The Midwest never quite seems to get the attention it deserves, and that’s about as true as ever when it comes to flea markets. Still, there are treasures to be found here, and we’ve got the lowdown on the very best places to do just that! Keep scrolling for the 30 must-shop flea markets in the Midwest for 2020.
7 Mile Fair
Caledonia, Wisconsin
Weekends in Caledonia, Wisconsin mean bargains! At least, that’s the promise made on the official website of the popular and must-shop 7 Mile Fair. Since its establishment in 1961, the 7 Mile Fair has grown into a massive market boasting hundreds of vendor booths both inside and outside. The market is a well-known spot to find clothing, electronics, sports and entertainment memorabilia, home decor, gardening and farming equipment, and more. It’s also a family-friendly flea market, complete with train and pony rides for kids.
127 Corridor Sale
From West Unity, Ohio to Gadsden, Alabama
There’s not much to say about the 127 Corridor Sale except: if you can’t find it here, you’re not likely to find it anywhere! This world-famous, must-shop flea market stretches a whopping 654 miles along Route 127 from West Unity, Ohio to Gadsden, Alabama. Pick a section to scour, or spend the entire weekend getting as far as you can. Make sure you start out with plenty of space in the trunk!
The All-Night Flea Market
Wheaton, Illinois
Every year, on the third Sunday of August, thousands of treasure hunters flock to little Wheaton, Illinois to shop The All-Night Flea Market. As its name suggests, this famous market lasts from dusk until dawn, and shoppers have only until the sun rises to find their goodies — sort of like Cinderella. The whole thing is a good time, and it’s no wonder shoppers and vendors alike vow to return year after year. If you’re still in the area, be sure to come back in October for the All-Night Haunted Flea Market.
Allegan Antiques Market
Allegan, Michigan
The Allegan Antiques Market was opened in 1978 by an antiques-loving couple intent on bringing more antiquing opportunities to Michigan. The Allegan Antiques Markets of 1978 had about 200 vendors. Today the market boasts more than twice that. This must-shop flea, which is held both indoors and outdoors at the Allegan Fairgrounds on the last Sunday of the month (April thru September), is an excellent resource for things like antique jewelry, vintage clothing, fine china, sporting and fishing equipment, vintage glass, pottery, furniture, and lots more.
Burley Park Antiques Flea Market
Reynolds Township, Michigan
Michigan is a great state in which to find quality flea markets and antique shops, but few of said markets and shops are held outdoors. One notable exception is Burley Park Antiques Flea Market. Held in Reynolds Township, this must-shop market is a traditional, popular, and high-quality market that deserves to be a stop while in the Wolverine State. Check Burley Park’s Facebook and/or Yelp pages for further details.
Camp Flea Antique Mall + Vintage Market
Ozark, Missouri
You won’t want to miss Camp Flea Antique Mall + Vintage Market! Located in Ozark, Missouri, this popular indoor market boasts 26,000 square feet and 200 vendor booths of treasures. There is a ton to find here, including architectural salvage, industrial salvage, farmhouse primitives, antiques, retro kitsch, and furniture pieces big and small.
Country Living Fair
Columbus, Ohio
Country Living magazine has long been a favorite source for all things antiques and homemaking, so it only makes sense that its annual Country Living Fair makes our list of the country’s must-shop flea markets. Held in Columbus, Ohio in September, this one-of-a-kind flea market features a full schedule of seminars and demonstrations, lots of great food, and of course, tons of shopping opportunities. Check the fair’s website for this year’s dates.
Downtown Oronoco Gold Rush Days
Oronoco, Minnesota
Massive! That’s the word we’ll use to describe Downtown Oronoco Gold Rush Days. Held for one weekend during the month of August, this must-shop flea market in Oronoco, Minnesota boasts upwards of 1,200 vendors selling everything from common, low-priced collectibles to one-of-a-kind antique treasures.
Elizabeth Grand Antique
Elizabeth, Illinois
If you love the hunt that comes along with shopping flea markets, then you’ll love Elizabeth Grand Antique. Located in Elizabeth, Illinois, Elizabeth Grand Antique boasts a whopping 28,000 square feet of antiques, vintage goods, collectibles, artwork, and just about anything else you might hope to find. The market is open daily and has a Facebook page where they update their followers on notable new additions.
Elkhorn Antique Flea Market
Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s Elkhorn Antique Flea Market has been around for a whopping 40 years! The market is held on select Sundays in May, June, August, and September, and is located in the town of Elkhorn. More than 500 vendors, plus thousands of avid flea marketers, flock to the market to sell and buy collectibles, furniture, antiques, vintage, and more. Check the website for this year’s specific dates.
