It’s that time of the year again; supermarkets are cranking the Chrissy carols and twinkling lights of red and green are an unescapable vision, whether you like it or not. But if you’re into the festivities that complement the silly season, then Christmas markets are the place to be for the whole joyous kit and kaboodle. We’ve put together a list of ten poppin’ Christmas markets in and around Adelaide that might just be up your alley – take a look.
1. Christmas Gift Market – Plant 3 and 4 Bowden
On Sunday 11 December from 9am until 3pm, the Plant 3 and Plant 4 Bowden warehouses will be host to their Christmas Gift Market. The annual Chrissy-do will be packed to the rafters with local artisans who spin, weave, grow, create, and construct delightful handmade gifts and goodies.
Along with the wares, there’ll be a festive glow to the iconic Bowden sheds with great music and even greater multicultural food options going ’round, plus plenty of indoor and outdoor spaces to plonk ye toosh. And to wash it all down, the Plant 3 and Plant 4 bars will be pouring South Australian wines, local craft beer, cold pressed juice and kombucha from tap, and whipping up cocktails using Adelaide’s finest distilled liquids. The Christmas Gift Market is a free event for all ages to enjoy.
Location: Plant 3 and Plant 4, Bowden
Price: Free
2. Twilight Christmas Market – Prospect
On Saturday 26 November from 3:30pm until 7:30pm, the Paisley Park Early Learning Centre in Prospect will be enlivened with their Twilight Christmas Market. The community event will see a variety of local stallholders showcasing their stuffs, while a whole bunch of entertainment will keep the kids occupied with the likes of an animal farm, a Christmas sensory play, and themed craft workshops. The Paisley Park Chef will also be on site to provide you with some festive refreshments. The Twilight Chritmas Market in Prospect is a free ‘n’ fun event – double the ‘f’ double the fun.
Location: Paisley Park Early Learning Centre, Prospect
Price: Free
3. Gathered Christmas Design Market – Hahndorf
On Friday 9, Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 December from 4pm until 10pm, the Gathered Design Market is making a return to the picturesque German village in the hills, Hahndorf. Just a 20-minute drive up the freeway at Thiele House, over 60 local South Australian designers, artisans, and small businesses will gather to provide you with a range of homewares, candles, flowers, jewellery, clothing, garden goods, skincare, and a whole heap more.
You won’t be going hungry either with Mexican, Vietnamese, and Indian cuisine up for grabs, as well as pizza, paella, gozleme, ice cream, bubble tea, crepes, hot donuts and much more, with gluten-free and vegan options available. Entry for the Gathered Christmas Design Market is $2 with part of the proceeds to be donated to Love Out Loud Christmas Appeal – but kids are free!
Location: Thiele House, Hahndorf
Price: Adults $2, kids free
4. Adelady + Gathered Christmas Market – Adelaide
On Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 December from 4pm until 10pm, the Adelady + Gathered Christmas Market will bring the Chrissy cheers to the heart of Adelaide’s city centre. The al fresco space of Victora Square/Tarndanyangga is set to host 100 local South Australian creators around the base of the mammoth Christmas tree on the square – big festive energy incoming.
Locally made food and drinks will be on site too, as well as a bar area so you can enjoy a bevvy where the vibes are right. Kids workshops, face painting and live performed Christmas carols by GOSPO Collective choir won’t be an unusual sight either, plus a sneak peek of a coupla next year’s Fringe shows too. Entry into the Adelady + Gathered Christmas Market is a free affair and one of the best Christmas markets Adelaide is conjuring up.
Location: Victora Square/Tarndanyangga
Price: Free
5. Christmas Market 4 You – Glenelg
Price: Free
6. Magill Sunrise Mega Christmas Market – Paradise
On Sunday 11 December from 9am until 3pm, the whopping space at Paradise’s Campbelltown Memorial Oval will be the temporary home of the Magill Sunrise Mega Christmas Market. On any other day, the Magill Sunrise Market is pretty dang good as is, so their Christmas edition is set to be a hoot.
There’ll be over 40 stalls selling all sorts, delicious food and coffee vans to nourish your tummys, a big ol’ Chrissy raffle, even an apperance from Santa, and a whole heap more, so we’re told. Entry into the Magill Sunrise Mega Christmas Market is well and truly free too – pretty good as far as Christmas markets in Adelaide go, we’d say!
Location: Campbelltown Memorial Oval, Paradise
Price: Free
7. Gilles At The Grounds Gift Bazaar – Wayville
On Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 December between 9am and 3pm at Adelaide Showground, one of Adelaide’s biggest markets, Gilles At The Grounds will host their Christmas edition market, The Gift Bazaar – up there with one of the best Christmas markets in Adelaide.
Held inside the Brick Dairy Pavilion, with mighty fine foods al fresco on the outskirts, you can expect to be greeting by over 120 traders, and a line-up of workshops, carols, and even real Christmas trees up for grabs. Retro and vintage fashion and wares can be found, as usual, and plenty of crafts and things that’ll make wonderful gifts. Gilles At The Grounds Gift Bazaar is a free affair.
Location: Brick Dairy Pavilion, Adelaide Showgrounds, Wayville
Price: Free
8. Christkindlmarkt – Hahndorf
On Friday 16, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 December from 4pm until 11pm, find the Hahndorf Christkindlemarkt on the corner of Main Street and Auricht Road showered in festive fairy lights. Very cute stalls will line the streets with a range of gifts and food, along with entertainment including Carols by Candlelight at 9:15pm each night binging the Christmas spirit.
After a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19, the European-style market really takes the German village to a whole new level. And heck, if it’s a cold ‘n’ rainy day, you might even feel like you’re experiencing a European-esque market in the wintertime. The Hanhdorf Christkindlmarkt is a free for all event.
Location: Corner of Main Street and Auricht Road
Price: Free
9. Glenelg Sunset Market Christmas Edition – Glenelg
On Sunday 27 November from 11am until 8pm, mosey on down to the beach for Glenelg’s Sunset Market Christmas Edition at Colley Reserve. With over 100 stalls to have a squiz, you can find hand-drawn Christmas cards from Daisy Chain Stationary, handmade decorations from Going Knotty, and mouth-watering cookies from Leeroy’s.
The market is also coincidently held on the same day as the Glenelg Christmas Pageant which runs from 10:30am until 11:30am along the iconic Jetty Road strip – there’s plenty of fun to be had by the bay. The Glenelg Sunset Market Christmas Edition is a free event and an Adelaide Christas market that shouldn’t be missed!
Location: Colley Reserve, Glenelg
Price: Free
10. West Torrens Christmas Fare and Market – Thebarton
On Sunday 11 and Sunday 18 December from 3pm until 8pm, the suburbs of Thebarton just a coupla minutes west of the city will be host to the West Torrens Christmas Fare and Market. Both Holland Street and Winwood Street will be cornered off for a street party full of festive fun.
There’ll be market stalls, live music, Christmas crafts, face painting, a bubble show and plenty more. And if you’re feeling peckish, there’ll be Street King Burger, Taco Cartel, Wafflestix, Hokey Pokey Ice cream and Cane – sugar cane juice on site for some satisfying feeds. Entry to the West Torrens Christmas Fare and Market is free.
Location: Holland Street and Winwood Street, Thebarton
Price: Free
11. Paws At Partridge – Glenelg
On Sunday 18 Decemner from 10am until 1pm, Partridge House in Glenelg will be host to Paws at Partridge, a market dedicated to Chrissy for dogs. you’ll be able to browse a variety of market stalls, get in on Q&As, learn the tricks of the trade with a coupla workshops, and help launch a brand new, female-owned business. As you mosey around the market grounds, have a suss of local stalls including, The Woofery Dog Bakery, Holistic Dog, PetZen, and stands featuring dog accessories from South Australian traders. Oh, and of course being a Sunday morning, your fur baby can get a puppachino from The Salty Bagel.
Location: 38 Partridge Street, Glenelg
Price: Free