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10 Must-Visit Connecticut Weekend Farmers' Markets
It just isn’t officially the start of summer until our canvas totes are filled to the brim with fresh-picked strawberries, and clusters of bright farmers’ market tents begin to pop up in just about every town center. The kick-off of farmers’ market season in Connecticut means local growers, makers, food trucks, and artisans throughout the (aptly-named) Provision State show up to show off their handpicked, homegrown goods, and we spend many sunny weekend mornings perusing the bountiful fruits, veggies, baked goods, and more, lemonade in hand.
What makes a weekend market so special? We’re not sure if it’s the laid back vibe, the live music, or the sun shining on our faces, but we could lay out a blanket and stay all day (and we do!). Check out our list of some of Connecticut’s delicious and delightful weekend markets, and learn what makes them so unique - or, better yet, take a trip around the state, enjoy a slice of pie or two, and experience firsthand the magic of the weekend market. You’ll thank us later.
Shortcut links:
photo via cityseed.org
The Elm City has a multitude of farmers’ markets (year round!), and summer means that New Haven’s largest markets are bustling with activity. In addition to a wide selection of local produce, meat, seafood, and specialty foods from New Haven-area producers, you’ll find some of the city’s talented musicians performing live at both the Wooster Square and Edgewood Park markets each weekend.
Chester is one of those small towns bursting with New England charm, and its farmers’ market is no exception. Each Sunday, the quaint downtown fills with vendors offering fresh, local goods - including bread, cheese, honey, and just-cut flowers - and with Main Street closed to traffic, you’re free to wander at your own pace. Grab a slice of wood-fired pear pizza (yup!) from Frank Andrews Mobile Kitchen, peruse some of Chester’s independent art galleries, and enjoy the sounds of a lively lineup of local bands.
We never know what we’ll discover during a visit to Connecticut’s biggest farmers’ market! With an ever-changing assortment of vendors and a different market theme each week, Coventry Farmers’ Market is always chock full of unique offerings, like handmade pastas, local tea blends, olive oils, and fudge. We’re fans of CT Beer & BBQ Week (for obvious reasons!), the Festival of Fiber Arts Week, and Garlic Week… but, with chef demonstrations, recipe sampling, microbrews, and food trucks, any Sunday is a guaranteed good time. Located on the bucolic grounds of the historic Nathan Hale Homestead, the CFM is a major must-visit for any farmers market fan.
When it’s not a winter wonderland of snow sports, Powder Ridge Park transforms into a summer destination for mountain biking, zip lining, tubing, and - on Sundays - its outdoor mountainside market. Over 30 vendors - including artisans, antique dealers, craftsmen, and farmers - pack this market held rain or shine at the base of Middlefield’s Beseck Mountain each week. Enjoy a leisurely Sunday brunch at the Fire at the Ridge Lodge, then browse the market for a treasure or two and some fresh summer peaches.
photo via litchfieldfarmersmarket.org
Open year-round, the Litchfield Hills Farm Fresh Market moves outdoors in the middle of June, when you’ll find artisanal chocolates, breads, jams, pickles, and cheeses in addition to an array of fresh produce. We like to pick a warm, breezy weekend and take the backroads on our drive into the state’s Northwest Hills, enjoying the abundant farms, fields, and greenery as much as the farmers’ market finds.
photo via bridgeportfarmersmarkets.org
It’s no secret, we heart BPT! With eight markets in total (!) and three weekend markets, there’s almost alway an opportunity to find farms fresh goods right in the heart of Park City. Celebrating the vibrancy of Bridgeport’s neighborhoods, each market features live music, cooking demos, festivals, and other family-friendly activities in addition to local fare.
photo via masslive.com
You’ll find much more than veggies at the Suffield Farmers’ Market, where local artists and artisans join area farmers to create an eclectic variety of goods. Peruse for unique gifts for yourself and your loved ones, like fired copper jewelry, handcrafted wooden kitchen tools, fiber arts, soaps, jams, and more. Just don’t leave the Town of Farms without some sort of fresh produce in your basket, too!
photo via Stamford Patch
Despite its small footprint, Stamford’s Downtown Latham Park hosts a bustling Saturday market featuring a wide variety of locally-grown fruits, vegetables and flowers, breads, jams, baked goods, cheeses, oils, and more. On Sundays, head to the market at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center, where an interactive “Edible Science” workshop for young market-goers explores a different food-related question each week. Also available? Ice pops, jellies, soaps, pies, and Connecticut-grown popcorn!
Waterford’s Farmers’ Market offers some pretty distinctive items, including goat’s milk and cheese, locally prepared Mediterranean specialities, and alpaca rugs, towels, and other gifts. Also unique to this market is its Kid’s Passport Program, which offers free veggies to children who visit specific vendors for a passport stamp, and the chance to win a fun prize!
photo via growwindham.org
With the oldest farmers’ market in Connecticut, the “Thread City” has been supporting local growers and makers since 1976! Visit historic Jilson Square Park each Saturday for a taste of unique, locally-made specialties like donuts, hot sauce, gooseberry jam, apple cider, maple syrup, and more.
What’s your go-to Connecticut weekend market? We’re always looking for a good reason to take a Saturday morning drive and enjoy a hot donut. Happy market season!
What makes a weekend market so special? We’re not sure if it’s the laid back vibe, the live music, or the sun shining on our faces, but we could lay out a blanket and stay all day (and we do!). Check out our list of some of Connecticut’s delicious and delightful weekend markets, and learn what makes them so unique - or, better yet, take a trip around the state, enjoy a slice of pie or two, and experience firsthand the magic of the weekend market. You’ll thank us later.
