The festive season is upon us and while the thoughts of Christmas movies, baking gingerbread men, putting up Christmas trees and driving around to look at all the beautifully decorated houses makes you feel warm and fuzzy, the stress of buying gifts for all your nearest and dearest is not so much fun.
Instead of sweating through the shopping centre crowds, how about this year you purchase your presents from local stalls at markets. Not only does this mean you’ll be consciously consuming, but you’ll also be supporting local creatives and artisans. Read on for the best Sunshine Coast Christmas markets in 2023 (in chronological order), so you can spread the Christmas cheer this year.
Editor's Note: Check back here closer to Christmas for an updated list and email us at editorsc@theurbanlist.com if we're missing a Sunshine Coast Christmas market.
Sunshine Coast Christmas Markets 2023
Confirmed for 2023
Montville Christmas Fair
Montville
One of the largest and most popular Christmas markets on the Sunshine Coast, the Montville Christmas Fair will transform the Montville Community Hall into a winter wonderland from Saturday 4 November to Sunday 5 November.
If you’re the type of person who likes to get all your Christmas shopping finished before December rolls around, this is the market for you. Make sure to stock up on lots of delicious Christmas goodies at the onsite cafe.
When: Saturday 4 November (9am to 4pm) and Sunday 5 November (9am to 3pm)
Where: Montville Community Hall, Memorial Close, Main Street, Montville|
For more information, click here.
Maleny Handmade Christmas Markets
Maleny
Celebrate your spot on the nice list at the Maleny Handmade Markets, which will be packed full of festive stalls and all your Christmas-themed goodies. Held over three jam-packed days, there will be a plethora of stalls selling gorgeous handmade goodies, which make for prime stocking stuffers.
Brighten up your home with sweet Christmas themed wares, like Christmas wreaths and gingerbread houses.
When: Friday 10 November, from 10am to 3pm; Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 November, from 9am to 3pm
Where: Maleny Community Centre, 23 Maple Street, Maleny
For more information, click here.
Caloundra Artisan Christmas Fair
Caloundra
The Caloundra Arts Centre will be hosting a gorgeous arts and crafts Christmas market over two magical days, to bring the local community together and celebrate this wonderful time of year.
Handmade stylish homewares, jewellery, accessories, produce, secondhand books, Christmas cakes and loads more await, so grab your Christmas list and your wallet and make tracks. You’re sure to be on Santa’s nice list as you’ll be supporting local small businesses and artists.
When: Saturday 11 November from 9am to 4pm; Sunday 12 November from 10am to 2pm
Where: Caloundra Arts Centre, 5 North Street, Caloundra
For more information, click here.
Noosa Arts & Crafts Christmas Market
Noosa
If you’re only going to visit one Sunshine Coast Christmas market this year, make it the Noosa Arts & Crafts Christmas Market. You’ll find sand (not snow) and market stalls at these markets which are running from Friday 17 November to Sunday 19 November, from 9am to 3pm daily.
You’ll find it hard not to treat yo’ elf (we couldn’t resist) with artisan handmade gifts, bespoke accessories and spectacular Christmas decorations. Grab your little helpers because there will be loads of stocking stuffers and action to keep them entertained.
When: Friday 17 November to Sunday 19 November, from 9am to 3pm daily.
Where: Noosa Arts & Crafts Association, 1 Wallace Drive, Noosaville
For more information, click here.
Santa Paws Christmas Market
Tanawha
We're all about getting the whole family—furry family members included—into the Christmas spirit and there's no better place to do it than at Sunshine Coast Animal Refuge. Santa Paws will be returning to SCARS this November to take photos with all the goodest boys and girls—all well-behaved pets are welcome, not just dogs and cats.
The day will also feature a Christmas market packed with festive goodies, music, coffee, cake and presents for the entire family. Every dollar from the day will go to support furry rescue friends waiting for forever homes this holiday season.
When: Saturday 18 November, from 8am to 1pm
Where: Sunshine Coast Animal Refuge, 28 Sippy Creek Road, Tanawha
For more information, click here.
