Ponce City Farmers and Artisans Market: Your Guide to This BeltLine Favorite in Atlanta

If you spend time on the Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail or around Ponce City Market, you’ve probably walked right past the Ponce City Farmers and Artisans Market—or seen the tents and wondered what’s going on. This guide walks you through what the market is, when and where it happens, what to expect, and how to make the most of a visit as an Atlanta local or visitor.

What Is the Ponce City Farmers and Artisans Market?

The Ponce City Farmers and Artisans Market is a neighborhood-style outdoor market featuring:

  • Local farmers selling seasonal produce and flowers
  • Artisans and makers offering handmade goods
  • Prepared foods and small-batch pantry items
  • Occasional live music or family-friendly activities

It’s designed to feel like a community gathering spot rather than a gigantic festival—walkable, relaxed, and easy to tack onto a BeltLine stroll or a trip to Ponce City Market.

The market typically operates seasonally, with a focus on the milder months when walking the BeltLine is most popular.

Where the Market Is Located (and How to Find It)

The market is generally held near Ponce City Market and the Eastside Trail, in the Old Fourth Ward/Virginia-Highland edge of town.

  • General Area:
    Around Ponce City Market, 675 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
  • Nearby Landmarks:
    • Eastside Trail of the Atlanta BeltLine
    • Old Fourth Ward and Poncey-Highland neighborhoods
    • Kroger on Ponce (sometimes used as a reference point by locals)

Because exact layouts and vendor placements can shift, many Atlanta residents simply look for:

  • Tents along or just off the BeltLine Eastside Trail
  • Vendor clusters near entrances to the Ponce City Market complex

If you’re walking or biking on the BeltLine, you’ll usually see the market activity as you approach Ponce City Market on weekends.

Typical Days, Hours, and Seasonality

Market hours can change from year to year, but the Ponce City Farmers and Artisans Market usually follows patterns similar to other Atlanta neighborhood markets:

  • Most common schedule:
    • Weekend daytime (often Sunday)
    • Late morning to early afternoon
  • Seasonality:
    • Commonly spring through fall, with fewer or no dates in the coldest winter months
  • Weather:
    • Generally rain or shine, but severe weather can lead to cancellations or early closure

Because schedules can shift, Atlanta shoppers often check same-week announcements before heading out, especially during the shoulder seasons (early spring, late fall).

What You’ll Find at the Market

While individual vendors change, you can usually expect a mix of farm goods and artisan products with a distinctly local feel.

Local Farm & Food Offerings

You’re likely to see:

  • Seasonal fruits and vegetables from Georgia growers
  • Microgreens, herbs, and salad mixes
  • Fresh-cut flowers and plants
  • Local honey and sometimes jams or preserves
  • Baked goods: breads, pastries, cookies, and specialty items
  • Small-batch sauces or condiments (hot sauce, pickles, spreads)
  • On some days, prepared foods like snacks, treats, or grab-and-go bites

This is a good stop if you live nearby and want to supplement a weekly grocery run with fresh, local items, or if you’re staying in an Atlanta Airbnb and want to cook using regional produce.

Artisan & Maker Goods

As an artisan market, the Ponce City market places strong emphasis on handmade and locally designed goods, which can include:

  • Jewelry and accessories
  • Candles, soaps, and body products
  • Art prints, photography, and illustrations
  • Textiles and fiber arts (totes, scarves, home linens)
  • Home décor and small crafted items
  • Stationery, cards, and paper goods

This mix makes the market a convenient place to pick up:

  • Atlanta-themed gifts
  • Host/hostess gifts if you’re heading to a gathering
  • Unique items you probably won’t find in big-box stores

Who the Market Is Best For

The Ponce City Farmers and Artisans Market fits well into the routines of:

  • Intown residents (Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Virginia-Highland, Midtown) who like to walk or bike the BeltLine
  • Visitors staying near Ponce City Market or Midtown, looking for a relaxed, local experience
  • Families wanting an easy, stroller-friendly outing with food and browsing
  • Gift-shoppers who prefer small-batch, handcrafted items
  • BeltLine regulars who want a reason to linger instead of just passing through

Because it’s smaller and more curated than some of the bigger regional markets, it works well as one stop in a larger day that might also include:

  • Exploring shops inside Ponce City Market
  • Grabbing a snack on the BeltLine
  • Visiting Historic Fourth Ward Park

How It Compares to Other Atlanta Farmers & Artisan Markets

Atlanta has a growing number of neighborhood markets. Here’s a quick comparison to help place Ponce City Farmers and Artisans Market in context:

MarketGeneral AreaVibe & FocusGood For
Ponce City Farmers & ArtisansPonce City Market / BeltLine EastsideMix of farm goods + makers; walkable from PCMBeltLine walkers, shoppers, visitors
Freedom Farmers MarketNear Carter CenterStrong farm focus, more produce varietyWeekly groceries, farm-focused shopping
Grant Park Farmers MarketGrant ParkFamily-friendly, community-focusedNeighborhood outing + park time
East Atlanta Village MarketEast AtlantaNeighborhood/arts vibe, creative makersLocal art and more experimental goods

If you primarily want a quick, scenic add-on to your BeltLine walk, the Ponce City market is usually the most convenient. If you’re planning a full grocery run, another larger produce-oriented market may offer more volume and variety.

