The best Christmas markets Sydney has to offer are transportive. They’ve been curated to a specific atmosphere, feeling like festive time capsules that blanket you in holiday cheer. Sydney Travel Guide has done some due diligence and presents you with a handy list of the best Christmas markets in Sydney for 2024 so you can get in all that shopping, eating and family time before Santa starts squeezes down your chimney.
From French Christmas markets to ones that feel distinctly Sydney, these are our top picks for when you need to get that Christmas shopping out of the way while soaking up the vibrant atmosphere of the holiday season.
The Best Sydney Christmas Markets
Best Christmas market in Sydney CBD: Le Jolly Market, Martin Place Christmas Markets
Best Christmas market in Western Sydney: Penrith Christmas Market
Best Christmas market in the Inner West: European Christmas Market
Best Christmas market in Eastern Suburbs: Moore Park Christmas Markets
Best Christmas market in North Sydney: Mosman Christmas Night Market
Best Christmas market on Northern Beaches: Mona Vale Christmas Market
Best Christmas market in South Sydney: Bonnet Bay Christmas Market & Fair
Christmas Markets in Sydney CBD & Surrounds
1. Carriageworks Christmas Market
The Carriageworks Night Markets are popular throughout the year, but the institution peaks with the annual Carriageworks Christmas Market. Fresh produce by some of New South Wales’ finest producers coupled with artisan gifts and goodies means you’ve got a veritable oasis of Christmas cheer in one of Sydney’s most iconic arts spaces.
Scheduled just days before Christmas Day, the market is a great chance to pick up all kinds of produce from meats, cheeses, baked goods, to craft drinks, top-quality dips and even a few ready-to-eat options. There are plenty of flower stalls offering freshly cut blooms as well. For a full list of stallholders at the Carriageworks Christmas Market click through to the official website, linked below.
Where: 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015
When: Saturday, December 21; 8am – 3pm
Price: Free
2. Martin Place Christmas Markets
The long-running Martin Place Christmas Markets lie in the shadow of the tallest Christmas tree in the state, kicking off on November 28 and running up until December 21. Open on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and select Sundays, the markets bring in some of Sydney’s best street food vendors offering up special edition Christmas foods, standing next to artisans offering unique Christmas gifts and other classics to get you in the mood.
A rotating program of musicians, carollers and street performers help bring the markets to life. And with the Martin Place Christmas Tree all lit up, it’s one of the most iconic sights Sydney has each December.
Where: Martin Pl, Sydney NSW 2000
When: November 28 – December 21; 11am – 9pm
Price: Free
martinplacechristmasmarkets.com.au
3. Le Jolly Market
Le Jolly Market is the closest thing Sydney gets to a European Christmas market each year, fashioned towards the French style with wooden chalets, artisan Christmas gifts, pop-up French wines, and most importantly, melted cheese stations. Yes, you’ve got artisan market stalls and street food vendors like just about every other Christmas market in Sydney, but you can also munch on duck confit sandwiches and dip crispy pieces of bread into cheesy fondue.
Christmas jazz classics and carols around a large Christmas tree help build up the atmosphere, which takes in Belmore Park near Central Station over multiple weekends before Christmas Day. With five wine bars and over 40 food stalls, it’s easy to mark this one as the ultimate European Christmas market in Sydney.
Where: Hay St, Haymarket NSW 2000
When: December 13 – 22
Price: Free
4. Christmas at the Cathedral
St Mary’s Cathedral is one of the most endearing icons of Christmas in Sydney. The way the heritage church lights up each year is inspiring and the perfect mood-setter for a nice little market sprawl in the church square. Head along between December 12 and Christmas Day to find a generous spread of food and drink stalls, as well as a few stallholders selling holiday gifts.
The Christmas lights display at the St Mary’s Cathedral is one of Sydney’s most beloved holiday traditions. This year, the festivities will return with lights, carols, plenty of food and drink stalls and stallholders selling holiday gifts each night from 5:30pm.
Where: St Mary’s Cathedral, St Marys Rd, Sydney NSW 2000
When: December 12 – 25; 5:30pm – 10:30pm every night
Price: Free
christmasatthecathedral.org.au
5. The Rocks Christmas Markets
Head along to the space between George Street and Playfair Street every Saturday and Sunday for The Rocks Christmas Market. One of Sydney’s most popular markets takes a festive turn each December with local makers and artisans selling distinctive gifts under a 7-metre-tall Christmas Tree given a sense of place and purpose with Australian native decorations custom made by First Nations artist Shelby Rae Kschenka.
Grab a hamper at the entry and fill it up with goodies then have it all gift wrapped for $2, which then goes straight to OzHarvest. There are also a bunch of seasonal food and drink stalls, but this Sydney market is primarily for unique Christmas gifts.
