Saturday morning, Kerrytown, 8 AM sharp. The market is a 100-plus year tradition in Ann Arbor – the second oldest continuously operating public market in Michigan – and it runs like a well-oiled machine. 130 Michigan vendors, every one of them selling what they grew or made themselves. No resellers. No middle men. Here’s how to make the most of it.
Hours and Season
The market operates year-round on two schedules:
January through April: Saturdays only, 8 AM to 3 PM. This is the winter market – smaller, cozier, heavy on root vegetables, stored apples, meat, eggs, cheese, and baked goods.
May through December: Wednesdays and Saturdays, 7 AM to 3 PM. This is the full market. Wednesday is quieter and locals-only. Saturday is the main event.
The address is 315 Detroit Street in the Kerrytown district, right off North Fourth Avenue.
What to Buy (and When)
This is a producer-only market, so everything follows Michigan’s growing season. Knowing what’s peaking when is the difference between a good haul and a great one.
Spring (May – June): Asparagus, ramps, morel mushrooms (if you’re early), strawberries, radishes, lettuce, spring onions, bedding plants, and flower starts. The plant vendors sell out fast – if you want heirloom tomato starts, be there at 7 AM.
Summer (July – August): Sweet corn, tomatoes by the bushel, peaches, blueberries, green beans, peppers, fresh herbs, cut flowers. This is peak market. The tomato vendors alone will fill half your bag.
Fall (September – November): Apples (easily 15 varieties), pears, winter squash, pumpkins, root vegetables, cider, and late-season greens. Apple cider donuts from the orchard vendors are a non-negotiable.
Winter (December – April): Stored root vegetables, dried beans, meat, poultry, eggs, cheese, maple syrup, honey, bread, pastries, preserves, and hot prepared food. Smaller but still worth the trip.
Beyond produce, the market has year-round vendors selling Great Lakes fish, pastured meat and poultry, fresh bread, jam, pickles, hot sauce, spices, coffee, tea, mead, prepared foods, candles, body care products, ceramics, textiles, and jewelry.
Parking – Here’s the Deal
Parking is the one thing that stresses people out about the market. Here’s your actual playbook:
Free parking is available in the market lot – first come, first served. On Wednesdays, you’ll usually find a spot. On Saturdays from May to November, forget about it unless you arrive before 7:30 AM.
Paid parking garages: Ann and Ashley structure (315 W Ann St) and Fourth and Washington structure (320 W Washington St) are both within a 5-minute walk. These are the reliable Saturday option.
Metered street parking: The Community High School lot on Fifth Avenue, plus lots at Fourth and Catherine, Ann and Main, and First and Huron all have metered spots. Hit or miss on Saturdays.
Bike: Bike racks are on Fourth Avenue, Fifth Avenue, and Detroit Street. A seasonal bike corral sets up on Fifth Avenue in front of Sweetwaters Coffee. This is genuinely the best way to get to the market on a Saturday.
How to Navigate
The market is laid out under an open-air shelter with vendors on both sides of the aisle. Peak flow moves counterclockwise, but there’s no official direction – just follow the crowd.
First lap: Walk the entire market without buying anything. See what’s available, compare prices, note which vendors have the best-looking produce. The market is big enough that impulse-buying on your first pass means a full bag before you’re halfway through.
Second lap: Buy. Start with the fragile stuff – berries, tomatoes, lettuce – and work toward the heavy items. Bread and baked goods sell out early, so grab those on your first pass if you see something you want.
Bring your own bags. Vendors have bags, but a good tote or two makes the haul easier.
Bring cash. Most vendors take it, and it’s faster. For credit cards, debit, SNAP/EBT, and mobile pay, buy market tokens at the market office trailer. The token system also supports Double Up Food Bucks, which match SNAP spending dollar-for-dollar on Michigan-grown fruits and vegetables.
The Kerrytown District
The market sits inside the Kerrytown district, which is worth exploring before or after your market run. Within a two-block radius:
Kerrytown Market & Shops is the indoor market building right next to the farmers market shed. It houses specialty food shops, a fish market, and rotating vendors. Open year-round.
Zingerman’s Delicatessen is across the street on Detroit Street. The line on Saturday morning wraps around the building. It’s worth it. The corned beef sandwich is the one. Get there early or accept a 30-minute wait.
No Thai! Kerrytown is right in the Kerrytown shops building. Solid lunch option after the market – noodle bowls, curries, and spring rolls.
Kerrytown Concert House hosts intimate live music and performance events – check their calendar if you’re making an evening of the Kerrytown visit.
Vendor Highlights
The market has 130-plus vendors and the mix shifts seasonally. A few things worth knowing about the people behind the tables:
The multi-generation farm families are the backbone. Some vendors are third, fourth, and fifth generation farmers selling at this market. You’ll notice the same family names year after year – that continuity is what makes this market different from a pop-up or seasonal market.
Produce vendors typically cluster at one end, with meat, cheese, and baked goods in the middle, and prepared food and artisan goods at the far end. The prepared food vendors – empanadas, tamales, pastries, coffee – make the market a breakfast destination, not just a shopping trip.
Other Markets in the Area
The Ann Arbor Farmers Market is the big one, but it’s not the only game in town:
Westside Farmers Market runs Thursday evenings in summer at Westgate Shopping Center. Smaller, neighborhood feel, and you can actually park.
Ypsilanti Depot Town Farmers Market operates Tuesday afternoons in Depot Town. Different vendors, different vibe, and it’s only 15 minutes east.
Chelsea Farmers Market runs Saturdays in downtown Chelsea. Small but well-curated, and Chelsea itself is a great half-day trip.
Tips for First-Timers
Arrive at 7 AM on Saturdays during peak season if you want the best selection. By 9 AM, the popular items – morels in spring, first-of-season tomatoes in July, cider donuts in fall – are gone.
Wednesdays are the local’s market. Same vendors, half the crowd, and parking is easy. If your schedule allows it, this is the better day to shop.
Talk to the vendors. They grew it. They know how to cook it. Ask what’s good this week and you’ll get an honest answer and probably a recipe.
Dress for the weather. The market is outdoors under a roof but open on the sides. In January, that means layers. In July, sunscreen and a hat.
Budget $30-50 for a solid haul. You’ll walk away with a week’s worth of produce, a loaf of bread, and probably some flowers.
Close
The Ann Arbor Farmers Market is one of the best things about living in this town – or visiting it. Find more Kerrytown-area businesses and local food spots on miannarbor.com.