Getting There: Parking, Transit, and BeltLine Access

One of the main perks of this market is how easy it is to combine with other Atlanta activities.

By Foot or Bike (Best Option for Many)

The market is highly accessible from the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail:

  • Walk or bike from Inman Park, Virginia-Highland, Old Fourth Ward, or Midtown
  • Use any nearby BeltLine entrance and follow the trail signs to Ponce City Market
  • Look for tents and vendor activity near or alongside the complex

For many intown residents, walking or biking is the most convenient and least stressful option, especially on busy weekends.

By MARTA

If you’re using public transit:

  • Take MARTA rail to North Avenue or Midtown stations (Red/Gold lines)
  • From there, it’s typically a short rideshare, bike, scooter, or a longer walk to Ponce City Market
  • Combined “train + BeltLine walk” is a common approach for visitors staying downtown or in Midtown hotels

By Car

If you’re driving:

  • Use Ponce City Market’s parking decks and paid lots in the surrounding area
  • Allow extra time on weekends and event days, when both the market and Ponce City Market draw crowds
  • Expect paid parking in most immediate surroundings; free, easy parking is limited in this part of Atlanta

Many locals plan to park once and then spend several hours between the market, the BeltLine, and shops/eateries inside Ponce City Market.

Tips for Shopping the Ponce City Farmers and Artisans Market

A little planning helps you get more out of your visit.

What to Bring

  • Reusable bags or a small tote for produce and artisan goods
  • Water (especially in Atlanta’s hotter months)
  • Small bills or a card – many vendors take cards, but having some cash can be helpful
  • Sun protection – hat, sunglasses, or sunscreen; shade can be limited at certain parts of the trail

Timing Your Visit

  • Arrive earlier in the market day for the best selection of popular items such as pastries, flowers, and specific produce
  • Later arrivals may enjoy a more relaxed pace and lighter crowds, but with more risk of sold-out items
  • Consider combining with off-peak lunch or brunch at Ponce City Market to avoid long restaurant waits

Supporting Local Makers and Farmers

When you shop here, you’re typically dealing directly with:

  • Growers, who can talk about how and where things are grown
  • Makers, who design and produce their goods themselves or in small studios

Common ways Atlantans make the most of this:

  • Asking vendors how to use unfamiliar produce or ingredients
  • Chatting about custom or made-to-order items (e.g., art, jewelry, or gifts)
  • Picking up regular items like candles or pantry staples from the same favorite vendors over time

Accessibility and Family-Friendliness

The market is generally:

  • Stroller-friendly, since it’s set up along or near the BeltLine path
  • Dog-friendly in most outdoor areas, although it’s wise to keep pets leashed and comfortable with crowds
  • Easy to navigate for wheelchairs or mobility devices along the main BeltLine trail, which is paved

Families often combine a market visit with:

  • A walk or scooter ride on the Eastside Trail
  • A stop at Historic Fourth Ward Park for kids to run around
  • An early lunch to beat the midday heat in warmer months

Practical Things to Know Before You Go

  • Weather: Atlanta’s thunderstorms can pop up with little warning. Many vendors use tents, but heavy rain or lightning may shorten the market day.
  • Restrooms: Public restrooms are typically more accessible inside Ponce City Market or nearby businesses, not directly in the market tents.
  • Seasonal Shifts: Expect different produce and goods as the year changes—spring greens, summer peaches, fall squash, and holiday-oriented artisan items closer to winter holidays.
  • Event Overlaps: Occasionally, larger events on the BeltLine or at Ponce City Market may coincide with market days, increasing crowds and parking demand.

When the Ponce City Farmers and Artisans Market Is a Good Choice

This market is worth adding to your Atlanta plans if you:

  • Are already heading to Ponce City Market or the BeltLine Eastside Trail
  • Enjoy browsing handmade goods and local food in an outdoor setting
  • Prefer a market that’s walkable and compact, rather than sprawling
  • Want a low-pressure way to experience an Atlanta neighborhood vibe without needing a car all day

For locals, it can become a weekend ritual: a quick grocery top-up, a friendly chat with regular vendors, and a loop on the BeltLine. For visitors, it’s an easy way to see a slice of Atlanta life right next to one of the city’s most-visited mixed-use developments.