Year round (or almost) markets
ByWard Market
Daily, May to October, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Night Market on Thursdays, July to September, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Special events often take place on weekends.
One of the oldest farmers’ markets in Canada, the ByWard Market is within walking distance of Parliament Hill and many downtown hotels. Surrounded by historic buildings, you can browse for fresh produce, flowers and more. Don't miss the nearby stores specializing in cheeses, meat, seafood, spices, oils and other gourmet ingredients.
Parkdale Market
Daily, May to October, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The historic Parkdale Market, founded in 1924, is in vibrant Wellington West, not far from the Tunney’s Pasture O-Train station in the lively Hintonburg neighbourhood. As well as fresh foods of all kinds, it’s a great place to shop for planters, hanging baskets and bedding plants in spring, and Christmas trees and wreaths from late November to Christmas Eve.
Ottawa Farmers’ Market
Sundays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., year round; plus extended December hours
The weekly Ottawa Farmers’ Market (OFM) is held year round at Lansdowne Park in the central Glebe neighbourhood. The event normally features more than 100 vendors based within 100 kilometres of Ottawa, as well as local food retailers and artisans. The stalls are outdoors from spring through fall and inside the historic Aberdeen Pavilion in cooler weather. In December, the OFM expands to Saturdays and Sundays for its holiday edition, plus there's a separate and festive outdoor Christmas market as well.
Ottawa Organic Farmers’ Market
Saturdays, 10 a.m. to noon, year round
You can find organic products at many markets, but all of the vendors at the Ottawa Organic Farmers’ Market are passionate about organic agriculture. This event, which started in 1989, is held at Riverside United Church in Ottawa’s near south end.
Seasonal markets
Urban flavours
Several lively urban neighbourhoods near the city centre host weekly markets from roughly May through October.
- Beechwood Market (Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) in the traditionally francophone but increasingly multicultural Vanier area near New Edinburgh;
- Main Street Farmers' Market (Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) in a rapidly changing neighbourhood bordered by the Rideau River and the Rideau Canal;
- Westboro Farmers' Market (Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) where Ottawa Farmers' Market vendors sell their wares in a park in Westboro Village, one of Ottawa’s trendiest ‘hoods;
- Alta Vista Market (Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) at St. Thomas the Apostle Church;
- Elgin Street Market (Sundays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) at Boushey Square, conveniently located downtown for easy access.
Suburban settings
Just outside the city's greenbelt, several suburbs host weekly markets from roughly May through October.
Countryside communities
The vast area surrounding Ottawa—where most farms are located—hosts market events with a countryside flair from roughly May through October.
- Manotick Farmers’ Market (Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) held in a picturesque Rideau River village just south of Barrhaven where you can also check out a working 19th-century gristmill;
- Metcalfe Farmers’ Market (Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) in the city's southeast at the Metcalfe Fairgrounds, the site of one of Ontario’s oldest agricultural fairs (it dates back to 1856!);
- Carp Farmers’ Market (Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.) in the west-end village of Carp, which is also home to the Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum, a fascinating former military bunker;
- Cumberland Farmers' Market (Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) in a community east of Orléans;
- The Original Navan Market (once a month on a Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.) in a community south of Orléans.
