The Best Tent for Farmers Market

Farmers’ markets are very popular all over the country, and for a good reason: This is where locals get together to buy and sell fresh produce, meats, fresh baked bread, and tons of other homemade goodies.

If these farmers’ markets caught your interest and you have something to sell, you need a proper tent for your slot. You need to provide proper shelter, not only for your customers, but also for your products so they stay nice and dry away from the sun and rain.

We’ve done extensive research to identify the needs of vendors on a farmers’ market, and below is our findings – make sure you read to the end, if you want to get all the insights we gathered through days of field research.

Our top 7 picks

• Best overall: ABC CANOPY Pop Up Commercial Tent
• Best on a budget: MASTERCANOPY Pop Up Canopy Tent
• Best premium: Vispronet 10×15 Steel Canopy Tent Kit
• Best extra-large: MASTERCANOPY 10×20 Instant Shelter
• Best booth: Eurmax 10×10 Ez Pop Up Booth Canopy Tent
• Best with an awning: Eurmax 10×10 Pop Up Canopy Tent
• Best for windy conditions: ABC CANOPY Outdoor Sun Shade

The best tents for farmers market in detail

Creating a curated list of the best commercial tents and canopies is no easy task, and lots of factors have been taken into consideration: Build quality, weight, ventilation, price, usability, portability, and ease of setup.

What we like

• Super easy to set up
• Available in up to 20 fresh colors
• Banner loops make it easy to customize your tent
• The weight bags included add an extra layer of security
• Waterproof fabric is great for rainy days
• The insect screen is a great add-on
• Works for any kind of market
• Removable sides give you the option to keep the tent ventilated

The features

• Waterproof 500D polyester fabric
• Available in many color options
• Has banner loops for increased customer attraction
• 6 different side walls included
• Insect screen keeps unwanted guests out
• Frame made of powder coated steel
• Available in 10’x10′, 10’x15′, or 10’x20′ sizes
• 3 height options: 89.3, 93.7, or 97.2 inches

The ABC CANOPY Pop Up Tent is a 10’x10′ canopy tent, and probably the best choice for a farmers’ market stall.

It comes with a large accessory pack including basically anything you’d need for a fruitful day at any market, from weight bags to a full screen wall that will secure the tent from any thinkable situations.

Furthermore, it is made from a waterproof polyester fabric, that provides UV50+ protection and therefore works perfectly for both rainy and sunny days.

What we like

• Surprisingly sturdy steel frame
• Canopy is easily installed with velcro loops
• Sand bags included for extra security in windy conditions
• Storage bag has wheels and is easily pulled across flat surfaces
• Great range of fresh colors to choose from
• Adjusts in three different heights

The features

• UV-coated polyester roof
• Available in 6.6×6.6, 8×8, 10×10, or 12×12 feet
• Choose between 11 different color options
• Collapsible frame made from alloy steel
• 3 height settings: 73, 77, or 81 inches
• Wheeled bag, tent stakes, and sand bags are included

We were pleasantly surprised by the great features of the MASTERCANOPY Pop Up Canopy Tent. It sets up in a matter of minutes, and the roof is easily attached with the sewn-on velcro loops.

Although it’s one of the most budget-friendly options on the market, the MASTERCANOPY tent is available in 11 fresh colors. This gives you a unique opportunity to stand out with your brand, and gain extra attention from the crowds passing by at the farmers’ market (or any other market as well!).

The only tiny disadvantage is the fact that there’s no side walls included, nor is there an option to buy them unless you opt for the 10×10 version, where side walls are offered as an add-on.

What we like

• Includes a canopy storage bag on wheels 
• Can withstand strong winds of up to 25 mph
• Retails with convenient door and window walls
• Canopy top available in four different colors
• 6 months limited warranty
• Ideal for farmers’ market, music festivals, street fairs, and parties

The features

• Weight frame 74 lbs
• Commercial-grade steel frame
• 1.6” hexagonal steel legs
• Waterproof, UV-resistant removable polyester canopy top
• Stake kit includes 4 steel stakes and nylon rope sections

The Vispronet 10×15 Steel Canopy tent is a durable farmers’ market tent retailing in various colors.

