Richmond’s farmers markets follow the city’s parks and neighborhoods
Richmond’s farmers markets are better read as a city map than a single food destination. The Northside’s Bryan Park is a broad green setting for the Saturday RVA Big Market; south of the James River, Forest Hill Park puts a producer-only market among trails and lake paths; and Carytown’s market occupies the City Stadium grounds west of downtown. A trip between them crosses real neighborhood distance. The season matters just as much: at the October 30, 2026 check, Carytown’s last posted Sunday had passed, while RVA Big Market’s winter hours were beginning.
RVA Big Market currently lists Bryan Park, 4308 Hermitage Road, on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon in May–October and 9 a.m. to noon in November–April. GrowRVA describes it as a year-round outdoor market with local produce and handmade goods. One important change is already on the horizon: local reporting published October 23 says the market plans to leave Bryan Park for Midtown Green in spring 2027, while staying at Bryan Park through winter 2026–27. The organizer’s schedule still points to Bryan Park as of this guide’s check, so use its weekly update before setting a destination next year.
South of the James Farmers Market is a producer-only open-air gathering at 4021 Forest Hill Avenue. GrowRVA lists Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. year-round and describes locally grown farm goods and handmade products. Richmond’s park page adds useful context: Forest Hill was once a quarry, estate and amusement park, and today its lake, trails, shelters and wooded slopes make it a destination beyond market hours. That same city page describes the market’s usual season as May through November or sometimes December, which is less definite than GrowRVA’s current “year around” notice. Treat Sunday as the organizer’s published schedule, but check its market update during the cooler months.
Carytown Farmers Market held its 2026 season at City Stadium, 3201 Maplewood Avenue: Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., May 3 through October 25. Its organizer says the market was created to connect local farmers, makers and shoppers directly rather than through third parties. The site lists support for SNAP and Virginia Fresh Match. Its published 2026 dates have ended; shoppers looking ahead should wait for the next organizer calendar rather than assume the Sunday schedule continues into winter.
The city itself supplies the useful route frame. Richmond is not a compact downtown-only market circuit: Bryan Park is in the Northside, Forest Hill is south of the river and Carytown lies farther west. GRTC operates the city bus network and publishes an interactive route map, but the final stop and walking distance depend on a visitor’s starting point and the week’s service. Set each market’s exact address in a trip planner instead of treating the three as one walk. Park conditions also differ because two markets sit in public parks and Carytown uses stadium grounds; follow the weekly organizer notices and posted signs for access and parking.
These markets are useful for different kinds of shopping. The RVA Big Market is the broad Saturday choice and its winter window begins later in the morning. South of the James emphasizes direct contact with growers and makers in a park, with the added uncertainty of a seasonal calendar discrepancy. Carytown is the Sunday option for the spring-to-fall stretch, with an explicit producer-to-customer purpose. None publishes a uniform price list across vendors, so a household budget depends on the items and sellers chosen. Check the current lineup, bring reusable bags and build the visit around one district at a time; that is more practical than attempting all three sites in a single morning.
For a market morning now, the RVA Big Market’s winter calendar is the dependable year-round anchor; South of the James offers a producer-only park setting, while Carytown’s 2026 season has closed and returns on its next published calendar.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
GrowRVA’s Saturday outdoor market at Bryan Park, with local produce, handmade goods and a seasonal shift in opening time.
The official schedule lists 8 a.m.–noon May–October and 9 a.m.–noon November–April at 4308 Hermitage Road. The market plans to relocate to Midtown Green in spring 2027, according to local reporting; confirm the organizer’s latest notice.
South of the James Farmers Market
Forest Hill Park, 4021 Forest Hill Ave., Richmond, VA 23225
A producer-only Sunday gathering in Forest Hill Park, pairing locally grown goods and handmade products with a historic southside green space.
GrowRVA posts Sundays, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., year-round at 4021 Forest Hill Ave. The market is producer-only; Richmond’s park page describes a more seasonal May–November/December pattern, so check the current notice in winter.
Carytown Farmers Market at City Stadium
City Stadium, 3201 Maplewood Ave., Richmond, VA
A Sunday, spring-to-fall market at City Stadium built around direct exchange between local farmers, makers and shoppers.
The organizer’s published 2026 season ran May 3–October 25, Sundays 9 a.m.–1 p.m., at 3201 Maplewood Ave. It lists support for SNAP and Virginia Fresh Match; the 2026 calendar has ended.
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website of RVA Big Market at Bryan Park ↗
Primary source
GrowRVA · Accessed October 30, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of South of the James Farmers Market ↗
Primary source
GrowRVA · Accessed October 30, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Forest Hill Park ↗
Primary source
City of Richmond · Accessed October 30, 2026
Official park history, amenities and seasonal market description.
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Official website of Carytown Farmers Market at City Stadium ↗
Primary source
Carytown Farmers Market · Accessed October 30, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Outdoor Markets ↗
Primary source
City of Richmond · Accessed October 30, 2026
Official city description of Carytown as a Sunday producer-only market.
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Outdoor Markets ↗
Primary source
City of Richmond · Accessed October 30, 2026
Official city context and recognition of South of the James, Carytown and 17th Street public market.
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Forest Hill Park ↗
Primary source
City of Richmond · Accessed October 30, 2026
Park history, landscape and market-season context.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
GRTC · Accessed October 30, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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RVA Big Market announced move to Midtown Green ↗
Secondary source
Axios Richmond · Accessed October 30, 2026
Reported planned spring 2027 move and winter market at Bryan Park.
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RVA Big Market announced move to Midtown Green ↗
Secondary source
Axios Richmond · Accessed October 30, 2026
Local report on planned spring 2027 move and winter 2026–27 at Bryan Park.