The Best Markets In Wellington (Updated May 2026)
Vicki Young
Freelance Sub-Editor | Urban List NZ
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
The Dowse Square and Civic Precinct area, 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
- The markets have relocated this year just up the road (originally at Rutherford Street site) for major construction to take place, making the space more central and bigger to accomodate more vendors too.
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
- As part of Wellington's best activities and things to do—why not make a day of it and catch the train into Brewtown and back to the city too.
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Artisan Markets In Wellington
Welly Night Market
45A Abel Smith Street, Te Aro
Image credit: Welly Night Market | Instagram
Head to the top of Cuba Street (at the old trailer hire corner, opposite the former Ekim Burgers spot which served over a decade of incredibe burgers in a graffiti and plant-filled courtyard (R.I.P.)), and you'll find the return of the Welly Night Markets in a cool new location. Welly's night markets out in Left Bank closed back in Covid times around 2021 and we're so excited for this night market comeback, with this new chapter bringing all the good feeds and energy (with live music from local musicians) every Friday (5-10pm) and Saturday (3pm-9pm). From satay skewers to dumplings, wok-tossed mie goreng and Dubai-chocolate-loaded mini pancakes (you heard it here first), check out this lively corner of Cuba Street to kick off your Welly weekend.
Insider Intel
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This market was created by vendor Keny Nguyen for vendors, creating a space for his food trailer and other local businesses too, and reviving a community tradition back to the capital city (and we're here for all of it).
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
- Known for the great home-baking line-up, make sure to get there early to get first dibs. Plus they even had a Biscuit Bake-Off at one of their previous Knack Markets, which is always a good time.
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 (March, June and September) 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
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The markets runs in Wellington, Lower Hutt and Kāpiti too. Jump on their website and socials for all the dates and locations.
Meet the vendors
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 throughout the year. 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 head to their socials for upcoming dates this year (note the dates aren't monthly, so do check their socials ahead of time for any changes).
Insider Intel
- Make a day of it and check out the op-shops in Newtown, and then make your way to Cuba Street for more op-shops (with a couple of coffee and pastry breaks too).
My Walk-In Wardrobe
Various Locations
Image credit: My Walk-In Wardrobe | Instagram
My Walk-In Wardrobe is a sustainable fashion market across Aotearoa, and NZ's largest sustainable fashion market at that, where you can find preloved, upcycled, vintage, and handmade clothing, shoes, jewellery and accessories—for all genders and sizes. Entry fee is a gold coin, and with over 40 stalls at each event, it's one for the serious op-shoppers. Keep an eye out for where they will pop-up next on socials.
Insider Intel
- Bring your own reuseable bags, plus cash for purchases (some vendors may offer bank transfer)
Main Image credit: Riverbank Markets | Instagram
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