Otautahi Christchurch—the Garden City. Or should we be calling it the Market City? After having a look at this list, you’ll probably agree.
From quaint Cotswoldian farmers' markets, quietly trading beneath Gothic grandeur, to sleepy seaside towns and suburbs swapping crafts every Saturday.
We’re gonna take a wander, you and I, and you’ll want to pack your pocket money. ‘Cause these are the Best Markets in all of Otautahi Christchurch (and slightly beyond).
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- Christchurch Farmers Markets
- Craft And Artisan Markets
- Night Markets In Christchurch
- Sunday Markets In Christchurch
Christchurch Farmers’ Markets
Christchurch Farmers’ Market
Riccarton House & Bush, 16 Kahu Road, Fendalton, Christchurch
Image credit: Christchurch Farmers’ Market | Instagram
We’re kicking things off with a bit of an institution around these parts. The Christchurch Farmers Market has been serving up the very best of Cantabrian produce—whether it be from local fruit & vege slangers, cheesemongers, meat merchants, pastry professionals, or just about whatever else you can sink your teeth into or slurp up—for over twenty years now.
It’s a standout Saturday market in Christchurch, which is as well known for its selections as it is for operating out of one of the most idyllic settings in the city—the open air grounds of the historic Riccarton House & Bush, a 1856 Homestead and garden backing onto 18 hectares of stunning native bush, known as ‘Putaringamotu’.
Yep, you can start every Saturday at 9am sharp by wandering alongside the river Avon, meandering beneath 100-year-old trees and musing to live music while eating and drinking (Hummingbird coffee goes hard btw) yourself sick. But if you still have a bit of space left, then why not try making a booking at the much-revered Local at Riccarton House Restaurant & Venue?
When: Saturdays 9am-12pm
South Christchurch Farmers' Market
70 Colombo Street (Next To Christchurch South Library), Cashmere, Christchurch
Image credit: South Christchurch Farmers’ Market | Facebook
Another nine ‘til noon Saturday morning affair, South Christchurch Farmers’ Market is your salt of the earth, nuts and bolts kind of weekend market. Vege, bread, pastries, eggs, seasonal fruit and locally made Italian cheeses. It’s got what you need, fresh and delicious every single Saturday.
Standouts include the glass-bottled, locally produced Serra oat milk, and if you wake up to a classic Cantabrian winter’s frost, then just know steaming cups of coffee, chai and soup await. Another one of the handiest Saturday markets in Christchurch.
When: Saturdays 9am-12pm
Riverside Market
96 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch Central
Image credit: Riverside Market | website
One of Christchurch's crown jewels of the rebuild and a symbol of the city’s flourishment post-quakes, the Riverside Market boasts a collection of producers, eateries and bars that rivals the very best dining precincts in the country. Beautifully designed and immaculately presented day in day out, there's a seven-day indoor farmers market that, like any market worth its Himalayan rock salt, hosts a butchery, bakery, delicatessen, and fishmonger.
But the real attraction of Riverside markets has to be the binge-worthy food available. We’re talking (and let’s just take it alphabetically aye), Bellbird baked Goods, BLACK BURGER, Charing Cross Cheesery, The Creperie, Cluck Cluck Slurp, Curiosity gin, Empire Coffee, Fritz’s Wieners, Gelato & Tea, Hanoi Alley, Herba Gourmet, Hikari Sushi Train, Indo Tempeh Kathmandu Momo House, Kaiser Brothers Brewery, Malaysia delights, Mediterranean Food Co., Midnight Shanghai, Mischief with wine, Moustache, Ramen Ria, Shaka Bros—and that’s just some of them.
And once you’ve demolished your body weight in delicious eats, have someone roll you down the adjacent Riverside Lanes for a bit of retail therapy. P.S. If you’re getting FOMO from all the Euro summer posts as of late, fear not, Riverside Market has their Midwinter European Christmas going down 17 & 18 July.
When: Monday-Wednesday 7.30am-6pm, Thursday-Saturday 7.30am-9pm, Sunday 7.30am-5pm with all eateries, bars & restaurants open ‘til late every night
New Brighton Seaside Market
25 Brighton Mall, Christchurch, New Zealand
Image credit: New Brighton Seaside Market | Facebook
There’s something about the name “New Brighton Seaside Market” that really tickles my feathers. I’m picturing a salty winter's day, rugged-up and red-nosed with the seagulls squawking above, a warm cup of something delicious in my hand and the gentle notes of local musicians harmonising with the sea.
New Brighton Beach is charming enough to visit without any reason at all, but add in a local market with live entertainment, a myriad of stores, free face painting and delicious kai, and you’ve got me there with bells on. Plus, with a playground next door and hot pools a hop, skip, and a jump away, why not make a day of it? All I hope is that the face painter does lions.