Where: George Street and Playfair Street, Sydney NSW 2000
When: November 30 – December 22; every Saturday and Sunday
Price: Free
6. Sydney Fish Markets 36-Hour Seafood Marathon
And the award for most iconic Sydney Christmas tradition goes to…
The Sydney Fish Markets have been the subject of much discussion this year as rapid development is underway to build an entirely new location for next year. That means this is your very last chance to join in on the age-old Sydney tradition of fighting crowds for fresh seafood at 4am on Christmas Eve.
Grab those eskys and load up on all the fresh seafood you can get your hands on as the Sydney Fish Markets 36-hour marathon runs nonstop from 5am on December 23 to 5pm on Christmas Eve. All the vendors stay open during that time, shelling out an impressive amount of fresh seafood for all those Christmas lunches. More than 350 tonnes of seafood leave the market each year and go straight to Sydney homes.
Where: Corner Pyrmont Bridge Rd and Bank St, Pyrmont NSW 2000
When: December 23-24; 5pm – 5am
Price: Free
7. Good Food & Wine Show Christmas Market
The Good Food & Wine Show Christmas Market is the first major holiday markets that kick off the entire season. Taking over Carriageworks for a weekend, the family-friendly market has over 150 producers showcasing their finest work. It’s a great way to stock up on food, wine and hard-to-find gifts well before the Christmas rush even starts.
Where: Carriageworks; 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015
When: November 22-24
Price: Free
Christmas Markets in Western Sydney
8. Parramatta Christmas Market
The nomadic Cambridge Christmas Markets will once again pop around to various suburbs across Sydney, bringing with them over 50 stallholders with unique gifts for everyone. One of the first stops on the schedule is the city of Parramatta, with Parramatta Christmas Market set for November 28 to coincide with the lighting of a spectacular sixteen-metre-tall Christmas tree. Expect live music and festive carollers to help get everybody in the mood.
There are also a series of Christmas-themed Farmers Markets set for Parramatta on each weekend leading up to Christmas Day.
Where: Centenary Square, Parramatta NSW 2150
When: November 28; 3:30pm – 7:30pm
Price: Free
9. Penrith Christmas Market
The popular Penrith Paceway Christmas Markets are back for another year of festive fun. From 10am to 3pm on December 8, you’ll find the horse raceway turned into a Christmas Market Zone with plenty of stalls selling unique and handcrafted gifts. It’s also a great way to try some local food vendors that don’t regularly make it out to the city—a great reason to head on out to Greater Western Sydney.
Where: Level 1, 127-141 Station Street, Penrith NSW 2750
When: December 8; 10am – 3pm
Price: Free
Christmas Markets in Inner West
10. Rhodes Christmas Festival
Taking over Rhodes Foreshore Park for one day only is the annual Rhodes Christmas Festival. It’s mostly a locals-only affair, but visitors would be wise to head on down (maybe after an Ikea treasure hunt) and enjoy the waterfront views as they weave through fresh produce and hot foods.
Where: Rhodes Foreshore Park; LOT 142 Shoreline Dr, Rhodes NSW 2138
When: November 23; 10am to 4pm
Price: Free
11. European Christmas Market
For one day only, Ashfield turns into a non-specific European wonderland. You could be anywhere from Krakow to Warsaw when The Polish Club welcomes the European Christmas Market, emphasising community spirit with a great deal of hot food, craft foods, services and entertainment. There will be more than 25 festive stalls, but you won’t find most of these businesses at other Christmas markets in Sydney.
Some highlights are Blue Wren, Polish Design Store, Shannon Lewis Ceramics, Rarity Hut and Linen & Felt. Then you’ve got live entertainment from Fechtschule Sankt Peter. Don’t miss the Polish sword demonstrations at 2pm, following by carollers at 3pm. It all ends with an epic Boho Tokyo Trio blues and roots jam session in the Members Lounge.
Where: The Polish Club; 182 Liverpool Rd, Ashfield NSW 2131
When: December 1; 10am – 4pm
Price: Free
12. ClayGround Christmas Ceramic Market
As far as Christmas markets in Sydney go, you can’t get any more niche than the annual ClayGround Christmas Ceramic Market. Every year the ClayGrounds in Rosebery sell works from over 100 practising artists who use the studio each year, lifting the vibe with DJs and ceramic making demonstrations while Christmas shoppers browse for unique gifts.
Even if you only harbour a fleeting interest in pottery, it’s always worth heading along in the afternoon to see what kinds of gifts you can pick up, offering items you wouldn’t find anywhere else in Sydney. Entry is free and you can pick up some ceramics from as little as $5.
Where: 601 Botany Rd, Rosebery NSW 2018
When: November 24, 10am – 4pm
Price: Free
13. Burwood Christmas Market
Cambridge Markets will pop up in Burwood on Saturday, December 14, morphing into the local atmosphere with local stalls, entrainment and family friendly entertainment to help lift the local spirit ahead of Christmas Day.
Where: 127/133 Burwood Rd, Burwood NSW 2134
When: December 14, 12pm – 9pm
Price: Free
Christmas Markets in Eastern Suburbs
14. Woollahra Hotel Christmas Market
Woollahra Hotel turns it on each year for Christmas with a nice, simple little Christmas Market bringing together 20 local businesses to help showcase the community’s best gifts. The bar also serves up themed cocktails and brings in some live music to make a day of it, helping highlight local favourites like Woollahra Bookshop and Victor Churchill.
Where: 116 Queen Street, Woollahra NSW 2025
When: Thursday, November 28; from 4pm
Price: Free
15. Moore Park Christmas Markets
Head on over to The Entertainment Quarter for the complex’s own version of a Christmas market. The annual market is one of the biggest outside of Sydney CBD, with one morning and afternoon of unique gifts, fresh food, Christmas carols and kid-friendly entertainment like face painting and Santa photos.
Where: The Entertainment Quarter; 122 Lang Rd, Moore Park NSW 2021
When: December 15; 9am – 3pm
Christmas Markets in North Sydney
16. Mosman Christmas Night Market
Mosman’s popular Christmas Night Market is back with over 150 art and craft stalls and a reasonable spread of gourmet food vendors. The leafy, well-to-do suburb comes alive with the festive spirit each year with many of the streets around Mosman putting on a show. It all comes to a head on December 12, with a yuletide atmosphere taking over Mosman Square and Village Green in Spit Junction.
The North Shore night market is known for going overboard with fairy lights, but it helps build up a great vibe as locals and visitors shop for homewares, jewellery, textiles, ceramics and other gifts.
Where: 4/8 Myahgah Rd, Mosman NSW 2088
When: December 12; 4:30 – 9pm
Price: Free
17. Kirribilli Christmas Market
Alfred Street will welcome the Kirribilli Christmas Market on December 14, transforming the usual Kirribilli Markets with a slight festive twist. Although it’s very much business as usual here, with all the Kirribilli Market favourites showing out with over 220 specialty stalls taking care of your Xmas shopping a few weeks before Santa begins invading people’s homes (in a good way).
Where: 70-72 Alfred St S, Milsons Point NSW 2061
When: December 14; 8:30am – 3pm
Price: Free
18. Le Marche French Christmas Market
Le Santa will be on show as the monthly Le March French Markets in the quaint, family-friendly suburb of Willoughby is dressed with holiday cheer. The local favourite will fill the historic grounds of Laurelbank with all things French, transporting guests straight to the streets of Montbeliard with food, drink and craft goods all curated with a European touch.
Where: 85 Penshurst St, Willoughby NSW 2068
When: November 24
19. The St Ives Christmas Market
The boutique Eat Shop Love Christmas market pops up once a year at St Ives Showground, typically sporting a finer touch for locals looking for lavish Christmas gifts across handmade products and boutique fashion. The communal spirit is what makes this one such a beautiful, relaxed Christmas market worth travelling outside of Sydney CBD for. You’ll also find plenty of family-friendly entertainment rolling around to a soundtrack of live music.
Where: St Ives Showground, 450 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives
When: December 7-8; 3pm – 9 pm (Saturday), 10am – 3pm (Sunday)
Christmas Markets on Northern Beaches
20. Mona Vale Christmas Market
The local Mona Vale community take over Village Park on Sunday, December 15, attracting over 8,000 visitors with more than 100 stallholders across food, drink and Christmas gifts. The difference here is the carnival-like vibe, toasting to the end of the year with nonstop entertainment and music, as well as rides for the kids.
Where: 1A Park St, Mona Vale NSW 2103
When: December 15
21. Narrabeen Christmas Market
The beautiful Lakeside Park in Narrabeen welcomes a very relaxed, beautiful Christmas market on Sunday, December 1. Organised by the Northern Beaches Council, these Christmas markets only pop up from 8am to 2pm, bringing 60 market stalls as well as 3 food trucks and live entertainment. The pet-friendly vibe makes it a fun day out, and there’s free photos with Santa himself from 8:30am all afternoon.
Where: 39 Lake Park Rd, North Narrabeen NSW 2101
When: December 1; 8am – 2pm
Christmas Markets in South Sydney
22. Bonnet Bay Christmas Market & Fair
With a wide range of market stalls, the Bonnet Bay Christmas Market Fair is one of the few pop-ins for Santa on the Sutherland Shire. South Sydney doesn’t have many Christmas markets each year, even though the surroundings suburbs are incredible for Christmas lights.
Thankfully, these November markets spread plenty of festive cheer so shoppers can get their Xmas gifts all locked in before the holiday rush. You’ve got a range of unique gifts and local foods, and a lot of old-school fair games to keep big and little kids entertainment throughout the day.
Where: 34R Tudar Road, Bonnet Bay NSW 2226
When: November 30; 10am – 4pm
Price: Gold coin donation
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