Home    >   Boston Shopping   >   SoWa Open Market

SoWa Open Market

Treasure-hunting at Boston's largest outdoor market

Boston's SoWa Open Market overflows with original works by local artists, artisans, and indie designers - plus a farmer's market and antique/vintage emporium - but here's the catch:  it's only open one day a week, and for only 6 short months.

SoWa comes alive every Sunday from 10am - 4pm starting in May and going through October, when a field of mostly white tents springs up in a parking lot in in the trendy SoWa neighborhood in Boston's South End neighborhood. 

White tents full of unique items at Boston's SoWa Open Market

Artists and artisans preside over tempting displays of paintings, photographs, unique clothing, handbags, home decor items, artisanal cheeses, stunning jewelry, pottery, fresh produce, and more.

One of the coolest things about this market is that if you spot, for example, a painting that you totally love, you can chat with the artist about it.

And if love conquers your pocketbook, you can also buy it. Prices are reasonable, and sales are brisk.

A different mix of vendors comes each week - so while some may be there periodically throughout the season, others make one appearance only. You never know who or what you'll see. 

Check the Boston Event Calendar for May for the SoWa spring opening and art walk date.

Display in SoWa Market

SoWa Open Market gets better and better (and bigger and bigger) every year.

As an added bonus, local Boston indie musicians perform on some Sundays.  We wonder, are we hearing the next Aerosmith?  Or maybe the next Dropkick Murphys?

What will you find at SoWa Open Market?

You'll have a new adventure each week because of the changing mix of artisans and vendors.

Because we like to stop by as often as possible, we've developed our own strategy for maximum enjoyment.

First, we head over to the tables loaded with breads and pastries from Boston's best local bakeries for freshly baked buttery croissants. We also buy a loaf of bread to take home later - bread tends to sell out early, so the slight nuisance of carrying it around with us as we browse is preferable to not getting any if we wait too late.

We pick one corner of the market and start strolling, zigzagging from one interesting display to another.

So what will you find?

Well, that depends. Each week brings a different mix of treasures.

On a recent Sunday, we linger over beautiful greeting cards and other paper products from B Designs, a small designer-owned company in Amesbury, Massachusetts that uses a real letterpress to print beautiful designs on cards. Thinking ahead to holiday shopping, we buy a few packages for gifts.

I'm attracted to some of the edgy t-shirts from AntiDesigns, a small, independent Boston company that silkscreens designs by local graphic artists by hand onto t-shirts. Great colors, great designs, beautiful quality - the best kind of wearable art. I'll order one later from their website when my children aren't distracting me with requests for another croissant.

Next, lustrous tables and chairs from George Beland, a furniture designer/builder from Portsmouth, New Hampshire catch my eye. The lines of the urban-scaled table legs are simple but elegant . . . I'm fantasizing about how great one might look in my hallway when my companions drag me away to admire stylish pocketbooks with an international flair made by Saya Studio Handbags, a designer/producer based right here in the South End.

SoWa is Boston's best indie market - as well as its best open air market.

SoWa Vintage Market - Year-Round!

Lovers of old, vintage, and even antique treasures will want to head next to SoWa Vintage Market at 460C Harrison Ave, open indoors all year from 10am-4pm on Sundays and on First Fridays each month from 5pm-9pm.

Look for lots of irresistible mid-century modern, industrial, European, and urban chic decor, jewelry, and accessories.

Free admission; park for $5 at 365 Albany Street.

Market of the Living Dead at SoWa Open Market

Not sure exactly how or when this annual Halloween ritual started . . . but Boston's season of ghouls coincides with SoWa's final market of the season at the end of October, so plan to dress appropriate and even get some inspiration for costumes for Halloween parties.

This is also the perfect weekend to think ahead to the holiday season and stock up on gifts, including a couple for yourself. 

Boston October weather on this weekend is usually fabulous, you'll see lots of fall foliage in the leafy South End streets, and a large number of vendors, artisans, and craftspeople display their tempting wares.

See Boston Events Calendar for October for details.

Farmers' Market at SoWa Open Market

Finally, after feasting our eyes on Open Market's array of temptations, we head for the farmers' market corner. Juicy summer fruits and berries dazzle our eyes. Fresh ears of corn appear to have been picked just a few hours earlier.

We purchase a gorgeous golden heirloom tomato, goat cheese and smoked mozzarella from Western Massachusetts, and a few local peaches from an orchard north of Boston.  Now I won't need to wonder what to make for dinner later!

Sure enough, all the bread has disappeared.

So do we head home with this bounty?

Well, um . . . eventually.

But first, we have to make a small detour to visit a certain nearby South End brasserie for lemonades and a platter of fried mussels.

Now that's the perfect ending to a perfect afternoon at the SoWa Open Market.

SoWa's WINTER Farmers' Market 

SoWa's new Winter Market has given us reason to rejoice at the arrival of colder weather.  Building on the popularity of the regular season Farmer's Market, SoWa has extended the season - and filled the desire for access to local products throughout the year. 

This is a rare opportunity to get local produce, eggs, and meat all winter from those who grow it.  Most of the farmers are local; most farm organically and sustainably, without pesticides.

Stop by 486 Harrison Ave, and you'll find 20-30 farmers, bakers, and producers with everything from New England root vegetables, green house mescluns and herbs, homemade pasta, honey, pickles, preserves, cheese, meats, eggs, breads, nuts, cookies, coffee, and even wine.

You'll also find a lot of excited customers. 

Details and Directions

Open: Sundays, 10am - 4pm; May through October. Check Boston Event Calendar for May for exact dates)

Location: 460 Harrison Ave, South End, Boston, MA

Closest T station: Orange Line/Back Bay.

The easiest way to get to the Market is by T. From the Back Bay station, getting to the Market is about a 10 minute walk (unless you get distracted by the South End's gorgeous Victorian architecture and cool shops).

As you leave the station, turn left and walk down Dartmouth Street. Continue walking down Dartmouth until your reach Harrison Ave, and then turn left.

For a more scenic route, walk down Dartmouth for 7 blocks, and turn right onto Tremont Street. After 4 short blocks on your right (or 1 long one on your left), turn right onto Waltham Street. Go 3 (counting on your right) blocks to Harrison Ave, turn left, and walk 2 blocks to the Market.

For more information:  www.sowaopenmarket.com

More to places to discover art and artisans in Boston

Boston Art Museums	Newbury Street Art Galleries	Shopping in Boston

Don't forget Art Walk and South End Open Studios

Return from SoWa Open Markets to Boston shopping

Return from SoWa Open Markets to Boston Tourism and Discovery Guide home page

Top Boston Events Each Month!

January	February	March	April	May	June

July	August	September	October	November	December