Friendship Flea Market
Versailles, Indiana
The Friendship Flea Market dates back to 1969, when it was established by married couple Tom and Rosemary Kerr. Then, the market consisted of a mere 50 vendors. Today, it boasts upwards of 500! As its name might imply, bargains and customer service are two major tenets of the Friendship Flea Market. Vendors are often known to stay after hours to ensure everyone gets a chance to shop. Check this must-shop flea market’s website for this year’s dates.
Industry Flea
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Industry Flea is a seasonal outdoor flea market held in downtown Oklahoma City. Beginning in the fall, this great flea market of the Midwest boasts tons of antiques and vintage merchandise, plus food and drinks, live music, and homemade arts and crafts. Check Industry Flea’s official website for this year’s market dates.
Junk Bonanza
Shakopee, Minnesota
Junk Bonanza takes place once a year (typically in September, but check the website for exact dates) in Shakopee, Minnesota. The must-shop flea market event attracts nearly 150 vendors selling everything from valuable antiques, to upcycled everything, to stuff that’s, well, at least one man’s treasure.
JunkFest
Carrington, North Dakota
JunkFest is an annual flea market that takes place in Carrington, North Dakota each autumn. Established by a group of friends who were tired of the lack of flea market options around them, JunkFest is now a massive event that attracts vendors and shoppers from far and wide. Check the website for this year’s dates, then be sure to get there early — the whole thing kicks off with a “shotgun start!”
Junkstock
Omaha, Nebraska
It’s like Woodstock for antique lovers! Held on various days in April, June, and September, Omaha, Nebraska’s Junkstock is quite the event. Junkstock draws hundreds of vendors selling antiques, collectibles, vintage goods, and even some upcycled and repurposed items. This must-shop flea also makes for a great day out for the whole family. A “children’s village” section of the market includes fun things like balloon artists, face painting, and pony rides.
The Maxwell Street Market
Chicago, Illinois
Incredibly, The Maxwell Street Market began in the 1800s as a Jewish market. Today, it’s a cultural melting pot of merchandise, music, and food. Dozens of vendors come out to sell their wares, while mobile food carts wander the aisles selling delicious delicacies from all over the globe. As you’re shopping, be sure to keep your ears open for the musicians, who often use this must-shop flea market as the setting for their impromptu sessions.
Michigan Antique Festivals
Davisburg and Midland
“Come rescue a piece of American history!” That’s the draw this must-shop flea market uses on its website. Indeed, the Michigan Antique Festivals are excellent places to find quality and high-end antiques and vintage, including coins, stamps, furniture, and even classic cars. The festival is held in Midland in June and September, and Davisburg in May and October. Check the website for this year’s specific dates.
The Oakley Fancy Flea Market
Cincinnati, Ohio
The Oakley Fancy Flea Market, known also as the O.F.F. Market, is held on the second Saturday of each month (May thru September) in Cincinnati’s Oakley neighborhood. The popular market offers visitors the chance to treasure hunt amongst the many antiques and vintage stalls. You’ll also to experience the offerings of myriad local artists, farmers, and independent small businesses. A Winter Market is also held, and is a popular resource for unique holiday gifts.
The Pec Thing Flea Market
Pecatonia, Illinois
Some 2.5 hours from Chicago is the Winnebago County Fairgrounds, home of The Pec Thing Flea Market. Held twice each year (usually May and September) rain or shine, this must-shop flea market has become one of the industry’s best-kept secrets, thanks to the many important and authentic historical items that have popped up here. While there are plenty of other interesting items to find, too, this one is a definite destination for history buffs.
Preston’s Antique Gaslight Village
Allen, Michigan
Our list may be full of great flea markets, but there are none quite like Preston’s Antique Gaslight Village. Located along Michigan’s highway 12, in the middle of Amish country, Preston’s consists of 20 historic buildings, all of which are filled with antiques and collectibles. You’re likely to find whatever it is you may be looking for here, whether a vintage 1950s character lunch box or a fully restored antique doctor’s buggy. Best of all, Preston’s is just one of myriad antiquing establishments on this stretch of highway, a fact that has earned the town of Allen the nickname “Antique Capital of the World.”
