This Ontario town is hosting a big butter tart market next month — and it’s free to go
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Fifty vendors, ranging from artisan bakers to unique makers and local small businesses, make the Bowmanville Butter Tarts and More market a must-visit event.
An Ontario town, just an hour east of Toronto, is preparing for their sweetest day of the year.
Bowmanville, a community of 60,000 people in Durham Region, is known for its world-renowned Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and historic downtown.
The tourist-friendly town also hosts the Bowmanville Butter Tarts and More market, with tray after tray of ooey-gooey butter tarts, irresistible pastries, giant pretzels, gourmet treats, and mouth-watering goodies, according to event organizers.
Bowmanville Butter Tarts and More
The Bowmanville Butter Tarts and More market is on Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex, 2440 Durham Regional Hwy. 2, Bowmanville. The event includes butter tarts, sweet treats, baked goods, artisans, a marketplace and more.
Fifty vendors ranging from artisan bakers to unique makers and local small businesses make the festival a must-visit event.
“Whether you’re craving classic flavours, creative twists, or something totally new, this market is a dessert lover’s dream come true,” organizers beam on the event’s Facebook page.
Making it even sweeter, the event is open to everyone, with free admission.
Sneak peeks
Bring your sweet tooth, your friends and get ready to savour every bite as you enjoy some of the area’s best butter tarts and baked goods.
Event organizers have shared sneak peeks of some of the vendors you can expect this year.
Pretzel lovers and dessert fans will love That Pretzel Dough, appearing at the Bowmanville Butter Tarts and More market this year. The vendor specializes in everything from golden, buttery croissants to chewy pretzels, artisan bread loaves, and buns that are perfect for any meal.
Lidz.Cinabunz invites fans to indulge in their gourmet “Cinnamon Bunz” that are baked fresh, from scratch. They’re soft, gooey and bursting with sweet cinnamon goodness
Omi’s Sweet n Treats brings over 25 years of hospitality experience to the market, with a passion for unforgettable butter tarts. Sample more than 15 handcrafted, seasonal butter tart flavours, each one made with care, creativity, and just the right touch of indulgence.
The Bowmanville Butter Tarts and More market is just one of several Ontario butter tart events on the calendar this year. Here are some more favourites.
Barrie Butter Tart Festival
Barrie’s Butter Tart Festival is April 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Georgian Mall, 509 Bayfield St. Try everything from classic butter tarts and baked goods to sweet treats and unique marketplace finds.
Paris Butter Tart Fest
The 2026 Paris Butter Tart Fest (spring edition) is scheduled for May 16 and 17 at the Paris Fairgrounds, 139 Silver St., Paris.
The event includes food trucks, vendors and a wide selection of local butter tarts. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days.
Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival
Midland hosts “Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival” on June 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Each year, Midland’s downtown core and waterfront parks host more than 200 vendors and food trucks for the annual festival presented by Chapman’s. The event has been voted by Festivals and Events Ontario as one of Ontario’s Top 100 Festivals and Events since 2019.
Vendors will offer everything from butter tarts to unique, handmade items.
More than 300,000 butter tarts were sold at the 2025 event to an estimated 60,000 visitors.
Fergus Butter Tart Festival
The Fergus Butter Tart Festival is Saturday, July 11, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Centre Wellington Sportsplex, 550 Belsyde Ave. E.
By Mike Pearson, Insidehaltoncom
