‘All I want for Christmas is’…permission to shop. Well, you’re in luck, because we hereby grant you permission to spend your Christmas bonus (and let’s be real, your ‘savings’) on homemade local goodies under the Brisbane sun and stars. And what better way to do that than hit up all the Christmas markets Brisbane has to offer? Yes, we know it's October—but it's never too early to start planning your Christmas shopping itinerary.
From boho luxe trinkets to twilight sessions, here are all the Christmas-themed markets you need to stroll through this December.
Vend Christmas Twilight Markets
VEND Marketplace is going all out this festive season and really, could we expect anything less of Brisbane’s renowned marketplace spot? With over 130 vendors to browse from inside, plus 35 local small businesses in an outdoor pop-up market, you’re guaranteed to find something you love. Did someone say indoor greenhouse? Plus, there are food stalls of course, boozy spots for the grown-ups, and face painting for the kids.
West End Christmas Twilight Market
A holly, jolly Christmas is coming to West End this year, and we don’t think you want to miss it. Grab the kids, grab your friends, and come along to West End’s Twilight Market for an evening of festivities you won’t forget. You’re guaranteed to find the perfect homemade stocking stuffers, feast on some delicious food from Brisbane’s local gourmet chefs and dance the night away to your favourite Christmas hits. There’s plenty of fun to be had for the kids too with Christmas entertainment, activities, and a visit from Santa.
Ascot Green Christmas Carols And Market
Ascot
Want to pair your Christmas market shopping with some carols? Head for the Ascot Green Christmas Markets, where the renowned Brisbane Excelsior Brass Band and Opera Queensland will be putting on a performance as you browse the market stalls, grab a bite from the food trucks and have a very festive time.
Orion Springfield Central Christmas Twilight Markets
Springfield Central
Orion Springfield Central is shutting down Main Street and filling it with market stalls offering up local crafts, food and more for one festive day and evening. Open from 9am to 9pm, you can stop by during the day for shopping in the sun, or head over after sunset for a twilight experience.
The Handmade Christmas Markets
Underneath flying whales is a pretty unusual setting for a Christmas market, we’ll admit, but hey, we also celebrate with barbecues and eat pavlova, so who cares? BrisStyle’s Handmade Markets are coming back to South Bank’s Whale Mall with a curated selection of 60 local artisans hawking their handmade products. Best of all, you can make a day of it and check out the amazing Air exhibition at GOMA while you’re there.
Fish Lane Markets
The Market Folk are once again shutting down the road between Hope and Grey Street in South Brisbane for a huge festive market in Fish Lane's Town Square. Featuring an array of independent local makers and designers selling the likes of ceramics, art, accessories, plants, dog accessories, natural skincare and more, it's just the place to get all your Christmas pressies—and finish off with a feast at one of the surrounding eateries, of course.
When: 9am–1pm, Sunday 18 December
Where: Fish Lane, South Brisbane
Find out more here.
Portside Christmas Markets
Is there a better way to market browse than on the waterfront? Answer: obviously not. Portside Wharf welcomes The Market Folk with a pop-up market that will showcase local businesses and live music to set the mood while you browse and shop. Located in the heart of the eclectic Northside urban village, you can catch a meal or grab a feed before launching into your Christmas shopping at over 50 stalls offering flowers, plants, ceramics, jewellery, skincare, decor and more.
Gasworks Christmas Market
Under the iconic metal structure of Newstead’s social hub will live the Gasworks Christmas Market this December. Surrounded by some of Brisbane’s greatest foodie spots, this will be a Friday night to have circled in the calendar with local dining and shopping at the helm. With stalls offering up fashion, art, homewares, skincare, plants and ceramics (just to name a few), it’s sure not to disappoint.
Redcliffe Twilight Christmas Markets
The most wonderful time of the year has just become wonderful with the return of Redcliffe’s Twilight Markets. After driving just 40 minutes from the CBD, you’ll find yourself browsing stalls along the waterfront at sunset, humming along to your favourite Christmas tunes and taking selfies with Santa. What could be better? How about the fact that there will be plenty of kids activities, a side-show alley AND a firework show?
BrisStyle Twilight Christmas Market
Shop sustainably this Christmas with BrisStyle as they transform King George Square into the sustainable markets of your dreams. Showcasing the work of over 60 local artists, there’ll be everything from cleverly crafted ceramics to embroidered wall hangings and all-natural handmade skincare, with not a single imported product. The family-friendly event features live music, plenty of tasty food trucks, and a special visit from Santa Claus himself, all surrounding the iconic Brisbane City Christmas Tree to ignite the Christmas spirit.
When: Friday 2 December
Where: King George Square, Brisbane City
Find out more here.
South City Square Christmas Markets
South City Square has an unmissable line-up of vendors for their Christmas Pop-Up Market. Watch Woolloongabba’s cobbled dining precinct transform into a cinema scene with food trucks, live music and a plethora of quaint stalls. There will be the classic vendors selling homewares, plants, art, and fashion, but notably, they’ll also have multiple stalls selling eco and zero waste products. So you can shop and buy all the tools you need to stay green this summertime.
Nundah Christmas Market
Nothing says Christmas quite like fairy lights and evening ambience. The Nundah Christmas Market is bringing the vibes and kitchen sink to the table this silly season. Featuring bulk street eats, you’ll be able to stock up for Christmas stockings with gourmet sweets curated by bespoke makers. A boozy market, there will also be multiple pop-up bars and live music to accompany you as you cruise through your Christmas shopping—and we hear Mariah is already queued.
