There is more to summer than beaches, sun, and school vacation—summer is also the best time of year to visit local antique shows from coast to coast. Read on to learn about the best antique and vintage shows to visit this summer.
Introduction to Antique Shows (and Markets)
In the olden days (i.e., pre-Y2K), antique markets and shows were tightly curated events where graying dealers could finely display their very best authentic antique wares. Today’s shows and markets run the gamut from not only antique goods but vintage and artisan goods as well. Why is this? Well, the truth is that classic “antique” goods such as brown furniture and some primitives still aren’t selling as well today compared to 20th-century goods, including the ubiquitous mid-century modern. Add in the fast-moving “trend culture” fueled by platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, and crazes come in and out of fashion in the blink of an eye, making it tough for any antique or vintage dealer to keep skin the game unless they are nimble enough to stock relevant inventory.
Some of the old, tried and true classic antique dealers have simply faded into obscurity while younger generations step in to restock the marketplace. Today, the best “antique markets” include these younger generations, bringing a fresh eye (and inventory) to the business.
The Biggest Show in the Country
Few antique markets exemplify this as much as the Brimfield Antique Flea Market, held three times a year in Brimfield, Massachusetts. Billed as the “largest and most iconic outdoor antique show in the country,” if you can’t find what you’re looking for at Brimfield, you haven’t looked hard enough.
May 2025 Brimfield just ended (with only a single day of flash flooding, thank goodness), but the following 2025 dates are July 8-13 and September 2-7.
These days, what I love about Brimfield is all the younger (and often hipper) dealers setting up shop. Many of these folks are vintage clothing dealers, and I tell you, they are more fun to chat with than a barrel of monkeys and brown furniture dealers combined.
Other New England Antique Shows
If you miss Brimfield, there are plenty of other New England shows to visit this summer. The New Hampshire Antique Dealers Association Members Show, Concord, NH, June 1, 2025, and The 68th Annual New Hampshire Antiques Show, Manchester, NH, August 7-9, 2025, are traditional antique shows held in hotels with admission fees.
In Rhode Island, the well-established Newport Show runs July 26-27, 2025, with a Gala Preview Party on July 25.
Maine shows such as the famous Maine Antiques Festival haven’t run consistently in recent years, so antiques lovers headed to Maine may do best by just stopping at shops and estate sales.
Back in Boston, don’t miss the outdoor festival markets such as the Curated Vintage Market in Somerville and ongoing productions by The Brighton Bazaar. These shows are not to be missed if you are seeking the best of antique goods, vintage goods, and artisan goods.
Antique Shows in the Mid-Atlantic, South, & More
The Mid-Atlantic and South also have an abundance of 2025 antique and vintage shows. The Brooklyn Flea has dates all summer, not just in their Brooklyn location but Chelsea as well. There are many antique shows throughout New York State in the summer, including the Chautauqua County Historical Society Antique Show on July 19.
The Philadelphia Show already ran in April, but there are plenty of smaller markets and fleas running over the summer.
Washington, DC, also has a big “flea,” aptly called the DC Big Flea Antiques Market, which will run July 26-27 at the Dulles Expo Center this year.
Some Southern states have more antique events in the winter to avoid the hot summer months outside. In Georgia, the Marburger Atlanta Antique & Design Show runs July 15-19, 2025, at the Southern Exchange.
Folks avoiding the hot summer months can wait for the giant Round Top Antiques Fair in Round Top, Texas, running October 2-19, 2025.
If you don’t mind driving, spend a few days at the 127 Yard Sale running this year, August 7-10, 2025, through six states from Michigan down to Alabama, stopping in Kentucky, and other states along the way. Sure, there will be more than antiques on that road trip, but that will be half the fun.
Antique Shows on the West Coast
Closer to the West Coast, antiques lovers can visit the Alameda Point Antiques Faire, which runs on the first Sunday of every month on the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay. California is full of regular shows and markets running several times during the summer, while old standbys such as the Del Mar Antiques Show have fizzled out.
Oregon and Washington also have plentiful seasonal fleas and markets, with The Farm Chicks show running June 7-8 at the Spokane, Washington Fairgrounds.
In Portland, Oregon, you can check out The Rose City Vintage Market, occurring this year from July 12-13, 2025.
Lastly, suppose you want just a little taste of summer antiquing and are lucky enough to have scored tickets. In that case, PBS’s Antiques Roadshow will make several stops throughout the US this summer, including June 3 in Salt Lake City, Utah, June 18 in Boothbay, Maine, and July 1 in Charlevoix, Michigan.
Happy Summer 2025 antiquing!
Amy Moyer is the proprietor of Antmuffin: Art, Antiques & Collectibles. She holds a B.A. in Visual Arts from Brown University and lives in Boston.
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