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    Sowa Open Market

    4.5 (69 reviews)
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    Updated 2 months ago

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    Jen K.

    Sowa Open Market is the best place to be on a Sunday! Parking is limited on the street or $10 in the lot down the block (cash only). If you're visiting (like me), this is the BEST place to hear a thick Boston accent: PAAAAAAA-KIN for the MAAAAAAAAA-KET, 10 DAAAAAAAA-LAAAAAAS RIGHT HERE (glorious!) There's food trucks and food vendors GALORE! Yes they have coffee drinks! Yes they have alcohol drinks! Everyone takes card but obviously cash is king. Bathrooms are open! And clean! Thank God! The artisans! The vintage! Yes yes yes! Please DON'T bring your double wide stroller. Please DON'T bring your boyfriend who's going to follow you into every single booth like your shadow and be bored scrolling on his phone. Please DON'T say things like "I don't need anything right now"- these are artisans. Buy from them! Please DO bring your pups! Please talk to everyone and hear their story! Please take photos. Please come again! I know I will for sure!

    The scene
    Michelle C.

    I expected a different experience, supporting local artisans as an artist and an avid supporter of small businesses. The SoWa Winter Festival's curation could use improvement. Parking and entry each cost $10. We arrived at 6:30 pm, faced a short line, and found well-organized stalls with a couple of bars for those into alcoholic beverages. There was an abundance of similar items like dog treats, poster prints, candles, small clothing brand items, and fashion jewelry from emerging designers all catered to a younger demographic. If these align with your aesthetic, it's suitable, but if you're over 40, this might not match your holiday market preferences. This space caters more to Gen Z.

    Turkey, Bacon & Avocado Sandwich from The Herb Lyceum
    Jenny T.

    Food: LOVE SOWA, it's SO fun. SO many good food options, fun food trucks - I got this Turkey, Bacon & Avocado sandwich from the Herb Lyceum - DELICIOUS. Drinks too (I'm not a big drinker but). Art: SO MANY CUTE art stalls. My friend and I went there specifically for the jewelry, I LOVE earrings and she loves rings. Lots of choices. Some are stalls are def significantly more expensive than others, but it's fun to even go window shopping. Great way to #supportlocalbusinesses. Location: I LOVE THE SOUTH END. Having gone to Northeastern, I was quite familiar with this area. LOTS of good restaurants around incase you don't want to grab food there (i.e. The Elephant Walk, Burro Bar). Overall, SOWA is REALLY FUN I 11/10 recommend but there are no bathrooms nearby - I think I went into a restaurant or cafe to use a bathroom there lol.

    Pork tamale
    Cyrus A.

    The open market at SoWa is a wonderful way to spend a Sunday morning/afternoon. There's a great indoor flea market with lots of random knick knacks on display, in case you're in the mood for eclectic stuff. In the outdoor courtyard, there are lots of tents that feature local and regional businesses. Even if you aren't going to buy, it's still a great way to find ideas for future purchases/gifts, get contact info for interesting companies, and support local business in the process. I most recently bought some awesome dress socks from the Pierre Henry booth, as well as a chemistry-themed coaster from another local vendor. Neither were on my shopping list Sunday morning, but I'm excited at making a couple of good buys! In the other part of the market there are a bunch of food vendors. Some serve meals - I got tamales this time, and have had sandwiches from another booth in the past. It's a nice way to incorporate lunch into your SoWa experience. Even if you're not eating, though, the other food vendors are selling take-home products; everything from pickled beets to honey, and further still to hot sauces. The whole market is approachable, interesting, and a great way to spend a few hours before realizing you're about to go back to your miserable existence Monday morning!

    Amber S.

    Local shops representing with delicious foods, awesome handmade jewelry, clothing designs, knick knacks and a little bit of everything for everyone made for a great Sunday showing my family the farmers market in SoWa! There is something for every budget too with variety for those with dietary restrictions as well with non dairy, gluten free, vegan products here and there! The parking was $10 not bad a few feet to the right of the main location. Be sure to walk through the breezeway to see more shops down the back (we almost missed this entirely) thankfully we explored and found over 10+ vendors out there.

