Eat Street: Sydney’s best Christmas markets
When it comes to finding the perfect food for a family feast or a treat for yourself, Sydney’s Christmas markets have so much to offer. Here are some of our best.
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Whether you’re after a foodie gift or just something to eat, Sydney’s Christmas markets make the season so much sweeter.
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Le Jolly Market
Out of adversity comes opportunity, so when Covid forced the cancellation, two years in a row of Sydney’s wintertime Bastille Festival, event organisers BBR Agency persisted and, in December, improvised with an exciting French-European Christmas Market.
It was such a success that they brought it back this year for six nights of food, drinks, gifts, live music and even a bit of snow.
Swing by a Taste of Paris for gourmet products, try some French and Australian wines from The Drink Hives, The Escargot Brother’s signature snails in garlic sauce, and housemade sweets from Macaron de Paris. (Friday, December 16-Wednesday, December 21)
Customs House Forecourt, Circular Quay; lejollymarket.com.au
Martin Place Christmas Market
They may not be under Santa’s direction, but the team behind the established markets in Pittwater, Cronulla, and the Entertainment Quarter are bringing some Christmas cheer to the CBD with two holiday events.
At Quay Quarters Lanes, a new monthly farmers market at the Customs House forecourt, will be particularly festive on December 14 from 8am-2pm with farm-fresh produce, baked goods, and plenty of artisanal foodie gifts.
At Martin Place, the festive shopping goes beyond one afternoon with 40-plus stalls including THICC cookies and Berliner Bakery selling yuletide gifts and food from 11am-8pm, Saturday and Sunday, November 26-27, then every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday up until Christmas Eve.
So after you’ve done your shopping, grab a bite to eat and enjoy the evening under the glow of the towering Martin Place Christmas tree.
Martin Place, Sydney
Carriageworks Christmas Twilight Market
For regular market-goers, Saturday mornings at Carriageworks are sacred. Over a few hours, bags and baskets will be filled with premium products from artisanal producers, including Crumpets by Merna, Pepe Saya, Country Valley Dairy, and Yulli’s Brew.
But on December 21, Carriageworks is more than a weekly shop, as their Christmas Twilight Market is your one-stop destination for all your festive feasting needs.
You can pick up an incredible array of gift hampers, fresh seafood from Bondi Oysters, hams from LP’s Quality Meats, and Christmas treats from Flour and Stone, AP Bakery, Berkelo, and more. For true foodies, this is a rite of passage. (Wednesday, December 21, 4pm-9pm).
245 Wilson St, Eveleigh; Carriageworks.com.au
Ultimate Christmas Market EQ
For Sydneysiders, this year’s Christmas markets are about more than food and gifts; they’re a chance to reconnect with the community.
Madelienne Anderson, director and manager of Cambridge Markets, EQ at Moore Park, says: “A lot of people are wondering how they can do their Christmas shopping this year in a safe and meaningful way. These Christmas markets offer a great chance for Sydneysiders to get out and support the local small business owners who sell their incredible range of products at these markets.”
It’s also an opportunity to talk to stallholders about their goods, where they come from and how they’re made.
“We are finding people are craving these kinds of personable experiences after what has been for a couple of years of isolation and dislocation,” Madelienne says.
An annual favourite for festive treats, the Ultimate Christmas Market is one of the few places you can get your week’s worth of veggies, an armful of flowers, a Christmas pudding, and a
handmade gingerbread house. (Sunday, December 4, 10am-4pm).
Entertainment Quarter, 122 Lang Rd, Moore Park
WHAT’S FRESH
A new addition to the yuletide calendar is the Glebe Christmas Market at Bicentennial Park. Side-by-side with an eclectic range of handmade art and crafts is a slew of food and drinks with a global flare. (Saturday, December 18, 10am-3pm).
– Bicentennial Park. 5 Federal Rd, Glebe
WHAT’S FRESH - THANKSGIVING IN SYDNEY
Before Christmas comes around, Americans celebrate their special holiday of Thanksgiving — and for the first time, three Sydney venues are taking part.
NOLA Smokehouse and Bar, The Swinging Cat and Jolene’s are offering American-inspired food and drink options for Sydneysiders to experience the popular US holiday.
On Thanksgiving day, November 24, NOLA has an exclusive set menu of Thanksgiving specials like roast turkey, mac’n’cheese and pumpkin pie.
The Swinging Cat has added speciality cocktails to its menu as well as a special Thanksgiving jaffle filled with turkey, brie and cranberry jam, along with a great line-up of music.
Jolene’s also has country music as well as cocktails, turkey hot dogs and pecan pie for dessert.
Try these venues to get a taste of America right here in Sydney.
Winter warmers to celebrate the season
Everyone is happy to see the sun peeking through the clouds, but winter’s not all bad. Bid farewell to the colder days with one last hurrah of warming fare.
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Save the best for last. As truffle season comes to a close, be sure to indulge in some sweet treats featuring the annual earthy gem.