Visitors are encouraged to settle in for food, drink and entertainment at Carseldine Twilight MarketsCredit: Goodwill Projects
For some, markets are about commerce and trading goods. For Mark Power, they’re all about romance.
“That sense of romance is what we try to deliver,” Power says. “I think we’re so envious of what we see in the northern hemisphere around their gloriously decadent markets in their winter. And while we don’t get snow, we try to give them a look and a feel to reflect that.”
Power is the founder and market co-ordinator of Goodwill Projects, a business that runs weekly markets in 11 locations across the Brisbane region spanning from Redcliffe to Surfers Paradise.
Most of their markets run on Saturday or Sunday mornings, but in winter, they operate a season of night markets.
While fresh produce and handmade craft are staples, the emphasis at the night markets is on street food and live music. Goodwill Projects also partners with local breweries and wineries to offer craft beer and European-style gluhwein for some winter-in-Salzburg mood setting.
Power says markets are an alternative to shopping malls in every sense.
“We think they’re the most tangible, genuine, transparent way that a community can come together. No matter what your lot in life is, you’ve got to do your groceries each week, and it’s just a really lovely evening out for local families and couples.”
While you’ll have to mark your diary for each one-off annual night market, others occur monthly, weekly or more often. Here’s a comprehensive guide to night markets in the Brisbane region.
Annual night markets
Beenleigh Night Bites is on at Beenleigh Town Square.Credit: Goodwill Projects
Beenleigh Night Bites Friday, June 7
This kid-friendly evening will feature 100 stalls selling arts and crafts, and street food such as poffertjes and wings. Entertainment includes stilt walkers, musical trio the Twine, and the intriguing Bubble Lady.
Beenleigh Town Square, corner of George and Main streets, Beenleigh, 5-9pm, free entry.
West End Solstice Market.Credit: Goodwill Projects
West End Solstice Market Friday, June 14
One of Brisbane’s biggest markets is lighting the bonfires, warming the gluhwein and setting the stage for a big winter night with more than 120 stalls. Two stages will host live music, and there’ll be winter-themed workshops and handmade artisan wares. Local clown Shorty Brown will lead the kids’ disco, and Stone & Wood pop-up bars will sell craft beers. Expect tasty eats from Best of the Wurst, Choco Bliss, Lamun Asian Fusion Sweets and more.
Davies Park, West End, 4-10pm, free entry.
Milton by Moonlight markets.Credit: Goodwill Projects
Milton by Moonlight Saturday, June 15
Milton by Moonlight is serving up gourmet eats, artisan wares and live entertainment including roaming performers and family fun. The Stone & Wood pop-up bar offers craft beer and gluhwein. Stalls promise handcrafted jewellery and unique artworks. Saxophone prodigy and soulful singer Levi X (The Voice) will bring the party vibes.
Cribb Street, Milton, 4-10pm, $3.
Nundah by Night markets take place next to the station.Credit: Goodwill Projects
Nundah by Night Saturday, July 20
Nundah’s weekly Sunday morning markets are excellent for street food, so their annual night event promises plenty of deliciousness, such as Mr Pulled slow-cooked meats, It’s a Wing Thing wings and Oh Tiramisu desserts. Children’s fun comes in the form of a petting zoo, while for the grown-ups the Stone & Wood Bar has craft beers and gluhwein.
Station Street, Nundah, 4-10pm, $3.
Carseldine Twilight Markets take place at the old QUT Carseldine Campus.Credit: Goodwill Projects
Carseldine Twilight Markets Saturday, July 27
Carseldine’s Saturday markets recently celebrated 10 years of operation. Their twilight market for 2024 has more than 250 market stalls, live music across two stages including Japanese drumming, stilt walkers, traditional gluhwein, Stone & Wood pop up bar, seasonal eats, artisan wares and wintry theming.
133 Dorville Road, Carseldine, 4-10pm, $3.
Night Feast features pop-up eats from leading Brisbane chefs along with immersive art and music.Credit: Lachlan Douglas
Night Feast October 16-November 10
The high-end curated night market at Brisbane Powerhouse will return in October for another triumphant year of serving street food from some of Brisbane’s top restaurants. Last year they had the teams from E’cco Bistro, Donna Chang, Gerard’s Bistro, Mary Mae’s, Essa, Southside, Bar Alto, The Green and La Mano, to name a few. Live music, art and performances will again be part of the event.
