Farmers markets are a great way to experience what’s happening in our community here in St Augustine and St Johns County. St. Johns County has several farmers’ markets that take place throughout the year, including the St. Johns County Farmers Market at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, the Pier Farmers Market, Nocatee Farmers Market and more. Depending on your plans on the different days, you may be able to add a farmers market visit to your time here in St Augustine.
In addition to the wonderful farmers markets we have, there are also monthly market events downtown and in Uptown, in case you’re looking for a gallery walk or block party.
St Augustine Farmers Market at the Amp – Saturdays
The largest farmers market in St Johns County is the St Augustine Farmers Market. This takes place at the Amp, our local major performance venue, and it is held every Saturday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. This market features a variety of local produce, seafood, artisanal products, and crafts. I’ve bought plants, yard art, wall art and even hand sewn bags here.
What makes the St Augustine Farmers Market so fun for visitors is the setting. Located in the live oak tree tunnel at the St Augustine Amphitheater, a lot of the market is nice and shady in the morning so it’s not an uncomfortable experience wandering through the many stalls. We bring people to the St Augustine Farmers Market when they visit us and we go on our own, particularly during watermelon season.
Some of our favorite vendors at the St Augustine Farmers Market include a local orchid grower (I collect orchids and have them in my garden), a very talented glass artist (she makes amazing tiny sculptures), a man who makes colorful yard art birds from PVC pipe and a few different bakers. Even when we go to the St Augustine Farmers Market at the Amphitheater just to walk around, we still leave with something.
Bonus: if you like local live bands, there is usually a group performing at the Backyard Stage at the entrance to the actual amphitheater. The concession stand nearby serves beverages during the market hours (adult and non-alcoholic drinks) and you can enjoy them at the Backyard Stage area before completing your Farmers Market visit.
Parking for the St Augustine Farmers Market
There is a lot of parking available for the Saturday St Augustine Farmers Market at the Amphitheater. You can park in the regular Amp parking area or at the Elks Lodge next door and walk over. During peak hours, the Elks Lodge is the easier parking area. There are St Augustine police managing traffic for the Saturday farmers market, so even when it’s really busy things stay fairly under control. There are also parking directors in the main Amp parking area to help traffic move smoothly and get people in and out safely.
If you’re staying nearby, such as at The Local St Augustine or another hotel on Anastasia Blvd, you can walk to the Amp for the market.
St Augustine Beach Pier Farmers Market – Wednesdays
I love that we have enough produce farmers and artisans to have two farmers markets in St Augustine. The St Augustine Pier Farmers Market happens year round on Wednesdays from 8:00 am to noon May through October, and then from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm November through April. This market takes place in the large parking lot of the St Augustine Beach fishing pier, aka the St Johns County Ocean Park and Pier. There are some of the same vendors that you’ll find at the Saturday St Augustine Farmers Market, but then you’ll also find more artisans who are local to our beach neighborhood.
While you won’t find as many ready-to-eat foods at the Wednesday Pier Farmers Market, there are still plenty of produce and baked good options. You’ll want to get there early for the best pick for prepared foods.
Pier Farmers Market Parking
Parking for the Wednesday Pier Farmers Market here in St Augustine Beach is a little more complicated than the Saturday market at the Amp. Here, you’ll need to park in one of the public beach parking areas or behind the beach fire station. If you must park on a side street between Anastasia Lodge Road and 14th Street, be sure to pay attention to parking signs and residential parking spots. Do not block driveways or use resident parking areas if you aren’t authorized.
More St Augustine Area Farmers Markets to Visit
Another farmers’ market in St. Johns County is the Nocatee Farmers Market, which takes place on the third Saturday of each month from 10 am to 1 pm. The market features a range of vendors offering fresh produce, baked goods, prepared foods, and handmade crafts. It’s not a huge market like the St Augustine Farmers Market, but it’s nice if you’re staying up in the Nocatee area or visiting friend up there.
In Flagler County, the Flagler Beach Farmers Market is a popular marketplace for residents and visitors alike. I really love it as a stop when we drive down to Daytona. The market takes place every Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm across from the Flagler Beach Municipal Pier. Vendors offer a variety of handmade goods and foods, including fresh produce, seafood, flowers, and crafts.
Need to Know for Visiting St Augustine Farmers Markets
It’s important to note that farmers’ markets can be subject to changes in hours of operation, closures, or relocation. It’s always a good idea to check with the specific market or local chamber of commerce for the latest information. Our Saturday amphitheater and Wednesday pier markets are very consistent, but unforeseen circumstances do happen, and if there’s a named storm predicted, market events will likely be cancelled for that week.
We like to keep our farmers markets as green and low impact as possible. Most vendors ask that you arrive with your own bags for getting your produce and purchases home. Some may provide bags or boxes, but most do not.
Market goers who have qualified for SNAP benefits are able use them at the St Augustine Farmers Market. When you arrive, be sure to stop by the SNAP table to get set up for using your benefits and getting bonus benefits at the market. The Wednesday pier market DOES NOT participate in the SNAP farmers market program, but the Saturday market at the Amp does.
If you have other St Augustine farmers markets or public markets you would like us to share, please let us know. There are several night market events that happen, and as they grow we’ll be sure to include more information.
Share this content:
Pingback: Things to Do at Forsyth Park: Guide to the Park & Victorian District