The Boise Farmers Market will open its 2026 outdoor season on Saturday, April 5 with a record 180 vendors stretching across an expanded footprint on Grove Street and 8th Street in downtown Boise, organizers announced Thursday. Now in its 29th year, the market has grown from a modest gathering of local growers into one of the Treasure Valley’s most popular weekly events, drawing upwards of 8,000 visitors each Saturday morning during peak season and generating significant economic activity for downtown Boise businesses.
This year’s market will feature a redesigned layout that separates fresh produce vendors from prepared food and artisan goods, creating a more intuitive shopping experience for the thousands of Ada County residents who make the market a weekly tradition. The expansion adds nearly half a block of additional vendor space along 8th Street, accommodating 18 new vendors who were previously on the waiting list.
What’s New at the Boise Farmers Market in 2026
The most significant addition this year is a dedicated “Idaho Makers” section featuring local artisans, woodworkers, textile producers, and specialty food makers. The section, located along the 8th Street extension, will showcase products made exclusively in Idaho — from handcrafted cutting boards and leather goods to small-batch hot sauces and artisan chocolates.
Other new features include a weekly live music stage at the Grove Street plaza, a kids’ cooking demonstration area operated by the Boise School District’s culinary arts program, and an expanded prepared food court with covered seating. The food court will feature approximately 25 prepared food vendors offering everything from wood-fired pizza and farm-fresh crepes to Vietnamese pho and authentic Mexican street tacos.
“We’ve outgrown our old footprint, which is a wonderful problem to have,” said market director Rachel Chen. “The Boise Farmers Market isn’t just a place to buy tomatoes anymore — it’s the community gathering place for Ada County. Families spend their Saturday mornings here. Neighbors reconnect. Local businesses launch their brands here. We’ve tried to design this year’s layout to honor all of those functions.”
Supporting Local Agriculture and Small Business in Ada County
The Boise Farmers Market serves as a critical direct-to-consumer sales channel for dozens of small farms and ranches across southwestern Idaho. Vendors must meet strict local-production requirements — all fresh produce, meats, dairy, and eggs must be grown or raised within 150 miles of Boise, ensuring that market spending stays within the regional economy.
For many small farms, the market represents their primary revenue source. A 2025 economic impact study commissioned by the City of Boise found that the Saturday market generates approximately $4.2 million in annual vendor revenue and contributes an additional $2.8 million in spillover spending at nearby downtown restaurants, coffee shops, and retail stores.
The market also accepts SNAP/EBT benefits and participates in the Double Up Food Bucks program, which matches SNAP purchases of fresh fruits and vegetables dollar-for-dollar up to $20 per visit. The program is funded through a partnership between the Idaho Foodbank and the USDA, making fresh local produce accessible to lower-income Ada County families.
Market Schedule, Parking, and Access
The Saturday market operates from 9 AM to 1 PM every week from April through October. The popular Wednesday evening market returns in June, running from 4:30 to 8:30 PM with a focus on prepared food, live entertainment, and craft beverages.
Parking is available in the Capitol Terrace parking garage on Capitol Boulevard, the Boise Centre garage on Myrtle Street, and along surrounding downtown streets. The market is also accessible via Valley Regional Transit bus routes 1, 3, and 7, with stops within two blocks of the market grounds. Bicycle parking is available at racks on 8th Street and Grove Street.
What Comes Next
Opening day on April 5 will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Boise Mayor Lauren McLean at 8:45 AM, followed by live music starting at 9 AM. Vendors interested in applying for the 2027 season can submit applications through the market website at boisefarmersmarket.com beginning August 1. Ada County residents can sign up for the market’s weekly newsletter to receive vendor highlights, seasonal recipes, and special event announcements.