Treasure Hunting at First Monday Trade Days in Canton, TX

If you’ve never been to First Monday Trade Days in Canton, Texas, let me set the scene: over 400 acres of vintage goods, handmade treasures, antiques, junk (the good kind!), quirky decor, and all the fried food you could dream of. It’s part flea market, part festival, and all magic.

The Backstory of a Picker’s Paradise

First Monday Trade Days has been happening since the 1850s, making it one of the oldest and largest flea markets in the country. It’s held the Thursday through Sunday before the first Monday of every month, and let me tell you—it’s a massive, magical maze of curated chaos. From weathered barn finds to artisan crafts, you never know what you’ll stumble across.

Hitting the Road

In May, we packed up the truck with totes, snacks, cash (many vendors are still cash-only), and our favorite iced coffees, ready for a full day (or two) of picking. The earlier you get there, the better the treasures and parking—so we rolled in just after sunrise, as vendors were finishing their morning setups.

The Finds

The thrill of the hunt is half the fun. We wandered through open-air fields, covered pavilions, and tucked-away booths brimming with:

• Vintage farmhouse décor (think chippy paint and enamel everything)

• Antique tools and hardware - perfect for repurposing or just admiring

• Western décor – antlers, cowboy hats, blankets

• Upcycled clothing and accessories

• Quirky collectibles and rare oddities you didn’t know you needed

I scored several perfectly worn pearl snap shirts, a stack of vintage antlers perfect for display, and a piece of ironstone I’ve been hunting for forever. There’s a real joy in knowing these finds have history—and now they have a future, too.

Tips for First-Timers

If you’re planning your own picking trip to Canton, here are a few tips to make the most of it:

• Wear comfy shoes - you’ll be walking a lot!

• Bring a cart or wagon if you plan to haul much (you will).

• Bags for carrying your treasures - or wrapping anything delicate

• Don’t be afraid to haggle—most vendors expect it and welcome friendly negotiations.

• Bring cash and sunscreen, even in cooler months.

• Snap photos of booths you want to revisit—you will get turned around!

• Scooter – rentals available for around $50/day or bring your own!

The Magic of the Market

What makes First Monday in Canton so special isn’t just the treasures. It’s the people. It’s the stories behind the booths. It’s the smell of kettle corn and BBQ drifting on the breeze. It’s the feeling that around any corner could be that one thing you’ve been searching for—or the thing you didn’t know you needed until it stopped you in your tracks.

As we packed up our finds and headed home, dusty and happy, I couldn’t help but already plan the next trip. Because the real magic of Canton isn’t just what you find - it’s the adventure of finding it.