THE PURPOSE PRECINCT
Australia’s first dedicated social enterprise precinct has opened at Queen Vic Market – providing Victorians with a new socially-conscious shopping hub to explore ahead of the festive season.
Located in the heart of the Market, the Purpose Precinct features 100 local social enterprises selling homewares, clothing, food and gifts; from purpose-led businesses like Clothing the Gaps, Mildura Chocolate Company, Green Collect and Free to Feed.
Operating in the Market’s F Shed Laneway, the Purpose Precinct has a strong focus on sustainability with many products made from recycled or repurposed goods and materials. Each purpose helps to improve communities, providing people with access to employment and training, or helping the environment through meaningful change.
- Open: Tuesday and Thursday to Sunday
- Where: F Shed, Queen Victoria Market
SUMMER NIGHT MARKET
The highly anticipated Summer Night Market returns every Wednesday night starting from 22 November to 13 March (excluding 27 December) with this season featuring more than 100 traders.
From 5pm to 10pm each Wednesday, the Market’s iconic open-air sheds will fill with the sights, sounds and scents of summer. Market-goers will dive straight into a summer wonderland for the first month (22 Nov – 20 Dec), featuring a lush Christmas tree forest and roving Santa Claus; plus a line-up of festive entertainment including carollers and a DJ spinning Christmas classics.
HIGHLIGHT FOOD & DRINK:
- It’s Off Tap: Melbourne’s infamous chocolate covered strawberries make their Summer Night Market debut dishing up what is sure to be a season favourite.
- Nepal Dining Room: Making their long-awaited Summer Night Market return, the team will be plating up juicy momos (chicken or vegan) plus chilli chicken stir-fry and slow-cooked pork belly.
- Running Bull Sangria: A summer staple, the Running Bull team is back with their traditional recipe all the way from Spain.
- HOY PINOY: Serving authentic Filipino street food – think grilled corn cobs with chilli, soy-glazed chicken skewers and pork belly skewers in a banana ketchup glaze.
- Night Market Festival Bars: Visit the ‘Happiness is Mojito’ bar for refreshing mojitos including classic lime, apple strawberry, orange mango or watermelon slushie. Each flavour is also available as a mocktail.
- Open: Every Wednesday from 22 November to 13 March (excluding 27 December)
- Time: 5pm-10pm
- Where: Queen Victoria Market, corner of Queen and Therry Streets, Melbourne
- Price: Free entry with food, drinks and goods available for purchase
CRFT*WRK MELBOURNE CRAFT FAIR
CRFT*WRK Melbourne Craft Fair – a celebration of locally-made craft – makes its monthly return to Queen Vic Market on Saturday 25 November
Curated by the team behind The Rose Street Artists’ Market, experience a totally unique craft fair showcasing independent makers under the one roof. The line-up features art, ceramics, jewellery, embroidery, macrame, ethical textiles, homewares, artisan perfume, dog accessories and lots more.
- When:
- Saturday 25 November
- Saturday 16 December
- Time: 9am-4pm
- Where: C & D Sheds (Peel Street end), Queen Victoria Market
- Price: Free entry
SOUL SUNDAYS
Taking place bi-monthly at Queen Vic Market, Soul Sundays brings together a curated line-up of Melbourne’s best holistic practitioners – think tarot readers, astrologers, palmists, reiki and other assorted healers. This is your chance to treat yourself to a healing session and boost your wellbeing (and soul) as the weather warms up.
- When: Sunday 26 November
- Time: 9am-4pm
- Where: D Shed (Peel Street end), Queen Victoria Market
SUSTAINABLE SHOPPING TOUR
In celebration of National Recycling Week (and the Market’s wonderful sustainability achievements), Queen Vic Market is hosting a Sustainable Shopping Tour on Thursday 30 November.
The two-hour guided tour will share what Queen Vic Market is doing behind-the-scenes to reduce its environmental footprint. Meet some of the traders who are embracing a sustainable philosophy while enjoying generous tastings while you pick-up tips on how to become a more conscious shopper.
Market traders on the tour will include The Hemp Superstore; Vic Market Soapbox; Wendy Voon Knits; Hagen’s Organic Meats; and The Chicken Pantry.
- When: Thursday 30 November
- Time: 10am-12pm
- Price: $5 per person
- Tickets: Book here
SEAFOOD LOVERS TOUR
There’s no better place to indulge in Melbourne’s freshest seafood than at Queen Victoria Market. Learn from friendly and experienced fishmongers about the many ways to prepare, cook and preserve seafood before filling up on the finest produce Victoria has to offer.
This two hour guided tour includes generous tastings of a selection of fresh and preserved seafood. From oysters to African ‘salmon candy,’ this limited offer is not to be missed.
- When: Saturday 2 December and Saturday 9 December
- Time: 10am-12pm
- Price: $99
- Tickets: Bookings are essential – book here
MYSTERY NIGHT AT MARY MARTIN BOOKSHOP
Join a mystery author and their mystery book for a festive night at Mary Martin Bookshop. Get into the holiday spirit with a glass of wine and a lively discussion on the author’s inspiration behind their book before leaving with your own signed copy.
- When: Wednesday 5 December
- Time: 6:15pm-7:30pm
- Where: String Bean Alley, Queen Victoria Market
- Price: $50
- Includes: Mystery book, glass of wine, moderated author session with signing
- Tickets: Bookings are essential – book here
QUEEN VINTAGE
Back by popular demand, discover timeless treasures Queen Vintage’s second installment – a curated line-up of Melbourne’s best vintage and pre-loved retailers where every item has a story to tell.
Wander the Market’s iconic open-air sheds and laneways to discover stalls brimming with nostalgia from right across the world and spanning as far back as the 1940s. Everything from vintage high fashion threads and statement jewellery pieces; to old-school pro sportswear, sneakers and personally upcycled pieces.
A pop-up cocktail bar, delicious food vendors plus a DJ will round out the festivities.
- When: Saturday 9 December
- Time: 9am-4pm
- Where: C & D Shed, Queen Victoria Market
- Price: Free entry
ULTIMATE FOODIE TOUR
The Market’s Ultimate Foodie Tour is a delicious and fascinating two-hour guided walking tour of the iconic Queen Vic Market. Taste the freshest produce, discover unique ingredients, learn tips and tricks for shopping and cooking, discover the Market’s history and meet some of the beloved Market traders.
On the guided tour, wander through the heritage-listed Market food halls and visit some of the Market’s best traders, indulging in an abundance of food as you go. The tour includes generous tastings and a Market shopping bag.
The Ultimate Foodie Tour is also available as a gift card option making it the perfect Christmas gift for that special foodie in your life. Foodies can get 15% off Thursday and Friday bookings with code ‘FOOD15’ at checkout.
- When: Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday
- Time: 10am-12pm
- Price: $99
- Tickets: Book Here
MELBOURNE BOOK MARKET
Melbourne Book Market showcases a collection of more than 5,000 new and pre-loved titles. There is something to interest everyone, with literature, history, gardening, travel, art and kids’ books and quality second-hand vinyl records and CDs on offer.
- When Saturday and Sunday, 9am-4pm
- Where: E Shed (Peel Street end)
- Cost: Free entry with books available for purchase