August 4 through 10 is National Farmers Market Week. Celebrated the first full week of August each year, National Farmers Market Week serves as a way to honor all those impactful contributions by hardworking area farmers and small business owners to weekly or seasonal farmers market setups within a designated region or local area.
By attending various farmers markets throughout your region, you’re also helping to support your area’s “shop local” initiative. In return, you benefit from the freshest finds of homegrown goodness, just-caught fish and seafood, fresh-out-of-the-oven baked goodies, and a wide range of homemade products and artisan crafts developed locally rather than imported.
Maryland boasts more than 140 farmers markets. Some are seasonal operations while a select few occur year-round. I just love making my rounds by attending all the different area farmers markets wherever I go. So, in the spirit of National Farmers Market Week, I’m sharing a few of my favorite farmers markets to frequent throughout the State of Maryland.
Anne Arundel Farmers Market
275 Harry S. Truman Pkwy, Annapolis, MD 21401
A tradition spanning more than four decades in the making, this market is open on weekends. Saturday operations are between 7 a.m. and noon seasonally, April through December. Sunday operations are from 9 a.m. to noon year-round. Learn more by visiting their website.
Baltimore County Farmers Market at the Maryland State Fair
2200 York Rd, Timonium, MD 21093 (Main Gate entrance)
Now in its 14th year, this market operates every Wednesday, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. between June and October. Click the website link for more information.
Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar
E. Saratoga St & Holliday St, Baltimore, MD 21202
A long-time staple since 1977, this unique setup, located just underneath the Jones Falls Expressway, is Maryland’s largest farmers’ market. Operations are every Sunday between 7 a.m. to noon from April to December. Free parking is available during market hours. Visit the site to learn more.
Bel Air Farmers’ Market
2 S. Bond St, Bel Air, MD 21014
Lining the surrounding District Court area, this Harford County favorite is open every Saturday, rain or shine, from 8 a.m. to noon. Seasonal operations begin in early April and run through the last Saturday before Thanksgiving. The winter market with reduced hours begins the Saturday after Thanksgiving and runs through Christmas. Click here for more.
Berlin Farmers Market
N. Main St, Berlin, MD 21811
One of the Eastern Shore’s finest farmers market setups, the scene is always buzzing with loads of fun and festive events and endeavors to delight in throughout Main Street. They even have a petting zoo! The farmers market runs every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. between May and October. Visit the Main Street Berlin Homepage for details.
Bethesda Central Farm Market
7600 Arlington Rd, Bethesda, MD 20814 (Bethesda Elementary School)
As one of the largest markets in the greater D.C. region, you can enjoy visits to this multifaceted vendor setup year-round. Operating times are from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. between January and February and from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. between March and December. Do take note that the market is closed on Thanksgiving weekend. Go to the website to learn more.
Boonsboro Farmers Market
241 Potomac St, Boonsboro, MD 21713
Here is a seasonal favorite among locals still going strong after a decade and counting. The Boonsboro Farmers Market occurs every Tuesday afternoon between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. from May through October. Discover more about it by visiting the website.
Carroll County Farmers Market
706 Agricultural Center Dr, Westminster, MD 21157
Established in 1971, this market is the oldest of its kind in the county. Located onsite of the Ag Center, which plays host to other events year-round in addition, seasonal market operations take place every Saturday from 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. between the springtime and end of the holiday season. Visit the website to learn more.
Chestertown Farmers Market
200/300 Block High St, Chestertown, MD 21620
Held at Fountain Park in Downtown Chestertown, is market is a year-round operation. Hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. Read more by navigating to the link.
Deep Creek Farmers Market
Mosser Rd, McHenry, MD 21541
On location of Parking Lot A at Garrett College, these farmers markets occur every Friday afternoon between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. The season runs from May to October. Click here to find out more.
Downtown Sykesville Farmers Market
7565 Main St, Sykesville, MD 21784
A beloved Main Street mainstay in the heart of historic Downtown Sykesville, market operations take place every Sunday beginning at 9 a.m. and lasting until 1 p.m., rain or shine. The season runs from the end of May through the end of October. Go to the website for all other information.
Downtown Westminster Farmers Market
Railroad Ave, Westminster, MD 21157
A Carroll County community favorite among locals since 1994, the Westminster Farmers Market is held in the heart of Downtown Westminster on Saturdays between 8 a.m. and noon. Seasonal operations are between May and November. Visit the link for all other information.
