There’s something about a farmers’ market that cuts through the noise of a regular week. In New Westminster, that feeling hits the moment you step between the tents; the smell of fresh bread, a vendor handing you a sample of something you’ve never tried, a local musician playing while you browse. These markets aren’t a backdrop to life in the Royal City; they are life in the Royal City. We’ve watched them grow, and we think every New West resident deserves to know what’s waiting for them.
The Market at the Heart of New West
The Royal City Farmers Market is the one locals keep coming back to, and it’s easy to see why. Running Thursdays from 3:00 to 7:00 pm, late March through October at Tipperary Park beside City Hall, it’s become a weekly ritual for a good chunk of this city. With 45+ vendors spread across the park, you’ll find everything from seasonal produce and fresh-cut flowers to baked goods, preserves, and handmade crafts. You’ll probably go in for tomatoes and end up staying for an hour.
A Market on Unceded Land
Before we get into what’s at the market, it’s worth taking a moment to acknowledge where it takes place. Tipperary Park sits on the unceded territory of the Qayqayt First Nation, and this is their ancestral land; we think it matters to say that clearly rather than skip past it.
That acknowledgement shapes how we think about community here. Supporting local means supporting the people and places that have always been part of this land; and this weekly market is one way New West comes together to do exactly that.
What You’ll Find at the Vendors
The vendor mix at the Thursday market is one of the reasons people keep showing up week after week, with the lineup shifting with the season in a way that makes it worth coming back for. Here’s a quick look at what tends to be on offer:
- Fresh seasonal produce straight from local farms
- Artisan bread, pastries, and baked goods
- Honey, jams, preserves, and specialty pantry items
- Handmade soaps, candles, and local crafts
- Ready-to-eat food from local vendors
The Market Access Program
One thing we appreciate about this market is the Market Access Program, which is designed to lower the barrier for new and emerging vendors who are just getting started; whether that’s a small-batch food producer or someone testing a new product with a local audience. It’s the kind of initiative that keeps the market fresh and gives newer businesses a real shot at building a following in the community.
Sprout Club and the Pie for Pride Competition
The market isn’t only for adults, and the Sprout Club is proof of that. Built right into the Tipperary Park experience, it gets younger visitors involved, curious, and connected to where food actually comes from; making Thursday afternoons a real reason to bring the whole family out rather than leaving the kids at home.
Then there’s the Pie for Pride competition, which is exactly as fun as it sounds and has become a genuine community staple. It brings out local bakers and a lot of enthusiasm, and whether you come to watch, taste, or cheer someone on, it’s one of those market moments that reminds you why these events matter beyond just the shopping.
Getting There and Getting Around
Getting to Tipperary Park on a Thursday is straightforward no matter how you’re travelling. The market is transit-friendly and sits close to New Westminster Station, so parking isn’t something you need to stress about. It’s fully accessible, dog-friendly, and free to attend; so there’s no reason not to show up.
| Market | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Royal City Farmers Market | Thursdays, 3:00–7:00 pm; late March–October | Tipperary Park, beside City Hall |
| December Holiday Market | December 13–14, 2025; 90+ vendors; pay-what-you-can ($5 suggested) | City Hall, New Westminster |
The Holiday Market and Winter Options
When the Thursday market wraps up for the season, New West doesn’t go quiet, and the December Holiday Market is the best example of that. It brings 90+ vendors to City Hall and stands as one of the biggest market events of the year in the Royal City; well worth marking on your calendar early because it draws a crowd. If you’re in Queensborough, the winter market at the community centre also keeps things local through the colder months.
Eating With the Seasons
One of the quieter benefits of going to a farmers’ market regularly is that it shifts how you cook at home. When you’re buying directly from the people who grew or made your food, you start paying attention to what’s actually in season: strawberries in June, corn in August, squash in October. The market tells you what to eat and when, without making a production out of it.
We think that connection to seasonal eating is one of the best things the Royal City Farmers Market offers. It doesn’t dress itself up or overcomplicate anything; it just shows up every Thursday and lets the produce do the talking.
Why We Support These Markets
Here at the Local, we publish businesses and places we’d actually recommend to a neighbour, and the Royal City Farmers Market is exactly that kind of place. Here’s why we think it deserves your Thursday afternoons:
- It connects you directly with the people who grow and make your food
- It supports small and new businesses through programmes like Market Access
- It brings the community together in a way that feels real, not forced
- It operates on unceded Qayqayt territory, a fact worth honouring each visit
- It gives families, kids, and dogs a reason to get outside and be part of something
Make It a Regular Thing
If you haven’t made the Royal City Farmers Market part of your week yet, it’s one of the easiest changes you can make. Thursdays at Tipperary Park from 3:00 to 7:00 pm, late March through October; it’s a straightforward way to eat well, meet your neighbours, and put your support behind the businesses that make New West worth living in. We’ll see you there.
Questions Often Asked
When is the Royal City Farmers Market open and where is it located?
The Royal City Farmers Market runs every Thursday from 3:00 to 7:00 pm, late March through October, at Tipperary Park beside City Hall in New Westminster. It’s an easy walk from New Westminster Station, so transit is your best bet if you’re coming from elsewhere in the Lower Mainland.
Is there an admission fee to get in?
The regular Thursday market is free to attend. The December Holiday Market at City Hall operates on a pay-what-you-can basis with a suggested donation of $5; so you can come out, support local vendors, and give what you’re comfortable with.
What kinds of vendors and products can you expect to find?
The market hosts 45+ vendors and the selection changes with the season. On any given Thursday you might find fresh produce, artisan baked goods, local honey and preserves, handmade crafts, and ready-to-eat food. If you’re coming for the first time, give yourself extra time because it’s easy to spend longer than you planned.
Are there markets that run outside of the regular Thursday season?
Yes; when the Thursday market wraps up in October, there are still options through the colder months. The December Holiday Market brings 90+ vendors to City Hall on December 13–14, 2025, and Queensborough hosts a winter market at the community centre that keeps things going through the season. Between the two, you don’t have to wait until spring to shop local.
