Virginia Beach is famous for its long shoreline, busy boardwalk, and buzzing summer scene, but there’s another side to the city hiding just beyond the sand: a network of local farmers markets that run almost all year. These are the places where you meet the growers, taste small-batch products, and see how “local” really looks on the ground. From a seven-days-a-week market on Dam Neck Road to seasonal Saturday gatherings and Thursday night events with food trucks, you can easily turn a market run into one of the best “things to do” in Virginia Beach.
Whether you’re a visitor planning a long weekend or a local looking for new spots to explore, building a day around the farmers markets gives you a different feel for the city. You’ll find fresh produce, seafood, baked goods, regional specialties, and plenty of treats to snack on while you wander. This guide walks you through four standout stops that together make up the ultimate Virginia Beach market run:
- Virginia Beach Farmers Market – the year-round anchor
- Old Beach Farmers Market – a coastal Saturday favorite near the oceanfront
- Shore Drive Farm Market – a neighborhood gem by the bay
- King’s Grant Farmers Market – an evening community market with food trucks and live music
Mix and match them into your plans, or hit all four over a long weekend for a full taste of Virginia Beach’s local flavor.
Virginia Beach Farmers Market: Year-Round Hub for Local Flavor
The best place to start your market run is the Virginia Beach Farmers Market, located at 3640 Dam Neck Road, at the corner of Dam Neck and Princess Anne Roads. The city describes it as a year-round destination where you can shop seven days a week for local and regional produce, a butcher shop, dairy store, seafood, florist, candy and bakery, garden shops, and a full-service restaurant.
Tourism sites like Visit Virginia Beach call it “so much more than a farmer’s market,” pointing out that in addition to the daily shops, the market also hosts special events, children’s activities, and themed weekends. Another local guide highlights that for decades, residents have come here for fresh produce, homemade ice cream, local honey, and seasonal celebrations.
Online reviews back that up. On Yelp, one visitor says the market is “open year round… local farmers, fresh produce, bakery, butcher, fishmonger, creamery” and praises how convenient it is to do a full shop in one stop. Travel blogs and review sites describe it as cute and family friendly, with reviewers calling it a “must visit” for anyone who likes good food and wants to support local businesses.
Unlike many farmers markets that only pop up on Saturday mornings, this one functions more like a small country village that’s always there. You can come on a weekday morning for a quiet trip, or visit on a busy weekend when there’s live music or special programming and the atmosphere feels like a fair.
What to do at Virginia Beach Farmers Market:
- Shop the produce stands for seasonal fruits and vegetables from regional farms.
- Visit the butcher and seafood vendors for meats and fresh catch you can cook later.
- Treat yourself to homemade ice cream, baked goods, and candy from the on-site merchants.
- Browse garden shops for plants, flowers, and décor to take home.
- Check the market’s event listings for hoedowns, craft shows, and family days if you want extra entertainment.
When to go: Because it’s open daily, this market is a flexible option. If the beach is crowded, windy, or rainy, a trip inland to the Virginia Beach Farmers Market is an easy backup plan that still feels like a fun outing.
Old Beach Farmers Market: Saturday Mornings by the Oceanfront
If you like the idea of strolling from your farmers market haul straight to the sand, Old Beach Farmers Market is your spot. It’s held near 18th Street in the ViBe Creative District, just a few blocks from the oceanfront. According to the market’s official website, Old Beach was founded in 2008 and is run by volunteers who are “staunch supporters of local family farms, watermen, and Virginia wineries.” Their goal is to connect local producers directly to shoppers in a walkable, coastal setting.
The market is curated more than massive. You’ll usually find a well-chosen lineup of vendors offering seasonal fruits and vegetables, pasture-raised meats, farm-fresh eggs, cheeses, fresh breads, pastries, and prepared foods. Some Saturdays also include specialty producers selling sauces, pickles, jams, coffee, and even natural skincare products.
Reviews show how much visitors enjoy the atmosphere. A TripAdvisor reviewer calls it “not huge, but a real taste of the region… If you’re there in season, go!” Another person writes on MapQuest that the market is very close to the beach and says, “The people are very friendly. We got some desserts, some apple butter, and some skin care products… Good place to bring kids.”
Locals on Yelp mention that Old Beach has grown into a year-round tradition, with weekly markets during the busier months and third-Saturday events in the off-season. One regular calls it “popular with locals and welcoming to visitors… Don’t forget to bring your bags… It’s a great vibe.” Others rave about specific vendors and appreciate that it’s easy to walk from the market to nearby coffee shops, murals, and the boardwalk.
What to do at Old Beach Farmers Market:
- Start your Saturday with coffee and pastries from one of the local vendors.
- Fill your tote with seasonal produce, eggs, breads, and cheeses for a beach picnic.
- Chat with farmers and makers about their products; most are happy to tell you where and how things are grown or made.
- Explore the ViBe Creative District’s murals, cafés, and small shops once you’ve finished your market loop.
When to go: Old Beach is typically held on Saturday mornings, with more frequent dates in the warmer months. It’s worth checking the most recent schedule on their website or social media before you go. Plan to arrive earlier in the day if you’re hoping to grab popular baked goods or limited-run items, since those tend to sell out first.
