Brisbane’s night markets are back for 2025, and there’s one near you
By Nick Dent
Harajuku comes to Logan Road as the Mt Gravatt Street Food markets present their second annual Anime Cosplay Night on June 7.
The Mount Gravatt Showgrounds began hosting Sunday markets during the 1990s, and Saturday night markets followed a decade ago.
The cosplay-themed market was well attended in 2024 despite rainy weather.Credit: Mt Gravatt Street Food Markets
Current owner Mark Hawkins took possession during the dark days of COVID but has since built the night markets back up largely through themed nights.
“We started with the Brazilian nights and they were both big hits. So now we do Italian nights, Greek nights, Lunar New Year, Oktoberfest, Christmas in July, and Korean nights,” Hawkins said.
The first cosplay night a year ago took place in the pouring rain.
“It was pretty horrendous, but we had a queue of people waiting to get in, so we opened the gates early. It was pretty good fun and we thought we’ll do that again and hopefully get a dry night.”
The events feature food trucks (expect a focus on Japanese and Korean), live music, pop culture and fan art stalls, bars and a kids’ play area.
Hawkins said the street food markets were a less-expensive alternative to pubs and restaurants, and attracted visitors from far and wide.
“It’s pretty tough out there at the moment and the food is affordable and good quality, and you’ve got a world of choice. And because it’s different every time, it keeps things interesting for people.”
The arrival of Brisbane’s winter night market season means there’s almost certainly one happening near you. Here’s a rundown.
One-off night markets
Nundah By Night Fiesta.Credit: Goodwill Projects
Nundah by Night Fiesta Postponed to Saturday, July 19
Nundah’s Sunday-morning markets are always excellent for street food and this annual night event promises taste sensations including Fritz’s Wieners and Pipi Cucu empanadas. Warm the cockles with gluhwein (mulled wine), or try Ice Tea Co’s traditional organic iced teas. There’s a petting zoo and two live music stages with performances by Trace Cover Band and Veronica Hopper.
Station Street, Nundah, 4-10pm, $3.
Mt Gravatt Street Food Anime Cosplay Night Saturday, June 7
Dress as a favourite anime character and star in the cosplay parade for the chance to win prizes. The evening will hero Japanese food with ramen, takoyaki, katsu sandos and bubble tea. The Otaku Market will sell anime merch, collectibles and fan art, and the live music will be J-pop and anime soundtracks.
Mount Gravatt Showgrounds, 1644 Logan Road, Mount Gravatt, 4-9pm, $4, children free entry.
Beenleigh Night Bites.Credit: Goodwill Projects
Beenleigh Night Bites Friday, June 13
Beenleigh offers night market pop-ups throughout the year, and for winter expect a kid-friendly mix of fashion and craft stalls, live music and street food. Food offerings include slow-cooked meats from Mr Pulled; Shake The Chicken’s Korean Fried Chicken Burgers; and “dirty sodas” from WhatsPoppin. Entertainment includes live music and roving performers.
Beenleigh Town Square, 1 Kent Street, Beenleigh, 5-9pm, free entry.
Carseldine Wintertide Wonderland Twilight Markets Saturday, June 14
Carseldine is leaning into the European atmosphere with a Swiss Alps Pop-Up Bar serving gluhwein, schnapps and more. It’s going to be big, with more than 200 stalls, from artisan craft to winter eats including German sausages from Best of the Wurst and smoky beef brisket from Kaysers Smoke Train. Warm yourself by the bonfire and enjoy live music across two stages.
133 Dorville Road, Carseldine, 4-10pm, $3.
A fire twirler at Brisbane’s West End Solstice Market.
West End Solstice Market Friday, June 20
Brisbane’s biggest weekly markets are setting the stage for a big winter night market with more than 150 stalls. Snack on Venezuelan street eats from Little Caracas, MoMo dumplings from Tibetan Dumpling, chocolate treats from Choco Bliss, and a Frozen Mango from Juta Mango Biche. Pop-up bars will serve craft brews and gluhwein, and there’s music, magic and fun for the kids planned as well.
Davies Park, West End, 4-10pm, free entry.
Milton by Moonlight markets.Credit: Goodwill Projects
Milton by Moonlight Saturday, June 21
Milton by Moonlight is serving up gourmet eats, artisan wares and live entertainment including roaming performers and family fun. The pop-up bar offers craft beer and gluhwein, while stalls showcase handcrafted jewellery and unique artworks. Soulful singer Alexander Mills will perform on the night, so bring your dancing shoes.
Cribb Street, Milton, 4-10pm, $3.
HOTA Hawker Night Markets Saturday, July 12
Inspired by the bustle of south-east Asian food markets, HOTA Hawker Night Markets are an open-air feast of flavours from across the globe. There’s plenty of room on the lawn to lay out your picnic rug, so set up camp and forage from more than 150 food and artisan stalls. Watch out for the fire twirlers.
HOTA (Home of the Arts), 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise, 4-9pm, free entry.
Christmas in July at South/City/SQ Friday, July 18
South/City/SQ is a utopian mix of residential and commercial premises in Woolloongabba featuring the Angelika Cinemas and some impressive dining options. Their Christmas in July event brings out market stalls selling handcrafted ornaments, decorations and gifts. Get gingerbread cookies, cakes and a food truck feed, while kids can meet Santa and get their faces painted.
148 Logan Road, Woolloongabba, 5-9pm, free entry.
Night Feast.
Night Feast October 15-November 9
The high-end curated night market at Brisbane Powerhouse will return for a fourth year of serving street food from some of Brisbane’s top restaurants. Last year they had the teams from Byblos, Gelato Messina, Donna Chang, Mary Mae’s and Calida, to name a few. Live music, art and performances will again be part of the event.
Brisbane Powerhouse, 119 Lamington Street, New Farm, Wed-Fri 4.30-9pm; Sat-Sun 3-9pm, free entry.
Regular night markets
Eat Street Northshore.Credit: Tourism Australia
Under new management as of 2025, Eat Street is Brisbane’s night market built from 180 recycled shipping containers. It routinely boasts 60 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 for all your street food needs. No cash.
221D MacArthur Avenue, Hamilton, every Fri-Sat 4-10pm & Sun 4-9pm, $6 (group discount for 10+ $4pp), children free entry.
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, every Wed, Fri & Sat 4-9pm, free entry.
Ripley Markets are held in South Ripley on the second Saturday of the month.Credit: 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 local 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.
This 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, much more.
51 Kingston Road, Underwood, Fri-Sat 5-10pm, Sun 4-9pm, 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.
These twice-weekly markets have street food, drinks and live entertainment. Expect paella, dumplings, wieners, sate, pasta, ribs and more. The markets allow access to the Dreamworld Flyer and Deep Sea Dodgems ($10), and Belinda’s Treehouse is open and free for the kids, while Gamesite is open for arcade games (pay per play).
1 Dreamworld Parkway, Coomera, Fri-Sat 5-9pm, $2, free for children and theme park visitors.
Cleveland Twilight Makers Market.Credit: Twilight Makers Market
This monthly Saturday makers’ market on the boardwalk of the 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, and buy a unique purse by Blue Eyed Girl or a terrarium by Firefly Gully Creations.
Raby Bay Harbour Park, Shore Street West, Cleveland, Sat Jun 28, Jul 26, Aug 23 & Sep 27, 4-8pm, free entry.
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 6.
Mount Gravatt Showgrounds, Fri Jun 6, Jul 4, Aug 1, Sep 5, 5-9pm, free entry.
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