The Soul Nook Collective Christmas Market
Located less than an hour from Brisbane City, The Soul Nook Collective Christmas Market in Marburg will give you a reason to head out west this summer. Set in the town’s Old Church, visitors can enjoy shopping from their boutique stalls, tasting their delicious treats, sipping on one of their signature mocktails, and jamming out to some live music while they’re there. The annual event aims to support local small businesses thrive in the Christmas period while providing the perfect day out for the whole family to enjoy—it can’t get much better than that.
When: Saturday 26 November
Where: The Soul Nook Collective, Marburg
Find out more here.
The Made Local Christmas Market
Get crafty this Christmas at Brisbane Etsy’s Made Local Markets, featuring local artisans from Brisbane and the surrounding areas. With a mission to bring together the local Brisbane community to support and encourage creativity and conversation, you’ll not only can you shop from their wide variety of market stalls but also put your creative skills to the test as you take part in their craft workshops and maker demonstrations— there’s no better time to tick off that new year's resolution of learning a new skill, are we right?
When: Friday 18 November- Sunday 20 November
Where: The Exhibition Building, Fortitude Valley
Find out more here.
Plant Empire Christmas Market
As the year comes to an end and your annual work leave rolls around, you’re likely to have some time up your sleeve. This means more time to finally become the plant parent of your dreams—go on, back yourself to not let yet another plant die. Yeerongpilly’s Plant Empire Christmas Market is your one-stop shop to fulfil this Christmas miracle. It won’t all be plants though, there’ will also be pots, ceramics, art, fashion, jewellery, coffee, food
When: Sunday 4 December
Where: Plant Empire, Yeerongpilly
Find out more here.
QAGOMA Store Christmas Market
Still struggling to find the perfect gift for your friends and family this Christmas? Tired of running out of time and just buying that same cinema voucher you bought for them the year before? We know how it is. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. The QAGOMA Store is hosting a design market this year to showcase handmade goods from Brisbane’s best independent artisans. We’re talking ceramics, jewellery, homewares, clothing and more. Come along, support local creatives and tick off your Christmas gift list with ease.
Farm Gate To City Door Christmas Market
The Scenic Rim is coming to Breakfast Creek for a special Christmas edition of their Farm Gate to City Door Market. 14 stallholders will be in attendance bringing everything from seasonal fruit and vegetables and artisan honey and dairy products to craft beer, boutique wine and locally distilled spirits to the Lifestyle Precinct. It wouldn't be a Christmas market without festive fun, so you'll also find face-painting, live music and a surprise appearance from Santa on offer. There’ll even be a stall to help you plan a perfect weekend getaway to the Scenic Rim. Christmas present to yourself?
Milton Christmas Twilight Markets
Santa Claus is coming to Milton! And snaps are up for grabs with him for you and the kids at Milton’s Christmas Twilight Markets. Plus there will be countless gourmet eats and drinks, incredible live entertainment and a pop-up bar to see you into the silly season. There will also be an extensive range of artisan handmade gifts that you won’t find just anywhere, so you can sort out all your Christmas gifts before December even rolls around.
Le Festival French Christmas Market
Much as we try to get into the traditional Christmas spirit by wearing ugly Christmas rashies instead of sweaters, tossing fake snow around and drinking eggnog, the festive season in Australia just doesn’t have the magic of Europe. But if you want a little taster this year, head to West End’s West Village on 19 and 20 November, where you’ll find a magical French Christmas Market from Le Festival. Featuring an especially chosen array of art and artisan stalls, a French bar, roving entertainment and more, the ‘Marche de Noël will be lit up in blue, white and red for an extra dose of magic.
Carseldine Christmas Twilight Markets
Making a (shopping) list, checking it twice! Carseldine Christmas Markets have all the fixings to ensure this is a twilight you won’t forget, so it’s time to be a little (s)elfish and treat yourself to an evening of delectable feeds and spectacular Christmas cheer. With all your favourite seasonal bops blaring (Wham! obviously), you can indulge in a plethora of stalls sporting handmade gifts.
Boho Luxe Market
Christmas shopping is notoriously known for being stressful—we’ve all done the frantic last minute present-buying dash—but Boho Luxe is here to change the narrative with a zen-filled weekend of browsing their carefully curated bohemian market and taking part in their range of workshops on offer. While you find the perfect gift for your spirited friend, take a moment to set an intention at the cacao ceremony or visit the psychic and wellbeing zone to see what the new year has in store for you. If wedding bells are on the horizon, check out the Boho Luxe Bride event running collectively with the design market all weekend.
When: Friday 18-Sunday 20 November
Where: The Old Museum, Bowen Hills
Find out more here.
Distillery Road Christmas Market
Free entry. Free entertainment. Free parking. Could a Christmas market get any better? We didn’t think so, but it does. The popular Distillery Road Market is hosting a Christmas edition of its crowd favourite Trucks & Tunes market. From local vendors selling Christmas gifts and food operators with gourmet street food to live music, this market is the place to be. And if you’re still not sure, we hear Santa is flying in from the North Pole to make a special appearance.
Looking for more Christmas fun? Check out this Christmas themed putt putt.
Image credit: Boho Luxe Markets