Whether you’re out for a veggie deal, are craving some homemade treats, or just want to support local grassroots creatives, Wellington’s market scene has got you. From the bustling veggie crate stalls at the waterfront to the suburbia preserves (and more) club, we’ve got the lowdown on the hottest markets to check out when you’re next out and about in the capital.
Here are Urban List's picks for the best markets in Wellington.
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Farmer's Markets In Wellington
Harbourside Markets
Corner Barnett and Cable Street, Te Aro
Image credit: Wellington NZ | Instagram
Back in the day, this was the O.G. market, where fishermen would sell their freshly caught wares straight off the boat. Nowadays, it's more of the go-to Wellington staple for fresh fruit and veggies (with most of the farmers travelling from Horowhenua and Ōtaki to sell their produce). Driving in at the crack of dawn to unload their yellow and red crates of veggies, gourmet oyster mushrooms, fresh tofu, and microherbs is just a portion of the crop they are slinging. Celebrate your haul and hang around for live entertainment with a delicious bite to eat (we’re looking at you, orange dim sum truck). Don’t forget your morning coffee or chai (and real fruit ice cream in the summer while watching the kids do manus off the wharf). These markets run on Sundays, from 7.30am to 1pm (in the winter, or until 2pm in the summer).
Insider Intel
- The secret here is to come as early as 7.30am, to get the first pick of the crop.
Newtown Fruit and Vegetable Market
Newtown School, Mein Street
If you’d rather sleep in on Sundays, then this local fruit and vegetable market at Newtown School is perfect for the Saturday produce (and sweet treat) haul. Veggies from Levin are a given, with local free-range eggs for sale too. There’s a range of baked goods too—think French crepes and waffle trees, loaves from local bakers, Singapore-style pies, and massive pork bao. These vary slightly each week, so have your coffee and wait for the Saturday morning update from the organisers (on their social media) before you roll out of bed to this market—they run between 7.30am and 3pm.
Insider Intel
- The market remains unaffected by most public holidays and seasonal shifts, so it's a reliable staple to add to your weekend routine.
Riverbank Markets
Rutherford Street, Hutt Central, Lower Hutt
Image credit: Riverbank Market Lower Hutt | Instagram
Fresh fruit and veg a plenty, this spot out in Lower Hutt has been the big weekly market for locals here (they’ve been running for over 20 years!). Early birds swoop in as early as the 6am opening time, but the markets don’t get busy until 8am. There’s plenty of food trucks—from dumplings and curry puffs, to banana fritters and roti wraps—perfect walk-and-fork food while you scout for the best Sunday roast veggies. These markets run every Saturday from 6am to 2pm.
Insider Intel
- Don’t forget a delicious lemon masala soda or milk tea while you’re there.
Wairarapa Farmers’ Market
Solway Showgrounds, Judds Road, Masterton
Image credit: Wairarapa Farmers Market | Instagram
At the historical Solway Showgrounds every weekend is the Wairarapa Farmers’ Market. Showcasing local produce, crafts and gifts from over the hill, we think this market deserves a special mention. Away from the city and into the countryside, the markets here have wild gourmet pies (creamy paua, braised venison and goat with plum to name a special few), famous cronuts from their award-winning local bakery, and local olive oil (Wairarapa is olive oil country). You can find them running every Saturday, from 9am to 1pm.
Insider Intel
- There’s even live music and giant Jenga, to keep the whole family entertained.
Brewtown Farmers Market
Brewtown, 23 Blenheim Street, Maidstone, Upper Hutt
Image credit: Brewtown Farmers Market | Instagram
On the other side of “the Hutt” is Brewtown, which features a collection of breweries, distilleries, eateries and entertainment (complete with an indoor go-karting, trampoline park, and knife making, to name a few). Head over there on Sundays and you’ll find the Farmers Market rain or shine, with artisan producers selling local honey, eggs, freshly squeezed OJ, sweets and baking, oyster mushrooms chips, and beautiful blooms. These markets are running on Sundays, from 8am to 2pm.
Insider Intel
- In Brewtown, you'll find some of Wellington's best activities and things to do—why not make a day of it?
