You’re making a list, you’re checking it twice, and now you’ve gotta find out how the hell you’re going to afford to buy so many presents when you’ve already spent all your money on Adele tickets. Fortunately, we’ve put together a list of trendy markets that are bound to fit every budget.
Night Markets
Coburg Night Market
The Coburg Night Market is a culmination of great food, music and shopping—it’s like Chadstone Shopping Centre, but without a roof and half of Victoria lining up at Muffin Break. Sit back and enjoy some traditional Greek tunes while you push your stomach to the limit with tantalising street food, and push your wallet to the limit with some exceptional goodies from some of the city’s finest artisans.
Where: Bridges Reserve, Coburg
When: December 2 & 9, 5–10pm
Summer Night Market
Praise Yeezy, hallelujah, it’s back! The Summer Night Market is rolling in for yet another season at the Queen Victoria Market. Every Wednesday evening, from 5–10pm, sink your teeth into Melbourne’s largest array of global street food, free live tunes, jaw-dropping entertainers, specialty and vintage shopping and a delicious international atmosphere like no other.
Where: Queen Victoria Market
When: Wednesdays, 5–10pm
Lifestyle Markets
Arts Centre Sunday Market
Every Sunday, between 10–4pm, the Arts Centre Melbourne’s front lawn transforms into a handmade haven of unique, handcrafted art and craft goodies. Cross six grandmas off your gift-buying list at this market.
Where: Arts Centre Melbourne Lawn
When: December 4, 11 & 18, 10am–4pm
Big Design Market
For one juicy design-filled weekend, the Royal Exhibition Building will be hosting the Big Design Market. This market will be crammed with delicious food, designer goodies, workshops and showbags. Just go for the All Day donuts though, they’ll change your life
Where: Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton
When: Friday, Dec 2 10am–9pm | Saturday, Dec 3 10am–7pm, Sunday, Dec 4 10am–5pm
Blender Lane Artists Market
Hosted in one of Melbourne most vibrant street art covered laneways, this quirky and colourful market showcases a variety of art, design, fashion and jewellery to meet every taste. Don’t pack dinner or your walkman, because this market is also littered with delicious goodies and live music.
Where: Blender Lane, Franklin St
When: Wednesdays, 5–10pm
Docklands Sunday Market
Still the only place in Melbourne where you can buy both fresh churros and a brass periscope, the Docklands Sunday Market will be firing up again on December 10 to meet all your dessert and aquamarine spy-wear needs. Boasting truckloads of beauty products, clothing, food and crafts, the Docklands Sunday Market is a great excuse to skip church this December.
Where NewQuay Promenade, Docklands
When: Sundays, 10am–5pm
Fed Square Book Market
Featuring over five thousand new and pre-loved titles, the Fed Square Book Market is every obsessive-reader’s dream come true. Offering up books in every conceivable genre imaginable, there’s no one you won’t be able to cross off your Christmas list at this market, except blind Uncle Terry but he should damn well still appreciate the thought.
Where: Federation Square
When: Saturdays 11am–5pm
Kensington Market
The thriving metropolis of Kensington host their market on the third Sunday of every month, showcasing the local talent from surrounding precincts via siq live beats and fabulous local produce.
Where: Kensington Town Hall, Kensington
When: Sunday Dec18, 10am–3pm
Markit
On December 11, Federation Square will play host to over 100 independent Australian designers selling tables and racks of jewellery, fashion, ceramics, homewares, prints and yummy treats. You can also win prizes, so technically spending money there is an investment.
Where: Federation Square
When: Sunday, December 11, 10am–5pm
St Kilda Twilight Market
Pulling up a patch of grass in one of the city’s most beautiful locations is the St Kilda Twilight Market, which is kicking off yet another season beneath the palm trees alongside Luna Park. If the twilight beachside landscape doesn’t tempt you, the artwork, vintage fashions, handmade jewellery, fresh produce and delicious street food definitely will.
Where: O’Donnell Gardens, St Kilda
When: Thursdays, 5–10pm
Produce Markets
Melbourne Farmers Market
With Melbourne Farmers Markets hosted in seven locations within the city of Melbourne, there is always a potato and zucchini rosti with apple sauce dangerously close-by. Boasting no wholesalers or big businesses, these markets are connecting urban Melbourne with Victoria’s farmers, one tomato relish at a time. Stocking everything from cheese and fruit conserves, to homemade pies, fresh flowers and premium cuts of meat, these markets are a Christmas Lunch-hoster’s paradise.
The University of Melbourne: Every Wednesday, 10:30am–2:30pm
Carlton Primary School: First Saturday of every month, 8am–1pm
Collingwood Children’s Farm: Second Saturday of every month, 8am–1pm
Coburg North Primary School: Every Saturday, 8am–1pm
Gasworks Arts Park: Third Saturday of every month, 8am–1pm
Fairfield Primary School: Third & fifth Saturdays of every month, 8am–1pm
Ringwood, Melbourne Street & Town Square: Every Sunday, 9am–2pm
Queen Victoria Market
This market needs no introduction because if you haven’t already been there for the hot jam donuts, have you ever actually been to Melbourne at all? Loaded with rows of produce, handmade crafts, apparel, phone accessories, children’s toys and anything else you can imagine, this is your one-stop-shop for anything, ever. Try the donuts.
Where: Corner of Victoria & Elizabeth Street, Melbourne
When: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays
Image Credit: The Night Market