Your Guide to Hamilton Farmers' Market: Food, Events, Hours, Parking & More
This Isn’t Your Typical Farmer’s Market
The Hamilton Farmer’s Market was established in 1837 and is one of oldest continuously operating farmers' markets in Ontario.
But this isn’t your typical farmer’s market with rows of fruits and veggies, fresh bread, etc. This market offers way more than just fresh produce - it’s packed with unique finds!
The Hamilton Farmer’s Market is a fully indoor market and is open year-round with more than 50 vendors selling local, national, and international foods.
You can get anything from specialty meats and cheeses, to bread and baked goods, flowers, specialty foods, artisan products, and so much more.
Unfortunately, not many people know about the unique offerings this market has. That’s why at 360Hamilton, we’re on a mission to ensure everyone can find and access Hamilton’s Farmer’s Market. So, we’ve made this informative video and blog post to help you do just that.
Get the inside look on the market in our video, and more of the nitty gritty details in our blog post (like how to get there, parking, and hours). Whatever way you like to learn, we’ve got you covered!
Where is Hamilton?
Hamilton, Ontario is a bustling city about an hour’s drive from Toronto, Ontario. It’s known for its unique culture, art, and culinary scene.
Its streets are lined with the aroma of mouthwatering restaurants, cafes and eateries, welcoming hungry pedestrians in from the elements.
One of the things that makes the Hamilton Farmer’s Market so unique is its location in the heart of downtown Hamilton. The Market sits inside the ‘Jackson Square Mall,’ just steps from Hamilton’s busiest streets.
Another cool fact is that the Market shares a building with the Hamilton Central Public Library, which you can learn about in our blog post and video here.
Hours of Operation
The Hamilton Farmer’s Market is open Wednesday to Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm (8 to 5 on Saturdays) and is located at 35 York Blvd. in Hamilton, Ontario.
How To Get There
It’s about an hour’s drive from Toronto. If you’re in the city, you can reach it by bus, too. The Hamilton Farmer’s Market website notes that you can take the following bus routes to get there:
HSR #7 – Locke Eastbound @ Bus Stop #2986
HSR #8 – York Eastbound @ Bus Stop #2986
HSR #4 – Bayfront Eastbound @ Bus Stop #1014
From the MacNab bus terminal, the Market is just a short walk, heading through Jackson Square.
Parking (for Vehicles + Bikes)
According to the Hamilton Farmer’s Market website, there is free, one-hour parking available at the York Boulevard Parkade at 28 York Blvd.
There are also bike racks in front of the Market just west of the York Boulevard entrance, next to the Hamilton Public Library. You can also access a ‘Hamilton Bike Share’ hub just steps away from the York Boulevard entrance.
Paid parking lots are scattered nearby, however, parking in Hamilton can get quite expensive. Plus, most parking machines in Hamilton require you to use a credit card for payment, so be mindful of this.
The Hamilton Farmer’s Market: A Community Hub
The Hamilton Farmer’s Market is a massive community hub. Beyond shopping, the market regularly hosts cooking demonstrations, tastings, and educational workshops - there’s always something happening that connects you with food or your community in new ways.
Take the upcoming 'Spooky Saturday for example. The Market lists on their website that this upcoming event is on Saturday, October 26th from 10 am – 2 pm. You can create, decorate, and customize “Spooky Houses” using laser-cut cardboard and Halloween-themed decorations! This event is to be held in the York Blvd. room on the right, as soon as you enter the Market.
As you can see, the Hamilton Farmer’s Market is not just a place to shop but a place to learn and grow, and it has been for over a century.
“The Original Hamilton Farmer’s Market Building”
Image Source: https://hamiltonfarmersmarket.ca/history/
The Hamilton Farmer’s Market - History
The Hamilton Farmers’ Market was established in 1837 and is one of Hamilton’s oldest and most cherished traditions.
In 1885, the Market Hall was built, which was an astonishing piece of architecture. The building, which was located on James Street North, was used for the Farmer’s Market, with the main floor of the building known as the Market Hall and the upstairs to be used by City Council.
The market sheds housed stalls for butchers, dairy and poultry farmers. Fruit and vegetable farmers sold their goods out of wagons. In 1890, the new City Hall building opened, with a year-round “open-air Farmer’s Market.”
By 1917, a fire had consumed the original Market Hall. Fortunately, the open-air market remained busy. In fact, it was considered the largest open-air Market in Canada for the first half of the 20th century.
In 1922, permanent shelters were built in the streets for vendors, but by the 1950’s, however, the Market was a bottleneck in the city’s one-way street system.
Although at the time, the market only ran 3 days a week, slowly but surely, stalls around the market were removed.
In 1958, and after 8 years of debate, the City Council voted to clear the Market place and build a parking garage at York and MacNab, promising to preserve the nature, characteristics, and atmosphere of an open-air farmer’s market.
By the end of the 1960’s, work began on an ambitious urban renewal plan, making room for the current market’s location and in the fall of 1980, the Market moved into its current home where it stands proudly today.
In 2011, the space underwent a major renovation, bringing a cherished historic landmark back to life.
“The Open-Air Market at City Hall”
Image Source: https://hamiltonfarmersmarket.ca/history/
“The Open-Air Market, City Hall”
Image Source: https://hamiltonfarmersmarket.ca/history/
“Hamilton Marketplace, 1950’s”
Image Source: https://hamiltonfarmersmarket.ca/history/
“Parking Garage”
Image Source: https://hamiltonfarmersmarket.ca/history/
Stop By Hamilton’s Farmer’s Market – You Won’t Be Disappointed
If you haven’t experienced the Hamilton Farmer’s Market yet, now’s the time! Whether you’re a longtime Hamiltonian or a visitor passing through, there’s something here for everyone.
Come for the fresh produce, stay for the warm food, and leave knowing you’ve supported a tradition that’s been part of Hamilton’s fabric for nearly 200 years.
Visit the Hamilton Farmer’s Market at 35 York Blvd. In Hamilton, ON Wednesday to Saturday (9 am to 5 pm) and (8 am to 5 pm on Saturdays).
Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamilton_Farmer%27s_Market
At 360Hamilton, we’re on a mission to change the way people connect to the information they need. That's why we’re actively creating content like this video about Hamilton’s Farmer’s Market, and our blog post, which will help you get to know the wonderful city of Hamilton.
But that’s not all we've been up to. We’re also building online platforms that will enable you to provide a one-stop shop in support of your own community, no matter where you are.
Stay tuned for what’s ahead at www.360hamilton.ca. Soon, you’ll be able to combine innovative tools from videos, blog posts, news articles, online stores, collaboration, and more - all in ONE convenient location.