Brisbane Powerhouse, 119 Lamington Street, New Farm, free entry.
Regular night markets
Alien Night Market captures the neon excitement of high-tech Asian cities and their faddish street foods.Credit: Alien Night Market
Alien Night Market
This neon-lit alleyway next to the Area 51 leisure centre specialises in Asian foods, both traditional and outrageous. Try an Okie Dogie hot dog, a candy floss lemonade, egg puff ice cream, long chips (they’re really long), cold thick noodles, Chinese roti and much more. They also have a big screen, performance stage and games. On Saturday, June 8, they’re holding a special World Food and Music Festival – entry is $10.
51 Kingston Road, Underwood, Fri-Sun 5-10pm, free entry.
The Collective Markets South Bank
Always attracting a large crowd of tourists and locals, these craft markets run every Friday to Sunday in Stanley Plaza (10am-9pm on Saturdays). Art, gifts, fashion, vintage clothing and street food are available.
Stanley Street Plaza, South Bank, Fri 5-9pm; Sat 10am-9pm; Sun 9am-4pm, free entry.
Dreamworld Night Market doesn’t require a ticket to the theme park for entry.Credit: Dreamworld
Dreamworld Night Market
These weekend markets have street food, drinks and live entertainment. The markets allow access to the Dreamworld Flyer and Deep Sea Dodgems ($10 each). Belinda’s Treehouse is open and free for the kids, and Gamesite is open for arcade games (pay per play).
1 Dreamworld Parkway, Coomera, Fri-Sat 5-9pm, $2 (free for kids and theme park visitors).
Eat Street North Shore
Now a northside institution, Eat Street routinely boasts 70 traders including five themed bars, eclectic shops and micro restaurants offering food from every continent except Antarctica. Parking is free, music is live, and it operates year-round.
221D MacArthur Avenue, Hamilton, Fri, Sat 4-10pm & Sun 4-9pm, $0-$6 (no cash).
Mount Gravatt Street Food
The showgrounds host Sunday markets as well as a monthly street food Saturday night. Food trucks span Japanese, Thai, Egyptian, Mexican, Korean, Italian, Tibetan and much more. Alcoholic drinks are available as well and there’s always live music.
Mount Gravatt Showgrounds, first Saturday of the month, 4-9pm, $0-$3.
Old Petrie Town Night Markets
Old Petrie Town is a restored historic village occupying 20 hectares of parkland, with heritage buildings and four museums. The markets sell handicrafts, secondhand books, fresh produce and many other local goodies. There’s a sideshow alley, street food, petting zoo and classic cars lining the Main Street.
901 Dayboro Road, Whiteside, last Friday of the month, 5-9pm, free entry.
Ripley Markets are held in South Ripley on the second Saturday of the month.Credit: Ripley Markets
Ripley Markets
These afternoon and evening markets offer about 90 stalls spanning food trucks, drinks, sweet treats, handmade crafts, homewares, jewellery and clothing. Members of the community bring picnic blankets and make a night of it, dining on street food such as Korean barbie or dumplings, and enjoying live music performances. The markets are also famously dog friendly.
6 Amity Way, South Ripley, 2nd Sat of the month, 3-8pm, free entry.
Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets
This market between the skyscrapers and the sand offers something to browse while taking an evening walk along the beach. It specialises in handmade wares such as jewellery and gifts, and features gourmet provisions, fresh produce and live music.
The Foreshore, Surfers Paradise, Wed, Fri & Sat 4-9pm, free entry.
Twilight Makers Market
This monthly makers’ market on the boardwalk of Raby Bay Harbour (opposite Cleveland Station) has fashion, jewellery, candles, cushions, handmade fudge and street foods. Get a henna tattoo, eat a London Spud, drink a Tropical Iced Tea, buy a unique purse by Blue Eyed Girl, and jazz up your home with a Kokedamas by Mon terrarium.
Raby Bay Harbour Park, Shore Street West, Cleveland, Sat Jun 29, Jul 20, Aug 24 & Sep 21, 4-8pm, free entry.
Twilight Vegan Markets
Animals don’t have to suffer for the sake of your markets experience. Enjoy vegan street eats, drinks and products for sale while browsing vegan charities. The next event is on Friday, June 7.
Mount Gravatt Showgrounds, selected Fridays, 5-9pm, free entry.
Did we forget something? Let us know – nick.dent@nine.com.au.