This tent has optional walls of between 10 feet and 15 feet high, which give you and your customers added privacy.

What’s special about this retailer, is the ability to upload your brand prints at their website. You’ll then receive a full-color imprint on all the canopy surfaces. Plus, it features extra stakes and rope sections for convenience.

If you want something that has a bit extra to offer, this tent is definitely worth considering.

What we like

• Large 10×20 canopy, useful for a market stall and any other outdoor event
• 500D polyester roof is water resistant and durable
• Quick setup with the collapsible steel frame
• Sand bags, ropes, stakes, and wheeled carry bag included
• Available in many fresh colors

The features

• Weighs 94 pounds
• Powder coated 1 mm. steel frame
• Withstands wind gusts up to 31 mph
• UV-protected polyester roof
• Rapid setup in 60 seconds

Despite its ample size, the large MASTERCANOPY 10×20 Instant Shelter promises instant setup in just 60 seconds. Given the size and weight, it may take a little longer unless you have an assistant with you to pool the frame out and attach the roof cover.

The tent is perfect for a large market stall, providing up to 200 square feet of shaded area for you and your customers’ convenience. We also like the fact that it’s relatively tall, with adjustable height settings ranging between 89.3, 93.7 and 97.2 inches.

You can choose between a large range of fresh colors, or go with one of the more discrete colors such as white, beige, or black.

What we like

• Great canopy for a food/drinks stall
• Control the flow of customers with the side walls
• Creates a safe and hygienic space for the vendor
• Sand bags and wheeled carry bag included
• 3 adjustable height options

The features

• 3 half side walls + 1 full side wall included
• Roof cover is fire retardant 500D polyester
• Waterproof roof cover
• Side walls are detachable
• Quick setup with the collapsible steel frame

If you’re planning on selling foods or drinks, you may want to restrict the area accessible by customers and guests. With the half side walls you can create a nice little booth, where you can put your products on display for customers to pick. You can sell from one, two, or even three sides of the booth, making it more accessible to more customers at once.

The Eurmax 10×10 Ez Pop Up Booth Canopy Tent has a PU coated polyester roof cover, which is also waterproof durable enough to withstand the elements.

What we like

• Very useful awning provides additional shade for your market stall
• CPAI-84 fire retardant-certified fabric
• Durable, collapsible steel frame requires no tools to set up
• Sand bags, wheeled carry bag and side walls included
• Great for rainy conditions

The features

• Weighs 61 pounds
• Large awning included
• Collapsible steel frame
• Fire retardant-certified fabric
• 10×10 feet

The Eurmax 10×10 Pop Up Canopy Tent provides additional cover with the extended awning. Use it for a rainy day to provide extra cover for your products, or on a sunny day to provide you and your products a bit of extra shade as well. The 500D polyester fabric has been PU coated for extra protection against the UV rays, and it’s waterproof as well.

We like how easy this pop-up canopy is to set up and, perhaps more importantly, adjust to individual needs. As you may know, no farmers’ markets are identical and if it’s an outdoor event you have to take different weather conditions into consideration.

What we like

• Multiple stylish colors to choose from
• Double roof top design provides better ventilation and stability
• Stakes, sand bags and rope help secure the canopy
• Side walls are available for purchase if necessary
• Keep the top attached to the frame for easy setup and takedown

The features

• 13 x 13 ft. total size (10 x 10 ft. spacing between legs)
• Weighs 42 pounds
• 5 different color options
• Side walls available for purchase if needed
• PU coated and fire retardant fabric

Ever found yourself on a windy farmers’ market, having to hold on to your tent to prevent it from taking off? With the ABC CANOPY Outdoor Sun Shade you get a sturdy canopy tent capable of withstanding strong wind gusts as well as rain and sun.

