Farmers Markets & Food Shops · Shops
Palafox Market
About
Palafox Market is downtown Pensacola’s Saturday open-air market, run by the Pensacola Downtown Improvement Board. Every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., rain or shine, local growers, bakers, artists and makers set up along Palafox Street, turning downtown into a busy weekend gathering place for both residents and visitors.
The market is split between two sites. Palafox Market North fills Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza on North Palafox Street, and Palafox Market South sets up in Plaza Ferdinand VII, the historic square a few blocks down Palafox. The walk between the two runs past shops, cafes and restaurants, so many people treat the morning as a stroll through the whole length of downtown.
What you will find
Vendors come from across Escambia, Santa Rosa and Baldwin counties, and the market’s emphasis is on people who grow, make or create what they sell. Expect fresh produce, live plants and flowers, baked goods, local meat, poultry and cheese, herbs, soaps, candles, handmade clothing and home goods, as well as fine art, antiques and collectibles. The mix changes with the seasons, so late spring and fall can look quite different at the produce stands. The Downtown Improvement Board publishes a vendor directory for anyone looking for a specific farm or maker.
The market also hosts seasonal and themed Saturdays. In October, for example, local news has covered a Halloween edition with family activities. These special editions vary from year to year, so it is worth checking the market’s social channels in the week before a visit.
The market sits in the middle of downtown, so it is easy to fold into a weekend itinerary. Plaza Ferdinand VII, where the southern section sets up, is itself a National Historic Landmark and the spot where Florida was transferred from Spain to the United States in 1821. The museums of Historic Pensacola are a block or two east, and the Saenger Theatre and many Palafox Street restaurants are in between the two market sites.
Arrive early for the best selection of produce and baked goods, and bring reusable bags. Parking is available in downtown garages and on the street, and the City of Pensacola posts parking information online. The market pairs well with brunch on Palafox, a visit to the museums of Historic Pensacola, or an afternoon at the waterfront. Hours are posted by the Downtown Improvement Board, but schedules can shift for holidays and major downtown events, so check hours before you go.
