Ottawa has one of the densest clusters of farmers markets in Ontario, from a market that predates Confederation to newer community markets that pop up seasonally in the suburbs. This list was put together from each market's own website or social page, Ottawa Tourism's market listings, and community association event pages, and it favours markets with a verifiable location, schedule, and history rather than pop-up stalls that come and go.
1. Ottawa Farmers' Market at Lansdowne
Area: Glebe, Lansdowne Park · Since: 2006
This is the big one: about 80 local vendors set up outside the Aberdeen Pavilion on Sundays from May through October, then move indoors into the historic pavilion for a smaller winter market from January to April. In the weeks before Christmas it runs a holiday market on both Saturdays and Sundays. It suits anyone who wants one stop for produce, meat, cheese, and prepared food rather than driving between several small markets.
2. ByWard Market
Area: Lower Town, downtown Ottawa · Since: 1826
Established by Lieutenant-Colonel John By, this is the oldest food market in Ottawa and one of the oldest in the country, open 363 days a year and closed only for Christmas and New Year's Day. Over 150 stands line George, York, ByWard, and William streets, mixing farmer-run produce stalls with craft vendors and the surrounding restaurants and shops. It's less a single curated market than an entire historic district, which makes it the pick for visitors who want market browsing folded into a full day out downtown.
3. Ottawa Organic Farmers' Market
Area: Riverside United Church, near south end (Riverside Drive) · Since: 1989
Running every Saturday morning, year-round, from 10 a.m. to noon, this market has stuck to a single premise since it started: every vendor sells certified or transitional organic goods. It's a smaller, quieter market than Lansdowne, with free parking at the church lot, and it suits shoppers who specifically want organic sourcing rather than a mixed conventional-and-organic stall lineup.
4. Main Farmers' Market
Area: Old Ottawa East, Grande Allée Park · Frequency: Saturdays
A community-run market with more than 20 local vendors gathering every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the neighbourhood's newer Grande Allée Park. Alongside produce, meat, dairy, and baked goods, it runs a small food court and live music, which gives it a more neighbourhood-block-party feel than the larger downtown markets. It's a good pick for residents of Old Ottawa East and Old Ottawa South who want a walkable option rather than a destination drive.
5. Parkdale Market
Area: Hintonburg, Wellington West, near Tunney's Pasture · Since: 1924
The second-oldest market in Ottawa, Parkdale Market runs produce, flower, and plant vendors seven days a week from early May to early November, with a more limited Sunday market (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) continuing year-round. In summer it also hosts a Wednesday-evening Parkdale Night Market with food vendors and live entertainment. It suits shoppers in the west end who want daily access to fresh produce rather than a once-a-week event.
6. Kanata Farmers' Market
Area: Kanata, Centrum (Kanata Ave) · Frequency: Saturdays, seasonal
This west-end market runs Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through the spring-to-fall season at the Centrum on Kanata Avenue. It gives Kanata and the west end a local option so residents don't have to drive downtown to Lansdowne or the ByWard Market for the same kind of weekly produce run. Details on vendor lineup and exact seasonal dates are best confirmed directly through the market's Facebook page or website closer to opening weekend.
7. Metcalfe Farmers' Market
Area: Metcalfe, at the Metcalfe Fairgrounds · Frequency: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A producer-based market, meaning everything sold has to be made, grown, or created by the vendor themselves rather than resold. It draws more than 45 weekly vendors to the Metcalfe Fairgrounds and, according to the market's own site, won the City of Ottawa's award for best farmers' market for six years running as of 2026. It's a drive from the urban core, which makes it more of a rural-market outing than a weekly errand for most Ottawa residents, but the producer-only rule is a genuine point of difference.
8. Manotick Farmers' Market
Area: Manotick, Carriage Shed parking lot across from Watson's Mill · Frequency: Saturdays, June to October
Running Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from June through mid-October, this market sits right across from Watson's Mill, one of Manotick's better-known landmarks, which makes it an easy pairing with a stroll through the village. It suits south-end and rural Ottawa residents looking for a small-town market atmosphere without the crowds of the bigger downtown markets.
9. Carp Farmers' Market
Area: Carp, at the Carp Agricultural Fairgrounds · Since: 1990
By its own account this is the largest producer-based farmers' market in Eastern Ontario, with more than 100 vendors selling produce, baked goods, and crafts at the Carp Fairgrounds. It opened in 1990 with a crowd of 1,000 people on its first day and grew fast in its first month, according to the market's own history page. Its size and rural fairground setting make it worth the drive west for shoppers who want more of a day-trip market experience than a quick weekly stop.
10. Orléans Farmers' Market
Area: Orléans, Ray Friel Recreation Complex parking lot · Frequency: Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., May to October
Run under the same Ottawa Farmers' Market organization as the Lansdowne market, this Orléans location gives the east end a weekday option with more than 35 vendors selling produce sourced from within about 100 kilometres of Ottawa. The Thursday afternoon timing makes it a practical after-work or after-school stop for east-end residents rather than a weekend destination.
How We Built This List
This list was compiled from publicly available sources, including each market's own website or social media page, Ottawa Tourism's market listings, and community association pages, current as of August 2026. It is not a paid placement, and no business on it has any connection to ottown or its operator. Details like hours and vendor counts can change seasonally, so it's worth checking a market's own page before visiting.
Sources: Ottawa Farmers' Market, ByWard Market District Authority, Ottawa Organic Farmers' Market, Metcalfe Farmers' Market, Carp Farmers' Market, Ottawa Tourism
