Rejoice: It's Farmers' Market Season!
And here are 6 local markets you should know about.
By May, the Capital Region starts to feel alive again. And thank goodness! One clear sign of spring? The 518’s farmers’ markets reopen or move outdoors for the season. With this shift, the region returns to one of its most defining rhythms: local food, local people, and a routine of fresh food, flowers, and calmer weekend vibes.
Farmers’ markets have become staples of our region, from Troy to Saratoga to Delmar. Here are six of our faves, and what makes each one worth showing up for:
Troy Waterfront Farmers Market
The year-round Troy Waterfront Farmers Market is the farmers’ market of all farmers’ markets. In the winter, it runs in the Troy Atrium (November through April), but come May, it spills outdoors into Monument Square.
With more than 100 vendors in peak season, this is less of a market and more of a weekly event. You’ll find everything from pasture-raised meats to specialty condiments and handmade goods. Everyone you see is carrying coffee, pastries, or both.
What sets it apart: The sheer size and time you can spend at this market. You’ll go in expecting to spend an hour, and finally leave three hours later.
Insider info: Show up early because lines build fast. Plus, it’s arguably, the best market for prepared foods in the Capital Region. Come hungry!
When & where: Saturdays 9–2pm at Monument Square
Saratoga Farmers’ Market
The Saratoga Farmers’ Market feels like a Saturday ritual for those living near the city. Held at High Rock Park during the outdoor season, the market has live music in the background, coffee galore, dogs everywhere, and shoppers casually strolling through a covered pavilion.
Saratoga maintains a strong connection between vendors and shoppers. The market is producer-only, meaning vendors must grow or create the products themselves. That small detail gives the experience a more personal feel.
What sets it apart: Producer-only!
Insider info: There’s also a midweek version if you want a quieter experience (and much easier parking).
When & where: Saturdays 9am–1pm & Wednesdays 3–6pm at High Rock Park
Empire State Plaza Farmers Market
Albany’s Empire State Plaza Farmers Market brings the farm directly into the workday, which is absolutely perfect for a lunch break turned grocery run.
Local farms and vendors are directed into downtown Albany, and by lunchtime, the plaza fills with people grabbing produce, baked goods, fresh lunches, and flowers on their break from the office. It’s quick, accessible, and surprisingly easy.
What sets it apart: Accessibility. It’s part of the state’s Fresh Connect program, aimed at making local food more available across communities.
Insider info: Sometimes a mid-week market is the easiest and less busy.
When & where: Wednesdays 10am–2pm at Empire State Plaza
Schenectady Greenmarket
The Schenectady Greenmarket is one of the region’s earliest to open each season—and one of its most community-driven.
Located Downtown, it draws a loyal crowd each week, many of whom know exactly which vendors they’re heading to before they even arrive. There’s a strong sense of familiarity here. The market also tends to kick off earlier in the season than many others, making it one of the first reminders each year that winter is finally over.
What sets it apart: Consistency and size. Expect dozens of vendors and a steady, loyal crowd.
Insider info: It opens early in the season (April) so it’s a great first sign that spring has arrived.
When & where: Sundays 10am–2pm at 105 Jay Street
Delmar Farmers Market
The Delmar Farmers Market is where the neighborhood shows up—including families, regulars, and a surprisingly large vendor lineup. The vendor mix covers all the essentials like seasonal produce, baked goods, flowers, meats, and cheeses.
What sets it apart: There are often around 70 vendors in peak season.
Insider info: It’s one of the busiest suburban markets, so parking can be challenging, but worth it!
When & where: Saturdays 9am–1pm at Bethlehem Middle School
Colonie Farmers’ Market at The Crossings
Set inside one of the region’s most scenic parks, the Colonie Farmers Market at The Crossings in Loudonville blends a scenic route with a full market experience.
This has been a constant for my family and friends for years. We bring dogs, kids…the whole crowd! The park offers an atmosphere of its own, and the farmers’ market beginning in May only adds to it.
What sets it apart: The setting: tree-lined paths, open space, and a slower pace than downtown markets, offering hikes and slow walks in between shopping.
Insider info: It’s one of the later openers, typically kicking off mid-May.
When & where: Saturdays 9am–1pm at The Crossings of Colonie
—Danni