PNW market season is here, bringing all the joy and spontaneous purchases of random items you didn't know you needed. However, sunny Saturdays turn everything into a competitive sport around here, so consider this your guide to getting your fix before Eastside's best farmers markets sell out for the day.
Kirkland Wednesday Market | Lakeside sunset stroll
Marina Park turns into a breezy postcard every Wednesday afternoon (3 to 7 pm), from June through September, where rows of pop-up tents glow gold against Lake Washington. Fifty-ish vendors flip between heirloom tomatoes, artisanal dog treats, and enough sourdough to get you through the drive home (at least).
Parking is competitive so it's best to bike, walk, or carpool. Scope the current vendor map.
Bellevue Farmers Market | Thursday evening bounty
Tucked beside Bellevue Presbyterian Church just north of Downtown, this Thursday-only market turns a school-night dinner dash into a small-town block party. From May to October, you’ll find 70-plus vendors slinging just-harvested greens, pastured meats, and pastries that somehow vanish en-route to the car between 3 and 7:30 pm.
Free parking, bus stops one block away, and a stroller-friendly layout mean the logistics are blessedly dull while the rainbow-chard vibes are anything but. When the sun dips, local musicians crank up the Pacific-Northwest-folk and dogs parade by in bandanas like they own the place. Very PNW. Plan your Thursday raid.
Redmond Saturday Market | Granddaddy gathering
Celebrating its 50th summer, Redmond’s pride opens every Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm, May through October. Despite it's age, it feels like the cool elder who remembers when Willows Road was farmland. Expect a labyrinth of produce pyramids, gluten-free bakeries, and craft booths where you can impulse-buy a hand-blown glass octopus because, well. Why not?
Live fiddle jams drift over picnic benches while kids line up for kettle corn that should come with a parental-tax clause. Prices trend “treat yourself but not mortgage your house,” and on-site parking means no epic walk of shame with a 10-pound squash.
See what the OG market is cooking this week.
Issaquah Farmers Market | Barnside community bash
Held at Pickering Barn, a century-old dairy turned community hub, this Saturday market runs 9 am to 2 pm, May through September, rain, shine, or random mountain drizzle. Between rows of flower buckets and stone-fruit perfume you’ll spot master gardeners answering tomato-panic questions and local teens busking with surprising talent. Free parking and generous stroller lanes make it a parent favorite, while food-truck aromas test even the strongest picnic plans.
Bring batteries to recycle at the info booth and leave with a soft pretzel larger than a house cat. What more do you need? Get the seasonal rundown.
Sammamish Farmers Market | Family picnic vibes
Perched on Sammamish Commons every Wednesday from May through September, this elevated-plateau market is basically a massive neighborhood potluck. Expect chef demos, rotating kid crafts, and occasional free dog-nail trims (yep, you read that right).
Live acoustic sets drift over the lawn while sunset paints the Cascades lavender, all of which pairs nicely with a scoop of honey-lavender gelato you didn’t plan to buy. Parking at Mary Queen of Peace Church keeps traffic civilized. Peep next week’s entertainment lineup.
Woodinville Farmers Market | Wine-country produce run
Downtown Woodinville turns into a Saturday fête from 10 am to 2 pm, May through September, right beside tasting rooms that tempt you into a post-carrot flight. Founded in 1993, the market now feels part carnival, part farm stand, with live bands, cooking demos, and enough flower bouquets to outfit a bridal party on standby.
Kids tumble across nearby festival lawns while adults debate whether artisan cider counts as a serving of fruit. Free street parking and picnic tables seal the deal for an easy morning before the winery crawl. Plot your grape-adjacent shopping spree.
Mercer Island Farmers Market | Island brunch run
Every Sunday from June through September, Mercerdale Park hosts a 10 am to 2 pm spread that feels like a vacation ten minutes off I-90… complete with orchard-fresh peaches, island-roasted coffee, and a kids’ tent that keeps little humans busy while you debate artisan cheese pairings.
No PNW market is complete with out live tunes, and this one's no different.
Crossroads Farmers Market | Lunch-break loot
If weekdays blur together, Crossroads Shopping Center saves the day with a Tuesday afternoon market, that runs from June to September. Grab a bánh mì and sunflowers on your lunch hour, then detour past WSU Master Gardeners dispensing plant wisdom like leafy fortune-tellers.
The east-parking-lot setup is compact, perfect for speed-shopping between conference calls. Contests, recipe cards, and live music mean you might “accidentally” extend that lunch break, but don't worry. Your secret’s safe with us. Check the details.
Kenmore Farmers Market | Hangar-town hangout
Beneath the big timber beams of The Hangar at Town Square, Kenmore’s market pops up Wednesday evenings from June through August and feels like summer camp for produce lovers.
Local bands riff, food trucks park curbside, and shoppers juggle bouquets with cold-brew slushies while kids fan out to the splash pad 30 feet away. Vendors skew small-batch: think mushroom jerky, kombucha straight from the keg, and soap shaped like forest critters. Ya know… the quirky stuff you didn't know you needed.
Handy tips for market domination
Bring cash for the stubborn square-reader moments, but remember most stalls now tap-dance with digital wallets.
Show up early for stone fruit and late for bread bargains (bakers hate hauling leftovers).
Pack a cooler if you’re hop-scotching markets; Washington cheeses do not enjoy commuter traffic.
Dogs are welcome almost everywhere, yet short leashes and pocket treats prevent leash macramé at peak crowd hour.
Many vendors happily share storage hacks. Don't be shy! Ask the carrot farmer how to keep those greens perky and you’ll unlock Jedi produce knowledge.
