Ultimate Guide to Asheville’s Farmers Markets
If there’s one thing Asheville knows how to do, it’s farmers markets! There’s a weekly neighborhood farmers market almost every day of the week– a true testament to the community that Asheville residents and area farmers and makers have made.
We even have Asheville’s amazing farmers markets on our recommended things to do in Asheville.
Apart from the neighborhood markets, there is also the Western NC Farmers Market in Asheville which is open daily.
Whether you are a long-time resident, new to the area or just visiting, the Asheville area farmers markets are a great way to explore Asheville’s neighborhoods and experience the community vibes that Asheville has to offer.
We hope this guide helps you find new markets and make use of the wonderful farmers market ecosystem that Asheville has to offer.
Asheville Farmers Market Guide Table of Contents
- Asheville Farmers Market Schedule
- Map of Asheville Farmers Markets
- Asheville City Market (Downtown)
- North Asheville Tailgate Market (UNCA Farmers Market)
- West Asheville Tailgate Market
- River Arts District Farmers Market
- East Asheville Tailgate Market
- WNC Farmers Market
- Farmers Markets in Surrounding Communities
- ASAP’s Double SNAP Benefits
Asheville Farmers Market Schedule
Are you looking for which farmers market is open today? The great news is that there are several farmers markets in the Asheville area scattered throughout the week.
The various markets in the Asheville area have different opening seasons, so be sure to check whether the farmers market near you is in season.
| Asheville Farmers Markets | Day of Week* | Season* |
| Asheville City Market – Downtown | Winter: Saturdays | 10a-1p Regular: Saturdays | 9a-noon | Winter: Jan-Mar Regular: Apr-Dec |
| North Asheville Tailgate Market | Winter: Saturdays | 10a-1p Regular: Saturdays | 8a-noon | Winter: Feb 4 – Mar 25 4/1 – 11/18 |
| West Asheville Tailgate Market | Winter: closed Tuesdays | 3:30-6:30p | Closed for Winter Apr – Dec |
| River Arts District Farmers Market | Wednesdays | 3-5:30p | Year-round |
| East Asheville Tailgate Market | Winter: closed Regular: Fridays | 3-6p | Closed for Winter Apr 7 – Nov 17 |
| WNC Farmers Market | Open Daily | 8-5p | Year-round |
What’s great about the Asheville farmers market schedule is that there is generally some sort of market in town every few days. This not only gives shoppers the chance to stock up on their favorite local goods, but it also helps support our farmers and makers. They can attend multiple markets per week and hit a variety of different neighborhoods and customers.
Map of Asheville Farmers Markets
A Note About Asheville Farmers Market Vendors
You’ll see below where we highlight some of our favorite vendors in various sections, but several of these vendors can be found at all of the markets around town. Many attend both Saturday morning ones (Asheville City Market and the North Asheville Tailgate Market) and just alternate weekly between the two.
If you know of a vendor you love, make sure to follow them on Instagram to stay in-the-know on when and where they will be.
Asheville City Market (Downtown)
The City Market at a glance
Market location: North Market Street between Woodfin and Walnut Streets // Downtown Asheville
Schedule: Saturdays 9 am -12 pm (April to December)
Types of vendors: ready-to-eat food, produce, bakeries, dairy, seafood, crafts, flowers, landscape plants, natural products
Parking: Free parking is available at Home Trust Bank and the Family Justice Center
Instagram: @ashevillecitymarket
Leashed dogs are allowed
About the Asheville City Market
Asheville’s largest weekly farmers market is the Asheville City Market. It is held downtown on Saturday mornings. The fun community vibes and vendor offerings make for a great way to get your weekend started off on the right foot.
Of course, you’ll find a ton of local farmers at the City Market. Their offerings vary with the season (that’s the benefit of buying local!), but you can count on being able to stock up on weekly provisions.
As far as non-farmer vendors go, the city market has several! We love grabbing pimento cheese from Ali Rae Foods, pasta from Rio Bertolini’s, dumplings from J Chong Eats, seafood from Mother Ocean Market and sourdough from Simple Bread. A whole week of dinners can be easily put together with one trip to the market.
If you are just visiting and not looking for groceries, no worries! There are a ton of local baker vendors with fresh treats, like The Crumby Baker and Beeswax & Butter. You can check out a full list of Asheville City Market vendors here and make sure to get on their mailing list for the weekly lineup.
The City Market is a great place to bring kids and dogs and enjoy downtown Asheville while strolling and browsing all of the excellent goods that vendors have to offer. For locals, it’s the perfect opportunity to stock up on essential weekly provisions. For visitors, it’s a great place to see what the talented local farmers, makers and artisans have to offer.