    Fresh blackberries
    Claire S.

    Had such a nice time at Sowa Market last weekend!! We started by walking around the food market, which had such a nice variety of stands. Last Sunday they had a few food trucks (Mexican, Vietnamese, Cookies and Ice cream, Sandwiches), a few farm stands with tons of fresh produce, and tons of local speciality stores (jams, honey, cupcakes, doughnuts, drinks, frozen dinners) ... we loved the variety of food options! They also had tons of outdoor tables with umbrellas which was nice with the rain. They also had corn hole and other outdoor games! And great spot to spend your Sunday (for all ages) and they're dog friendly! I definitely recommend also stopping by the vintage market and local artist studios that are right next door.

    Ayatt A.

    Sowa is an amazing outdoor market that spans a few blocks in the south end! They have an art section, a vintage market, a farmers market, food trucks and a beer garden! Its an amazing place to spend a sunny sunday afternoon. All of the vendors are top notch and there is something there for everyone.

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    9 months ago

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    2 years ago

    So much fun, love all of the vendors. Can't wait to go back again sometime soon. The food trucks are great too

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    2 years ago

    Lots of interesting things for sale the food, smelled great, lots of choices of food trucks, check out the antique market as well!

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    4 years ago

    Not baby friendly. The line was was out the door across the parking lot and onto the sidewalk while freezing cold out.

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    4 years ago

    What a fun time to spend my morning. Great vendors, plus the studios are absolutely amazing to walk through.

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    7 years ago

    Some good stuff. A lot of crap. Food trucks are good. Different vendors every week outside. Nothing you haven't seen elsewhere.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Sowa Open Market

    Is the farmers market part expensive?

    It can be but some of the farms are reasonable

    View All 2 Questions

    Review Highlights - Sowa Open Market

    It was great to walk in and out of the tents and see all that Sowa Market had to offer.

    Mentioned in 7 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    I've walked past the Harpoon beer garden all the time and always thought it was worth checking out…read moreas a summertime post-work activity. As a non-beer drinker, all I can say is they have a number of Harpoon beers on tap, as well as a hard cider that I am fond of, and for sustenance, they have a taco truck that I kept seeing people carry away nachos from. The one downside is that it is super LOUD from the performance stage at one end of the seating area. I am begging whoever organizes the performances to turn down the mic just a little. At some point, the live performances switched to a DJ which made the volume a bit more tolerable but my watch was still picking up dangerous decibel levels. We grabbed a table that was the furthest from the stage and I was still hoarse at the end of the night from shouting at my friend across the table. They have some reserved/standing only tables closer to the beer/food at the other end that might be quieter but we came on a Thursday and of course everything was packed. If you're looking to have a semi-quiet conversation, definitely go elsewhere in the park. But this pop up is a good choice if you just want to hang with friends, drink beer, and eat tacos. If you need to use a restroom, pro tip to use the AMC across the street.

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    Loved this Beer Garden. We noticed it around while walking around the area - Government Center and…read moreFaneuil Hall. After checking out the famed Feneuil Hall and Quincy Market, my husband was ready to go on a sightseeing strike if I wouldn't have gotten him a beer! The Sam Adams tap room was there, but too crowded and popular. We love indie places so we went back to Distraction & Democracy and it was the wisest decision! The space is big, wide, the ladies working the counter are super helpful and friendly, we tried their Amber Ale, it was great, so we ordered a couple of cold ones. Lots of cool seating options, we got some in the shade at a table facing Faneuil Hall. Hard to beat that view! The beer was amazing, the place relaxing, some friendly folks around chilling, taking a break in action like us! They have clean portable toilets with water sinks and soap. Lots of them! Great experience! Enjoyed our well deserved beer break here! Fun and relaxing, cherished a cold one surrounded by the city's history! Cheers!

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    Sowa Open Market - festivals - Updated June 2026

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