When: Saturdays 10am-2pm
Lyttelton Farmers' Market
Lyttelton Main School, 24 Oxford Street, Lyttelton
Image credit: Lyttelton Farmers’ Market | Facebook
If you fancy a weekend cruise over the hills and down toward gentle blue bays that border a sleepy seaside town (and frankly, why wouldn't you?), then you might as well visit the very neat Lyttelton Farmers’ Market while you’re at it. They even start a touch later at 10am, giving your wandering self a bit of extra time to get there.
Running every Saturday till 1pm on London Street—the quaint town’s main strip—the market stocks all the local good stuff they can get their hands on. Free range eggs, organic vegetables, fresh fruit and more; fill your tote with pesto, bread, cheese, dressings, fresh fish, salmon, beef, venison and even some smoked eel. Stock up on some flowers and chocolate for mum, nana or the mr or mrs and grab a couple of indoor plant besties to cap it all off.
And if all of that ain’t enough, surely a bit of live music and freshly brewed coffee will seal the deal. Going dry for July? Mauriora Kombucha will be in town to sort ya out, and their Green Tea & Mīere brew (kombucha's cultured cuzzie) is straight up delicious. Me? You'll need a crowbar to separate me from one of those Hope River Bolognaise Mince Pies.
When: Saturdays 10am-1pm
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Craft And Artisan Markets
Garden City Mākete
Location Varies (Midwinter Edition 19 July: Wolfbrook Arena, Addington, Christchurch)
Image credit: Garden City Mākete | Facebook
Founded just four years ago, but already Christchurch’s biggest craft market, Garden City Mākete is a haven for artisans and artists alike. Known throughout the lands by lovers of fine, eclectic and well-crafted goods near and far, it’s all about the old ways here: handmade. But these one-of-a-kind treasures only fill up a few varying locations throughout the year. To keep in the know year-round, you’ll have to check out their socials page—but I do have two bits of good news.
The next edition is taking place as soon as 19 July, with a very special Midwinter Christmas edition filling the cavernous insides of Wolfbrook Arena to the brim. Yup, over 200 artisans and small businesses.
And the sustainable sisters and misters among us, the Māketeis a hotspot for ethical gift options, but if you have a special someone that needs a special something ASAP, then you’ll be delighted to know that the GCM crew run a downsized weekly affair known as The Seekers Mākete.
When: Varies/Midwinter Christmas Edition, 19 July 12-8pm
The Seekers Mākete
Market Square, The Arts Centre, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch
Image credit: The Seekers Mākete | Instagram
As for The Seekers Mākete, well, you can peruse their many crafty stalls and gorge on all the gourmet street food they have to offer, on a weekly basis. Located at aptly named Market Square at the Art Centre, the market trades every Saturday from 10am-3pm, buzzing away before a stunning backdrop of Gothic Revival buildings—the University of Canterbury’s former town site.
Much like its parent market, Seekers provides a weekly bounty of the best crafts talented locals have to offer, with a very big helping of sweets and treats on the side (Pro tip: lose your Portuguese cheese ball virginity to Luca & Camila at Koé Cheese Bread… thank me later), and is a champion of local mahi.
Handcrafted jewellery, art, pottery, homewares, sweets, treats, pastries, live tunes and just about anything else you might want to throw your wallet at. But don’t forget to have a good gander at the site itself, which boasts New Zealand’s largest collection of category one heritage buildings. It's basically Diagon Alley crossed with Hogwarts, I just wish they brewed Butter Beer around here…
When: Saturdays 10am-3pm
Shabby Chic Market Day
The Rochester Villa, 21 Connal Street, Woolston, Christchurch
Image credit: Shabby Chic Market Day | Facebook
Now this one’s for the serious bargain hunters. The antique aficionados. The dust-that-thingamabob-off, chuck-in-that-other-doo-dacky-and-call-it-twenty-bucks-for-both caballeros.
Christchurch's longest-running vintage market, the Shabby Chic Market Day, is a once-a-month cash-only vintage market in Woolston, held on the first Sunday of every month from September to May. Here, treasures and troves tumble out of the historic 19th-century Rochester Villa and down across the lawn for visitors to pore over and pick at. Linens, clothes, costumes, jewels, collectibles, retro, kitsch and kitchen, antiques, craftworks, furniture, restored, revamped and recycled items, books, toys, art, homewares, and mountains and masses of much, much more
And if you’re foaming at the mouth just thinking of all the old and cool sh*t you might score, but don't want to wait ‘till September, then, for the second time while reading this fantastically informed and brilliantly written article, you’re in luck. There are a few midwinter ‘Grannys A Hoarder' rummage sales going down soon. The perfect chance, in Shabby’s own words, to “clear out the attic and jumbly rooms and have a good old-fashioned sale.” And a good old-fashioned sale it will be. Homewares, kitchenalia, blankets, eiderdowns, jewels, china, crystal, art, linens, winter projects, and “dusty old things” all priced accordingly. Which means, priced to sell.
