a wading pool and popular playground across the street.
Sorauran Park and Field House, 289 Sorauran Ave., Toronto
Year-round, Monday 3 pm–7 pm; inside the Field House in winter, outdoors in summer
18. Trinity-Bellwoods Farmers’ Market
Trinity-Bellwoods Park is a favourite hangout for families for its wading pool, bike path, playground, and picnic area for after-market snacking.
Trinity-Bellwoods Park, 790 Queen St. W., Toronto
May–October, Tuesday 3 pm–7 pm
19. Withrow Park Farmers’ Market
This east end farmer’s market has free organized crafting sessions hosted by a different maker each week and with supplies donated by DeSerres art stores. Interactive guest presentations to help teach kids about health, the environment, and their community.
Withrow Park, 725 Logan Ave., Toronto
June–mid-October, Saturday 9 am–1 pm
20. Montgomery’s Inn Farmers’ Market
After enjoying some fresh treats, visit the museum where kids can learn about life in 1847.
Montgomery’s Inn, 4709 Dundas St. W., Etobicoke
Year-round, Wednesday 2 pm–6pm; outdoors in summer, indoors in winter
21. Cabbagetown Farmers’ Market (formerly Riverdale Market)
Riverdale Park has a wading pool and picnic tables and is right next to Riverdale Farm, which means after you shop you can stop by to see the animals, stroll through the butterfly gardens, and visit with the farmer.
Riverdale Park West, 375 Sumach St., Toronto
Late May–early October, Tuesday 3 pm–7 pm
22. Toronto Botanical Garden Organic Market
This market is held at the Toronto Botanical Garden, which includes a Teaching Garden for the kiddos and some regular family fun events also.
777 Lawrence Ave. E., North York
Year-round, Thursday 2 pm–7 pm
23. UTSC Farmers’ Market
As part of a university mandate, chefs, nutritionists, and local farmers and producers education the local community about where and how the food at the market is sourced and grown. Some events are specifically aimed at kids—including a kids’ day with family yoga and face painting. Check the Facebook page @UTSCfarmers for what’s coming up each week.
University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Scarborough
Late May–early October, Wednesday 2:30 pm–6:30 pm
24. Humber Bay Shores Farmers’ Market
The park is a great place to have a picnic, do some bird watching, go for a bike ride, or play some yard games.
Humber Bay Park West, 2225 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke
Early April–mid-October, Saturday 9 am–2 pm
25. Waterfront Artisan Market
This market is right on the waterfront at HTO Park, which means there are beach umbrellas, sand for castle building, and a boardwalk to discover.
HTO Park, 339 Queens Quay W., Toronto
Select weekends May–October, Saturday 10 am–8 pm, Sunday 11 am–8 pm
26. North York Farmers’ Market
Mel Lastman Square hosts lots of fun events that overlap with the market during summer months, including free concerts.
Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St., North York
Late May–October, Thursday 8 am–2 pm
More Great Farmers’ Markets: GTA
27. Farmers’ Market of Eden
This is Mississauga’s only farmer’s market that is a member of the Farmer’s Markets of Ontario. The market often hosts local talent.
Lisgar GO station, 3250 Argentia Rd., Mississauga
May–Thanksgiving, Sunday 9 am–3 pm
28. Burlington Mall Farmers’ Market
Shop for fresh seasonal produce and grab a kid-friendly bite to eat from the Farmer’s Market Snack Bar.
Burlington Mall, 777 Guelph Line, Burlington
May–October, Wednesday 8 am–2 pm, Friday 8 am–4 pm, Saturday 8 am–2 pm
29. Hamilton Farmers’ Market
Open year-round and several days a week, this market is a fun stop for food lovers. Come for NOSH at the Market in October—with special workshops for kids—and check the website for special events like petting zoo and live music. The market is right next door to the Hamilton Public Library’s main branch.
35 York Blvd, Hamilton
Year-round, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 8 am–6 pm, Saturday 7 am–5 pm
30. Aurora Farmer’s Market
Kids’ crafts are offered every week at the market, along with farm-fresh produce and local products from more than 40 vendors. Live entertainment takes place once a month.
Town Park, 49 Wells St., Aurora
May–October, Saturday 8 am–1 pm
