The Abbotsford Flea Market is a year-round flea market that takes place at the Abbotsford Exhibition Park at 32470 Haida Drive on Sundays.
Flea Market at Abbotsford Exhibition Park
Running 47 Sundays of the year, the Abbotsford Flea Market is one of the largest markets in the Lower Mainland with over 200 indoor and outdoor vendors each week.
The market features both new and used items for sale. Expect to find “vintage goods,” clothes, books and all kinds of electronics. When we last went (in winter) we saw piles of video games, kitchen gadgets, houseware items, tools, jewellery, toys, antiques, vinyl records, antiques and trinkets. There were also (non-second-hand) cosmetics, self-care items and a bit of fresh produce.
When we went most recently there were no food trucks, although there was a concession stand. Menu items include things like waffles, eggs, sausages, bacon and toast & jam for breakfast. Lunch menu options include hot dogs, burgers, sandwiches, chili, soup, bagels and pastries. Also for sale are tea, coffee, hot chocolate, juices and soft drinks.
Hours and Dates of Operation
The Abbotsford Flea Market was closed for a number of months beginning in November of 2020 due to rising cases of the coronavirus. The market reopened on April 18th, 2021, but closed again on December 18th. Fortunately, the market reopened in February 2022.
The market is usually open every week of the year except for three. It’s usually closed on the last Sunday in July and first Sunday in August, plus usually the week right around Christmas. Regular hours of operation are from 6:00 am until 3:00 pm.
Flea Market Admission Rates
Admission to the Abbotsford Flea Market costs about a dollar for most folk, but free for children ages 12 and under. Parking is also free.
Pretty much anybody can participate at the flea market as a vendor. Outdoor spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis and cost between around $24 and $40. Indoor booths cost around $20 (plus or minus). Gates open at 5:00 am for set up.
Tips and Advice
Below are some tips to help you make the most out of your experience at the Abbotsford Flea Market.
General Tips
TIP #1: If you’re a shopper, unless you want to get there before other folk buy the best stuff, don’t arrive too early. Doors open at 6:00 am but that doesn’t mean all vendors are set up by then (or even there yet).
TIP #2: A lot of the best stuff gets sold by the end of the day, and some vendors leave early. If you arrive towards the end, however, you can often get extra good deals.
TIP #3: The market is huge. There are usually lots of outdoor vendors, but the majority of booths are indoors. As a result, unless you are an outdoor vendor, the market can be a good place to be on days with rainy weather.
TIP #4: The main parking lot for shoppers is at Gate 2 (at the north end off Haida Drive). Outdoor vendors, meanwhile, enter with their vehicles at the Stadium entrance (off Trethewey Street).
TIP #5: Especially if coming from the far side of the Lower Mainland, combine your trip to the flea market with a visit to other events and places of interest in the area. Click Abbotsford or Fraser Valley for ideas on other things to do.
TIP #6: Whereas the Abbotsford Flea Market takes place on Sundays and features mostly second-hand goods, the Abbotsford Farm & Country Market takes place in downtown Abbotsford on Saturdays. It features between two and four dozen vendors selling everything from artisan crafts to plants, home-baked goods, fresh fruit and vegetables.
Advice for Vendors (and Potential Vendors)
TIP #7: If you are a vendor, arrive early to get a good spot (like near the entrance if indoors). Remember, location is everything! Doors for vendors open at 5:00 am.
TIP #8: If you live in the Fraser Valley and plan to have your own yard sale, and especially if you don’t live in a high traffic neighbourhood, renting a table and holding your sale at the Abbotsford Flea Market can be a great way to go. There are hundreds of potential customers for you to sell to (although lots of competition too).
TIP #9: If you plan to be a one-time vendor to get rid of your “junk” check out the flea market beforehand to get an idea of prices and where you’ll want to get a table.
Other Information
For further details about the weekly Sunday market see the Abbotsford Flea Market website.
Similar events in other parts of the Lower Mainland include the Cloverdale Flea Market in Surrey and the Vancouver Flea Market (near Science World and Vancouver’s main bus and train station).
Other articles you might be interested in include the following:
