16 magical Christmas markets in Melbourne 2021

1. Arts Centre Melbourne Saturday Christmas Market

Every Saturday, Melbourne’s makers gather on Arts Centre Melbourne’s lawn to showcase their creations for you to take home and cherish. In the lead-up to Christmas punters can stop by on Saturdays for a Christmas-themed market takeover.

In the past, walkthrough light installations and choir and army band performances have accompanied these Southbank-based markets.

No specific details have been laid out for a themed Christmas market in 2020. However, markets will run every weekend from 10am-4pm until 25 December.

• When: Saturdays and Sundays @ 10am-4pm
• Where: Arts Centre Melbourne, Lawn
• Cost: Free
• More information: Arts Centre Melbourne

2. River Studios and Friends Christmas Markets

Between the Tudor Village and Fairies Tree is where you'll uncover a magical Christmas market filled with art and crafts from locals.

The market runs over a three-day weekend and is a unique space to source sustainable homemade jewellery, textile collages, leather goods, Christmas decorations, artworks and Christmas cards. Because a handwritten message always makes a gift sing.

• When: 11-13 December 2020
• Where: The Pavilion Fitzroy Gardens
• Cost: Free
• More information: Creative Spaces

3. The District Makers Market - Christmas Edition

This weekly market in Docklands gets an extra festive spin throughout December with not one but two Xmas Markets.

Being an undercover market, it runs rain, hail or shine. So book a date and prepare to shop art, craft, jewellery, homewares and produce all while being entertained by live performers.

• When: 13 and 20 December 2020
• Where: District Docklands
• Cost: Free
• More information: Rose Street Market

4. Heide Christmas Market

You'll have to travel around 20 minutes out of the city for this market, but we promise it's worth it. Taking over the Heide Museum of Modern Art sculpture park, over 100 stallholders congregate in this artistic space with their own artworks.

The Christmas markets are even more impressive, hosted at three different venues: Heide, Como House in South Yarra and Rippon Lea Estate in Elsternwick. So no matter where you are, one of them is bound to be accessible for you.

And if not? Then you can shop the market online as well.

• When: 12 December 2020
• Where: Heide Museum of Contemporary Art sculpture park, Como House and Rippon Lea Estate.
• Cost: Free
• More information: Heide Market

5. Twilight Christmas Market

Thinking of getting your Christmas shopping done and dusted early? Market stalls like those at Mornington Racecourse understand the need to be organised with its twilight market on two weeks before the big day.

Expect all your usual stalls at Mornington Racecourse with a few gifts geared to the season.

• When: 11 December 2020, 3pm-8 pm
• Where: Mornington Racecourse, 320 Racecourse Road
• Cost: Free
• More information: Craft Markets Australia

6. Artisan Christmas Market on Bay Street

Roll up to Bay Street in Port Melbourne for a community event that'll really get you into the festive spirit. Bringing 100 artisans to the fold, this one-day event is all about handmade and locally produced gifts for every member of the family. Yes, including your four-legged members.

On top of the gifting possibilities, the day is filled with live music, local food and kids' activities.

• When: 12 December 2020
• Where: Bay Street Port Melbourne
• Cost: Free
• More information: 3207 Port Melbourne

7. The Big Design Market

It’s kismet when the Christmas stars align and a roving market like The Big Design Market just happens to be in town during the festive season.

This happened in 2019 when 230 designers landed in Carlton Gardens for the three-day event. There were creative workshops for those who wished to hand-make their own presents and kids activities throughout the day to keep them entertained while you shop.

This year the market has gone online making it super easy for you to shop until you drop (onto your couch) from over 200 designers and makers.

• When: 18-29 November 2020
• Where: Online
• Cost: Free
• More information: The Big Design Market

8. Nicholas Building Christmas Makers Market

When rare and unique is the description you need to meet for your gifting look no further than the Nicholas Building. Under its roof you'll discover sculpted books, rare prints, tailored suits and handmade jewellery.

Make it an outing by spending the day scaling the three levels of Cathedral Arcade, dancing to the local DJ, dining at the arcade's restaurants and cafes and maybe even checking out the future of your 2021 with some tarot reading experiences.

