Located 15 minutes away from Sturbridge, the Brimfield Flea Market is considered the oldest outdoor antique event. Running for over 50 years, antique dealers and collectors travel from all over the United States to the shows that are held three times a year over a six-day period. The flea market is comprised of 21 individually owned show fields that have separate opening times and admissions. Contact information and hours of operation for the show fields can be found here. The flea market takes place every year in May, July and September. The Brimfield Antique Flea Markets Guide on Facebook has updates and all the information you need to prepare for your trip.
What to Expect
There are more than 6,000 vendors set up along US Route 20. Items range from vintage clothing and furniture to books and art. Here, you will find vintage collectibles and high-end antiques as well as handcrafted items and thrift-store bargains.
Shopping Tips
The Brimfield Antique Flea Market is one of the largest in the country. So, your trip to the show fields will involve a lot of walking. Many vendors sell a plethora of items, as opposed to specifically focusing on one category. If you are looking for a particular vendor, it is recommended that you contact them to find out which show field and booth number they will be selling at and on which day. Vendors oftentimes switch locations to be more successful at their sales. The only items sold in a specific place are postcards and ephemera. Due to their fragility, they are sold indoors. Vendors selling these items are in the red building on the west end of Brimfield.
Transporting Your Treasures
If you are planning to make the most out of shopping at Brimfield, there are many options to make sure your items make it home safe. Many shoppers come prepared with roof racks on their cars for extra storage. If you are planning on making big purchases, shoppers often bring trailers for easy transport. If you are traveling with a friend, you can plan to bring multiple vehicles to have more room for your items. If you need to take two trips to bring home your finds, you will need to plan with the vendor. Oftentimes, dealers have safe storage options where you can pick up your items. There are also porters available to help you bring your purchases back to your car. If you need assistance bringing your Brimfield finds home, many dealers offer delivery at a reasonable fee. The Brimfield Post Office, located on the east end of Brimfield, is a convenient place to ship your finds back home.
Parking
The Brimfield Antique Flea Market has multiple places to park in the area. Prices usually range from $5-$10. It is best to determine in advance which show fields you plan to visit on that day to pick a parking lot that will be most convenient for you. The BSPA brochure, which has the show field schedule and map, can be found here. Traffic can be congested at popular travel times so if you are trying to avoid it, it is recommended to leave a little early or wait out the rush.
Where to Stay
If you are planning a trip to Brimfield, there are many places to stay in the area. Check out the lodging options right here in Sturbridge.
Where to Eat
If you get hungry after walking around the flea market all day, there are many food options. There are over 50 places to eat on site. Most of them are food trucks, but there are also pavilions and buildings that serve food. You can also check out one of the many dining options in Sturbridge.
A Weekend of Thrifting
Just 15 minutes away from Brimfield, Sturbridge has places to shop, eat, and rest if you’re planning a trip to Massachusetts. They also have a flea market of their own. The Sturbridge Flea Market has three levels of shopping with over 150 dealers. Featured items include Amish furniture and toys, home decor, and artisan crafts. In the surrounding area, there are small shops that sell jewelry, antiques, hand-crafted furniture, home decor, and more.
For more information about the Brimfield Antique Flea Market, check out the FAQ section on their website.