Shortcut links:
New Haven | Chester | Coventry | Powder Ridge | Litchfield | Bridgeport | Suffield | Stamford | Waterford | Willimantic
New Haven
Saturdays (Wooster Square) 9 - 1
Sundays (Edgewood Park) 10 - 1
photo via cityseed.org
The Elm City has a multitude of farmers’ markets (year round!), and summer means that New Haven’s largest markets are bustling with activity. In addition to a wide selection of local produce, meat, seafood, and specialty foods from New Haven-area producers, you’ll find some of the city’s talented musicians performing live at both the Wooster Square and Edgewood Park markets each weekend.
Chester
Sundays 10 - 1
Opens June 16th
Chester is one of those small towns bursting with New England charm, and its farmers’ market is no exception. Each Sunday, the quaint downtown fills with vendors offering fresh, local goods - including bread, cheese, honey, and just-cut flowers - and with Main Street closed to traffic, you’re free to wander at your own pace. Grab a slice of wood-fired pear pizza (yup!) from Frank Andrews Mobile Kitchen, peruse some of Chester’s independent art galleries, and enjoy the sounds of a lively lineup of local bands.
Coventry
Sundays 11 - 2
We never know what we’ll discover during a visit to Connecticut’s biggest farmers’ market! With an ever-changing assortment of vendors and a different market theme each week, Coventry Farmers’ Market is always chock full of unique offerings, like handmade pastas, local tea blends, olive oils, and fudge. We’re fans of CT Beer & BBQ Week (for obvious reasons!), the Festival of Fiber Arts Week, and Garlic Week… but, with chef demonstrations, recipe sampling, microbrews, and food trucks, any Sunday is a guaranteed good time. Located on the bucolic grounds of the historic Nathan Hale Homestead, the CFM is a major must-visit for any farmers market fan.
Powder Ridge Mountainside Market
Sundays 11-3
When it’s not a winter wonderland of snow sports, Powder Ridge Park transforms into a summer destination for mountain biking, zip lining, tubing, and - on Sundays - its outdoor mountainside market. Over 30 vendors - including artisans, antique dealers, craftsmen, and farmers - pack this market held rain or shine at the base of Middlefield’s Beseck Mountain each week. Enjoy a leisurely Sunday brunch at the Fire at the Ridge Lodge, then browse the market for a treasure or two and some fresh summer peaches.Litchfield
Saturdays 10 - 1
photo via litchfieldfarmersmarket.org
Open year-round, the Litchfield Hills Farm Fresh Market moves outdoors in the middle of June, when you’ll find artisanal chocolates, breads, jams, pickles, and cheeses in addition to an array of fresh produce. We like to pick a warm, breezy weekend and take the backroads on our drive into the state’s Northwest Hills, enjoying the abundant farms, fields, and greenery as much as the farmers’ market finds.
Bridgeport
Saturdays 10 - 2 (Reservoir Community Farm)
Saturdays 9 -1 (Clinton Park)
Sundays 11 - 3 (East End)
photo via bridgeportfarmersmarkets.org
It’s no secret, we heart BPT! With eight markets in total (!) and three weekend markets, there’s almost alway an opportunity to find farms fresh goods right in the heart of Park City. Celebrating the vibrancy of Bridgeport’s neighborhoods, each market features live music, cooking demos, festivals, and other family-friendly activities in addition to local fare.
Suffield
Saturdays 9 - 12
Opens June 22nd
photo via masslive.com
You’ll find much more than veggies at the Suffield Farmers’ Market, where local artists and artisans join area farmers to create an eclectic variety of goods. Peruse for unique gifts for yourself and your loved ones, like fired copper jewelry, handcrafted wooden kitchen tools, fiber arts, soaps, jams, and more. Just don’t leave the Town of Farms without some sort of fresh produce in your basket, too!
Stamford
Saturdays 9 - 3 (Downtown)
Sundays 10 - 2 (Museum and Nature Center)
Opens June 22nd
photo via Stamford Patch
Despite its small footprint, Stamford’s Downtown Latham Park hosts a bustling Saturday market featuring a wide variety of locally-grown fruits, vegetables and flowers, breads, jams, baked goods, cheeses, oils, and more. On Sundays, head to the market at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center, where an interactive “Edible Science” workshop for young market-goers explores a different food-related question each week. Also available? Ice pops, jellies, soaps, pies, and Connecticut-grown popcorn!
Waterford
Saturdays 9 - 12
Opens June 15th
Waterford’s Farmers’ Market offers some pretty distinctive items, including goat’s milk and cheese, locally prepared Mediterranean specialities, and alpaca rugs, towels, and other gifts. Also unique to this market is its Kid’s Passport Program, which offers free veggies to children who visit specific vendors for a passport stamp, and the chance to win a fun prize!
Willimantic
Saturdays 8 - 12
photo via growwindham.org
With the oldest farmers’ market in Connecticut, the “Thread City” has been supporting local growers and makers since 1976! Visit historic Jilson Square Park each Saturday for a taste of unique, locally-made specialties like donuts, hot sauce, gooseberry jam, apple cider, maple syrup, and more.
What’s your go-to Connecticut weekend market? We’re always looking for a good reason to take a Saturday morning drive and enjoy a hot donut. Happy market season!
