Boston’s South End neighborhood has a Sunday tradition that draws locals and out-of-towners alike, and it has nothing to do with brunch reservations. Every week from May through October, a sprawling outdoor market takes over Harrison Avenue, filling the block with handmade goods, fresh produce, independent artists, and food trucks that stretch as far as the eye can see.
This place has built a reputation as one of the city’s most authentic weekend destinations, blending the energy of a farmers market with the creativity of an art fair and the thrill of a vintage treasure hunt. If you have never spent a Sunday afternoon browsing through Boston’s SoWa district, this article will show you exactly why you should.
A Market Born From Boston’s Creative Side
The SoWa Open Market did not appear overnight. It grew organically from the SoWa Art and Design District, a neighborhood that began attracting independent artists, designers, and small business owners who were looking for affordable studio space in Boston’s South End.
Over time, the district became a destination in its own right, and the Sunday outdoor market became its most visible public event. The name SoWa stands for South of Washington, a reference to the market’s geographic position relative to Washington Street, one of the South End’s main arteries…