Melbourne Market Culture Goes Beyond Groceries
Melbourne has a market for every occasion: weekly food markets, monthly artisan markets, seasonal night markets, and community markets that run year-round. Here is the calendar of market events.
Night Markets
Queen Victoria Market Summer Night Market
- When: Every Wednesday evening, November through March
- What: Street food from 50+ vendors, bars, live music, shopping
- Cost: Free entry, food and drinks for purchase
- Tips: Arrive by 5:30 PM for the best food options, it gets busy by 7 PM
South Melbourne Night Market
- When: Monthly, selected Fridays
- What: Food-focused with local chefs and pop-up kitchens
- Vibe: More intimate than QV
Coburg Night Market
- When: Monthly during summer
- What: Multicultural food, live entertainment, family-friendly
- Where: Coburg Civic Centre precinct
Artisan and Makers Markets
The Rose Street Artists’ Market, Fitzroy
- When: Every Saturday and Sunday
- What: Handmade jewellery, art, clothing, and design
- Why go: Supporting Melbourne makers directly
Finders Keepers Market
- When: Twice yearly (usually April and November)
- What: Curated design market with Australian and New Zealand makers
- Where: Royal Exhibition Building
Made in Brunswick Market
- When: Monthly on first Saturday
- What: Brunswick-based makers and designers
Community and Farmers Markets
Collingwood Children’s Farm Farmers Market
- When: Second Saturday of every month
- What: Farm-fresh produce, eggs, cheese, bread directly from producers
- Where: Abbotsford
Alphington Farmers Market
- When: First Sunday of every month
- What: Local produce, prepared food, coffee
Prahran Market
- When: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
- What: Premium fresh produce, specialty ingredients
Seasonal Markets
Winter:
- Brunswick Winter Market — indoor craft and food
- Southbank Winter Market — hot food and warming drinks
Spring:
- Tesselaar Tulip Festival (Silvan) — tulips plus food stalls
- Yarra Valley farmers markets increase frequency
Summer:
- All night markets are in full swing
- Beach markets along the foreshore (St Kilda, Elwood)
Autumn:
- Harvest festivals in the Yarra Valley
- Seniors Week markets at various suburban locations
Tips for Market Shopping
- Bring cash — many stalls offer better prices for cash
- Arrive early for the best selection, arrive late for discounts on perishables
- Bring your own bags — most markets charge for plastic
- Follow markets on Instagram for weekly vendor updates
- Dog-friendly: Most outdoor markets welcome leashed dogs, indoor markets do not
Check our food section and suburb guides for market information near you.