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Artisan Markets In Wellington
Knack Craft Market
Berhampore School, 105 Britomart Street, Wellington
Image credit: Eletra In Stitches | Instagram
We love a fun market day, and the Berhampore School Knack Craft Markets are no exception. As one of their major fundraising events, these come around once a term and have unique, artsy and colourful crafts like cool upcycled furniture, baking and coffee aplenty, locally made ceramics and even students selling their own homemade jewellery. Run by volunteer parents to make crafts cool, keep an eye on their socials for the next pop-up.
Insider Intel
- Unlike some community-run markets, eftpos is available—but personally, we like to get out a little cash for fun.
Thorndon Farmers Market
Hill Street Carpark, St Paul’s Cathedral, Thorndon
Rain or shine, this artisan market is set up in the carpark at the beautiful St Paul’s Cathedral, over at the other end of Wellington. There’s organic and spray-free veg, specialty cheese, apple cider vinegar (bring your own bottle), arguably one of the best cheese scones we’ve had, plus jars of preserved olives, spiced figs, olive oils and extracts. The markets run on Saturdays, from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
Insider Intel:
- For $25, you can become a 'Friend of The Markets'—receiving weekly discounts with two selected stallholders for the year and providing them with the financial means to move our market forward.
Brooklyn Community Markets
Brooklyn Community Centre, 18 Harrison Street
Held every quarter at the Brooklyn Community Centre, the Brooklyn Community Markets are a fun family-friendly day out where locals can support stallholders young and old, selling handmade jewellery, crafts, chutneys, soaps, fresh produce, pickles and preserves. Their kitchen sells homemade pies, toasted sammies (top tip: add a cup of hot soup) and sweets—there’s even a sausage sizzle on the deck.
Insider Intel
- Local knife sharpening services are a hit, with locals bringing in kitchen tools and garden tools while they shop.
Artisan Craft Market
Various locations
Started in 2020 as a response to support local creatives during the pandemic, Mel from Artisan Craft Market wanted to create a community to celebrate creatives in the lower North Island. Their monthly markets are a family-friendly event which showcases art, crafts, books, jewellery and textiles, as well as plants and sculptures.
Insider Intel
- The market often changes location, so keep an eye on their socials for updates.
Vintage Markets In Wellington
Wellington Vintage Market
The Atrium, Allen and Blair Street, Te Aro
Image credit: Wellington Vintage Market | Instagram
Held periodically in the atrium of downtown Wellington's Exchange Building, the Wellington Vintage Market is the area's only all-vintage and homewares market. Eras here range from the 1950s to the 1990s, and you'll find some serious old-school gems among the curated stalls. There are coffee shops available to fuel your hunting, and music to bring the vibes—keep an eye on their socials, as these markets pop up at various times throughout the year.
Insider intel
- Most vendors prefer cash for quick and easy transactions—the nearest ATM is a 2-minute walk away.
Newtown Vintage, Art, And Craft Market
Newtown School, Mein Street
Image credit: Newtown Vintage, Art, And Craft Market | Instagram
Aside from their weekly fresh produce market, Newtown School also hosts a vintage, art and craft market, on the first two Saturdays of each month. Here, you can expect to find pop ups from local businesses, crafty creators, and secondhand and vintage traders. Head in to sift through the wares of various makers and wardrobe clear-outers, and watch their socials for upcoming dates.
Insider Intel
- Why not make a weekend out of it, and stay at one of Wellington's best hotels—you can hit up both markets and explore the surrounding area.
My Walk-In Wardrobe
Lower Hutt Event Center, Laings Rd, Lower Hutt
Image credit: My Walk-In Wardrobe | Instagram
My Walk-In Wardrobe is a sustainable fashion market in Lower Hutt, started by founder Katy when she was low on cash, but in need of some new pieces (without having to spend the day at a heap of different op shops). Now NZ's largest sustainable fashion market, at MWIW you can find preloved, upcycled, vintage, and handmade clothing, shoes, jewellery and accessories—for all genders and sizes. Entry fee is a gold coin, but we're sure you can fork out for the absolute gems you are guaranteed to find inside.
Insider Intel
- At the end of each market, stallholders have the option to donate any of their unsold clothes to chosen local charities—not on-sold, but given away.
Main Image credit: Riverbank Markets | Instagram
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