Fresh From the Farm: Your Guide to Annapolis Valley Farmers’ Markets

There’s a moment that defines a visit to the Annapolis Valley, and it usually happens after you turn off the aptly named Harvest Highway and find a local farmers’ market. 

Maybe it’s the scent of fresh-baked sourdough drifting across the grass, or a local farmer handing you a perfectly ripe apple plucked off the tree that morning. Maybe it’s the sound of a fiddle interspersed between the laughter of fellow patrons. Whatever it is, it stops you in your tracks and reminds you why this stretch of Nova Scotia is one of the most beloved corners of Atlantic Canada.

From the vineyards and university town of Wolfville in the east to the seafront of Digby in the west, the Annapolis Valley is home to many weekly farmers’ markets that celebrate everything the region grows, makes, and creates. Whether you’re a visitor for the weekend or a local looking to explore more of your own backyard, here’s your complete guide to the best markets along the way.

When: Thursdays, 3pm – 7pm | June 4th through September 17th
Where: Aurora Inn, 831 Main St, Kingston, NS

If you’re staying with us at the Aurora Inn, the Kingston Farmers’ Market is literally right outside your door! 

Set on the beautiful grassy grounds of our hotel, we are proud co-founders of the Kingston Farmers’ Market, which is a Thursday afternoon tradition that draws over 50 vendors from across the Valley. The market is built on a simple yet powerful idea: creating genuine connections between farmers, artisans, and the community they feed. What’s emerged is something rare; it’s a market that feels less like a shopping trip and more like a celebration.

Every week, live local musicians set the mood while families spread out on the lawn, children take part in the dedicated kids’ area, and curious visitors wander between stalls piled high with the season’s best. You’ll find everything from fresh fruits, vegetables, and pastured meats to hand-poured soy candles, artisanal soaps, custom cakes, craft beer and cider, and some of the finest baked goods in the province. Interactive workshops – from cooking demonstrations to gardening tips – round out an afternoon that locals come back to week after week.

When: Saturdays, 8:30am – 1pm | Year-round
Where: 24 Elm Ave

The Wolfville Farmers’ Market is one of the busiest year-round markets in all of Nova Scotia, drawing more than 65 vendors every single Saturday to a beautiful turn-of-the-century apple warehouse on Elm Avenue.

What makes Wolfville special is its consistency and depth. This market runs rain or shine, summer and winter, and it has done so since 1992. Farmers, bakers, cheesemakers, chefs, herbalists, and artisans all share the floor in a market that feels genuinely rooted in its community. In the warmer months, the market spills outside onto Front Street, giving the whole event a festive, open-air energy.

Wolfville has also pioneered creative initiatives that put it ahead of the curve, including WFM2Go, an online ordering and hub delivery service for market products. Come for the fresh produce and stay for the live music, the community atmosphere, and the best Saturday morning in the Valley.

When: Wednesdays, 10am – 2pm | Mid-May until Christmas
Where: Centre Square, downtown Kentville (summer); Kentville Recreation Centre, 350 Main St (winter)

Kentville’s Farmers’ Market is a midweek highlight for locals and visitors passing through Kings County on Wednesdays. Operating for eight months of the year from the heart of downtown Kentville, it prides itself on 100% local products. Everything on the tables was grown, raised, or made right here in Nova Scotia.

The outdoor summer market in Centre Square is a lively spot, with music and activities adding to the atmosphere. The indoor winter edition moves to the Recreation Centre, keeping the community connected to its farmers and producers even in the coldest months. It’s a smaller, more intimate market than some of its neighbours, but that’s part of its charm.

When: Saturdays, 9am – 1pm (May–Oct) and 9am – 12pm (Oct-May); Wednesdays, 4:00–7:30 pm (June–Sept) 
Where: Market Square, 178 St George St. (summer); St. Luke Anglican Church, 340 St. George St. (winter)

Reputed to be the largest outdoor market in Nova Scotia, the Annapolis Royal Farmers’ & Traders’ Market is a genuine institution. It operates year-round on Saturdays, adding a popular Wednesday evening market during the summer months. While the winter markets are demonstrably smaller, they are still worthy of a visit.

Annapolis Royal itself is an attraction: a National Historic District packed with heritage architecture, galleries, and restaurants. The market fits the town perfectly; it’s eclectic, vibrant, and deeply connected to the Annapolis Valley’s agricultural heritage. Expect local produce, baked goods, crafts, plants, and a warm community atmosphere that keeps people coming back season after season.

