Victoria has a lot to offer in the way of small businesses and locally-made products, with creative, innovative and motivated minds aplenty. So why not head out and discover it all at the cool markets Victoria’s got to offer.
There’s something for everyone out there, anything from a market featuring Stone Wallers to space for Gender diverse people to exchange clothes, and pretty much everything in between.
Bendigo Lost Trades Fair
If you’re over the standard market setup with hundreds of people selling their used crap, then this is the market for you. The Lost Trades Fair celebrates all things in the forgotten arts, lost trades and uncommon crafts.
Just a few of the forgotten fields include Potters, Stone Wallers, Bell Makers, Luthiers, Harp Makers, Wicker Weavers, and a whole heap more.
Check out more info on the Lost Trades Fair here.
Lost Trades Fair 2022 wrap from Chris Appleby on Vimeo.
The Piccadilly Market
With an abundance of makers creating a plethora of stunning crafts, paintings, fashion, homewares and some of the best eats and produce in town, local event organiser Janina Lear struck gold with the creation of the Piccadilly Market more than a decade ago.
Simply described as a design market, the Piccadilly Market is perfect for those wanting to support local business all under one roof after an extremely trying year, giving shoppers the opportunity to talk to the makers and get a feel for bespoke handmade products. Taking place a couple of times a year, for winter, Christmas and other occasions, the market usually boasts around 70 stalls of Geelong, Torquay and surrounds most talented jewellers, fashion designers, illustrators, artists, food producers, and makers, who will all be there to provide you with some of the very best local products in the region.
Find out when the next one is here.
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The Bin Chicken’s Side Hustle Makers Market
Inspired by ‘The Bird Watching Society’ in Prahan, the Bin Chicken is an outdoor event space in South Geelong that hosts food trucks, coffee vans, unique themed markets and stallholders, car clubs and sports groups, plant sellers, popup stallholders and fitness groups/teachers, offering Geelong a unique space to explore all the things we love.
One event we see each month is the ‘Side Hussle Market’, taking over the space with a number of local vendors selling their unique goods, alongside a hefty lineup of delicious food trucks. This open-air artisan market is all about offering the local community the opportunity to support local artists, makers and growers whilst treating themselves to a wonderful experience.
The Side Hustle Market runs on the last Saturday of the month, all year round from 10am – 3pm.
Find out more here.
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Mansfield Farmers’ Market
We’re pretty lucky here in Victoria, there’s some beautiful regions with some equally beautiful produce.
The Mansfield region is home to Victoria’s nicest fresh produce, cheese and wine. Head to the Mansfield Farmers’ Market and have access to it all, there’s an abundance of stalls dedicated to all things food and drink.
Check out more info here.
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Belmont Market
The historic Belmont Market has always been a large part of the bustling Greater Geelong region.
With indoor and outdoor stalls, the market has become a community hub on Sunday’s for the past 50 years as people come together and trade – rain, hail or shine. Boasting a wide variety of products on offer every week, including popular items such as; new, pre-loved and vintage clothing, jewellery and other accessories, fresh fruit and vegetables, plants and flowers, hot food and confectionery, home wares and toys, crafts and materials, vintage and industrial items, and much, much more.
Find out more here.
Trans and Gender Diverse Clothes Swap (TGD Bendigo)
Coming to us via Bendigo, the Trans and Gender Diverse Bendigo community group hold regular events and markets.
The events are held at Town Halls and spaces all across Victoria, and involves an opportunity for the community to exchange clothes that no longer fit their identities. Check out their website here for any events that are happening near you.
Queen Victoria Market
The OG of Victorian markets: Melbourne’s iconic Market, Queen Victoria Market has been operating since 1878, and has been the heart and soul of the city ever since.
Home to hundreds of small businesses, it’s the largest open air market in the southern hemisphere. As well as a large range of fresh produce, you can shop for specialty cheeses in the Dairy Hall, enjoy a meal at one of the many cafes, or grab a coffee and croissant to go. The huge range of speciality shopping includes locally made art, clothing, homewares, jewellery, skincare, plants, books, pet supplies and flowers. It’s open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Better still this one is proudly plastic bag and straw free. But if you forget to bring your own bag or basket, reusable bags are available for purchase.
Find out more here.
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Red Hill Community Market
If you’re keen to re-stock your home with original items, look no further than the Red Hill Community Market.
Usually going down on the first Saturday of every month, the self-confessed “Grand Name” of the craft market world in Victoria, you can grab a little bit of everything here, freshly made bake goods, homemade olive oil, or even a new painting to hang up.
Check out more info on the Red Hill Community market here
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Queen Victoria Winter Night Market
The Queen Victoria Market’s famous Night Market is an annual event designed to coax us out of our houses for 14 weeks of winter market goodness. Free to enter, The Queen Victoria Night Market is here to supply you with warm beverages and cosy comfort food to warm you from the inside out until the end of August.
Enjoy spicy dumplings, cheesy pasta, smoked meats and decadent desserts at this convivial and vibrant bazaar, while exploring the Market’s open-air sheds and laneways to the tune of live music. They’re also providing mulled wine, warmed spiced cider and hot toddies to keep you warm while you peruse the artisanal merchandise on sale. As always, artisanal goods can be found at the Night Market – from handmade soaps and skincare to jewellery and art, there’s something for everyone to discover amongst the eclectic and charming selection.
They also run a summer night market in the warmer months!
Find out more here.
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Fletcher Jones Market
There’s not too many markets that are open every day, but Fletcher Jones isn’t alike many other markets out there. It’s got a heap of cool stuff inside, you can grab vinyl, clothes, giftware and anything else you think of.
There’s a whopping 60 stores in the Fletcher Jones market, each selling something cool and a little bit different.
Check out more info here.
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South Side Flea Market
Now for a little bit of a journey closer into the city, South Yarra holds the South Side Flea Market 3rd Sunday of the Month, focused on some of the coolest second hard and vintage garb.
It’s nestled among some of the trendiest South Yarra cafes and shops, so when you’re done at the market, the party isn’t over, there’s still a lot to dive into across the suburb. Check out more info on the South Side Flea Market here.
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Melbourne Book Market
If you donated all your books during lockdown and need to restock the shelf, check out the Melbourne Book Fair. There’s no one genre here, you can grab everything from the latest biography to kids books.
Check out more info and dates here
Yarra Glen Craft Market
Held on the first Sunday of every month, the Yarra Glen Craft Market is a cruisy way to cap off your weekend in the Dandenong Ranges, Yarra Valley. Here you’ll be able to explore lovingly crafted homemade products, produce and designs from makers, creators, artists, and craftspeople across the region and further afield.
This one’s $5 entry and sorry but no pets.
Find out more here.
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