Every Saturday morning—and on Tuesdays from April through December—a parking lot in downtown Napa transforms into a vibrant hub of color, conversation, and community. This is the Napa Farmers Market, a year-round gathering that prioritizes local produce, sustainable practices, and small business visibility. From heirloom tomatoes to handcrafted wooden cutting boards, the market offers more than groceries and gifts—it offers a genuine sense of connection, where everyone is welcome.

The market takes place at 1100 West Street, in a city parking lot. It’s open from 8am to 12pm, rain or shine. Saturdays are the busiest, drawing both locals and weekend visitors. Tuesdays are more relaxed, with plenty of time to chat with farmers and vendors. Parking is free and easy—though arriving early ensures the best availability—and the energy is always palpable.

Founded in 1986, the Napa Farmers Market is now one of the largest in the North Bay. At peak season, it features more than 70 vendors, including sustainable farms, small-batch food producers, and local artisans. Everything sold must be grown or made in California, and most vendors hail from within a 60-mile radius.

At the heart of the market are the farmers, many from multigenerational, family-run operations. They arrive early, unloading crates of just-picked stone fruit and baskets of eggs still warm from the morning’s gathering. Customers browse, sample, and engage—building relationships based on trust and transparency.

Beyond produce, small-batch food makers and artisans bring another layer to the experience. Every item is handmade by local businesses. One booth showcases unique cutting boards and wooden serving pieces. Others feature handmade jewelry, soaps, and vibrant, hand-dyed clothing. There’s locally roasted coffee, fresh-baked goods, and a tempting array of hot food options. The mix changes weekly, but the quality never wavers.

But the market isn’t just about food—it nourishes community. Relationships blossom, conversations flourish, and people stay connected to their food and each other. The Market Match program, for example, helps low-income shoppers stretch their food assistance dollars by doubling CalFresh benefits—a tangible effort to make farm-fresh, healthy food accessible to more people.

For many, the market is a weekly ritual. It’s a place to meet the farmer who grew your peaches, to learn how to keep greens fresh longer, or to plan dinner based on what looks best that day. It’s also a social hub—where neighbors run into each other, sip coffee, and catch up.

Operated as a nonprofit, the Napa Farmers Market is managed by a small team, with help from community partners and volunteers. Their mission is simple and powerful: support local agriculture, promote healthy living, and build community through direct exchange.

“Yes, we are a market, but more so, we are a community connector,” says Executive Director Cara Mae Wooledge, who notes the market is an ideal destination for holiday shopping and is stocked with all the essentials. “We are proud to be a welcoming and accessible place for everyone.”

For more information: napafarmersmarket.org