NotesToronto
Toronto's markets, a practical guide: which one, which day, and how to get there
St. Lawrence, Kensington, the Brick Works, Wychwood Barns and Trinity Bellwoods are five very different places. Here is what each is actually like, and when it runs.
Toronto does not have one market culture. It has a public market owned by the City, a neighbourhood that is itself called a market, and a set of farmers' markets that each belong to a particular corner of the city. They suit different errands and different days of the week.
This guide covers five, with what each is good for and when it runs. Days and hours were checked in late September 2026 against each market's own page or the City's. Seasonal markets change their dates from year to year, so confirm on the market's site before a special trip.
St. Lawrence Market: the everyday one
Where: Front Street East at Jarvis Street, Old Town. When: the South Market is open six days a week, Tuesday to Sunday, and closed on Mondays; the market lists 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The Saturday farmers' market in the North building starts early, at 5 a.m.
St. Lawrence works for ordinary shopping as well as for visitors: butchers, fishmongers, cheese, bakeries and produce under one roof, in the South Market building. The City of Toronto owns and manages the district, which it describes as three buildings: St. Lawrence Hall, the South Market and the North Market.
The North building, across Front Street from the South Market, is new. It was rebuilt and hosted its first Saturday farmers' market on April 5, 2025, with a grand opening event on May 10, 2025. On Saturdays it holds the farmers' market. On Sundays it now hosts Antiques at St. Lawrence Market, a weekly antiques market run by an outside organizer, which the market lists from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with free admission and no market on the last Sunday of each month.
How to use it: go on a weekday for the South Market without the crowds. Go early on Saturday if the farmers' market is the point; the best of it goes first. It is a short walk from King or Union stations.
Kensington Market: the neighbourhood
Where: the blocks west of Spadina Avenue, roughly between College and Dundas streets. When: every day; shops keep their own hours.
Kensington is not a single market but a neighbourhood of small independent shops, grocers, bakeries, cafés and vintage stores on narrow streets. Parks Canada lists it as a National Historic Site of Canada. It is best for wandering, for food from many countries in a few blocks, and for independent shops of a kind that are hard to find elsewhere downtown.
Pedestrian Sundays are its best-known event: on the last Sunday of the month in the warm season, Augusta Avenue closes to cars and the street fills with people, music and stalls. The 2026 series runs from noon to 7 p.m., with remaining dates on September 27 and October 25.
How to use it: come on foot, by the College or Dundas streetcars or the Spadina streetcar. Parking is scarce and the streets are narrow.
Evergreen Brick Works: the farmers' market in a ravine
Where: 550 Bayview Avenue, in the Don Valley. When: Saturday mornings, year-round. The market is outdoors from May to October and moves indoors from November to April.
The Brick Works is a former brickworks in the Don Valley, now run as a public space by the charity Evergreen. The Saturday market is set among the old industrial buildings, with trails into the valley around it. It is a good morning out rather than a quick errand.
How to use it: the site sits at the bottom of the valley and is awkward to reach on foot. Evergreen runs a free shuttle from Broadview subway station, and the TTC's 28 Bayview South bus runs from Davisville station. Start time on Saturdays has been listed as both 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.; check Evergreen's page before going.
Wychwood Barns: the neighbourhood farmers' market
Where: 601 Christie Street, near St. Clair Avenue West. When: Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., year-round; outdoors from May to October, inside the barn from November to April.
The Wychwood Barns are former streetcar repair barns converted into an arts and community centre. The Saturday market is run by The Stop Community Food Centre, a local charity, and has the feel of a neighbourhood market: farmers, bakers and prepared food, with Wychwood Barns Park next door for children.
How to use it: take the 512 St. Clair streetcar. Pair it with a walk through the surrounding streets.
Trinity Bellwoods: the weeknight one
Where: the northwest corner of Trinity Bellwoods Park, near Dundas Street West and Shaw Street. When: Tuesdays, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., rain or shine, through the growing season. The 2026 season runs from May 5 to October 27.
A small, after-work market on the edge of one of the city's busiest parks. It is the answer to "where can I buy produce from a farmer on a weekday?" in the west end.
How to use it: the 505 Dundas streetcar stops beside the park.
One that has closed
The Nathan Phillips Square Farmers' Market, which ran on Wednesdays outside City Hall, has closed; its organizers announced the decision on the market's website. Older guides still list it.
Picking one
| If you want | Go to | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries, any weekday | St. Lawrence South Market | Tuesday to Saturday |
| A Saturday farmers' market downtown | St. Lawrence North | Saturday, early |
| A morning out with a walk | Evergreen Brick Works | Saturday |
| A neighbourhood market with children | Wychwood Barns | Saturday |
| A weekday farmers' market | Trinity Bellwoods | Tuesday afternoon |
| Wandering, eating, browsing | Kensington Market | Any day; last Sunday of the month in season |
| Antiques | St. Lawrence North | Most Sundays |
A last practical note: bring a bag or two of your own, and some cash in case a small stall does not take cards.
Drafted with AI assistance.
Sources
- City of Toronto — St. Lawrence Market North redevelopment toronto.ca
- St. Lawrence Market — About the market and hours stlawrencemarket.com
- St. Lawrence Market — Antiques at St. Lawrence Market stlawrencemarket.com
- Parks Canada — Directory of Federal Heritage Designations: Kensington Market pc.gc.ca
- blogTO — Pedestrian Sundays return to Kensington Market in 2026 blogto.com
- Evergreen — Saturday Farmers Market at Evergreen Brick Works evergreen.ca
- Evergreen — Getting to Evergreen Brick Works evergreen.ca
- The Stop Community Food Centre — The Stop's Farmers' Market thestop.org
- Farmers' Markets Ontario — Trinity Bellwoods Farmers' Market farmersmarketsontario.com
- Nathan Phillips Square Farmers' Market — closure notice nathanphillipssquarefarmersmarket.ca