Produce Vendor at Lonsdale Quay Farmers Market

The Lonsdale Artisan Farmers’ Market used to take place at North Vancouver’s Lonsdale Quay on Saturdays between May and October.

The market was one of three similar markets run by the Artisan Farmers’ Market Society which is a non-profit organization. The other two are the Burnaby Artisan Farmers’ Market (which takes place on Saturdays) and the Ambleside Artisan Farmers’ Market (which happens on Sundays in West Vancouver). All three are fabulous markets. They are great places to find unique and wonderful, locally made and grown products.

NOTE: 2023 was the final year for the Lonsdale Artisan Farmers’ Market. The markets in Burnaby and West Vancouver will be happening again in 2024, but not the one outside Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver.

See the Artisan Farmers’ Market website for full details about the various venues.

Saturday Farmers’ Markets at Lonsdale Quay

The Lonsdale Quay Artisan Farmers’ Market was a nice market and at an exceptional venue. It took place right outside the Lonsdale Quay Public Market which is also a wonderful place to shop and find interesting things.

Individual vendors’ hours varies, but the Lonsdale Quay Public Market building is open daily from around 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. The farmers’ market, meanwhile, was only on Saturdays between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm. If you wanted to shop at both places, you had to go on a Saturday between May and October.

Participating merchants at the farmers’ market sold a mix of fresh produce and handmade products. It was an “artisan farmers” market with a focus on food. In addition to farmers, there were usually a couple of artisan vendors selling art, clothing or other artisan products. Most of the artisans, however, sold things like baked goods, jams, sauces, coffee or distilled beverages.

Lonsdale Quay Farmers Market — Carries Court Road on Farmers Market Day

Where and When?

Located in North Vancouver not far from the waterfront in Lower Lonsdale, the Lonsdale Artisan Farmers’ Market took place outside the Lonsdale Quay Public Market from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm on Saturdays.

In the past the farmers’ market opened on the first Saturday in May and closed on the last Saturday in October. It 2023 it ran from May 6th until September 30th.

The Lonsdale Quay Artisan Farmers’ Market set up in the middle of the street on Carries Cate Court in front of the Lonsdale Quay Public Market building in the summer. Sometimes, during the peak of the summer, when things got busier, there were a few vendors along the walkway at the side of the public market too. In the slower seasons, vendors just up in the walkway area.

The farmers’ market had an ideal location. It was just a 5-minute walk from the SeaBus terminal which is only a 15-minute ferry ride from Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver. On the North Shore, the market was also just a 5-minute walk from the bottom of Lonsdale Avenue and the Shipyards District.

Little by Little Farms Vendor at Lonsdale Quay

What to Expect at the Farmers Market

When it operated, between about one and two dozen vendors participated in the Lonsdale Artisan Farmers’ Market. At the very beginning of the season there were fewer vendor stalls. Very soon, however, as the season progressed, there are more and more.

The farmers’ market on Saturdays nicely complemented the Lonsdale Quay Public Market which is a large year-round indoor market with its own selection of food and gift shop vendors.

The Lonsdale Quay Public Market is similar to the Granville Island Public Market in the City of Vancouver. The North Shore attraction is an indoor market with a fish shop, candy store, flower shop, and food court with one-of-a-kind vendors. It also has a butcher shop, coffee shops, gourmet delis, and multiple stores selling gifts, ethnic foods and souvenirs. The North Vancouver venue also has a wine store and boutique clothing stores.

At the farmers’ market on Saturdays you could find a variety of locally grown and handmade products for sale. There was always fresh farm produce. There were also usually baked goods, honey, jewelry, art and various other things depending on which week you visit.

Along with the vendors at the farmers’ market, there was also sometimes a musician performing to give the market a happy and festive vibe.

Visit the artisanmarkets.ca website for full details about the Ambleside and Burnaby artisan farmers’ markets.

Forest Bean Coffee at Lonsdale Quay

Tips for Navigating the Area

Below are some tips on how to make the most out of your visit to the Lonsdale Quay Artisan Farmers’ Market.

TIP #1: It’s very easy to access Lonsdale Quay by Public Transit. If you’re coming from downtown Vancouver, the SeaBus is a quick and efficient way to get across the inlet. In North Vancouver there are also a variety of buses that go straight to the Quay depending on where you’re coming from.

TIP #2: If you found you needed to drive to the market, you could park in the Lonsdale Quay parkade while shopping. There was also street parking along Esplanade, Lonsdale Avenue and 1st Street.

TIP #3: Either before or after shopping at the farmers’ market, it’s great to explore the rest of the Shipyards District and Lower Lonsdale neighbourhood too. It’s a terrific area with lots to see and do, especially in the warmer half of the year.

Willow Rock Farms at Lonsdale Quay