London Ontario’s Farmers Markets: Complete Guide 2023

Ready to head to one of London Ontario’s farmers markets?

Who doesn’t enjoy the smell of coffee and freshly baked bread, the bustling market atmosphere, and the satisfaction of filling your fridge with great deals for the week ahead?

It’s no doubt that strolling around the market is one of the best free things to do in London and the perfect way to start out your weekend.

If you’re new to London or have never found yourself at one of London’s farmers markets, we are here to tell you all you need to know to plan your next market outing.

Table of Contents
1. Western Fair Farmers Market
2. Covent Garden Market
3. Trails End Farmers Market
4. Gibraltar Market
5. Masonville Farmers Market
6. Westmount Farmer’s Market
6. Farmers Market at Western University

Are London’s farmers markets open year round?

London’s indoor farmers markets are open year round. These include the Market at the Western Fair District (Saturdays and Sundays), Covent Garden Market (daily), Trails End Farmers Market (Saturdays), and Gibraltar Market (Saturdays and Sundays).

Are there outdoor farmers markets in London, Ontario?

Yes, London has seasonal outdoor farmers markets. The Covent Garden Market has an outdoor farmers market on Saturdays (8am-1pm) from Easter to December. The Western Fair Farmers Market extends outdoors in the summer months.

Masonville Farmers Market is a seasonal outdoor farmers market that runs from mid-May to early October. Hospitality Services at Western University also hosts a seasonal outdoor farmers market each Wednesday from June – November.

What is the best farmers market in London?

The Western Fair Market has also been voted best flea market and best farmers market in London for two years in a row. That said, which is “the best” is really up to personal preference.

We love going to the Western Fair Farmers Market most often. Most people gravitate towards any one of the markets and keep going back for reasons of personal preference.

1. Western Fair Farmers Market

Voted London’s best flea market and farmer’s market, the Market at the Western Fair District has an incredible community vibe.

On the main level of the Western Fair Market you will find stalls of fruits and vegetables (many run by farmers themselves), Common Ground Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), local and organic meat products, dairy, cheese, eggs and various other food and artisan products.

Some more specialty items you will find on the main level include maple syrup (direct from farm), bakeries, artisan tea blends, organic skin care products, artisan dog treats, and specialty cheeses.

You will also find apple fritters, London’s own Fire Roasted Coffee, organic seeds, spices and preserves, and many hot food vendors.

The upstairs of the market is home to more specialty gift and flea market vendors. You will find handcrafted jewelry, home and furniture items, handmade art, handmade candles, bakeshops, local clothing designers and apparel companies, and even vendors from a local brewery and distillery.

In the summer months, the farmers market extends outside into the parking lot in front of the main entrance to the market, bringing you even more local produce and artisan goods.

Certainly, one of the best parts about visiting the Western Fair Market is being able to purchase handmade products from so many innovative entrepreneurs in Southwestern Ontario.

One of our favourite examples of this are the incredible hand blended teas at Ceylon Select Tea on the main floor of the market. Dami is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Master Tea Sommelier and Tea Blender who hand crafts her tea blends to bring Londoners tea flavours that certainly rival the most well-known tea companies on the market.

Hosting countless other successful local businesses like Dami’s, Western Fair Market is the perfect example of how London believes in buying local and supporting small-scale and budding entrepreneurs.

Check out the market each week, Saturdays 8am-3pm, Sundays 10am-2pm.

2. Covent Garden Market

Covent Garden Market is one of downtown London’s best indoor attractions all year round. Open daily from 8am-6pm (or Sundays 11-4pm), this market hosts over 50 merchants.

You will find various cultural cuisines, chocolatiers, delis, bakeries, a homeopathic store, organic produce, meat and dairy vendors, artisans, florists and so much more.

With its convenient location downtown, Covent Garden Market is the perfect place to browse and eat on your lunch break. It’s also a convenient stop for anyone using public transit in the city.

Covent Garden Market expands its vendors on Saturdays from February-December to become specifically a farmers market, where every vendor is either the producer, grower, or maker of what’s sold. The Saturday Farmers Market is indoors in February and March (9am-1pm), and outdoors for the rest of the season as the weather warms (8am-1pm).

Some of the highlights of the Covent Garden Market include:

• The Tea Haus – boasting an incredible assortment of teas
• Hasbeans – London’s premier coffee roaster
• Hot Oven – hand-rolled phyllo pastries made in front of your eyes
• Smith Cheese – the largest selection of cheese in Ontario, with over 220 flavours
• Original Kids Theatre Company – non-profit children’s theater organization

Open 7 days a week all year, the indoor farmers and artisan market is always at your fingertips when you’re looking to buy that special gift or bring home a delicious treat.

3. Trails End Farmers Market

Trails End Farmers Market is the largest farmers market you will find in London, Ontario, and is worth visiting for that reason alone! The atmosphere at Trails End is full of energy as vendors and patrons bargain for deals, and the volume of produce found here is unparalleled at any other market in town.

Trails End Farmers Market is the place to go if you need to buy produce in bulk or if you’re set on finding the best deals. Come later in the day before closing and you’re likely to snag a good deal while vendors are looking to sell out their stock before closing.

Not all produce found at Trails End comes direct from farmers, as you will frequently find out-of-season produce. That said, there are still many farmers who drive in each week to sell their products.

Trails End Market also includes various hot food stalls, fresh meat vendors, cheeses, and baked goods. It is also a flea market, where you will deals on collectors items, clothes, antiques, décor, and artisan products.

If you’re looking to update your home décor, Trail’s End has a fabulous selection of country-style and one-of-a-kind finds.

Last but not least, Trails End has an incredible showroom of Canadian-made, handcrafted Mennonite furniture. This showroom is open daily, including during market days!

4. Gibraltar Market

Gibraltar Weekend Market is best categorized as a flea market, though it also does have some fresh produce, baked goods and meats typical of what you would find at a farmers market.

If you are in to collectibles, antiques, discount clothes, handmade crafts and décor, or fresh market foods, then you are likely to find that this market is what you’re looking for.

Amongst the aisles of shops and stalls of greatly discounted items, some of the highlights of this market include mouth-watering brisket at Big Mamma’s BBQ, FUR-Ever Raw Pet Foods, and Bears Den, the region’s largest native craft and and supplies outlet.

Located on Dundas Street in East London, the Gibraltar Market is open Saturday and Sundays, 9am-5pm.

5. Masonville Farmers Market

Masonville Farmers Market is North London’s seasonal outdoor farmers market. Located in the parking lot of Masonville Mall on Fridays from 8am-1pm from May 14 – October 8, 2022.

True to the traditional farmers market atmosphere, you will find produce and food products from lots of local farms and food artisans here. Fresh breads and baked goods, cheeses, fresh flower bouquets, honey, local meats, and of course tons of seasonal fruits and vegetables (among other items) are sold here each week.

6. Westmount Farmers Market

London’s newest farmers’ market is the Saturday outdoor market at Westmount Mall, in the parking lot behind the Cineplex. This market was founded with the goal of increasing food security, food justice and access to fresh, healthy foods for all members of the community regardless of income or status.

Vendors also include local artisans and independent retailers, with the majority being centred around food. The market also serves as a space for educational programming around healthy eating habits and sustainable agriculture.

Check out the colourful and dynamic Westmount Farmers Market each Saturday from 9-1pm from June-October!

7. Farmers Market at Western University

Each Wednesday from 10-2pm during June to November, farmers and local producers sell their produce and specialty food items outdoors at Western University in front of Weldon Library and the University Community Centre.

Students and staff will find this option to be most convenient to them, but other members of the community can also stop by to shop local. Many of the same vendors you will find at London’s other outdoor markets will be found here, bringing the best seasonal and artisan food items to more corners of London.

Wrap-Up: London Ontario’s Farmers Markets

If you are someone who values unique items, great deals, and amazingly fresh foods, then take a friend or load up the kids and head over to the farmers market. This is truly one of the best fun and free things to do in London, Ontario in any season.

With such amazing markets scattered throughout the city, supporting local farmers, producers and entrepreneurs has never been easier. And if you ate today, remember to thank a farmer!

👉 Looking for more fun ways to explore London, Ontario? Check out some of the best things to do in London, best day trips from London, the city’s best date ideas, and the most beautiful trails!