Emmitsburg Farmers Market
302 S. Seton Ave, Emmitsburg, MD 21727
A quaint community tradition spanning over two decades, market operations occur every Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The season runs from June through September. Learn more by visiting the site link.
Field Fresh Farmers Market/Frederick Farmers Market
797 E. Patrick St, Frederick, MD 21701
1215 W. Patrick St, Frederick, MD 21702
Head to Patrick Street on Saturday and you have two great farmers markets to check out. Go on over to Lot A of the Frederick Fairgrounds to experience the Field Fresh Farmers Market between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., April through November (excluding the two weeks of the Frederick Fair). The Frederick Farmers Market, held at Willowtree Plaza on W. Patrick, is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. from late April through late November. Learn more about the Field Fresh Farmers Market here and the Frederick Farmers Market here.
Frederick City Farmers Market
331 N. Market St. Downtown Frederick, Maryland
Here’s another featured favorite for Frederick locals and visitors alike. As the name implies, the Frederick City Farmers Market is held in the heart of Downtown Frederick every Sunday between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. The season runs from May through November. Click here to learn more.
Hampstead Farmers’ Market
1400 Panther Dr, Hampstead, MD 21074
Held onsite at Hampstead’s Pantherplex every year since 2010, these seasonal markets continue as a contested community tradition. Operations are every Saturday between 8:30 a.m. and noon during the months of June and September. Discover more on the website.
Havre de Grace Farmers Market
100 St John St, Havre De Grace, MD 21078
You’ll find this scenic market, the epitome of small-town coastal quaint charm, located at the 100 block of St. John Street and Hutchins Park. Operations occur from 8:30 a.m. to noon every Saturday between May and December. Visit the link to learn more.
North Beach Farmers Market
9010 Chesapeake Ave, North Beach, MD 20714
A longtime North Beach community tradition, this market is held in the North Beach Senior Center parking lot every Saturday between 8 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. The market season runs from mid-April to the end of October. Click here for all other additional information.
Northwest Chamber Farmers Market
4770 Owings Mills Blvd (Hilton Inn)
This market setup can be found on location at the Hilton Inn—Owings Mills every Wednesday afternoon/evening from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The market season begins operations in late June and runs through mid-October. Go to the website to learn more.
Ocean Pines Farmers and Artisans Market
239 Ocean Pkwy, Ocean Pines, MD 21811
Held onsite at White Horse Park within the residential community of Ocean Pines, this versatile vendor setup is a year-round endeavor. It occurs weekly every Saturday with hours of operation being 9 a.m. to noon, October through February, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., March through September. Click the website link for details.
Olney Farmers and Artists Market
2801 Olney Sandy Spring Rd, Olney, MD 20832
Another year-round operation boasting a myriad of merchants, you’ll find this market located at MD-108 and Prince Philip Drive. They run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Sunday, rain or shine. Visit the site to learn more.
Reisterstown Farmers Market
120 Main St, Reisterstown, MD 21136 (Franklin Middle School)
One of the newer farmers market setups in the state, the Reisterstown Farmers Market is held weekly, every Sunday right out front of Franklin Middle School. Hours of operation are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market season runs between early June and the end of September. Click here to learn more.
St. Michael’s Farmers Market
206 S Talbot St, St Michaels, MD 21663
Here you have a small, independent, producer-only farmers market on Maryland’s Eastern Shore like no other. Perfect for rediscovering small-town waterfront quaintness, this event runs on Saturday mornings, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., between April and November. To learn more, visit the website.
Takoma Park Farmers Market
6931 Laurel Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912
A year-round operation, the Takoma Park Farmers Market boasts plentiful picks among regional vendors and merchants from all around. They are open every Sunday, rain or shine, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Click here for more information.
Towson Farmers Market
Allegheny Avenue, Towson, MD 21204
A real treat, particularly for those working right in the heart of bustling Towson on an extended lunch break, these seasonal market setups occur every Thursday between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Vendors showcase along Allegheny Avenue during the day, with the road temporarily blocked off to oncoming traffic. The Towson Farmers Market runs from June through November. Go to the website to learn more.
These are just a few of the hundreds of farmers markets to discover throughout Maryland. With every passing year even more excellent options emerge. If you’d like a fully comprehensive current, and always up-to-date reference for discovering all of the state’s great farmers markets, visit the Maryland’s Best website at www.marylandsbest.maryland.gov. You can download their Maryland Farmers Market Guide for 2024 right here for free.