Fresh fruit and veggies, right from the source: Denver’s farmers markets are back for 2022

This year brings some big changes to the local farmers market scene, from new vendors to a brand new shopping spot to surprising closures.

Some of the main markets won’t be taking place at all this year, including ones in the Golden Triangle and Boulder County Farmers Markets’ (BCFM) at Union Station in Denver and Lafayette.

The reason, said a spokesperson for BCFM, “We did not get enough diversified veggie growers to have Lafayette or Denver Markets this year, but in the future we hope we can successfully run these again.”

And the Highland Square market is under new management, HobNob Events (South Pearl Street Market). That likely means new vendors and a new vibe.

Still, a lot of the regular markets will be up and running, serving fresh vegetables, local meats, eggs, prepared foods, baked goods, handicrafts and more. There are some new ventures on the docket, too, including Sol Cherry Creek by Real Farmers Market.

Mark your calendar and get ready to shop the season at these farmers markets, starting with the first to open come April 2.

Boulder Farmers Market (Saturdays)

• Open: Starting April 2 on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., through Nov. 19.
• Things to know: Run by Boulder Country Farmers Market. Look for new vendors, including Moon Racoon Baking Co., Kream Kimchi and Pint’s Peak Ice Cream.
• Features: Located next to Boulder’s Central Park; around 60 vendors weekly; monthly artisan shows and live music.
• Location: 13th Street between Canyon Boulevard and Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder.

Longmont Farmers Market

• Open: Starting April 2 on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Nov. 19.
• Things to know: Run by Boulder Country Farmers Market. Look for new vendors, including Moon Racoon Baking Co., Kream Kimchi and Pint’s Peak Ice Cream.
• Features: Plenty of parking; around 60 local vendors weekly.
• Location: Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, Longmont.

Southwest Plaza

• Open: Starting April 30 on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., through Oct. 29
• Things to know: Metro Denver Farmers’ Market has been running markets for 40 years and accepts SNAP and EBT cards.
• Features: More than 30 vendors, including Domenico Farms, Forte Farms, Styria Bakery II and the Honey Gal.
• Location: The parking lot at Wadsworth Boulevard and West Bowles Avenue, Littleton.

Highlands Ranch

• Open: Starting May 1 on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., through Oct. 30.
• Things to know: Metro Denver Farmers’ Market has been running markets for 40 years and accepts SNAP and EBT cards.
• Features: More than 30 vendors, featuring TruBucha Kombucha, Rocky Mountain Rice, Mumm Farms and Mazzotti Farms.
• Location: Highlands Ranch Town Center, 9288 Dorchester St., Highlands Ranch.

South Pearl Street Farmers Market

• Open: Starting May 1, Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Nov. 13.
• Things to know: Check out the online calendar of musical guests, including opening day’s Rocky Mountain Aardvarks.
• Features: Seats for eating; dozens of vendors; four entrances (one at South Pearl Street and East Iowa Avenue, one halfway down the block on South Pearl Street between East Arkansas Avenue and East Florida Avenue, and one on the east and one on the west sides of Florida Avenue).
• Location: South Pearl Street between East Iowa Avenue and East Arkansas Avenue.

Boulder Farmers Market (Wednesdays)

• Open: Starting May 4 on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to dusk, through Oct. 5.
• Things to know: Run by Boulder Country Farmers Market. Look for new vendors, including Moon Racoon Baking Co., Kream Kimchi and Pint’s Peak Ice Cream.
• Features: Located next to Boulder’s Central Park, where each week Yoga Pearl, a local yoga studio in Boulder, will teach two classes.
• Location: 13th Street between Canyon Boulevard and Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder.

Cherry Creek (Saturdays)

• Open: Starting May 7 on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., through Nov. 5.
• Things to know: Run by Colorado Fresh Markets.
• Features: Free parking, dozens of vendors.
• Location: Cherry Creek Shopping Center at 1st Avenue and University Boulevard.

Southlands Farmers Market

• Open: Starting May 7 on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., until the end of September (depending on weather).
• Things to know: Run by The Local Colorado.
• Features: Mixture of local produce and handicrafts.
• Location: Southlands Shopping Center, E-470 and Smoky Hill Road, Aurora.

Festival Park Farmers Market

• Open: Starting May 8 on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., until the end of September (depending on weather).
• Things to know: Run by The Local Colorado.
• Features:  Mixture of local produce and handicrafts, all sold in downtown Castle Rock.
• Location: 300 Second St., Castle Rock.