When: Fridays & Sundays, 10am – 3pm | June through September
Where: Admiral’s Walk, Water St., Digby, NS

At the western end of your Valley journey, Digby’s market might just have the most stunning backdrop of them all. Set along Admiral’s Walk on the Digby waterfront, this outdoor market looks out over the sparkling Annapolis Basin, with colourful fishing vessels moored at the Digby Wharf and the open Bay of Fundy beyond.

Vendors offer a wonderfully eclectic mix: fresh produce, prepared hot meals, baked goods, wines and ciders, clothing, fabric art, woodwork, pottery, stained glass, jewelry, jams, preserves, honey, and more. There’s truly something for everyone, and the view is absolutely free.

Digby is also famous for its scallop fleet, and the town’s waterfront restaurants serve some of the freshest scallops you’ll ever taste. Make a morning of the market, then linger over lunch by the harbour.

The Valley’s market culture runs deep, and a few more stops are worth adding to your itinerary:

• North Mountain United Tapestry Market (United Church, Harbourville): Runs on Saturdays, June through October. Enjoy this scenic Bay of Fundy stop with local produce and artisan goods.
• Bear River Night Market (116 Wharf Street, Bear River): Occurs biweekly on Wednesdays, June through October. Enjoy good food, good music, and good company.
• Your Valley Farmers’ Market (570 Main Street, Lawrencetown): Mondays from 4 to 7pm from May to September. Focuses on food accessibility, community growth, and agriculture in the Annapolis Valley.

The beauty of the Annapolis Valley farmers’ market circuit is that no two markets are exactly alike; each one reflects the community it serves and the land it draws from. Together, they form a kind of living portrait of the region: its farms, flavours, people, and seasons.

A few tips for making the most of your market visits:

• Bring cash and a canvas bag. While you can pay most with a card, many vendors prefer cash. And trust us, you’ll need a canvas bag (or two) to put all the good things you find!
• Go early to Wolfville and Annapolis Royal. Popular items (especially baked goods and specialty meats) sell out fast.
• Linger in Kingston. The Thursday afternoon timing makes it a natural anchor for an evening in the Valley. Grab something from a vendor; we also have food trucks serving warm meals, and find a spot at a table, or on the lawn, to enjoy a picnic.
• Pair markets with nearby attractions. Wolfville sits minutes from Grand Pré National Historic Site; Annapolis Royal has Fort Anne and gardens to explore; Digby offers whale watching along Digby Neck.

What farmers’ markets are open in the Annapolis Valley?

Several markets run throughout the Valley during the summer season, with a few open year-round. Key ones include the Kingston Farmers’ Market (Thursdays, June 4th – September 17th), the Wolfville Farmers’ Market (Saturdays, year-round), the Kentville Farmers’ Market (Wednesdays, mid-May to Christmas), the Annapolis Royal Farmers’ & Traders’ Market (Saturdays, year-round), and the Digby Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market (Fridays and Sundays, June–September).

Which Annapolis Valley farmers’ market is open year-round?

Both the Wolfville Farmers’ Market and the Annapolis Royal Farmers’ & Traders’ Market operate year-round.

What is the largest farmers’ market in Nova Scotia?

The Annapolis Royal Farmers’ & Traders’ Market is reputed to be the largest outdoor farmers’ market in Nova Scotia. It operates on Saturdays in Market Square, Annapolis Royal, from May through October, with a popular Wednesday evening market added during the summer months.

Are the Annapolis Valley farmers’ markets good for tourists?

Absolutely! The markets are welcoming to visitors and a wonderful way to experience local food, meet producers, and pick up unique handmade goods as souvenirs. Most are dog- and family-friendly and free to enter. Make a day of it: they also pair beautifully with nearby signature attractions, including Grand Pré National Historic Site near Wolfville, whale watching near Digby, and the historic district of Annapolis Royal.

What days of the week have farmers’ markets in the Annapolis Valley?

During the summer season, there’s a market nearly every day of the week: Thursdays in Kingston, Fridays and Sundays in Digby, Saturdays in Wolfville and Annapolis Royal, and Wednesdays in Kentville. Bear River also hosts a biweekly Wednesday evening market from June through October.

Staying with us in Kingston? The Kingston Farmers’ Market takes place just steps from the Aurora Inn every Thursday evening. Ask us at the front desk for our favourite market picks of the season.