• When: 17 December 2020
• Where: Nicholas Building, Swanston Street
• Cost: Free
• More information: Nicholas Building

9. Canine Christmas Market

Every dog has its day and for pampered pooches in Melbourne, that day is 6 December. That’s when Dogs Victoria hosts its Big Day Out For Dogs.

This event is destined to get your four-legged friend’s tail wagging and features stalls selling canine treats, accessories and doggy massages, and all in a sociable and friendly environment for pooches and their owners.

• When: 6 December 2020
• Where: KCC Park (State Dog Centre), 655 Westernport Highway, Skye
• Cost: Free
• More information: Doggy Christmas Market

10. Nunawading Christmas Market

The City of Whitehorse’s answer to the Christmas market shop is its Nunawading Market. Typically held on the fourth Sunday of each month, it finishes the year off with a Christmas twilight market on the second Sunday of December. That’s 13 December for anyone planning to hit it up this year.

Here, you can expect a wide range of items from babywear to gourmet foods – so you could very much wind up doing your whole shop in this one spot.

• When: 13 December 2020 from 1-5pm
• Where: Whitehorse Civic Centre
• Cost: Free
• More information: City of Whitehorse

11. Coburg Night Market presents Markers Lane

Don’t let the name fool you: the Coburg Night Market is so much more than market stalls. Established in 2010 by Queen Victoria Market, this market has since outgrown its original digs and now occupies a space in Bridges Reserve.

Typically held over three weeks, you can browse locally designed and made wares, chill out to live bands and nom on food truck nosh.

This year, the event has downsized but it hasn't disappeared! There is an online market running from 4-20 December and a physical market from 5-20 December on weekends.

• When: 4-20 December 2020
• Where: Online and at Page Street, Coburg on weekends
• Cost: Free
• More information: Coburg Night Market

12. Virtual Ethical Christmas Market

Being the environmentally conscious city that it is, Melbourne has a dedicated ethical market to ensure you have a very merry green Christmas. There's strict criteria at this market: products must be eco-friendly, vegan, homemade, ethically accredited and of fair labour and social enterprise. There must also be supply chain transparency and this year it will be done virtually due to restrictions.

• When: 30 October - 30 November 2020
• Where: Online
• Cost: Free
• More information: Ethical Market

13. Christmas Market at Queen Victoria Market

An icon of the city, whether you're a local or a visitor, the Queen Victoria Market is a must to visit over Christmas. Not only do its halls get decked in holly, but its businesses also take on a green-and-red twist.

Choose from over 400 stalls selling everything from produce to cook up a Christmas dinner to gifts to fill that space under the Christmas tree, and support local businesses.

• When: Throughout December
• Where: Queen Victoria Market
• Cost: Free
• More information: Queen Victoria Market

14. Alphington Christmas Farmers Market

Love giving the gift of food? Perhaps you've been nominated (or have nominated yourself) to host Christmas dinner this year? Stock up on the freshest seasonal foods at the Alphington Christmas Markets and prepare to amaze your guests.

It's on Wednesday 23 December 2020 to give you Christmas Eve to prepare your dishes. RSVPs are recommended.

• When: 23 December 2020 from 2-6pm
• Where: Melbourne Innovation Centre, 2 Wingrove Street, Alphington
• Cost: Gold coin donation
• More information: Melbourne Farmers Markets

15. French Xmas Market and Open Day (cancelled for 2020)

This annual French market is part children's fair, part cultural celebration. It's hosted by the Alliance Francaise de Melbourne in its Eildon Mansion in St Kilda and showcases a variety of French produce and crafts.

Entertainment comes in the form of cabaret dancers, theatre productions, children's activities and of course, food and wine.

• When: Cancelled for 2020
• Where: Alliance Française de Melbourne, 51 Grey Street, St Kilda
• Cost: Free
• More information: Alliance Francaise de Melbourne

16. Seddon Makers Market (cancelled for 2020)

Held three times a year, Seddon's entrant to the Christmas market scene is a truly local affair. Run by volunteers, it’s a not-for-profit fair dedicated to supporting local designers and makers. Upcoming stalls are showcased on the council’s website so be inspired for your Christmas shop early and check them out before dropping by.

• When: Cancelled for 2020
• Where: Seddon Uniting Church Hall
• Cost: Free
• More information: Seddon Makers Market