Alberta Open Farm Days is a province-wide event where farms, food producers, and agriculture and agri-tourism operators open their gates to the public for a weekend of discovery. In 2026, the event takes place August 15 & 16, 2026. It is a great opportunity for farmers’ markets to get involved, connect with their community, and support local agriculture. Whether you want to host vendors, promote your regular market, or collaborate with a local farm, there are many ways your market can participate.
Step 1: Get to Know Alberta Open Farm Days
Alberta Open Farm Days is about connecting the public with food, farming, and rural experiences across the province. Farmers’ markets that participate can:
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Host a special market pop-up on a participating farm
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Invite local farms to offer demonstrations or tastings at your regular market
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Open your market as a “hub” on the Alberta Open Farm Days map if you feature direct-from-farm products or agricultural food experiences
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Partner with nearby farms for cross-promotion and coordinated visitor experiences
Step 2: Choose How You’d Like to Participate
There are several ways farmers’ markets can take part in Alberta Open Farm Days. 
Standalone Host Location
Showcase your market as a place where consumers regularly connect with farms and local food. Your market can be promoted through the Alberta Open Farm Days platform as a host location.
Pop-Up Market at a Farm
Partner with a local farm to host a mini market or satellite market during Open Farm Days. This is a great way to bring your regular customers out to the countryside for the weekend.
Promotional Partner
Support the event by promoting participating farms, hosting a related activity, or setting up an information booth focused on local food and agriculture. Posters, social media content, and media releases are available to help you share information within your community.
Step 3: Register
Registration opens soon and closes April 30, 2026. You do not need to have all the details finalized to register. To get started, we just need your contact information, a short description of your market, and a few photos for preliminary promotion on the Alberta Open Farm Days website.
After you register, our team will follow up to gather more details. You will be asked to provide:
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Any special events or experiences planned for the weekend, if applicable
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A list of vendors, which can be updated closer to the event
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Dates and times your market will be open
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Accessibility, parking, and food information, if applicable
Step 4: Plan Your Visitor Experience
Think about how to make your market engaging and welcoming for visitors. Ideas to consider include:
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Live music or entertainment
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Farm-themed children’s activities
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Tastings or demonstrations from vendors
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Educational signage or farm tours, if hosting on a farm
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Collaborating with local tourism organizations or artisans
Need support with planning? Alberta Open Farm Days offers free resources and training sessions to help host locations prepare.
Step 5: Promote Your Event
Once registered, your market will be included on the Alberta Open Farm Days website, visitor platform, and event directory. To make the most of your participation, you can:
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Share Alberta Open Farm Days content on social media
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Send invitations through your email list
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Use posters or flyers in your community
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Partner with local farms, businesses, and tourism organizations for cross-promotion
Marketing toolkits and media templates are available to support your promotion efforts.
Step 6: Enjoy the Weekend
Be ready to welcome visitors, answer questions about your vendors and products, and build new relationships with people interested in local food and agriculture.
Remember to take photos, gather feedback, and celebrate being part of a province-wide event that connects Albertans with the people behind their food.
Questions?
If you are unsure how your farmers’ market fits into Alberta Open Farm Days or would like help connecting with a local farm partner, reach out to the Alberta Open Farm Days team. We are here to support you and help you get involved.