You can’t beat Wellington Markets for a cheap and cheerful outing with the kids. We are incredibly lucky to have a wonderful choice of markets in our region. Each market has its own unique atmosphere and having such a wide choice means that there is something on offer to suit everyone. So, whether you are shopping for this week’s fresh fruit and veggies, or looking for a unique gift for someone special, the markets listed below are definitely worth a visit. What better way to spend a lazy day, out and about with your family?!
Harbourside Wellington Markets
Location: Cnr Barnett & Cable St, beside Te Papa
Open on Sundays from 7.30am to 2pm in Summer, Harbourside Market is the oldest Wellington markets and has served customers in the area since 1920. Reportedly the most popular market in Wellington, Harbourside market offers a wide variety of different foods from over 50 stalls so there is plenty to choose from. Whether you are looking to buy your weekly fresh fruit and veggies, for a delicious breakfast or lunch, or simply to wander through looking for something new and tasty to try, you are bound to find something that takes your fancy here. The majority of stalls offer EFTPOS facilities, which makes paying for your treasures easy as. With entertainment provided by a variety of buskers throughout the year, this market will be a hit for family members of all ages.
Artisan Craft Market
Various locations: Currently Wharewaka Events Centre, Pātaka in Porirua, and Lower Hutt Events Centre. More locations being added in 2022.
Running once a month on a Sunday from 10am to 4pm, the Artisan Craft Market is a Welling market for creative artisans to showcase and promote their locally made products. With over 130 stalls run by local artists and creators, there’s bound to be something to please everyone in your family. Praised for its lovely atmosphere, this market is well organised, and its stalls feature a vast array of talent. Perfect for a wander through to find unique, quality products and gift items. Stalls display jewellery, handcrafted soy wax candles, homewares, prints, original artworks and much, much more. Definitely worth a visit!
Thorndon Farmer’s Market
Location: Hill Street carpark of the Cathedral of St Paul, Thorndon
Running every Saturday from 8.30am to 12.30pm, Thorndon Farmer’s Market is THE market to visit for seasonal produce, freshly caught fish, boutique meat and local artisan producers. With a focus on local products and producers, this market provides a wonderful opportunity for you to connect with some of the most passionate food producers in the region. In fact, this market prides itself on selling food with provenance. The stallholders here know their produce and what goes on behind the scenes to produce it. Delight in the entertainment of regular buskers, grab yourself a coffee and a delicious breakfast from the food trucks, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere that is the Thorndon Farmer’s Market.
Riverbank Wellington Markets
Location: 50/56 Rutherford Street, Lower Hutt
www.facebook.com/RiverbankMarketLowerHutt
Held on Saturdays from 6am to 2pm, Riverbank Market, unsurprisingly, is held on the banks of the Hutt River, over the Stop Bank in Lower Hutt. This is one of the most popular Wellington markets and a one-stop-shop for fresh fruit and veggies, fish, meat and bread. There’s a range of food trucks serving coffee and food from around the globe, and buskers to entertain you as you shop and eat. There are also a few arts, crafts and clothing stalls, so it’s well worth a visit, especially if you enjoy the hustle and bustle of a busy market.
Porirua Saturday Wellington Markets
Location: Niagara Street, Waitangirua, Porirua
www.facebook.com/PoriruaSaturdayMarket
Porirua Saturday Market runs every Saturday (surprise, surprise!) from 8am to 2pm. This market is set up at the Waitangirua Mall carpark, and goes ahead no matter what the weather! This is a popular market, full of hustle and bustle, and if you enjoy immersing yourself in different cultures, music and flavours, this could be just the market for you. Run by the Titahi Bay Lions Club, this market is described on their Facebook page as a “large, busy and popular market with strong Polynesian and Asian flavour – ethnic food, bric-a-brac, clothing, fresh produce and Pacific Island crafts. Popular and traditional Pacific Island music as well as current tunes [can be heard] from several stalls.” They are hoping to expand further and particularly want to attract more arts and crafts stalls, even so it’s worth a visit to sample the food alone!
Brooklyn Community Wellington Markets
Location: Brooklyn Community Centre, 18 Harrison St, Brooklyn
www.facebook.com/brooklyncommunitycentre
Brooklyn Community Market is held quarterly, on a Saturday, from 12pm to 4pm in the afternoon. There are heaps of stalls with a wide range of products including art, jewellery, beeswax wraps, handmade soaps, resin gifts, candles, crystals, pottery, recycled timber gifts, honey, preserves, fruit and veggies, plants, clothes and more. If you or (more likely) your kids are hungry, there’s a range of food and drinks for you to enjoy – and even a sausage sizzle. However, the absolute best thing is that there is face painting and a bouncy castle to keep the kids happy, and makes these markets fun for everyone!
Although Wellington markets have been been deeply disrupted by the Covid 19 Level changes this year, they hope to be back stronger than ever in 2022 so it’ll definitely be worth keeping an eye on their Facebook page to check for market dates next year.
Tawa Pop-Up Wellington Markets
Location: 35 Oxford Street, Tawa
www.facebook.com/thepopupmarketnz
This is a monthly (April to December) Pop-Up Market in Tawa, which runs on a Saturday from 10am to 2pm. Situated close to the New World atrium, this market specialises in all things arts and crafts, and features a variety of locally handcrafted products and quality sourced goods. Come and discover the amazing collection of handcrafted jewellery, artisan soaps, candles, clothing, homeware, knitted items, books, artwork, wooden ornaments and toys to name but a few.
Again, this market has been disrupted by the Covid 19 Level changes this year, but it will definitely be worth a visit when it starts up again in April 2022.
Newtown Fruit & Vegetable Wellington Markets
Location: Newtown School, Mein Street, Newtown
www.facebook.com/NewtownVegeMarket
Newtown Fruit and Vegetable Market is held at Newtown School. Open from 7am to 2pm every Saturday, this market sells fresh, locally grown produce at reasonable prices. The fruit and veggies on display make for a vibrant and colourful marketplace. There are often buskers performing live music and, before too long after opening, the atmosphere is bustling. There are also food trucks and stalls where you can buy breakfast or a snack after grabbing yourself a fresh bargain.
The Newtown Vintage & Craft Market
Location: Newtown School Hall, 16 Mein Street, Newtown
www.facebook.com/thenewtownvintagecraftmarket
Another gem in Newtown AND at the same location as the Fruit & Veggie Market! The Newtown Vintage and Craft Market is a unique, community-focussed market held on the first and second Saturday of every month, from 9am to 2pm. Featuring vintage stalls, local arts and fabulous crafts, this market gets bigger and stronger every month! With items such as clothes, arts, antiques, jewellery and books on offer, you are bound to find something you love. You may even find a that unique and quirky object you have been searching for. Just a heads up, cash is preferred for purchases at this market!
Petone Indoor Wellington Markets
Location: Petone Central School, 16 Britannia Street
www.facebook.com/PetoneIndoorMarkets
The Petone Indoor Markets are a series of artisan markets, featuring local, handcrafted items. They are held every Saturday at Petone Central School, from 10am to 2pm. Featuring a diverse group of talented craft makers, the items on offer include handcrafted soap, jewellery, crocheted toys, tote bags, dog toys, beeswax wraps, baby blankets and outfits, DIY health kits, and many, many more. There are baked goods, confectionary and barista coffee at every event; the proceeds from which go to the Outpawed Rescue Trust.
This market was also disrupted by the Covid 19 Level changes this year, but started back up in November. Now that it’s up and running again, it’s definitely worth a visit. Pop along and treat yourself or a loved one to something beautifully handmade.
