Main Street Farmers Market

Vancouver’s Main Street Farmers Market used to run on Wednesday afternoons from 2 to 6 pm. It went from the beginning of June until the first week of October.

MARKET STATUS

Due to construction in the area related to the new St. Paul’s Hospital, the Main Street Farmers Market hasn’t happened since 2020. Whether or not it returns in the future is to be confirmed.

One market that still happens each year in Vancouver is the False Creek Farmers Market at Olympic Village Square. It normally takes place between June and October.

Main Street Farmers Market

The Main Street Station Farmers Market debuted in Vancouver in 2010, the year of the Olympics.

In years that the market took place, over 40 vendors lined the street in front of Vancouver’s Central Pacific Station and along the edge of tiny Thornton Park. Vendors included many different local farmers selling fresh fruits and vegetables and organic produce in season.

When and Where

In 2021 the Main Street Farmers Market was going to run from June 2nd until October 6th. Its hours each week would have been from 2 until 6 pm. In the spring of 2021, however, organizers of the event decided to cancel it for the year due to construction planned for the area. As of 2025, the market still hasn’t resumed. Hopefully it returns in the future.

In years when it did happen, the market’s home was in front of the city’s main train and bus station. The venue’s address is 1150 Station Street. It’s just a short walk from Science World and the False Creek waterfront.

Main Street Station Farmers Market

What to Expect

At the Main Street Farmers Market there were vendors selling everything from dairy products to meat, bakery items, artisanal goods and hot foods for dinner.

Overall, the Main Street Station Farmers Market was arguably one of Vancouver’s best outdoor markets, especially for produce. It was conveniently located close to public transit and other places of interest.

Public Transit, Parking and Cycling

With the Expo and Millennium Line’s Science World SkyTrain Station just a block away, the Main Street Station Farmers Market was one of the most convenient markets with respect to public transit.

Free 2-hour street parking was sometimes found on nearby Station Street and National Avenue, as well as on Quebec Street between National and Terminal.

A little further along there was also quite a bit of free street parking up National Avenue east towards Trillium Park. There was also parking further east along Terminal Avenue. Both those areas were a bit far, however, especially if you had to carry heavy bags of fruits and vegetables back to your car. Pay parking was also available just a couple of blocks away at Science World.

If you cycled to the market, depending on where from, the most popular route was via the beautiful False Creek Seawall. It’s still one of the safest routes for cycling as the only traffic is pedestrian traffic, as well as other bicycles.

Main Street Farmers Market at Pacific Central Station — The market in front of Pacific Central Station

Attractions Near the Market

Being located by the corner of Main Street and Terminal, there are a number of places of interest fairly close to where the market used to take place. If you like garage sale-style markets there is the Vancouver Flea Market at 703 Terminal Avenue. It’s just open on weekends though.

A good place to visit if you have young children is Science World. It’s right on False Creek. The False Creek Seawall is an exceptional area to walk around, especially along the southern shore in that area in the direction of the Olympic Village. Also, less than six blocks away from the market’s location along Main Street is Vancouver’s Chinatown.