The Beach Times
Find a Deal at Cape Cod’s Flea Markets
Posted by Kinlin Grover | Thursday, June 20, 2019
With popular flea markets like Dick & Ellie’s, the Cape Cod Bazaar, and the Hyannis Flea Market shutting down for good in recent years, finding a Cape Cod flea market is becoming increasingly difficult. Luckily, a couple of larger markets have picked up the slack a little bit and provide excellent bargains all year long, with additional days of operation in the summer.
Most of these flea markets offer free parking, complimentary admission, and a wide selection new and used goods for you to explore, so prepare yourself for a day of shopping at some point on your Cape Cod vacation, and you won’t be disappointed.
Wellfleet Flea Market
Two flea markets claim to be Cape Cod's biggest and best, starting with the Wellfleet Flea Market. This market is held at the Wellfleet Drive-In Theatre on Route 6 and is active all year round, weather permitting, so no matter when you visit the Cape, you can check out the available deals.
From October through May, the market runs on Saturdays and Sundays in the theatre's parking lot. The winter market is weather dependent, so if it's too cold or there's a lot of snow, it will be canceled. The winter flea market is also the smallest, as they cap it at about 30 vendors.
The spring market starts on Memorial Day Weekend and runs throughout June, also on Saturdays and Sundays, but it's a little larger and is inside the drive-in area. You’ll generally see a few more vendors at the spring flea market as the weather becomes more predictable.
The summer market is the largest at this venue, with over 200 vendors attending. You can head to the market on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout July and August. The summer flea market also features a beer garden, mini golf, and an ice cream shop, making it a place where you can hang out for a few hours.
Finally, the fall flea market is held on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays in September. The September markets tend to slow down a bit, and visitors return home after spending the summer on Cape Cod.
All of the markets start at 8:00 AM and run until about 3:00 PM. Keep in mind that most vendors do not accept credit cards, so you'll want to bring cash with you. There is an ATM available in the snack bar during the summer season. You should also be aware that admission is charged by the car, but it'll only be $2 or $3 per vehicle, depending on the day and season.
The Sandwich Bazaar
The other flea market on Cape Cod that lays claim to being the best is The Sandwich Bazaar, sometimes referred to as The Sandwich Flea Market. This market, which has run every year since 2009, has a full-time spot in a large field on Quaker Meeting House Road in Sandwich, right next to Oakcrest Cove Lodge. Parking and admission are free, and since there is so much space, you shouldn’t have much trouble finding somewhere to leave your vehicle.
The Sandwich Bazaar is held every Wednesday between mid-April and the middle of October starting at 6:00 AM and ending at noon and every Sunday from the beginning of June through the middle of September from 7:00 AM until 1:00 PM.
There is also a secondary flea market in Sandwich called The Winter Sandwich Flea Market. It's hosted by the same people who run The Sandwich Bazaar, but it has limited dates between November and April and takes place at the American Legion Hall on Sandwich's Main Street. The markets go from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM and will have tables set-up both inside and outside.
Brewster-By-the-Bay Flea Market
The Brewster-By-the-Bay Flea Market at Drummer Boy Park doesn't want or need to be the largest on Cape Cod, as it does just fine at its current size. The flea market is organized the Brewster PTO, with proceeds raised through the tables going to support programs and events at Brewster Elementary School.
If you want to check out the Brewster-By-the-Bay Flea Market, head to the park on any Tuesday between June 25 and August 27. The sales start at 8:00 AM and go until about 4:00 PM, and since the flea market is at a public park, you'll find it easy to keep the kids occupied while you shop.
Truro Treasures Festival
If you happen to be in Truro in mid-September, make sure you visit the Truro Treasures Festival Weekend. The festival has taken place every year since 1992 and is a non-profit event aimed at benefiting the community of Truro as a whole. Originally, the Truro Treasures Festival was started to raise money to save the town's Highland Lighthouse.
One of the most anticipated parts of the festival each year is its flea market, which takes place on the Saturday and Sunday of the weekend on Truro Central School's front lawn. The size of the market is dependent on the vendors that sign up each year, but since it takes place once the other flea markets are starting to wind down for the season, it usually gets a pretty good turnout.
Take Something Special Home With You
You never know what you’ll find at a flea market, and the sales on Cape Cod are often extraordinary because there are old homes and estates that often participate. These markets are also a great place to pick up some local arts and crafts to take home as souvenirs.
No matter your reason for visiting a flea market on the Cape, you’ll have some options throughout your vacation.
Brewster Cape Cod Shopping Flea Markets Sandwich Truro Wellfleet