Farmers & Crafters Market Kicks Off Summer Season in Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, N.J. — Ocean City’s popular Farmers & Crafters Market returned this week for its 2025 summer season, drawing hundreds of locals and visitors eager to explore its wide selection of fresh produce, handmade goods, and beach-town charm. The market, a nearly 30-year tradition, is held each Wednesday from 8 a.m. to noon through Sept. 3 on the grounds of the Ocean City Tabernacle and a portion of Asbury Avenue between Fifth and Sixth streets. This week’s opening saw strong attendance, with many stopping by for Jersey-grown tomatoes, strawberries, cucumbers, and more, while others browsed artisan tents offering artwork, home decor, clothing, and handcrafted jewelry. Families on vacation made their first stops at the market, quickly filling bags with local specialties like fresh pickles and monkey bread topped with icing. Vendors say the laid-back setting, just blocks from the beach, makes this market stand out from others in the region. Many of the farmers, including long-time local growers, arrive early with vanloads of produce to meet the high demand. Organizers from the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce say turnout has remained strong year after year, crediting the market’s atmosphere and variety. The crafters’ section continues to be a major draw, transforming Asbury Avenue into a vibrant pop-up village each week. For many, the opening day of the market is a signal that the summer season is officially underway in Ocean City.