The Stratford Farmers' Market is one of the oldest markets in Ontario and it runs all year, which makes it one of the few Stratford outings that is as good in January as it is in July. It is held on Saturday mornings at the Stratford Agriplex, with the early start typical of a working market: Destination Stratford's event page gives hours of 7 am to noon. More than 40 vendors set up, selling fresh meat, cheese, eggs, fruit and vegetables, baked goods, preserves and artisan crafts. The produce changes with the calendar, so spring brings greens and rhubarb, summer brings berries and corn, autumn is apples and squash, and winter leans on baking, cheese, preserves and meat. For visitors, the appeal is simple. You see what the farmland around Stratford actually produces, you can put together a picnic for the river or a gift box to take home, and you meet the people who grew or made it. Because the theatres are dark from November to April, the market is one of the best reasons to plan a Saturday in the quiet months, and in season it is a pleasant, low-key start to a show day.
What to do
Go early, take a bag and a little cash as a backup, and walk the whole market once before you buy. Look for baked goods and pastry for breakfast, cheese and cured meat for a picnic, seasonal fruit for the afternoon, and the craft tables for something small to carry home.
Vendors are usually happy to explain what is in season and how to cook it, and sampling is part of the fun. If you are staying in a hotel without a kitchen, assemble a riverside lunch from the stalls and carry it to the Avon River path, where the swans and the gardens are a short walk away.
Seasons and planning
The market is described as a year-round market, so there is no off-season to work around, although the number of stalls and the range of produce are biggest from late spring to autumn. Hours of 7 am to noon were given on Destination Stratford's event page, but market days and times can change, so check the page before you go, especially around holidays.
A seasonal outdoor Sunday market also opens in spring, and it is worth asking locally whether it is running during your visit. Dress for the weather, because parts of a market can be draughty in winter, and wear shoes you do not mind in wet or muddy conditions.
Fitting it in
Allow an hour to an hour and a half, a little more if you stop for coffee. Because it finishes at midday, the market suits a morning, followed by an afternoon matinee at one of the theatres in season or Gallery Stratford and the Chocolate Trail out of season. It is free to enter and there is no ticket to book, so it is an easy addition to almost any plan.
It also pairs naturally with the Bacon and Ale Trail for anyone building a day around local food, and it gives children a good look at where food comes from before they sit through a play. If you are driving, arrive early for the easiest parking, and plan to carry purchases back to the car rather than leaving fresh food in a warm vehicle for long.
What to expect
The experience
A year-round farmers' market with more than 40 vendors selling meat, cheese, eggs, produce, baking, preserves and crafts.
Best time
Saturday mornings in any season; the range of produce is widest from late spring to autumn.
How long
Allow an hour to an hour and a half, or longer if you stop for coffee.
Tips
Arrive early for the best choice and parking, bring bags and a little cash as a backup, and check the current hours before you go.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Food lovers and anyone who wants a relaxed local morning that does not depend on the theatre season.
- Families
- Children enjoy the samples, the baking and seeing where food comes from, and the market is free to enter.
- Couples
- Pick up pastries and cheese and carry them to a bench on the Avon River.
- Pair with
- The Bacon and Ale Trail, the Chocolate Trail and the river path suit a food-themed day.
- Time needed
- About an hour to an hour and a half.
Good questions
When is the Stratford Farmers' Market open?+
It is a Saturday-morning market, and Destination Stratford gives hours of 7 am to noon. Check its event page for the current day and hours, especially around holidays.
Is the market open all year?+
Yes, it is described as a year-round market, one of the oldest in Ontario, so it works in winter as well as in the theatre season.
What can I buy there?+
Fresh meat, cheese, eggs, fruit and vegetables, baked goods, preserves and artisan crafts from more than 40 vendors.
Where is the market held?+
At the Stratford Agriplex. Check the market's page for directions and parking before you drive.
Is there an entry fee?+
No, it is free to walk through. You only pay for what you buy, and it is worth carrying a little cash as a backup.