Just bring that luck with you on sales day, okay.
When: The first Sunday of every month (September to May) 11am-3pm
Encraftment Market
Christmas Encraftment: Pioneer Leisure Centre, 75 Lyttelton Street, Christchurch
Image credit: Encraftment Market | Facebook
This is another one you’ll have to wait a little while for, but take it from me, you’ll be glad you had time to save up your pennies. And not because of the price tags, but because of how much lovely stuff you’re going to have to convince your better half to take home… “Seriously? Another small mug that looks like it would’ve been teased at Briscoes? That's thirteen this week.”
Held as many times as I’m seen out these days—twice a year (always anticipated, sorely missed)—the Encraftment Market is returning to Christchurch for two days in late November. Considered a premier handmade craft market around these parts, Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 will see Pioneer Leisure Centre absolutely chokka with this year’s Christmas Encraftment. Entry is free, but attendance is a must, as every dollar you spend directly supports small local businesses in a time when running your own joint is getting harder by the day.
When: Christmas Encraftment: 23 & 24 November 10am-4pm
Night Markets In Christchurch
Christchurch Night Market
The Hub, Hornby Mall, 418 Main South Road, Hornby & 10 Settlers Crescent, Ferrymead, Christchurch + Kaiapoi (2 locations + 1 TBC)
Image credit: Christchurch Night Market | website
The good, hungry citizens of Christchurch said, “Give us more, " and the Christchurch Night Market said, “Bet”.
Yep, they run two locations over three nights—Hornby on a Thursday and Ferrymead on a Friday and Saturday—and are about to open a third in Kaiapoi, cause, well, they’re just that good.
These guys are the king of eats, with a side of some crafts and maybe a mobile Karaoke van every now and then. And I would explain more, but I have this one Tina Turner number that I want to nail before Saturday… and actually, it’s almost Thursday, and I’m feeling pretty hornby for a fried potato skewer…
When: Hornby: Thursdays 6-10pm, Ferrymead: Saturdays & Sundays 5.30-9.30pm, Kaiapoi: TBC
Vegan Night Mākete
Phillipstown Community Hub, 39 Nursery Road, Phillipstown, Christchurch
Image credit: Christchurch Vegan Society | Instagram
Gone are the days of weak gags and cheap laughs at the expense of our tofu-worshipping brethren. Some of the best eats you can get in this country are courtesy of our delightfully conscious vegan community. The Vegan Night Mākete champions that, showcasing the best local plant-based foods and goods every last Sunday of the month.
They also aim to raise awareness of the environmental, animal welfare and health benefits of the wholesome path, bringing the community together, one scrumptious falafel at a time. Because really, level with me here… what beats a good falafel?
Oh, and there’s also the likes of Indo Tempeh House, Frappe Frenzy, Lettuce Eat Moroccan, Mind Your Temper, Panna Soaps, Saucey Kiwis, Seaside Chai, OAR, OMG Donuts, OS’s Kitchen, Wildwood Pizza, and Aureate Bakery. In case you weren’t salivating already (by the thought of falafel, fool).
When: Last Saturday of every month: daylight saving hours (October-March) 5-8pm, winter hours (April-September), 3.30-7pm & Christmas Mākete: usually the last Saturday before Christmas, 5-8pm
Sunday Markets In Christchurch
The Riccarton Market
Riccarton Racecourse, Riccarton Park, 165 Racecourse Road, Christchurch
Image credit: The Riccarton Market | website
Riccarton Market at Riccarton Racecourse on Racecourse Road is something I want you to say five times fast. Done?
If you’re familiar with the garden city, you may have heard of Riccarton Market—the largest Christchurch market that runs rain or shine. Drawing in over 10,000 hungry, happy people every Sunday, the market is GOATED in my eyes for a far less illustrious reason: free parking.
Over 200 stalls stocking fresh local goodies, handcrafted happiness, droolworthy street food, accompanied by some of the city’s very best entertainers, I recommend taking New Zealand’s largest outdoor market with a group of mates, a date or the whole family—it’s truly a half-day ordeal at least, which is why I’ve only recommended the one Sunday market.
And if you can’t make it this weekend, it’s mellow. She runs year-round, which is something my brand-new and tellingly spotless Hokas are quietly envious about.
When: Sundays 9am-2pm
Want more? Check out:
- Auckland's Best Markets To Put On Regular Rotation
- Where To Find Wellington's Best Markets
- The New Zealand Food News You Need To Know
Main image credit: The Seekers Mākete | Facebook.