Caloundra Christmas Street Party
Caloundra
Organised by the Sunshine Coast Council, Uncover Caloundra and the talented team behind the iconic Currimundi Lake Twilight Markets, the Caloundra Christmas Street Party is the perfect way to kick off the festive season.
On Friday 1 December, from 4pm to 8pm, Bulcock Street will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland with foodie and artisan stalls, live entertainment and the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. We heard that a very special someone from the North Pole might be making an appearance…
When: Friday 1 December, from 4pm to 8pm|
Where: Bulcock Street, Caloundra
For more information, click here.
Christmas Veranda Market
Buderim
If you want to ensure you're on Santa's nice list this year, we recommend you buy your Christmas goodies from local artists and creatives and spread the Christmas cheer. There's no better place to do that than at the Sunshine Coast Art Group's annual Christmas Veranda Market.
The Sunshine Coast Art Group has been providing a creative arts hub to the local community for over 50 years and at this sweet market you'll find all things painted, potten, sewn and crafted by local artisans. There will also be live demonstrations from artists, live music, kids painting activities, coffee and a fundraising raffle.
When: Sunday 3 December, from 9am to 2pm
Where: Sunshine Coast Art Group Studios, 1 William Parker Place, Buderim
For more information, click here.
Eumundi Christmas Night Market
Eumundi
Join the local legends at the Eumundi Markets for their end-of-year twilight Christmas market, which is undoubtedly their biggest and best market of the year. With live tunes from local musicians to groove you through the stalls, epic food trucks and seriously trendy threads and heartthrob homewares; it’s also the perfect place to cross everyone off your list.
There will also be plenty of activities to keep your little helpers entertained, including face painting, rock climbing, live entertainment and a visit from the one and only Aussie Santa. Supporting the community feels good, doesn’t it?
When: Friday 8 December, from 4pm to 8pm
Where: Eumundi Markets, 80 Memorial Drive, Eumundi
For more information, click here.
Beerwah Tower Green Christmas Market
Beerwah
Christmas is the most joyful time of year and it will get a whole lot more joyful when you visit this sweet country market, packed with festive goodies, home cooked baking, festive fun and gifts.
The Beerwah Tower Green Christmas Market will showcase a huge range of unique, handmade Christmas gifts, Christmas treats and live entertainment. If you’re struggling to find the perfect gift for that one person that’s hard to buy for (we all know one), pay this hinterland Christmas market a visit.
When: Saturday 9 December, from 8am to 1pm
Where: Beerwah Community Hall, 12 Turner Street Road, Beerwah
For more information, click here.
Sunshine Coast Collective Markets at Alex Heads
Alex Heads
We all know and love the Sunshine Coast Collective Markets which are usually held at Coolum State Primary School, and during the school holidays you’ll also find the markets popping up at their second home, Alex Skate Park.
This Christmas market will be held on Saturday 16 December, so if you’re the type of person who loves the thrill of leaving their Christmas shopping to the last minute, this one's for you. Christmas will be coming full speed to Alex Heads, so grab your bags and stock up on all the last-minute gifts you can carry.
When: Saturday 16 December, from 7am to 12pm
Where: Alex Skate Park, 158 Alexandra Parade, Alex Heads
For more information, click here.
Sunshine Coast Collective Markets at Coolum Beach
Coolum Beach
The Sunshine Coast Collective Markets aren’t just your average markets. Over 100 local Sunny Coast designers, foodies and artisans gather to create a magical space of design, creativity, delicious street food and soulful tunes.
Held at the Coolum State Primary School, you’ll be spoiled for choice with plenty to see, speciality goodies, some of the best coffee around and fresh produce galore. While this market isn’t a specialty Christmas market, you’ll be spoiled with plenty of artisan and bespoke gifts to spoil your loved ones with.
When: Sunday 24 December, from 8am to 12pm
Where: Coolum State Primary School, Barns Lane, Coolum Beach
For more information, click here.
If you're one of those annoyingly organised people who finished their Christmas shopping in July, we applaud you. Stock up on fresh produce at the Sunshine Coast's best markets this month.
Image Credit: Pexels