Brooklyn Flea

In a city where shops open and close in the blink of an eye, the Brooklyn Flea has stuck around—and with good reason. Since it kicked off back in April 2008, thanks to founders Jonathan Butler and Eric Demby, the market has become more than just a weekend thing. It’s a piece of Brooklyn’s personality, a space where old-school charm meets modern creativity, all laid out on folding tables and vintage rugs.

Depending on the season, you’ll find it in Fort Greene on Saturdays and DUMBO on Sundays, with around 60 to 100 vendors on any given weekend. It’s not just the number of sellers that makes it worth a visit—it’s the mix. Vintage Levi’s, funky ‘80s toys, old Polaroid cameras, Danish chairs, worn-in boots, weird art, and all kinds of handmade odds and ends. It feels like a well-edited garage sale mixed with a local design fair, in the best way possible.

And then there’s the food. While the Flea itself offers a few snack stalls, the real move is to pair it with a visit to Smorgasburg, the wildly popular open-air food market founded in 2011 by the same team. Just a short walk from the Dumbo venue, Smorgasburg’s Williamsburg outpost serves up everything from gourmet ramen burgers to vegan doughnuts, giving shoppers the fuel they need to keep treasure hunting. Smorgasburg's reach has expanded beyond Brooklyn to a variety of locations, including the World Trade Center on Fridays and Prospect Park on Sundays. Its popularity has even led to offshoots in Los Angeles and Miami, showcasing the best of Brooklyn's culinary craftsmanship in picturesque outdoor settings.

Through spring and into fall, the market’s out in the open—sunshine, picnic vibes, live music drifting through the air. When it gets colder, the whole operation moves indoors, usually into some kind of industrial space that somehow still feels cozy. Winter sessions are a good time to score vintage coats, retro glassware, or holiday gifts you actually want to give.

Brooklyn Flea’s gotten plenty of shoutouts over the years—from big-name travel guides and style mags to word-of-mouth buzz. It’s landed on “best of” lists for flea markets not just in New York City but worldwide. And it’s easy to see why. There’s a raw, real energy here that other markets try to copy but rarely nail. It’s not precious. It’s just fun.

Want to know what’s coming up or who’s setting up shop next weekend? Best bet is to check out their Instagram (@bkflea). That’s where they drop updates on pop-ups, new vendors, and random cool stuff like live bands or DIY stations. According to co-founder Eric Demby, if something unexpected is happening, it’s getting posted there first.

So whether you're a Brooklyn local looking to kill a few hours or a first-timer hoping to tap into the borough’s creative side, the Brooklyn Flea makes for a solid Saturday. Come with cash and curiosity. Leave with a story, a snack, and probably something you didn’t know you needed.