A Santa Claus at one of Brisbane’s Christmas markets.Credit: Goodwill Projects
Festive markets are back, and they’re a great opportunity to get your Christmas shopping done in an environment that’s worlds away from the shopping malls – and a lot more fun.
Find unique and quirky gifts, handmade decorations and festive food at markets across town and beyond. Kids are well catered for with Santa Clauses, elves and other performers, while many events offer live entertainment.
The Made Local Christmas Market
When: November 9-10, 9am-4pm
Where: Exhibition Building, Brisbane Showgrounds, 600 Gregory Terrace
Cost: $2 (under 12 free)
This market has over 120 stalls of handmade independent designs, plus food trucks and workshops. Expect ceramics, jewellery, clothing, homewares, art, artisan food and beverages, with pet presents and kids’ clothes and toys.
A performer at the Beenleigh Christmas Twilight Markets.Credit: Goodwill Projects
Beenleigh Christmas Twilight Markets
When: Friday, November 15, 5-9pm
Where: Beenleigh Town Square, 1 Kent Street, Beenleigh
Cost: Free
Santa Claus, a petting zoo, stilt walkers and live music are on offer at Beenleigh Town Square. Shop for handmade gifts from Embrx Clothing, Earring Addiction and LTS Botanical, and get snacking on Brazzo Boys Brazilian BBQ. Entry is free but ticketed.
BrisStyle Twilight Market
When: Friday, November 22, December 6 and 20, 4-9pm
Where: King George Square, Brisbane
Cost: Free
The markets are taking over King George Square for three Fridays in the lead-up to Christmas. Find locally handmade goods from more than 60 designers, all under the festive glow of City Hall.
Carseldine Christmas Twilight Markets is one of many evening markets in Brisbane ahead of the holidays.Credit: Goodwill Projects
Carseldine Christmas Twilight Markets
When: Saturday, November 23, 4-10pm
Where: 133 Dorville Road, Carseldine
Cost: $3
The Queensland Government Service Centre grounds host markets every Saturday and will re-open at 4pm for a special Christmas event on November 23, with 200 stalls, live music, the Christmas Bubble Lady, stilt walkers, and Santa as well.
Brisbane Fair Trade Christmas Market
When: Saturday, November 23, 8am-5.30pm; Sunday, November 24, 8am-3pm
Where: Queensland Sport & Athletics Centre, Cnr Kessels and Mains Road, Nathan
Cost: Free
What better way to spread the seasonal cheer than to purchase gifts and decorations from Palestine, Nepal, Thailand, Peru, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan? Expect jewellery, homewares and clothing.
Christmas on Cribb: Milton Christmas Twilight Markets, Brisbane.Credit: Goodwill Projects
Christmas on Cribb: Milton Christmas Twilight Markets
When: Saturday, November 30, 4-10pm
Where: Cnr Cribb Street and Little Cribb Street, Milton
Cost: $3 (parking $2)
More than 150 stalls will be selling artisan wares, produce and street eats. Expect handmade stocking fillers, roving entertainers and Santa Claus in person. Register online for the chance to win a $200 bar tab.
Holly Jolly Christmas Twilight Event
When: Saturday, November 30, 4-9pm
Where: Ipswich Showgrounds, 81 Warwick Road, Ipswich
Cost: $5 (12 and under free)
Get your Christmas shopping done early in Ipswich at an event with Christmas decorations, festive lights, free activities, rides, entertainment, carols, and a visit from Kris Kringle himself.
Farm Gate to City Door Twilight Market, Breakfast Creek Lifestyle Precinct.Credit: COCOM
Breakfast Creek Lifestyle Precinct Festive Market
When: Saturday, November 30, 8am-12pm
Where: Breakfast Creek Lifestyle Precinct, 194 Breakfast Creek Road, Newstead
Cost: Free
Scenic Rim providores are showcasing their wares again at the return of this mini food market. Peruse heirloom vegetables, Christmas pudding-flavoured ice creams, salted cultured butter, cheeses, and farm-direct pork and veal.
West End Christmas Twilight Market
When: Friday, December 6, 4-10pm
Where: Davies Park, Montague Road, West End
Cost: Free
Davies Park will light up with stilt walkers, bubble artists, a jumping castle, face painters, more than 150 stalls, and two live-music stages. Register online for the chance to win dinner for four at the market.
Christmas On Main Street
When: Saturday, December 7, 5-8.30pm
Where: Main Street, Samford Village
Cost: Free
Quaint Samford Village is the perfect setting for a makers’ market, with food trucks, Christmas carols, storytelling and Santa.
Nundah Christmas Twilight Markets.Credit: Goodwill Projects
Nundah Christmas Twilight Markets
When: Saturday, December 7, 4-10pm
Where: Station Street, Nundah
Cost: $3 (12 and under free)
The popular Sunday markets next to the station pivot to a Saturday night for gifts, gourmet eats, entertainment for young and old, plus festive decorations. The pop-up bar will dispense Christmas cheer all evening.
VEND Christmas Market
When: Saturday, December 7, 4-9pm
Where: 289 Ipswich Road, Annerley
Cost: Free
The carpark at VEND Marketplace will be given over to Christmas gift markets as well as a face painter, playground, Christmas cocktail bar, food truck-style dishes, and a photo booth.
QAGOMA Christmas Design Market.Credit: QAGOMA
QAGOMA Christmas Design Market
When: December 7-8, 9am-4pm
Where: Gallery of Modern Art forecourt, South Brisbane
Cost: Free
More than 80 stalls will be selling fabulous gift ideas for your hard-to-please relative, and being curated by GOMA, you can expect some outstanding designs.
Distillery Road Christmas Village Market
When: Saturday, December 14, 12-6pm
Where: 124 Distillery Road, Eagleby
Cost: Free
This air-conditioned indoor market hall has ceramics, jewellery, home decor and artworks by local makers.
An entertainer blows big bubbles at a Brisbane markets event.Credit: Goodwill Projects
Redcliffe Christmas Twilight Markets
When: Saturday, December 14, 4-9pm
Where: 79 Redcliffe Parade, Redcliffe
Cost: Free
As well as artisan gifts and gourmet foods, the Redcliffe markets will be holding an Ugly Christmas T-shirt Competition, plus live music and opportunities to interact with Santa.
Surfers Paradise Christmas Twilight Market.Credit: Surfers Paradise Beachfront Markets
Surfers Paradise Christmas Twilight Markets
When: Saturday, December 14, 4-9pm
Where: The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise
Cost: Free
Santa arriving by surfboard is one of the drawcards for the beachfront markets, along with hundreds of stalls selling gifts, fashion, and food. There will also be live music.
Collective Markets at South Bank: Christmas Edition
When: December 18-23, 10am-9pm
Where: Little Stanley Street, South Bank
Cost: Free
The strip adjacent to South Bank Parklands will host stalls for six consecutive days and nights, selling Christmas trees, ornaments, wreaths, candles, gingerbread houses, puddings, handmade toys, festive jewellery, linen and homewares.
HOTA Christmas Twilight Markets.Credit: Goodwill Projects
HOTA Christmas Twilight Markets
When: Saturday, December 21, 4-9pm
Where: Home of the Arts, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
Cost: Free
Left your shopping to the 11th hour? Head to the big colourful building next to the lake for handcrafted treasures, festival food, live music and special guests.
We’ve done our best to provide accurate information. If you spot any errors, please reach out via email.
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