10 Spring Markets in the Triangle [2024]

April 15th, 2024

Things to do | Life in Raleigh
10 Spring Markets in the Triangle [2024]

Spring Markets in the Triangle 

What markets are happening all over the Triangle this spring? Here are the top ten spring markets in the Triangle! 

Raleigh is a very beautiful city that offers plenty of fun things to do for all ages every day of the week. Once Spring approaches and the weather starts to warm up, many residents can be found checking out the many local markets throughout the Triangle. 

Many local artisans and vendors sell everything from candles to paintings at these Spring markets, which makes them such a fun activity to do with friends and family. 

Whether you are shopping for yourself or a gift, the Spring Markets in the Triangle are a great way to discover new small businesses, support the local community, and get out of the house and socialize in the nice weather. 

Many of the Spring markets are located in Downtown Raleigh and some of Raleigh's best suburbs making them convenient to get to for anyone living in the area. 

From farmer's markets to flea markets, there are many markets available throughout the Spring season and are free to visit. Here are ten of the best Spring markets in the Triangle with location, day, and time information. 

Check out these spring markets in the Triangle 

1. Fenton Makers Market 

Location: 21 Fenton Main Street, Cary, NC 27511 

Day: April 20th, May 18th, June 15th, July 20th, August 17th, September 21st, October 19th, November 16th, December 21st 

Time: 11 AM to 4 PM 

Fenton is a premier shopping, dining, and entertainment area that has become a must-visit destination in Cary for its open-air shopping opportunities, delicious restaurants, and friendly community atmosphere. 

A nice place to relax with friends and family in the heart of Cary, Fenton is well-maintained and features many events and fun family gatherings throughout the year to bring the community together. 

The Fenton Makers Market is one of the top events that Fenton has, and it occurs on the third Saturday of the month from 11 AM to 4 PM. The perfect afternoon activity, the Makers Market features a variety of local vendors who sell handmade items and goods. There are also local artists that perform live music during the event. 

From candle makers to woodworkers, the Fenton Makers Market is a great way to support small businesses while buying locally crafted goods for your home or as gifts. Make sure to check out the Fenton Makers Market since it is one of the best things to do in Cary

2. Cary Downtown Farmer's Market 

Location: 160 E Park St, Cary, NC 27511 

Day: Every Saturday 

Time: 8 AM to 12 PM 

While in Cary, check out the Cary Downtown Farmer's Market which occurs every Saturday throughout the year. The perfect Spring activity, this local farmer's market is in its Traditional Season and is considered a gathering space for local farmers and craftsmen to connect with the community. 

Located right next to Downtown Cary Park, visitors can browse through booths and purchase local produce, meats, and dairy products. As one of the best farmers markets in the Raleigh area, this is a great spot to get fresh local fruit and vegetables specifically. 

Plus, you can make a day out of it by spending the morning walking around Downtown Cary Park, getting coffee at one of the best coffee shops in Cary, and then stopping by the farmer's market. 

Fresh and colorful berries on sale at a farmers market

3. Downtown Cary Food and Flea Market 

Location: 100 W Chatham St, Cary, NC 27511 

Day: April 14th, May 12th, June 9th, September 8th, October 13th, November 10th, and December 8th 

Time: 12 PM to 4 PM 

Occurring on the second Sunday of every month, the Downtown Cary Food and Flea Market first began in 2014 and has grown into a large Cary event that families and people of all ages like to visit. 

Featuring more than 60 vendors, this fun event brings some of the best artists, craft makers, musicians, and food trucks from all over the state to historic Downtown Cary to celebrate community and good times with friends and family. 

Not only does the Downtown Cary Food and Flea Market support local small businesses, but it also gets people outside and helps put money back into the local economy. In August, when the weather is nice, there is also a Food and Flea Summer Nights in Downtown Cary, which is held on the second Saturday of the month from 6 PM to 10 PM. 

4. Raleigh Night Market 

Location: 306 Parham St, Raleigh, NC 27601 

Day: May 1st, June 23rd, August 21st, September 29th, and November 6th 

Time: 5 PM to 9 PM in May, August, and November and 1 PM to 5 PM in June and September 

The Raleigh Night Market is a popular outdoor activity in Raleigh that is known for its inclusivity. Bringing the Triangle community together, the Raleigh Night Market occurs once every month and showcases locally made goods sold by area artisans along with live entertainment, food, and drinks. 

Free to attend, the Raleigh Night Market welcomes dogs and people of all ages. Affordable street parking is available, as well as parking decks nearby for your convenience. 

5. Cary Night Market 

Location: 327 S Academy St, Cary, NC 27511 

Day: April 19th, May 17th, August 16th, September 20th, October 18th, November 15th 

Time: 5 PM to 9 PM 

Much like the Raleigh Night Market, the Cary Night Market is also a popular local market that occurs once every month but in Downtown Cary. The Cary Night Market is a fun thing to do in the Triangle, featuring local artisans, food, and live music and entertainment. 

Applications are open and available online for those interested in becoming a vendor. 

clothes and other goods on sale at a local market

6. Shop and Play at Phillips Farms in Cary 

Location: 6720 Good Hope Church Road, Cary, NC 27519 

Day: Every Saturday in Spring through May 18th 

Time: 10 AM to 3 PM 

Shop and Play at Phillips Farms in Cary is a fun family event every Saturday throughout the Spring until May 18th. Located at Phillips Farms, the family fun park will be open, featuring rides, games, live music, and a petting zoo. 

Admission to the family fun park is $12 per person ages two and up and can be purchased online in advance or on-site the day of your visit. The corn maze, the corn box, and the sunflower field are closed until Fall. 

