The tents on Bidwell Parkway have two Saturdays left. The City of Buffalo's calendar lists the Elmwood Village Farmers Market's 2026 season as May 9 through November 28. That puts the last market of the year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, which is also Small Business Saturday.
The market runs on one rule: the person behind the table made or grew what they're selling. A good stretch of Elmwood Avenue runs on that rule too. On November 28 the rule doesn't end for the year. It moves into storefronts a short walk from the parkway and carries the neighborhood into December.
The rule on Bidwell Parkway
The Elmwood Village Farmers Market calls itself a producer-only market. On its own site, it says every vendor grows or produces what they sell and reselling isn't allowed. It sets up Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Bidwell Parkway at Elmwood Avenue. The parkway was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, and the market has worked there for more than 20 years.
The market's own description adds a caveat. What's on the tables depends on the local growing season. Late November markets carry what Western New York produces in late November, and the last market is the final chance until spring to buy from those vendors in one place.
The market takes part in Double Up Food Bucks. Shoppers using SNAP benefits get each dollar matched, up to $20, for fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, with tokens available at the Elmwood Village Association tent.
Two dates remain once this post is out:
- Saturday, November 21, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Saturday, November 28, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the final market of 2026
The same rule, a few doors down
Look up Elmwood Avenue from the parkway and several storefronts in the 700 block are built on the same idea as the market. They sell work by people who live and make things here.
| Address | Shop | What's on the shelves |
|---|---|---|
| 715 Elmwood | Put a Plant On It | Plants and botanically themed gifts |
| 717 Elmwood | Lumpy Buttons | Felt goods and gifts from small makers |
| 719 Elmwood | Thin Ice | Locally made gifts, jewelry, home décor and souvenirs |
| 740 Elmwood | Rustic Buffalo Artisan Market | Goods made by local artisans |
| 773 Elmwood | ShopCraft | A gallery and gift shop featuring Buffalo artists |
Thin Ice says its shelves carry work from more than 230 local artists. ShopCraft describes its stock as 100% Buffalo artists. That's the producer-only principle in retail form. The maker isn't standing behind the counter, but the shop exists to sell what they make.
What changed at 740
The address that best shows how this block has developed is 740 Elmwood. For 43 years it was home to Everything Elmwood. In early 2025, WIVB reported that the shop would close as its owner retired. Weeks later, Buffalo Rising reported that Rustic Buffalo Artisan Market planned to open at the same address. Rustic Buffalo's website lists 740 Elmwood as its location. When a 43-year landmark closed, an artisan market took its place, and that fits the pattern of the blocks around it.
The rest of the gift list on Elmwood
The local-maker shops are the core of a Small Business Saturday on Elmwood, but there's more to it. Step Out Buffalo's 2026 Elmwood Village shopping guide, published in May, lists more shops a short walk in either direction.
- Ró Home Shop, 732 Elmwood, for furniture, Scandinavian dishware, artwork, home décor and gifts
- Watson's Chocolates, 738 Elmwood, for chocolates and confections
- Sunshine + Bluebirds, 798 Elmwood, for women's clothing and accessories, including fair-trade goods
- Anna Grace, 799 Elmwood, for clothing, jewelry, accessories and perfume
- neo gift studio, 905 Elmwood, for gifts and home goods
- Talking Leaves Books, 951 Elmwood, the independent bookstore
Watson's sits at 738, next door to Rustic Buffalo at 740. Between the market tents and Talking Leaves, you can do a full holiday list on foot without moving the car.
How November 28 can run
On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the market, the shops and a museum holiday sale all fall within the same few hours. One way to order the day:
- 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Bidwell Parkway. The season's last farmers market. If you want the best selection, go early.
- Late morning: the 700 block. Put a Plant On It, Lumpy Buttons and Thin Ice sit side by side at 715, 717 and 719. Rustic Buffalo and Watson's are just past them at 740 and 738, and ShopCraft is at 773.
- Afternoon: further up Elmwood. Anna Grace and Sunshine + Bluebirds face each other at 799 and 798, followed by neo gift studio at 905 and Talking Leaves at 951.
- Any time from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: the Buffalo AKG. The museum's free Holiday Sip & Shop fills Wilson Town Square in the Knox Building with local artisan vendors, young makers, live music and a mobile bar. It's one more producer-to-buyer room to add to the day.
The Elmwood Village Association ran its 2025 Small Business Saturday along the Elmwood strip from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Hours and details for this year's edition will be posted on the Elmwood Village Association's site.
December keeps the makers in the picture
After November 28 there's no market on the parkway, but the neighborhood's December calendar still leans toward local, handmade things, with a few chances to make something yourself.
Saturday, December 5: a guided walk of the strip
Buffalo Frolics runs The "Let's Explore Elmwood" Frolic Tour on November 21 and again on December 5, from 3 to 6 p.m. It starts at Forty Thieves, 727 Elmwood, and costs $94. The tour covers food, drink, shopping and walking. It works for showing visiting family around, and the 700 block is a natural place to start.
Tuesday, December 8: the tree lighting
Elmwood Village calendar listings put the neighborhood's Holiday Tree Lighting on Tuesday, December 8. Last year's was held at Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, 875 Elmwood, with cocoa, cookies, carols and a request for non-perishable food donations. This year's time and location will be on the Elmwood Village Association's site.
Friday, December 11: an evening at the Burchfield Penney
The Burchfield Penney Art Center's M&T Second Friday runs from 5:30 to 8 p.m. with free admission. The museum lists gallery access, art-making, programs, live music and the Museum Store.
Saturday, December 12: three things on one day
The calendar listings put Shop Elmwood: Home for the Holidays on December 12. Last year's edition ran from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. along Elmwood with holiday specials in the shops. The same day, the Buffalo AKG holds its Heather Ann Williams Holiday Open House from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with Pay-What-You-Wish admission, plus a free Christmas Tree Lighting with a performance and sing-along in Wilson Town Square from 2 to 3 p.m.
Saturday, December 19: make the wrapping paper yourself
The Burchfield Penney's Open Studio: Demo Day teaches linocut stamps from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Participants print cards and make wrapping paper. The cost is $25, and members attend free. Gifts bought from Elmwood's makers can go out wrapped in paper you printed yourself.
A Saturday like November 28, with the last market on an Olmsted parkway and then a walk into the 700 block, is part of what a home near Bidwell Parkway offers. If you're wondering how this stretch of Elmwood affects what your home is worth, Susan Lenahan is happy to go through it with you. Get a free home valuation & neighborhood strategy.