The ABC CANOPY Outdoor Sun Shade comes with stakes, sand bags, and rope, but more importantly the top cover is wind vented in order to allow strong winds to pass through.

While no side walls are included for this canopy, you can buy them as an extra accessory if needed.

Do you really need a tent for the farmers market?

Yes. A farmer’s market tent comes in handy in the following scenarios:

1. It sets you apart from your competitors

How do you capture your customers’ attention in a farmers’ market? How about using a custom-printed sunshade, or a custom-made banner?

Such a memorable display is what will make a lasting impression on your target customers for years to come.

Luckily we have a lot of tents these days, that either come with an option to customize the fabric with prints and graphics, or have built-in loopholes to hang up a banner of any size.

2. Shelter from the elements

Let’s face it: Most farmers’ markets take place during the summer. And, apart from the scorching sun, you can have sporadic showers too.

As you sit in the open fields for hours on end, your tent will provide a refreshing shade from the scorching sun. It will also rescue you from the sudden summer rains. This way, both you and your products remain cool and dry.

In some areas there’s also birds, especially if you’re under a tree, making a tent an inevitable measure at a market.

Factors to consider

Here’s a rundown of the most important factors to consider, when choosing your new farmers’ market tent.

1. Quality

An ideal tent for a farmers’ market uses a waterproof, heavy, and rip-resistant fabric. Plus, it stands on heavy-duty galvanized stainless steel or commercial-grade aluminum poles.

Such a foundation can endure strong winds and the flow of the crowds. As a marketing booth, you want to include your custom prints, stock colors, and banners.

Tents whose accessories include optional side walls will come in handy.

2. Weight

Most farmers’ markets have strict rules about the minimal weight a tent should have. This way, none of the exhibitors’ tents will fly off and hurt anyone.

Make sure you confirm with the organizers of the event before settling for any particular tent, and consider getting additional weights if your tent doesn’t meet the requirements. Those can be filled with either sand or water, and secure the frame of your tent from taking off.

3. Ventilation

Do you prefer using side walls to create some privacy as you attend to your clients?

If yes, make sure you choose one with the ability to ventilate the space. The vents will remove any stuffiness, and ensure you have a nice flow of fresh air around you.

4. Price

As you buy a tent for the farmer’s market, think of it as a long term investment. As a vendor, you can use the same canopy in events for multiple years.

The price should never deter you from getting the tent you want, as long as it’s reasonable and not overly expensive for what it is.

Fortunately, most of the durable farmers’ market tents are quite durable and stable, without being too expensive.

5. Usability

An ideal tent for the farmers’ market is free from holes or dents. Its fabric ought to be in tip-top shape to withstand the elements.

Most exhibitors prefer polyester tents over nylon ones. Such tents can be flame-retardant, scratch-resistant, and waterproof.

Some tents can also be adjusted to meet any needs, and often come with multiple options for setting it up.

6. Portability

How easy can you transport your tent from one venue to the next? Do you have a team to do your logistics or, will you need to carry all your setup gear and products by yourself?

As you shop for a tent for your stall, consider if you will have to move it on your own. If not, determine how many people will need to carry it.

Also, compare least space to set up your tent versus your allocated space at the event.  This is important, because most tents require a bit of space to set up.

Some farmers’ market tents come with a carrying bag with wheels on, so you can easily walk it from your car and to your designated spot.

7. Ease of setup

A tent should be easy to set up, and just as easy to take down. That’s why we recommend you get one with a collapsible frame, so you can simply expand it, lock it into place, and done.

You probably don’t want to bring a ladder and an entire toolbox just to set it up, so make sure you get one that’s easy to unpack and set up.

Final note

The best tent for farmers’ market can make you stand out to your target customers. They are long term investments, that are convenient during the summer outdoor events.

Pick one that is easy to assemble, and of a durable construction and canopy top. It is your unique marketing tool, so be sure to make the best of it and get one you really appreciate.