Parking at the Asheville City Market
Parking is made very convenient at the Asheville City Market. There are two free parking lots for market patrons on Woodfin Street. The first is at Home Trust Bank and the second is at the Family Justice Center.
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North Asheville Tailgate Market (UNCA Farmers Market)
The North AVL market
at a glance
Market location: UNCA’s Campus (parking lot P28) // North Asheville
Schedule: Saturdays from 8am – 12pm (April-November)
Types of vendors: produce, bakeries, flowers, seafood, jewelry
Parking: Free parking is available at Home Trust Bank and the Family Justice Center
Instagram: @northashevilletailgatemarket
Leashed dogs are allowed
About the North Asheville Tailgate Market
Often times Asheville can feel very touristy, but not at the local tailgate markets around town. The North Asheville farmers market is no exception to this. You’ll find local folks at the market filling their reusable bags with their provisions for the week.
The market is located on UNCA’s campus and is held on Saturdays from April to October. Their claim to fame is that the market is North Carolina’s longest-standing producer-only farmers market.
The North Asheville Tailgate Market has everything you need to shop local and fill your pantry. There are a ton of local farmers, bakeries, a seafood vendor and even a composting worm vendor! A few of our favorite North Asheville farmers market vendors include Barnhouse Kitchen (packaged and frozen pies and strudels), Bridge + Tunnel Coffee, French Broad Pantry (pastries + bread) and Anna’s Pasta & Bakes (pasta, baked goods and spices.) You can see a full list of the North Asheville Tailgate Market vendors here.
Parking at the North Asheville Tailgate Market
As far as parking at the North Asheville Tailgate Market goes, you’ll see plenty of signs on the UNCA campus as you get closer to the farmers market. The market is held in UNCA’s lot P28. There’s parking available there just below where the market is located and additional parking lots close by on UNCA’s campus. Parking lots P25 and P26 are relatively close and typically have spots available.
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West Asheville Tailgate Market
The West AVL market at a glance
Market location: 718 Haywood Rd // West Asheville
Schedule: Tuesdays 3:30-6:30pm (April – November)
Types of vendors: produce, dairy, ice cream, sauces, seafood, pasta, baked goods
Parking: There’s a pay-to-park lot just by the market at the church. Free street parking is also available, though it’s hard to come by.
Instagram: @westashevilletailgate
Leashed dogs are allowed
About the West Asheville Tailgate Market
The West Asheville Tailgate Market is held rain or shine on Tuesdays from 3:30-6:30pm April to December. Here you’ll find the friendliest vendors across a variety of categories, and live music when the weather is nice.
A few of our favorite West Asheville farmers market vendors are Anna’s Kitchen for fresh pasta, Asheville Fungi for a great variety of mushrooms and Simple Bread for some excellent sourdough. You’ll also find a ton of local farmers with amazingly fresh produce, as well as a coffee truck, ice cream, flowers and plants. Check out the full list of West Asheville Tailgate Market vendors here.
Some vendors come every week to the West Asheville market while others only come occasionally. If you have a favorite farmers market vendor, make sure to follow them on social media to stay in the know about their schedule!
Parking at the West Asheville Tailgate Market
The farmers market in West Asheville is located in the parking lot of Grace Baptist Church in the heart of West Asheville. There are pay-to-park lots right at the market. You can also try to snag a free street spot, though they can be hard to come by at certain times in West Asheville.
River Arts District Farmers Market
The RAD market at a glance
Market location: 350 Riverside Dr (at Smoky Park Supper Club) // River Arts District
Schedule: Wednesdays 3:00 – 5:30pm
Types of vendors: Produce, meat, cheese, bread, pastries, coffee, ice cream, honey, chai, flowers, herbs, seafood. You’ll also find other fun happenings, like live music and tarot card readers.
Parking: You’ll see signs pointing you in the right direction. I can typically find a spot under the bridge just next to the market.
Instagram: @radfarmersmarket
Leashed dogs are allowed
About the River Arts District Market
The River Arts District Farmers Market is Asheville’s only farmers market held on Wednesdays (apart from the daily WNC one, of course!) Here you’ll find growers, cheesemakers, meat vendors, bread and pastry offerings and other local goodies (like Gospel ice cream!)
The RAD Market is held on the Smoky Park Supper Club property. They are closed on Wednesdays.
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East Asheville Tailgate Market
The East AVL market at a glance
Market location: Groce United Methodist Church // 954 Tunnel Rd (East Asheville)
Schedule: Fridays 3-6pm (April 7 – November 17, 2023)
Types of vendors: produce, bakeries, flowers, plants, seafood, coffee, pimento cheese
Parking: There’s a parking lot just by the market at the church. You can also park behind the church if the lot is full.
