Photo Credit: Trip Advisor
So, big news if you’re a Saturday market regular: the Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market is packing up and heading to the city hall parking lot when the 2026-27 season kicks off. After more than a decade at the First Street and Brown Avenue parking garage, change is coming, and honestly, people have feelings about it.
Let’s start with the good news, because there is some. The city is expanding the current parking structure, which is why the market has to move in the first place. More parking in Old Town isn’t exactly a bad thing, right? And the market isn’t disappearing; it’s just relocating. City Manager Greg Caton promises it’ll stay close to Old Town’s heart while giving vendors and visitors the space they need.
Plus, the new location at city hall means better infrastructure support. We’re talking about organized vendor parking, improved wayfinding, and facilities designed to accommodate what’s become one of Scottsdale’s most beloved Saturday traditions.
Now for the reality check. If you’ve been going to this market for years, you know location matters…a lot. Some longtime customers have already raised concerns about whether the city hall spot will have the same foot traffic and Old Town charm. One vendor put it bluntly during city council discussions: his customers don’t want to trek to a city hall parking lot.
There’s also the question of what this means for Old Town retail. When you move a major weekend attraction that brings hundreds of people into the area, you’re potentially shifting foot traffic patterns that local businesses have relied on for over a decade. And let’s be real: a city hall parking lot doesn’t have quite the same vibe as the heart of Old Town.
The bottom line? The market is staying in Scottsdale, which is what matters most. But this move represents a shift in how we experience one of our community’s favorite weekend traditions, and it’s fair to have mixed feelings about that.