Once fall kicks in, right around September, we officially enter cozy season. Orange, red and yellow leaves start carpeting the ground, everything is flavored with pumpkin spice, and Hallowe’en is next on everyone’s social calendars. But for maximum coziness, you can’t beat a visit to a farmers’ market.
Picture yourself strolling around while wrapped snugly in a shearling jacket, sniffing the air for the scents of crisp apples, warm loaves, and jars of spiced jam. You’ll weave through families wandering between stalls, stopping to sample freshly-baked pecan muffins, or weighing up the brightest gourds. This is more than just a mere shopping experience—this is a proper, seasonal outing, where you’re kissing goodbye to summer but gladly welcoming in fall. Added bonus: it’s Gilmore-Girls cute.
Mixbook, rated #1 in photo books carried out a survey of over 3,000 families, asking them which September farmers’ markets they’d most want to visit this fall if distance was no object. Here are the top 10:
1. Pine Grove Mills Farmers Market, State College, Pennsylvania
While this market actually starts in mid-June, it runs right through ‘til the end of September, taking place every Thursday afternoon in the Lutheran church parking lot. Bringing Big Harvest Energy, you’ll find everything from wine and honey to cider and artisanal bread—basically everything you need to restock the pantry or prepare an evening meal. Bring your family, meet your friends and neighbors; and above all, whatever you do, just enjoy the experience.
2. Rehoboth Beach Farmers Market, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
This market perfectly combines the last of summer produce—think peaches, tomatoes, berries and herbs—with early fall crops, such as pumpkins and mums. Open on Tuesdays, this market near the coast has the added bonus of bracing seaside air, lively stalls, and a delightful beach town vibe. Get chatting to local producers and growers, do some sampling, and soak up the friendly ambience.
3. Arroyo Grande Valley Harvest Festival, Arroyo Grande, California
You name it, you can do it at this two-day Harvest Festival at Arroyo Grande set amid California’s fertile Central Coast. Not just a farmers’ market, it’s a proper foodie celebration, showcasing a range of culinary experiences from a pie-baking and scarecrow designing contests to local wine and beer tastings, cooking demos, and artisan food booths. Of course, you can find piles of fabulous produce too, on display from local farms and growers, which you can sample before you buy.
4. Craftsbury Farmers Market, Craftsbury, Vermont
Immerse yourself in the beauty of New England’s fall colors at this gorgeous market in a charming corner of Vermont buzzing with family-friendly vibes. Maple treats, of course, feature highly, but you’ll also find fresh, organic fruit and vegetables, handcrafted goods, live music and more. This market is truly a hub for local gatherings, and you’ll feel the community spirit the minute you set foot inside.
5. Lady Lake Farmers & Crafts Market, Lady Lake, Florida
The Lady Lake Farmers & Crafts Market gets into gear for fall at the Rolling Acres Sports Complex from October 7. Everything you could possibly imagine is on sale here, with stalls positively overflowing with fresh fruit and veggies, local honey and cheeses, artisan breads, crafted products and more. Live music fills the air alongside the happy hum of families and friends out for the day.
6. Locally Grown on the Green, Cashiers, North Carolina
It does what it says on the tin: At Locally Grown on the Green, all of the homegrown and handmade produce and goods comes from within a 100-mile radius of Cashiers. Every Wednesday, you can fill your chic straw basket with naturally-raised meats and dairy, farm-fresh eggs, artisanal jams, savory pickles, wholesome granola and more. This is definitely a place to linger and enjoy the fall atmosphere
7. Canton Farmers Market, Canton, Michigan
Four-legged friends are welcome at this fun, friendly farmers’ market held on crisp Sunday mornings through October 12 at Preservation Park. Expect live cooking demos, musical performances, and a range of vendors selling everything from baked goods to local cheeses, and of course seasonal fruit and vegetables from squash and sweet potatoes to pumpkins and cranberries.
8. Wiscasset Farmers' Market, Wiscasset, Maine
This small and intimate producer-only market, open Fridays until October 10, features around 14 vendors offering locally grown or produced agricultural products. Thanks to its size, you get a real opportunity to spend time talking to, and getting to know, farmers and growers, as well as sample fresh goods and enjoy the charm of one of Maine’s most picturesque coastal towns.
9. Farm-to-Fork Festival, Sacramento, California
As California’s capital city, Sacramento is buzzing with things to see, taste and savor. Surrounded by 1.5 million acres of farmland, it’s the perfect place to host one of the state’s premier farm‑to‑table events. Sacramento’s Farm‑to‑Fork Festival transforms Capitol Mall into a vibrant celebration of local agriculture. Browse booths hosted directly by regional farms, sample seasonal fruits, vegetables, cheeses, olive oils, wines, and beers. You can also browse live cooking demos by top chefs, to the backdrop of live music.
10. Rockwall Farmers Market, Rockwall, Texas
A Saturday morning staple until the end of September, Rockwall’s historic downtown square buzzes with live music, creating a vibrant backdrop to the business of fall-season buying. Browse fresh produce and specialty foods such as grass-fed meats, fresh baked artisan pastries, seafood, honey, jams, pasta, and tamales, to name just a few
“Farmers’ markets in September really capture the spirit of community and change,” says Leslie Albertson, Director of Brand & Creative for Mixbook. “It’s the moment when summer flavors overlap with autumn comforts, and families come together to enjoy both. That blend of tradition and seasonality is exactly what makes these markets so special.”
