This is the market that rewired how New York eats — chefs still shop it before service and the stalls run from heritage-breed meat to hand-cut dahlias — and late summer is when it is at absolute peak, with tables buckling under heirloom tomatoes and sweet corn. A weekday visit is the insider's move: the same growers, a fraction of the Saturday crush, and vendors with time to tell you what to do with the thing you just picked up. Go hungry, bring a tote, and treat lunch as a lap of the stalls.
What to expect
Stalls run in rows across the north end of the park and along the west side, with farmers weighing produce by hand and lines forming at the bread and cheese tables. Expect samples, cash-and-card registers, and a crowd that thins noticeably away from the Saturday peak. Compost and textile drop-offs operate at the market's edge.
Good to know
- The 4/5/6, L, N/Q/R/W all stop at 14th Street–Union Square, putting you at the market's edge
- Bring your own tote bags; many vendors do not hand out plastic
- Some stalls are cash-only, so carry a little even though most take cards
- Come early for bread and pastry, which sell out well before the market closes
- Weekday visits are far calmer than Saturday if you want to browse without a scrum
- Compost and clothing drop-off stations operate at the market — worth combining with a shopping trip
Planning Sep 1–3, 2026 in NYC?
This list keeps changing as events are verified. We'll send you the final version the Thursday before — and you can unsubscribe right after if that's all you need.
Common questions
Which days is it open?
The Union Square Greenmarket runs Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, year-round.
Is everything local?
Greenmarket vendors are regional growers and producers selling what they raise or make themselves.
Can I compost there?
Yes — GrowNYC operates food-scrap and textile drop-off stations at the market.
Also in Manhattan