Shore Drive Farm Market: Neighborhood Charm by the Bay
On the Chesapeake Bay side of the city, the Shore Drive Farm Market offers a smaller, more low-key experience that many locals love. According to the listing on Visit Virginia Beach, the market was founded in 2016 to “bring quality local products to our Shore Drive neighborhood.” It features vendors like Full Quiver Farms, B&H Produce, Veg Out Gardens, Gateaux’s Bakery, and several seafood and artisan producers.
The market usually takes place on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon at 2947 Shore Drive. A directory on Marketspread confirms the time and location and notes that shoppers can expect a rotation of farmers, bakers, and makers each week. The market’s own Facebook page, Shore Drive Farm Market, frequently posts about seasonal produce, featured vendors, and special themed days.
Reviews describe it as cozy and relaxed rather than crowded. One visitor notes that it’s a “small set up” in a parking lot but appreciates the selection, especially for breakfast options and local produce. Others say it’s a nice way to start a Saturday before heading over to the nearby bayfront beaches or parks.
What to do at Shore Drive Farm Market:
- Grab a local coffee and breakfast sandwich as you walk the stalls.
- Pick up seasonal fruit, vegetables, bread, and pastries for the week ahead.
- Browse handmade products like jams, baked goods, soaps, and craft items from neighborhood vendors.
- Combine your visit with a stop at a Chesapeake Bay beach or a walk in a nearby park.
When to go: The market generally runs on Saturday mornings for just a few hours, so it’s smart to arrive earlier rather than later. Follow their social pages for the most up-to-date season dates and to see which vendors will be there each week, since the lineup can change.
King’s Grant Farmers Market: Community Nights with Food Trucks & Local Makers
To experience a totally different kind of market energy, plan an evening at the King’s Grant Farmers Market. Instead of a morning affair, this one runs in the late afternoon and evening, turning the parking lot of King’s Grant Baptist Church into a community gathering place. The church’s page on kingsgrantchurch.com explains that the market typically operates on the first and third Thursday of each month from May through September, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Their mission is to support local farmers, encourage sustainable living, and create vibrant community gatherings. They emphasize that the market is not a fundraiser but a way to serve the neighborhood by giving people a space to shop, eat, and connect. A listing on Marketspread confirms the seasonal schedule and notes that the market features farm vendors, prepared foods, artisan products, and more.
Photos and comments on the King’s Grant Farmers Market Facebook page show families gathered at picnic tables, kids enjoying treats, and rows of food trucks along the edge of the lot. Visitors mention “awesome food trucks and incredible vendors” and love that there’s a mix of fresh produce, baked goods, desserts, and crafts, all in a friendly neighborhood setting.
What to do at King’s Grant Farmers Market:
- Plan a Thursday evening visit and treat the market as your dinner destination, thanks to multiple food trucks and prepared food vendors.
- Shop for fresh produce, honey, breads, and handmade items to bring home while you snack.
- Let the kids run around, listen to live music if it’s scheduled, and enjoy the relaxed, community-focused atmosphere.
- Pick up gifts or souvenirs such as jams, sauces, baked goods, or candles from local makers.
When to go: Because King’s Grant Farmers Market only runs on certain Thursdays during the warmer months, it’s important to check the current year’s dates and weather updates on the church or market’s social pages before you head over. If your trip lines up with a market night, it’s an easy way to experience local life without dealing with oceanfront parking or long restaurant waits.
Putting It All Together: Planning Your Market Run
What makes Virginia Beach’s farmers markets so appealing is how they fit together. The year-round Virginia Beach Farmers Market is your dependable anchor: open every day with produce, meats, seafood, ice cream, and a restaurant. Old Beach Farmers Market gives you a lively Saturday morning near the oceanfront, perfect before or after some time on the sand. Shore Drive Farm Market offers a smaller, neighborhood feel on the bay side, and King’s Grant Farmers Market turns select Thursday evenings into mini festivals with food trucks and live music.
If you’re visiting, you can easily build an itinerary around them:
- Day 1: Visit Virginia Beach Farmers Market on a weekday or quieter weekend morning. Have breakfast on site, grab groceries or snacks, and then head to other attractions.
- Day 2 (Saturday): Start at Old Beach Farmers Market, wander the ViBe Creative District, and walk to the beach afterward for a picnic stocked with market finds.
- Day 3 (Saturday or Sunday): Drive over to Shore Drive Farm Market in the morning and then spend the rest of the day exploring Chesapeake Bay beaches or parks nearby.
- Thursday evening (if it lines up): Finish your market run at King’s Grant Farmers Market for dinner, dessert, and a laid-back community atmosphere.
Locals can create their own routine: maybe use Virginia Beach Farmers Market as your weekly staple stop, and rotate between Old Beach, Shore Drive, and King’s Grant whenever you want a change of scenery or a more social outing.
No matter how you plan it, bring reusable bags, a cooler or insulated bag for perishables, and a little extra room in your schedule to linger. In Virginia Beach, the best souvenirs might not be trinkets from the boardwalk, but fresh peaches, a loaf of crusty bread, a jar of local honey, or a memory of listening to live music with a market snack in hand. That’s the real charm of the ultimate Virginia Beach market run: you get fresh finds, genuine local flavor, and a deeper connection to the city all year long.