Ontario Small Business Community
Showcasing & Supporting Ontario Small Businesses Est 2021
#shoplocalontario
Ontario Event, Market & Festival Directory
Ontario is indeed the province of opportunity. Finding the right event, market or festival for your small business or creative passion venture can be difficult but also very rewarding. Doing in person events is a great way to introduce your products and services to new audiences, build community connections and establish and maintain a personal repour with your customers. We are here to make it easier to find the right market or event for your specific needs as a business. Find our curated directory of events, markets and festivals across Ontario broken down into easy to navigate categories like:
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Farmers Markets
Art Events
Craft, Vintage & Antique Markets
Festivals
Speciality Events
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Each event, market or festival in our directory is vetted to ensure they are operational, reputable and well attended. Ontario Small Business Community updates this directory regularly to ensure it is up to date and accurate.
*If you would like your event to be included please reach out to us via the contact us section of our website.
The purpose of this directory to to assist small businesses in navigating events and connecting them to events that may be a good fit. Ontario Small Business presents an unbiased grouping of events, markets and festivals without prejudice. We reserve the right to omit any group, market or organizations for any reason. This directory is simply a series of recommendation. Please note at this time we are not accepting flea markets or hyper local city specific events.*
Farmers Markets
Farmers markets are traditionally seasonally focused and will run annually for the spring, summer and autumn months of the year. Many take place weekly but depending on the region a market is located in, it can also be monthly. Farmers markets are predominantly food focused and make ideal places for food focused businesses and producers. For instance if you are a baker, have started selling your sauces or are selling food related items. This may be an ideal type of market for you. While many farmers markets also accept businesses that sell handmade items, not all do and it really does depend on the market itself. Ontario is home to over 180 farmers markets from across the province. Most cities have one or more farmers market. Farmers Market Ontario is a regulated association of markets and provides a database of all farmers markets registered with their association. Simply click on the link below, choose a city and find out what farmers markets are available to you. You will be offered quick access to market information, website, and contact information. We have also added markets that operate like farmers markets but do host some other kinds of sellers as well.
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Art Events
They say there is no greater joy than sharing your art with those are interested in art and its true! For many artists finding a place to showcase your art for sale can be difficult. For many artists an art specific event can be a wonderful stepping stone in business. Typically held annually or semi annually. Art specific events are typically juried and curated. Meaning interested applicants would have to submit your body of work or samples of the art you intend to show. It can be a longer application process than most other types of events but is very helpful for artists wanting to share their works. Below you will find a short list of art specific events.
Sioux Narrows Annual Arts Festival - Kenora
New Market Juried Art Show - New Market
Stratford Art In The Park - Stratford
Toronto Outdoor Art Fair - Toronto
Craft & Vintage/Antiques Markets
Do you make your own goods by hand? Do you sell vintage/antiques? If you do either of these things then you probably want to do it with like kind businesses. What sets craft, vintage and antique markets apart is there are no service businesses. While from time to time there may be, these kinds of markets curate for a specific audience.
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Craft Markets
The Handmade Market - Niagara Region
Cheerfully Made Markets - Ottawa Region
Ottawa Markets - Ottawa Region
Craft Revival Thunder Bay - Northern ON
Picks & Giggles Handmade Markets - Durham Region ON
Ontario Small Business Community - Central ON
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Vintage/Antiques Markets
Toronto Vintage Show - Toronto
Toronto Vintage Clothing Show - Toronto
Waterford Antique Market - Waterford
Aberfoyle Antique Market - Aberfoyle
The Sunday Antique Market - Mississauga
Expos & Festivals
Expos and festivals can be a lot of fun and an excellent way to showcase your business to a very large audience. It can also be a lot of work. Events of these types are usually quite large, busy and with a variety of aspects. Like live music, food and beverage gardens, entertainment, food trucks and vendors - small businesses. There is a lot going on at such events. They take planning and preparation, but if you are up to the challenge its worth it!
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Canadian Tulip Festival - Ottawa
Mariposa Folk Festival - Orillia
Home Country Music & Art Festival - London
Sunderland Maple Syrup Fest - Sunderland
Bala Cranberry Festival - Bala
Balls Falls Thanksgiving Festival - Balls Falls
TO Food & Drink Fest - Toronto
Speciality Events
While every event, market and festival is special in their own unique way. There are some that are what is called a ''niche''. Curated for and attended by a specific grouping of visitors. Events such as these usually have themes or cater to a lifestyle. These can range from events that are food demographic based, lifestyle base or special interest base. It is important when looking to apply to such events that you know your target demographic as a business. While these types of events are very well attended and received they do often have special requirements that applicants need to meet. It can also be harder to get into such events but more often than not well worth the wait.
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Punk Rock Flea Market - London
Punk Rock Flea Market - Oshawa
The Bazaar of the Bizarre - Toronto
Toronto Stationery Show - Toronto
Toronto Flower Market - Toronto
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