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Every year, tens of thousands of people flock to the small town of Brimfield in pursuit of finding treasures at New England’s largest flea market — Brimfield Flea Market.
Taking on a six-day-long market with 50,000 people in attendance can be daunting for anyone — especially first time shoppers.
With miles of ground to cover and thousands of vendors to explore, some marketers may not even know where to begin.
Luckily, MassLive has years of experience attending the market, and have even picked up some tips and tricks along the way.
Whether you’re a first-timer or repeat offender, it never hurts to be a little extra prepared.
Here’s a guide of things-to-know before you go.
When is the Brimfield Flea Market?
The Brimfield Flea Market is a triennial event.
The 2024 fall show is from Tuesday, Sept. 3, until Sunday, Sept. 8. The hours vary depending on which field you plan to visit, though its official website states there are “plenty of booths to shop from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.”
On opening day, many vendors start the day off as early as 6 a.m. “or earlier to satisfy the early birds.” Those fields include the New England Motel field, Midway Antiques Shows, Central Park Antique Shows and Green Acres Antique Show.
Other fields open at various times throughout the week.
If you can’t make the final 2024 show, it’ll be back in May. The Brimfield Flea Market returns to the town from May 13-18, July 8-13 and Sept. 2-7 in 2025.
Where in Brimfield is it?
The flea market stretches down Route 20 in Brimfield.
For those using their GPS to get to the Brimfield Flea Market, use the address 35 Palmer Road in Brimfield, the website suggests.
Shoppers will see plenty of parking areas off the main road with a fee of around $10 or more.
Should I bring cash to the Brimfield Flea Market?
Yes, bring cash to the market.
Most parking fees are cash only and costs range from $10 to $20.
Additionally, while many dealers do accept checks with proper IDs and credit card purchases, some dealers may limit sales to cash only transactions.
There are also several ATMs in town if you need more cash.
When is each field open?
The market offers many different fields with hundreds of vendors per field, all wanting to sell their vintage, antique and interesting items.
Not every field will be operating the entirety of the flea market. Below is a full schedule of what days each field opens and what their hours are, according to the website.
- May’s Antique Market: Opens at 9 a.m. from Thursday – Saturday.
- Dealers Choice Antiques Shows: Opens at 11 a.m. on Tuesday only.
- Heart O’ The Mart: Opens at 9 a.m. from Wednesday – Sunday.
- New England Motel: Opens at 6 a.m. on Wednesday – Sunday
- Brimfield Auction Acres: Opens 8 a.m. Friday – Saturday
- Midway Antiques Shows: Opens at 6 a.m. from Tuesday – Sunday
- Hertan’s Antique Shows: Opens at 12 p.m. on Wednesday and closes on Sunday
- Central Park Antique Shows: Opens at 6 a.m. Tuesday – Sunday
- Collins’ Apple Barn: Opens at Sunrise from Tuesday – Sunday
- Sturtevant’s Antique Shows: Opens at Sunrise from Tuesday – Sunday
- Shelton Antique Shows: Opens at Sunrise from Tuesday – Sunday
- Grand Trunk Antique Shows: Opens at daybreak from Tuesday – Sunday
- Green Acres Antique Show: Opens at 6 a.m. from Tuesday – Sunday
- Quaker Acres: Opens at Sunrise from Tuesday – Sunday
- Mahogany Ridge: Opens at Sunrise from Tuesday – Sunday
- Crystal Brook: Opens at Sunrise from Tuesday – Sunday
- Stephen’s Place Antiques Show: Opens at daybreak from Tuesday – Sunday
Do fields charge an admission fee?
Most of the shows are free but some field shows charge admission for the first day and stop after that.
However, the market’s website says, “it’s not very costly to shop Brimfield.”
It is best to carry cash on you in case.
Where can I eat at the Brimfield Flea Market?
Food trucks and stands are offered throughout the Brimfield Flea Market.
You can find food or drink on almost every field. MassLive created a guide for all the food options.
Be sure to plan out your eating time because picnic tables and seats near the food stands fill up quickly.
You may get stuck standing and eating.
Is alcohol served on property at the Brimfield Flea Market?
The Brimfield Winery & Cidery: It offers a variety of wine produced and made on the property. They also offer delicious wine slushies. Located at 35 Main St., Brimfield, at Auction Acres.
Exhibit ‘A’ Brewing Company: It offers beer, hard seltzer and cider. It’s located in Hertan’s field.
The Beer Guy: It offers beer in cans and draft, hard seltzer, hard cider, spiked smoothies and sangria. It’s located in Grand Trunk.
Loop Hole Brewing: It offers beer and is located in Black Swan Meadows.
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Can I bring my dog to the Brimfield Flea Market?
Some show fields do not allow pets and some do.
However, the size and level of training of your dog would be a consideration, the website says.
Service dogs are the exception and are welcomed everywhere.
Are there rain dates for the Brimfield Flea Market?
No.
Every year, the Brimfield Flea Market is held rain or shine. It is a good idea to wear shoes that can get dirty as many of the fields have dirt.
What if I buy something too big to carry?
Shoppers can bring wagons to carry their finds.
Most fields also have porters available, but be prepared to pay a fee. You can even arrange to drive onto the field where you made your purchase late in the day, and they will load it into your vehicle.
Talk with the vendor to see if delivery is also an option.
Most importantly, what can I buy at the Brimfield Flea Market?
You really can find anything at the Brimfield Flea Market.
“If you wanted to buy a purple, polka-dotted people eater, you would find one here,” vendor Donna Glancey told MassLive in 2023.
Over the years, MassLive has found animal skulls for sale, antique glass bottles, furniture, artwork, taxidermy, crystals, jewelry, vintage clothes, garden accessories, plants, and even a spirit board.
But, you’ll be able to find much more than that.