7. Moore Square Market 

Location: 333 Fayetteville St, Raleigh, NC 27601 

Day: Every Sunday from May 14th through October 22nd 

Time: 11 AM to 3 PM 

Moore Square Market is a fun vendor market in Downtown Raleigh, with many local vendors selling produce, seasonal goods, and artisan crafts. Hosted on a 30-foot wide sidewalk with plenty of shade and accessible restrooms and drinking fountains. 

All vendors at the market operate within 90 miles of Raleigh, making this a premier destination for local small businesses and live entertainment. Considered an evolution of the Raleigh Downtown Farmers Market, the Moore Square Market is popular in Raleigh and is perfect for the whole family to enjoy. 

aerial view of Downtown Raleigh, NC on a sunny day

8. The Fuquay-Varina Growers Market 

Location: 121 N Main Street, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 

Day: Every Saturday from April 13th through September 7th 

Time: 9 AM to 1 PM 

The Fuquay-Varina Growers Market is a family-friendly farmers market in Downtown Fuquay-Varina that operates from April through September. This seasonal farmer's market features local farmers, artisans, and producers who operate out of the Triangle area. 

Founded 25 years ago by a couple of local farmers, this grower's market is a non-profit organization. It is dedicated to promoting healthy eating habits and food equity by providing fresh and locally grown produce. 

Fresh vegetables for sale at a growers market

9. The Raleigh Market  

Location: 4285 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607 

Day: Saturdays and Sundays 

Time: 9 AM to 5 PM 

The Raleigh Market is North Carolina's largest flea market and is located at the NC State Fairgrounds. Offering free admission for visitors, there are over 500 vendors that sell everything you can think of, from clothing and ceramics to comic books and antique goods. 

Open every Saturday and Sunday, the flea market is a unique shopping experience that showcases indoor and outdoor vendors, food trucks, and farm stands. The Raleigh Market is a great market to visit in the Spring, especially as the weather starts to get warmer. 

For those interested in becoming a vendor, applications can be sent online. You can choose between becoming a permanent and temporary vendor. Weekend rates for temporary vendors are $50 and $40 for permanent vendors. 

antique goods on sale at a flea market

10. Trunkshow Spring Market Raleigh

Location: 1526 Wake Forest Rd, Raleigh, NC 27604 

Day: Sunday, April 14th 

Time: 10 AM to 4 PM 

The Trunkshow Spring Market Raleigh is a vintage and handmade market in April and is a great way to start the Spring season. Located on Wake Forest Road, this trunk show features multiple vendors that sell vintage and homemade goods in the Triangle area.

If you are searching for vintage clothing, handmade craft items, local art, beer, and food, the Trunkshow Spring Market Raleigh will be a fun event for the whole family to enjoy. 

Plenty of parking will be available nearby but do not park in The Circus Restaurant parking lot since they will tow. 

Methodology 

In order to determine the best spring markets in Raleigh, NC, we used data and information from reliable sources including Fenton, The Raleigh Night Market, and Phillips Farms of Cary

FAQs 

How big is the Raleigh flea market? 

The Raleigh Flea Market has been open at the NC State Fairgrounds, has more than 500 vendors every weekend, and draws millions of visitors annually. 

How much does renting a booth at the Raleigh flea market cost? 

In order to sell at the Raleigh Flea Market, temporary vendors must pay $50 a weekend for a 10x20' booth. If a vendor pays a week in advance, the fee is reduced to $40 for the full weekend. Selling on Saturday only is $30 and Sunday only is $25. 

Can you bargain at the flea market? 

It is important to respect the vendor and their business, but it is okay to bargain at a flea market as long as you haggle at a fair price. It might be best only to bargain if the price is unreasonably high. 

Best Spring Markets in the Triangle - Final Thoughts 

From growers markets to makers markets, there are many small businesses to support in Raleigh that sell in the Spring season. Downtown Raleigh not only has the largest flea market in the state, but it also has trunk shows and vendor markets that sell local produce and handcrafted goods. 

If you are looking for a fun thing to do that is outdoors and does not require a lot of money, then checking out a Spring market in the Triangle is a great place to start. 

For those moving to Raleigh and are interested in finding your dream home, contact the experts at Raleigh Realty. We are here to help and answer any questions. 

Find your new home Search real estate and homes for sale
Share this post
Ryan Fitzgerald

Ryan Fitzgerald

Hi there! Nice to 'meet' you and thanks for visiting our Raleigh Real Estate Blog! My name is Ryan Fitzgerald, and I'm a REALTOR® in Raleigh-Durham, NC, the owner of Raleigh Realty. I work alongside some of the best Realtors in Raleigh. You can find more of my real estate content on Forbes, Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and more. Realtor Magazine named me a top 30 under 30 Realtor in the country (it was a long time ago haha). Any way, that's enough about me. I'd love to learn more about you if you'd like to connect with me on Facebook and Instagram or connect with our team at Raleigh Realty. Looking forward to connecting!

Related Blogs


Prepping Your Home for the Spring Market
Are you planning on selling your home this spring and need to know how to prepare? Check out this guide on how to prep your home for the Spring market.
February 13th, 2024
Great Outdoors in the Triangle: Nature Trails and Natural Areas Edition
Are you searching for the best nature trails and natural areas to visit in the Triangle? Keep reading to learn about the best outdoor areas in the Triangle.
February 12th, 2024
11 Tips For Getting a Jump Start On Spring Cleaning
Are you ready to start spring cleaning? Kick-start spring cleaning your house by making a cleaning checklist, declutter first, wash windows, cleaning underneath and behind furniture, and washing cabinets and baseboards.
February 09th, 2024
10 Best Farmer's Markets in Raleigh: Locations, Times, and More
What are the best farmer's markets in Raleigh, NC? Here are some of the best markets in the Raleigh area for fresh produce, flowers, and local products.
July 14th, 2023