Brimfield Antique Show tips are a must if you’re planning to attend the largest antique show of its kind in the country. Three times a year, the Brimfield Antique Show rolls out the welcome mat to over 100,000 shoppers along Route 20 in south-central Massachusetts, where 12 sprawling fields are packed with rows upon rows of tented booths. Roughly 6,000 antique and collectible dealers make the pilgrimage to sell everything from vintage furniture and garden décor to folk art, textiles, and one-of-a-kind finds you never knew you needed. If you’re heading to Massachusetts for your first vintage treasure hunt, these tips will help you enjoy the experience — not just survive it.

2025 Brimfield Antique Show Dates

– May 13-18, 2025
– July 8-13, 2025
– September 2-7, 2025

10 Essential Brimfield Antique Show Tips

Brimfield Parking Tips: Arrive Early for the Best Spots

Arrive bright and early. Parking is hard to get at the Brimfield Antique Show, and you want to get close to the show grounds so you won’t have to haul your loot miles to your car later.

How to Make a Brimfield Antique Shopping List That Works

Have an idea of what you are looking to buy. DON’T stop at every booth. Learn to assess quickly to see if they have what you are looking for, and if they don’t, smile and move on. Stay true to your list, or you won’t get out of the first field you enter. Remember, there are 12 of them.

Can You Haggle at Brimfield? Yes — Here’s How

Yes. Dealers expect to negotiate. Don’t insult them, be reasonable, but don’t pay the listed amount right off the bat.

Buying Big? Brimfield Shipping and Transport Tips

The Brimfield Antique Show is big, so make sure you bring a vehicle large enough to cart all your goodies home. If you know you are looking for large items such as furniture, check on shipping options with the dealer before you hand over your money, or come back with a U-Haul the next day. Here’s the good news – there is a UPS and FedEx dealer located in the Brimfield Acres North field. Some porters will help you take your large items there or to your car.

What to Wear and Bring to the Brimfield Antique Show

Bring something to carry all of your purchases. Big tote bags or wire shopping carts – the ones your grandmothers used for shopping day – are the best idea. You can buy them at places like Target, Amazon, or Walmart, in person or online.

Wear comfy clothes and walking shoes, and appropriate weather gear, including a rain poncho or sun hat. Be comfortable! The Brimfield Antique Show is not a fashion show.

Bring your cell phone/charger, calculator, notebook, and business or contact cards to hand out. Use a fanny pack for maximum efficiency. ­I know it’s probably not your look, but it will free your hands up and keep your valuables safe.

Food at Brimfield: What to Eat and Where to Find It

Pack water and food if you’d like, but the Brimfield Antique Show is home to an assortment of food trucks and concession stands that range from traditional to gourmet. You will certainly not starve.

Why Shopping in the Rain at Brimfield Might Be the Best Kept Secret

Do not let the rain deter you! This is the best time to shop. The crowds are smaller, and the dealers are willing to come down on their prices, especially if it is toward the end of the week.

Learn From the Pros: Brimfield Dealer Advice You Can’t Miss

Treat your time at the Brimfield Antique Show as a learning experience. Pick the brains of the dealers. They are fantastic teachers and filled with information you might never find in a classroom, book, TV show, or online. People become experts by learning from the experts.

And above all…have fun!

What You Can Find at the Brimfield Antique Show:

American Pottery; Americana; Architectural & Garden Items; Art & Paintings; Baskets, Books & Manuscripts; Bottles; Buttons & Smalls; Cast Iron; Children’s Items; Civil War Memorabilia; Clocks & Watches; Coins; Comics; Costume Jewelry; Deco & Decorative Arts; Decoys; Dolls; Fiesta Ware & Depression Glass; Fishing & Sports Items; Flow Blue, Majolica, Staffordshire, Stoneware and Yelloware China; Folk Art; Country, English, Oak, Painted and Victorian Furniture; Games & Toys & Trains; Glass & China & Crystal; Guns & Arms; Hats; Kitchen Items; Jewelry; Lighting; Lithographs; Maps; Marbles; Marine & Nautical Items; Medical Items; Memorabilia; Musical Items; Optical Oriental Items; Paper; Pewter; Postcards; Primitives; Porcelain; Quilts; Radios & Phonographs; Oriental & Indian Rugs; Sterling and Plate Silver; Tools; Victorian Items; Vintage Clothing; Vintage Textiles.

For more information on the Brimfield Antique Show, visit brimfieldantiquefleamarket.com

Have any additional Brimfield Antique Show tips? Let us know!

This post was first published in 2015 and has been updated.

SEE MORE:
Opening Day at the Brimfield Antique Show
Best Towns for Antiquing in New England
The Fixers | A Guide to New England Antique Repair Experts

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