Grab your reusable bags and be prepared to pack them full!
Summer is here and the markets are ready for you once again. Vendors, musicians, volunteers, farmers, and more have been working exceptionally hard to keep this community-driven tradition alive!
Take a break from your busy week or start your weekend off right with this collection of markets — hubs for creativity and local collaboration.
Here is your ultimate summer guide to the markets happening on Vancouver Island this summer:
Greater Victoria
Oak Bay Village Night Market
Street food, beer, live music, and local produce — sounds like a much needed time to us!
This lively night market takes place on the second Wednesday of the month from June until September.
Pay attention to the Oak Bay Village calendar for when the market days are happening!
- Where: 2100 and 2200 blocks of Oak Bay Avenue
- When: Every second Wednesday of the month from June until September — 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Sooke Night Market
As described, this market was launched to highlight the rich heritage of food producers, artists, artisans, and entrepreneurs in the area.
Come check out the talent!
- Where: 2070 Phillips Road, Sooke
- When: Every Thursday until September 7th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Bastion Square Public Market
This downtown hotspot kicked off in May and will run every week, from Thursday to Sunday until September.
Each day has its own highlighted feature:
-Thursday: Artisans and Art Bazaar
-Friday: Foodie Friday
-Saturday: 100% Local Artisans
-Sundays: Vintage and Thrifting
- Where: 26 Bastion Square
- When: Every weekend until September
- Thursday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Esquimalt Farmers Market
There are two different market locations attached to the Esquimalt Farmers Market!
So, depending on the day, you might find yourself somewhere different to enjoy the music and browse the variety of vendors they have available.
Mondays in Esquimalt Gorge Park:
This branch of the Esquimalt Farmers Market will kick off on Monday, June 19th and run until Monday, September 4th.
- Where: 1070 Tillicum Road
- When: Monday, June 19th from
Thursdays in Memorial Park:
Running every Thursday until mid-September, this market is jam-packed with goodies!
- Where: 1200 Esquimalt Road
- When: Every Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Moss Street Market
Food trucks, crafts, booze — this Saturday market has it all!
Summer hours kickstarted in May and will run until it gets chilly.
- Where: 1330 Fairfield Road
- When: Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sooke Country Market
Art, baking, and fresh vegetables are just some of the many goodies that can be found at the Sooke Country Market.
Come on Saturday and say hello!
- Where: Otter Point and Rhodonite, Sooke (grassy field by the fire hall)
- When: Every Saturday until October 7th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
James Bay Market
Running since 1995, this community-driven market has brought hundreds of local musicians, fresh produce, and more!
Rain or shine, James Bay is ready for you.
- Where: 494 Superior Street
- When: Every Saturday until October 7th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
North Saanich Farm Market
New and returning vendors every week as well as special guests!
Check out their website for the weekly features and performers.
- Where: 10990 W Saanich Road, North Saanich
- When: Every Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Goldstream Farmers Market
Home grown or handmade, the Goldstream Farmers Market promises quality products made with local love.
So, come for the food and goods and stay for the music and good times.
- Where: Veterans’ Memorial Park, Langford, Aldwynd Road
- When: Every Saturday until October from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Peninsula Country Market
Not only do they have a selection of goods from local artisans, farmers, and live music…they also have a new educational activity section for kids!
- Where: 1528 Stelly’s Cross Road
- When: Every Saturday until October 7th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Highlands Market
This wonderful market takes over Caleb Pike Heritage Park park every Sunday!
Visit this market and take a look at their locally grown food and produce as well as their local crafts.
- Where: 699 Caleb Pike Road
- When: Every Sunday until September from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Metchosin Farmer’s Market
Collect your fresh fruits and vegetables — grown from organic and traditional farmers.
There’s also herbs, free range eggs, breads, jams, salsa, baked goods, and more available for purchase too!
- Where: 4450 Happy Valley Road, Metchosin
- When: Every Sunday until October from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sidney Street Market
Let the countdown begin! The market returns to Beacon Avenue in Sidney this summer after a pandemic related hiatus!
Fill the streets and wander between a variety of booths starting Thursday, June 15th.
- Where: Beacon Avenue, Sidney
- When: Every Thursday from June 15th to September 14th — 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Oaklands Sunset Market
It hasn’t started yet, but it will soon! Located by Oaklands Community Centre, this market will run from July 5th until August 30th.
It began as a space for neighbours and local businesses to gather and build community connections and has blossomed into the wonderful market you can visit now!
Get yourself some yummy treats and support local farms and producers.
- Where: 2827 Belmont Avenue #1
- When: Every Wednesday from July 5th to August 30th — 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Cowichan Valley
Duncan Farmers’ Market
Over 100 different vendors with special offers of locally grown produce, in-season fruit, honey, eggs, cheese, seafood, wines and spirits, baked goods, plants and flowers, and many more specialty items.
Don’t forget about the food trucks!
- Where: Craig Street and down Ingram Street, Duncan
- When: Every Saturday all year round from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nanaimo
The Cedar Farmers Market
Not only is this market full to the brim with sustainable products, homemade goods, and locally roasted coffee, they also provide a reserved shopping time for seniors and those with physical and/or neurodevelopmental challenges.
This takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. — totally relaxed atmosphere without live music or big crowds!
- Where: 1984 Woobank Road in the village of Cedar (close to Nanaimo)
- When: Every Sunday until October 31st from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- *reserved shopping from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Island Roots Farmers Market
This fabulous market runs all year round!
Come visit the folks and talent of Nanaimo and try their locally grown produce and goodies.
- Where: Beban Park, 2300 Bowen Road, Nanaimo
- When: Every Wednesday all year round from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Comox Valley
Qualicum Beach Farmers Market
Learn about the joys of growing and providing local produce from the vendors themselves!
Whether it’s fruit, veggies, fish or more, if it’s in season, it’ll be at the Qualicum Beach Farmers Market.
- Where: 644 Veterans Way, Qualicum Beach
- When: Every Saturday all year round from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Port Alberni Farmers Market
Delicious bread, wonderfully long green onion, or knitted clothing…this market will have something for you and the whole family to enjoy!
Find inspiration for your next meals or find your new favourite scarf.
- Where: 6211 Cherry Creek Road, Port Alberni
- When: Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Comox Valley Farmer’s Market
This unique market offers goods like water buffalo yogurt, jams with no added sugar, shrubs, and more!
Check out their frequently updated list of in-season goods and top picks.
- Where: Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds, 4830 Headquarters Road, Courtenay
- When: Every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Campbell River Farmers Market & Arts Faire
This seasonal market offers live music as well as a rich variety of local goodies.
Visit this neat little spot in Campbell River on Sundays!
- Where: Downtown Spirit Square, Campbell River
- When: Every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Errington Farmers Market
Local farmers and creators come together to create this seasonal treasure!
Errington’s has been running since 1973 and continues to kick up again every May, running until it gets chilly in September.
- Where: 1550 Veterans Road, Errington
- When: Every Saturday from May until September from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Spirit Square Farmers Market
The perfect way to start the weekend!
The Spirit Square Farmers Market invites you to support your local growers, makers, and bakers.
- Where: Harbour Quay, 5440 Argyle Street, Port Alberni
- When: Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Did we miss one that you would highly reccomend? Let us know in the comments!