Parker Farmers Market

• Open: Starting May 8 on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., until the end of October (depending on weather).
• Things to know: Run by The Local Colorado.
• Features: Mixture of local produce and handicrafts; more than 100 vendors; located in historic downtown Parker.
• Location: 19565 Mainstreet, Parker.

Erie Farmers Market

• Open: Starting May 12 on Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m., through Sep. 8.
• Things to know: Run by Real Farmers Market; dog-friendly; a car show takes place the last Thursday of each month; SNAP accepted.
• Features: Good for kids.
• Location: Briggs Street between Wells and Moffatt streets, Erie.

City Park Farmers Market

• Open: Starting May 14 on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Oct. 29.
• Features: Focus on local food with more than 10 farms, 13 sauce stands and food trucks; located next to City Park.
• Location: City Park Esplanade at East Colfax Avenue and Columbine Street.

Louisville Farmers Market

• Open: Starting May 14 on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Oct. 15.
• Things to know: Run by Real Farmers Market, dog-friendly, live music, SNAP accepted.
• Features: Dozens of vendors, including Chura Pottery, Coal Creek Soapery, Tabor Acres and Mother Mycelium Mushroom Co.; check the schedule to make sure your favorite vendor is there that week.
• Location: 824 Front St., Louisville.

Sol Farmers Market

• Open: Starting May 15 on Sundays from  9 a.m. to  1 p.m., through Oct. 16.
• Things to know: Brand new market in the shopping area of Cherry Creek; run by Real Farmers Market.
• Features: A small market with small-batch foods and drink, produce and high-end local products in the parking lot of Sol.
• Location: 3010 E. 6th Ave.

Highland Square Farmers Market

• Open: Starting May 22 on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Oct. 16.
• Things to know: New owner, Hobnob Events.
• Features: Live music weekly featuring Kurt Jones (June 5), Darcy Nelson (July 17), Adam Hill (Sep. 4) and more.
• Location: At 32nd Avenue and Lowell Boulevard.

Stanley Farmers Market

• Open: Starting June 3 on Fridays from 3 to 7 p.m., through September (date TBD)
• Things to know: Located on the west lawn across from Sweet Cow and Stanley Beer Hall at the Stanley Marketplace. Many vendors accept SNAP and EBT.
• Features: Mixture of local produce and handicrafts. Because of the common consumption allowance, shoppers can grab a drink from one of the bars and/or restaurants and imbibe while shopping.
• Location: 2501 Dallas St., Aurora.

Golden Farmers Market

• Open: Starting June 4 on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Oct. 8.
• Things to know: Live entertainment, accepts SNAP and participates in the Double Up Food Bucks program.
• Features: It’s the 20th year anniversary of this market.
• Location: Golden Library parking lot, 1019 10th St., Golden.

Arvada Farmers Market

• Open: Starting June 5 on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., through Sep. 25.
• Things to know: Parking can be tricky.
• Features: Located in Olde Town Arvada; you can walk around with libations; vendors sell a mix of produce, handicrafts, packaged goods and prepared foods.
• Location: 5700 Olde Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada.

Central Park Farmers Market

• Open: Starting June 5 on Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through Oct. 9.
• Things to know: Visit dozens of vendors and farmers’ stands, plus beverages and baked goods.
• Features: Live music or a live DJ every day it’s open.
• Location: Founders Green at Central Park, at Syracuse Street and 29th Avenue.

Lakewood Farmers’ Market

• Open: Starting June 11 on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., through Sep. 24.
• Things to know: Metro Denver Farmers’ Market has been running markets for 40 years and accepts SNAP and EBT cards.
• Features: A smaller market with around 15 vendors, including Hinman Pie, Garden Coffee, Floppy Hat Farm and Koglers Bakery.
• Location: 9077 W. Alameda Ave., Lakewood.

Cherry Creek (Wednesdays)

• Open: Starting June 15 on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Sep. 28.
• Things to know: Run by Colorado Fresh Markets.
• Features: Free parking; dozens of vendors.
• Location: Cherry Creek Shopping Center at First Avenue and University Boulevard.

Littleton

• Open: Starting July 13 on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., through Sep. 14.
• Things to know: Metro Denver Farmers’ Market has been running markets for 40 years and accepts SNAP and EBT cards.
• Features: Around 20 vendors, featuring Rockin 4D Meats, Mumm Farms, Wild Alaskan Seafood and Love My Shawl.
• Location: Aspen Grove, 7301 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton.