The Best Markets in Brisbane to Eat, Drink and Shop Your Way Around Throughout Spring 2023

You might have thought that King George Square looks pretty fine during the day and maybe a tad finer at night, but it’s at twilight that City Hall really shows off its colours. And what better backdrop when you’re shopping the evening away — especially when the King George is filled with some of Brisbane’s best designers and makers. The regular Brisbane Twilight Market shows off a sizeable array of stalls, usually more than 60 and all staffed by some pretty nifty and talented local artists.

Returning for 2023 on September 22, October 27 and November 10 15, the event will host an eclectic selection of items, so prepare to browse and buy. You’ll be perusing handmade clothing, accessories, leather goods, paper goods, homewares, art and ceramics (and more). This market is all about sound, smell and sales — so live music will provide a soundtrack to the evening, expect to be hit with that spring flowerbed smell that always lingers when there’s a soap stall around and, in good news for your stomach, food stalls are also on the agenda.

Image: Brisbane City Council.

Wandering around a market while the sun shines is all well and good, but there’s something extra appealing about the nighttime variety. Happening every Friday and Saturday night in Brisbane’s north, Bite Markets at North Harbour fits the bill. And, it serves up plenty of food, because that’s what every night market attendee really wants. This twice-weekly setup boasts more than 20 ‘flavour makers’ on its lineup, all trying to keep your hunger in check. Fancy a big heap of grilled meats? Sweet treats in the form of chocolates, doughnuts, lollies and poffertjes? Bao, fish ‘n’ chips, bubble tea, pizza, German sausages and teppanyaki? They’re on the menu.

A shipping container setup complete with landscaping and a dining precinct, Bite Markets showcases local talents, so prepare to feast on meals whipped up by the best producers, food creators and artisans in the area. Running from 4–10pm each Friday and Saturday, the huge foodie gathering calls a patch of Nolan Drive in Morayfield home. Dogs are welcome — and for those driving north, there’s more than 600 car parks onsite.

When is a Friday night market more than just a market? When it includes all the food, drinks and stalls you’d expect, and live music, but also pairs them with fire twirlers, stilt walkers and fortune tellers — and a neon forest and a jumping castle. That’s all on the bill at West End’s way to farewell the working week, Westoria.

The vibe: weird, wild and wonderful, plus night market-meets-playground. That’s the mood and attitude attendees can expect during the event’s 2023 season — running from 4–10pm on Friday nights on Jane Street next to the regular West End Markets site. The idea is for different sights, sounds and smells to await at every turn, whether you’re keen for a bite to eat, something to sip or to take in the roving performances — or, ideally, all of the above. Freshly shucked oysters, a City Winery pop-up bar, tunes echoing from the outdoor stage: get ready for them all. Also, you can head by from 2–8pm on Sundays as well.

If one person’s trash is another man’s treasure, then a trunk full of junk may as well be a treasure chest. Suitcase Rummage gets that when it comes to shopping, secondhand reaps the best bang for your buck. For years, it has been hosting regular events around town — and it’s still going strong in 2023.

Next unpacking its bags from 12pm on Sunday, October 1 and Sunday, October 15 — then on Sunday, November 5 and Sunday, November 19 as well — at Reddacliff Place, Suitcase Rummage features a crowd of open suitcases filled with the type of clothes, knick-knacks and craft you probably don’t need but definitely deserve. And, if you’ve got a pile of unwanted bits and pieces that someone else could love, you could always take your own suitcase along. Those who wanting to sell their wares must register — and you’ll also pay for ‘stall’. You can bring up to three suitcases, so you can lug in all those shoes you’ve been promising to wear but certainly will not.

Image: Suitcase Rummage.

Fashion, art, homewares and handcrafted goods as far as the eye can see — that’s The Village Markets. A Gold Coast favourite ever since setting up shop over a decade ago, this regular browsing and buying mecca combines a specially curated stall lineup with food, drinks, live local music and creative workshops, plus a super relaxed vibe.

In fact, TVM hasn’t just spent ten years slinging wares. On Sunday, October 1, this market is celebrating its 15th birthday. How? With a festival that’s worth driving down the highway to Burleigh Heads for from 8.30am–1pm. Given how the year is creeping by, the event will be perfect for anyone looking for a gift — for others, and for themselves — as Christmas approaches. TVM usually boasts everything from colourful dresses to luxe jewellery and accessories for your pupper across its stalls, plus its famed pre-loved designer and vintage rack sales. For this occasion, there’ll be even more sellers than usual, including success stories from over the years.

Image: Soda Photography.

The chef behind of Brisbane’s favourite Japanese eateries is opening an izakaya at one of the River City’s top new events for 2023. The figure: Taro Akimoto from Taro’s Ramen, one of Brissie’s best spots to get slurping. The new venture: a pop-up at Brisbane Powerhouse. And the event: Night Feast, the neon-lit night food market that returns for a month of delicious dishes in October.

Akimoto is joining forces with Sapporo for Sapporo Izakaya by Taro, one of the new additions to Night Feast’s second season from Wednesday, October 4–Sunday, October 29. The chef responsible for Taro’s Ramen’s four outposts will be in charge of the menu, while Sapporo ambassador and beer sensei Shinichiro Shimo will pair his dishes with brews, all in a space that’s been designed and crafted to bring a classic Japanese restaurant experience to New Farm’s riverside. And, that’s just one of Night Feast’s upcoming October highlights. Some others: Donna Chang, Gerard’s Bistro, E’cco Bistro, Dalton Catering, Saison Salumi, LouisB, Lek’s Thai, Mary Mae’s, Hoy Pinoy, Wonderbao, Anchelee, Bugsters, Essa, Nota, Southside, Bar Alto, The Green and Nosferatu Gin (who’ll also be doing dessert).

Image: Lachlan Douglas.

Any weekend is a good weekend to shop for plants at the Brisbane Markets, the old faithful of the Brissie market scene. That said, Saturday, October 7 will be better than ever thanks to a returning event: Plantapalooza. It’s the fourth time that the Rocklea spot has held a plant festival and, running from 6am–1pm, that’s something to get excited about. You’ll still find the venue’s regular 100-stall-plus market array, but it’ll be joined by thousands of extra indoor and outdoor plants, as well as plenty of flowers and succulents — and demonstrations from horticulture experts to help you put your green thumb to work.

Spring is well and truly in swing, so if you’ve been putting off getting into the garden, here’s your motivation. Or, if you’d like to brighten up your house with a potted piece of nature, here’s your chance as well. Remember: there’s absolutely nothing wrong with giving a name to your favourite houseplant.

The BrisStyle team is a rather busy bunch, putting on markets around Brisbane with frequency. If you’re particularly after a treasure trove of handmade goodies — and who isn’t? — then you’ll want to hit up its opportunity to browse and buy that’s dedicated to exactly those kinds of objects. Fashion, art, jewellery, homewares: if someone’s been using their nimble fingers to make it, then you can probably trade your hard-earned cash for their hard work. In fact, there’ll be more than 50 artisans selling their wares. And, while you’re shopping, you’ll also be able to grab a bite at the onsite cafe and listen to live tunes from local musos.

The Handmade Markets always take place on Saturdays, so mark Saturday, October 7 and Saturday, November 4 in your calendar now. Head along from 9am–2pm, with it all taking place in the Queensland Museum’s whale mall.

Images: BrisStyle.

On any given Saturday morning across Brisbane, plenty of pooches can be found descending upon the city’s markets. Come 6am–12pm on Saturday, October 14 in Carseldine, dog lovers and their furry four-legged BFFs will be doing what they usually do — with the added bonus of attending the northside spot’s returning Barktoberfest. What do cute canines have to do with celebrating this time of year? Nothing, but don’t let that get in the way of a dapper doggo-friendly morning out.

In addition to the usual food and fresh produce, an array of pet-related stalls will ramp up the fun to barking great levels. There’ll also be a pupper fashion parade and a pawparazzi photo contest (to determine just which canine cutie friend is the most adorable). Also on the lineup this year is canine cool-down station with pools. It is getting warm again, after all, and we’re betting that your pupper also feels the heat. Dog-focused demonstrations, pupper prizes — they’re all on offer, too, and live entertainment is part of the 200-plus-stall market as well.

Do you usually leave your gift purchasing until the last minute? Have you vowed to finally do better this year? Would you like to buy Christmas presents for all of your friends and family members all at once, and in the one spot — even if you currently have zero idea of what you’ll get them? Enter The Made Local Market, which is like Etsy IRL, and is hitting Brisbane this spring to lend a hand with your festive shopping. Get a jump on Christmas more than a month early or treat yo’self; whichever fits, you’ll have plenty to browse and buy.

In the spotlight here: artisans, makers, artists and designers in local communities, with The Made Local Market giving them the opportunity to sell their creations in a physical space. So, whether you’re on the hunt for handmade wares or vintage goods, these guys have got you covered. The market will take place in the Exhibition Building at the Brisbane Showgrounds from 9am–4pm on Saturday, November 4 and 9am–3pm on Sunday, November 5, spreading across two days. Because it focuses on the best local talent, every market is filled with different stallholders and unique creations, but there’ll be more than 140 stalls at this one.

Calling all vegans and vegan-curious folk: The Vegan Market is coming to Brisbane for three big spring days from Friday, November 10–Sunday, November 12. Arriving just in time for festive shopping, and across the same weekend that the Boho Luxe Christmas Market is also on at The Old Museum in Bowen Hills, this event serves up wall-to-wall vegan food and locally designed items.

You’ll find businesses selling plant-based wares everywhere — everything from bites and sips to jewellery and ethical clothing. Vegan cacao, vegan ice-cream, vegan threads: they’re all here. Sustainability will also be front of mind, including when it comes to fashion. And, there’ll be vegan cosmetics and skincare items as well. Books and crafts are on the lineup, too, as are vegan candles. Fancy sipping vegan hot cocoa? Getting your fortune read? That’s also on offer. Head by from 5–9pm on the Friday, 9am–5pm on the Saturday and 9am–3pm on the Sunday.

Image: Marie-Luise Skibbe.

At Boho Luxe Market (the event’s term, not ours), Byron Bay comes to Brisbane. Well, the beachy New South Wales spot’s general vibe does at least. Forgoing the trappings of the city for bohemian fashion, jewellery, homewares and the like is on the market’s agenda, and has been since it made the jump from Melbourne to Brisbane in 2019. Clearly we responded well to three days of dreamcatchers and flower crowns — because it keeps coming back again and again, including in 2023 right in the lead up to festive season.

If that sounds like your kind of thing, then block out Friday, November 10–Sunday, November 12 in your diary for the market’s Christmas event. The Boho Luxe Market will head to The Old Museum for a weekend of browsing and buying, food trucks, live music and more. A picnic spot decked out boho-style and pop-up bars are also part of the fun. Usually there’s also be a dedicated vegan section, plus a kombi display and glamping providers tempting you into booking your next holiday — so fingers crossed they’ll return.

Image: Samee Lapham.

Ah, gluten. Scourge of coeliacs, this humble wheat protein has been making life difficult for as long as we’ve been eating sliced bread. But fortunately for all the folks out there with gluten intolerances, VEND Marketplace in Virginia will be a gluten-free zone for a day. At the Gluten-Free Pop-Up Market from 10am–3pm on Saturday, November 11 mobile food vendors will set up their stalls and roll in their trucks to sling tasty treats without a single bit of wheat, rye or barley in sight.

At earlier events, SoCal Tacos,  The Dagwood Dog Guy, King of the Wings and Big J Woodfired Pizza were among the eateries making an appearance, alongside OMG Donuts, Roll It Ice Cream, Golden Churros and Mama Mac’s Macarons — and others. There’ll also be a number of stalls selling a variety of gluten-free products to take home, so you can stock your pantry as well. The dog-friendly event will let you take advantage of VEND’s usual 130-plus small businesses, too, for a stint of shopping with your gluten-free eats. The November timing? Yes, that’s perfect for Christmas shopping.

Stanthorpe is known to celebrate its apples and grapes, hosting an entire festival that’s all about the two kind of fruit. But they aren’t the only types of only fresh produce that the town, and the Granite Belt region, is famous for. So, that’s where the Stanthorpe Berry Festival comes in.

Returning for 2023 on Saturday, November 18 at Weerona Park, this sure-to-be-colourful events adores berries in all their forms — but especially strawberries, raspberries and blueberries grown locally. Yes, you know what you’ll be eating (and plenty of it), including strawberry ice cream. The festival also features berry food stalls, boutique markets, chefs hitting the stage, a competition to find the best strawberry or mixed berry jam, and a scones and jam eating food-eating contest. Or, you can get sipping thanks to the region’s wineries and brewers, meet berry farmers, listen to live tunes and take part in a berry-themed dress up.