Randolph Street Market
Chicago, Illinois
Randolph Street Market is so much more than your typical flea market! Part flea, part antique show, and part fashion house, Randolph Street Market has become well known for being an excellent source for fashionable clothing both vintage and modern, one-of-a-kind arts and crafts, antiques, and other special finds. But don’t believe just us! The Randolph Street Market has been featured in countless magazines and television shows. It’s been called everything from “the Barney’s of Vintage” to “the best hot spot for antiquing.” Designer Nate Berkus even said, “I love this market…the quality is incredible!” The market takes place year round on Saturdays and Sundays.
Shipshewana Trading Place
Shipshewana, Indiana
If you want to experience the MidWest’s largest outdoor flea market (self-proclaimed), then you’ll have to head to the town of Shipshewana in northern Indiana for the Shipshewana Trading Place. Nearly 900 vendors set up their booths over the span of 100 acres, so you can probably imagine just how many treasures there are to be found here. And there’s plenty of opportunity to find said treasure, too! From May thru October, the flea market is open every Tuesday and Wednesday, with an additional swap meet held on one Saturday per month. There’s also a year-round antique auction held each Wednesday morning.
Sparks Flea Market
Sparks, Kansas
At last official count, the town of Sparks had a full-time population of a whopping nine people. But a few times each summer, the town swells to host nearly 80,000 thanks to its must-shop Sparks Flea Market. The market attracts more than 450 vendors selling a wide variety of well-priced antiques and collectibles. Dates vary by year, so check the website for this year’s official dates.
Springfield Antique Show & Flea Market
Springfield, Ohio
The Springfield Antique Show & Flea Market is a favorite market of collectors and dealers. To get the best price on the best selection of products, cut out the middle man and head to Springfield, Ohio on the third weekend of the month. Once there, you’ll find as many as 2,500 vendors selling high-quality antiques and vintage goods for some of the best prices around. The dates may vary in the months of June, July, and December, so it’s best to check the official website before visiting.
Sunday at Sandwich Antiques Show
Sandwich, Illinois
One of the biggest frustrations when it comes to shopping flea markets is separating the old from the new. Fortunately, there exists Sunday at Sandwich Antiques Show in Sandwich, Illinois. This must-shop flea market, which is held monthly from May until October, offers two separate sections for treasure hunters’ convenience. While one side sells newer arts and crafts and typical flea market knickknacks, the other is a great resource for antiques and collectibles dating from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Walnut Antique Show
Walnut, Iowa
Unlike many of the must-shop flea markets on our list, the Walnut Antique Show takes place only once a year. Each Father’s Day weekend, the town of Walnut, Iowa — the self-proclaimed “Antique City” of The Hawkeye State — eats, sleeps, and breathes all things antiques. Nearly 50,000 visitors come out to shop 300+ vendors’ collections of antiques. Shopping highlights include furniture from various eras, 19th-century glassware, and antique camping and farm equipment.
What Cheer’s Collectors’ Paradise Flea Market
What Cheer, Iowa
What Cheer’s Collectors’ Paradise Flea Market combines the best of two worlds: the county fair and a world-class flea. Hundreds of vendors come out to offer their collectibles to collectors. Baseball cards, stamps from around the world, old coins, and cool tools are all represented, among countless other things. Browsing it all is quite simple — simply walk around the gravel oval track to ensure you see all there is to see. Just don’t forget to leave room for the funnel cakes or fried peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that are also offered for sale.
White’s Farm Flea Market & Auctioneers
Brookville, Indiana
Avid flea marketers based in Brookville, Indiana have a saying: “If it’s Wednesday, it’s White’s!” White’s Farm Flea Market & Auctioneers takes place every Wednesday, and draws crowds of both vendors and shoppers. If you happen to be around during the summer, head to one of White’s Twilight Tuesday events, which include an hour of flea market shopping, a consignment auction, and even some live musical entertainment.
Wisconsin Rummage-a-Rama!
Franklin, Wisconsin
Rummage-a-Rama! boasts more than just your typical flea market finds. Sure, there are the usual antiques, collectibles, vintage goods, and furniture just waiting to be upcycled. There are also overstock and closeout items from local stores, making this must-shop flea an excellent opportunity to stock up on all sorts of fun and necessary items. More than 100 vendors show up to this indoor market when it is held four times each year. Check Rummage-a-Rama’s Facebook page for information regarding this year’s dates.
Wright County Swappers Meet
South Haven, Minnesota
If you find yourself in Minnesota, be sure to stop in South Haven for the Wright County Swappers Meet. Held on Saturdays from the spring through fall (or as long as weather permits), this must-shop flea market is absolutely massive. In fact, it’s the state’s largest outdoor market of any kind, attracting approximately 200 vendors on a typical Saturday, and up for 400 on holiday weekends.