Instagram: @eastashevillemarket
Leashed dogs are allowed
About the East Asheville Tailgate Market
This farmers market in East Asheville is a perfectly quaint neighborhood market in the parking lot at Groce UMC. There is parking located right by the tailgate market and additional parking behind the church. You shouldn’t have an issue parking. You’ll mostly find locals at the East Asheville farmers market– like real locals because people generally stick to their side of town for tailgate markets in Asheville. A lot of people come to the market by foot or bike as a result.
You’ll find all of your favorite farmers market staples, from sourdough bread to microgreens, local coffee to flowers and plants. Of course, there are also produce vendors from local farms. Mother Ocean Seafood Market can also be found there with fresh fish, scallops and shrimp. Bridge and Tunnel has a coffee truck on-site for all of your caffeine needs. You can see a full list of the East Asheville Tailgate Market vendors here.
The East Asheville Tailgate Market is open Fridays from April through October. We made sure to attend the first of the season this year and brought home a full dinner of fresh veggies, shrimp from Mother Ocean Market, pimento cheese from Ali Rae’s and sourdough from High Top Bread Company. I also made sure to pick up some Notorious Coffee Roasting Co coffee and a strawberry lemonade popsicle from Buggy Pops. It was a fun way to kick off Asheville’s farmers market season!
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WNC Farmers Market
The WNC market at a glance
Market location: 570 Brevard Rd
Schedule: Open daily! 8am-5pm
Types of vendors: produce, dairy, meat, seafood, baked goods, food items, gifts
Parking: There is a parking lot right in front of the market halls
Instagram: @wncfarmersmarket
About the WNC Farmers Market
The WNC Farmers Market is a year-round, seven-day-a-week farmers market operated by the NC Department of Agriculture. The consumer market area is located in two large shopping halls with tons of vendor stalls selling produce, non-perishable food items and other fun items ranging from fudge to honey to fresh boiled peanuts. There is even a vendor that specializes in sharpening knives!
The market is mostly supplied by produce wholesalers, but there are some who specialize in locally grown and made items. The vibe is quite a bit different than your typical weekly farmers market where farmers and makers are there to sell their own goods.
Are dogs allowed at the Western North Carolina Farmers Market?
No, dogs are not allowed at the WNC Farmers Market. Service animals, however, are allowed at the market.
Jesse Israel & Sons Nursery and Garden Center
We can’t visit the WNC Farmers Market without adding a trip to Jesse Israel & Sons Nursery & Garden Center just across the street from the market shops. This family-owned garden shop has such a great selection of trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, herbs, and bedding plants. We love browsing their garden seeds section and everyone is always very helpful!
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Farmers Markets in Surrounding Communities
In addition to the farmers markets in Asheville, there are a number of farmers markets in the surrounding communities and towns that are worth checking out! Check out this list below for days open and seasons.
| Farmers Markets Around Asheville | Day of Week | Season |
| Enka-Candler Tailgate Market | Thursdays | 3-6p | May – Oct |
| Weaverville Tailgate Market | Wednesdays | 3-6p | Apr – Oct |
| Black Mountain Tailgate Market | Saturdays | 9a-noon | May – Nov |
| Mars Hill Farmers and Artisans Market | Saturdays | 10a – 1p | Apr – Oct |
| Hendersonville Farmers Market | Saturdays | 8a – 1p | May – Oct |
| Transylvania Farmers Market (Brevard) | Saturdays | 10a – noon 9a – noon | Jan – Apr May – Nov |
| Mills River Farm Market | Saturdays | 8a – noon | May – Oct |
| Yancey County Farmers Market (Burnsville) | Saturdays | 8:30a – 12:30 p | Apr – Oct |
| Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market (Waynesville) | Saturdays | 9a – noon | Apr – Dec |
ASAP’s Double SNAP Benefits
Several markets in Asheville accept SNAP/EBT and a few of them are participants in ASAP’s (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Program) Double SNAP for Fruits and Vegetables. This is an absolutely awesome program that helps provide access to local produce to all.
The Double SNAP program matches dollars spent by SNAP customers with Farm Fresh Bucks that can be used to purchase produce. It’s a one-to-one match, so if you use $10 of your own money it will be matched with $10 in Farm Fresh Bucks that you can use for fruits and vegetables. Your original $10 will go toward SNAP tokens that can be used for SNAP-eligible products (fruits, vegetables, breads, cereals, meats, fish, poultry, dairy, seeds and plants that produce edible foods.) You can read additional information on the Double SNAP program on ASAP’s site.
