Was buying local one of your New Year’s resolutions? Or are you just trying to up the step count on that Fitbit you got for Christmas?
Either way, markets are a great way to support local businesses and to get out and about on a weekend. As well as Sydney’s staple weekly and monthly markets, this month you’ll also find a slew of seasonal beauties to close off the Lunar New Year, and two online initiatives dedicated to supporting communities affected by bushfires and drought.
Here are all of the best markets to check out in Sydney this month.
Buy From The Bush
Online
While it's not quite a physical market you can wander through, Buy From The Bush is your one-way ticket to buying for a local cause. With many small businesses plagued by the devastation of bushfires and drought, Buy From The Bush features amazing local artisans from rural NSW. From high-quality woollen clothing straight from sheep farms to gorgeous Rattan carrier bags from Trangie, this one’s for you if you’re keen to support those in need. Check out their Insta feed here.
Spend With Them
Online
Spend With Them is another online marketplace-type initiative dedicated to bushfire relief. Launched by the legendary Turia Pitt, alongside fellow legend Grace McBride, Spend With Them is an Instagram account aimed at supporting small businesses in fire-affected communities.
They’re calling out for businesses to feature—but currently, you can shop beautiful gin from Eden, coffee beans from Guerilla Roasters on NSW’s South Coast, Reishi Spiced Cacao and Just Reishi mushroom powders from a Milton mushroom farmer and delicious wine from the glorious but recently devastated Adelaide Hills. Give it a follow and start shopping.
The Local’s Market
Surry Hills
Start 2020 right with this zero-waste farmer’s market on the rooftop of the Paramount Recreation Club. Pre-order your produce online to ensure The Local's Market crew order the exact right amount and absolutely nothing is left over. A calico bag must be ordered with your first purchase but you’re encouraged to bring your tote back to the market every week to exchange it for a freshly laundered one. There’s absolutely no plastic, including punnets. The whole market is an organic, waste-free dream!
When: Every Saturday, 9am
Where: Paramount Recreation Club, 80 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills
Carriageworks Farmers Market
Eveleigh
Carriageworks' weekly Farmers Market features a whole lot of the best fresh and seasonal produce from all over NSW. Much more fun than your regular grocery shop, the atmosphere at these markets is pumping and you’re guaranteed to be tempted by the organic and biodynamic produce, artisan bread, boutique wines, single-origin coffee, herbal teas, meat, eggs, freshly harvested honey and freshly cut flowers. This one is a Sydney must-do. Head here for more.
When: Every Saturday, 8am – 1pm
Where: Carriageworks, Eveleigh
Tramsheds Growers Markets
Forest Lodge
Every week, Tramsheds buddies up with Bodega 1904 to host a super special Sunday growers market. Expect to unearth a selection of seasonal fruit and veg, as well as sustainable products from local artisans. What really makes this market stand out is its changing schedule of workshops and masterclasses featuring winemakers, cheesemakers, chefs, authors and artists—so you can get a little education with your produce. Head here for all the info.
When: Every Sunday, 8am – 2pm
Where: Tramsheds, Forest Lodge
Bondi Markets
Bondi Beach
Bondi Markets are the go-to coastal markets if you’re in the market (chuckle) for some bespoke fashion and vintage treasures. Whether you’re keen to kick off some summer reading at the secondhand bookstall, nab some fresh flowers to up your interiors-game at home, or you just want to fuel your body post-beach swim with some of the best acai bowls around, this Sunday hotspot is where it’s at. Head here for all the stallholder info.
When: Every Sunday, 10am - 4pm
Where: Bondi Beach Public School, Bondi
Golden Market
Chatswood
Chatswood is pulling out all the stops to celebrate Lunar New Year and the Year of the Rat. The Golden Market will be open every Thursday and Friday during the festival and will be selling celebratory delicacies, flowers and bamboo, as well as playing host to traditional Lion Dances and K-Pop performances. Head here for all the details.
When: Thursdays and Fridays, until Friday 8 February
Where: Chatswood Mall Market, Chatswood
The Rocks Lunar Markets
The Rocks
The Rocks will also be ringing in the Year of the Rat with dedicated Lunar New Year markets. Beneath hundreds of glowing red lanterns, you'll be treated to Chinese street food and sweet treats, as well as all the shopping ops The Rocks Markets are known for: gifts, jewellery, textiles and homewares. More info is here.
When: Thursdays through to Sundays, until Sunday 9 February, 10am - 9pm
Where: George Street, The Rocks
Flour Mill Markets
Summer Hill
Summer Hill’s Flour Mill Markets will be a mecca of baked goods, coffee, fresh pastries and a whole lot of cheese from foodie juggernauts like Brickfields bakery, Hartley Harvest and Pastries De Paris. You’ll also be able to find a slew of decorative pieces, flowers and ceramics to step up your interior design game. But the big sell with this gem is that it’s a haven of all things sustainable and eco-friendly. Here, you’ll get coffee discounts when you bring your own keep cup and all packaging will be biodegradable so you can maximise your shopping with minimum environmental impact.
When: Sunday 9 February, 9am – 1pm
Where: 18 Flour Mill Way, Summer Hill
Sydney Vegan Market
Moore Park
The first thing you need to know is that Sydney’s Vegan Market is an absolute mecca for vegan creativity, for great innovative food and four-legged friends (yep, she’s dog-friendly). To shop, you'll need to BYO cups, containers, cutlery, straws of the metal kind and non-plastic bags to minimise plastic and wastage. As for what to shop, you can expect over a hundred stalls on the day, each offering up the best in vegan and plant-based produce, beverages, homewares, fashion, art, cosmetics, skincare and activism.
When: Sunday 16 February, 9am – 4pm
Where: Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park
Love a good bargain? Head here to check out 7 epic and totally free things to do this month.
Image Credit: Coldsnowstorm, Carriageworks, Jon Cartwright