A guide to the best food festivals and markets in Canberra
Updated 4 Nov 2024
Canberra’s must-visit festivals and markets for food lovers
From the fresh produce sold directly by local farmers at artisan markets to the diverse flavours of multicultural cuisine at the National Multicultural Festival, Canberra offers a delightful culinary experience for every palate. Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or just looking to indulge your taste buds, Canberra’s culinary scene has something special in store for you.
The Forage – Spring Pop Up
Where: Mount Majura Vineyard
When: 9 November 2024, 12pm to 7pm
Experience the best of Canberra and the surrounding region at The Forage, a vibrant food festival showcasing local chefs, food trucks, and artisan vendors. Enjoy diverse tastes and live entertainment in a relaxed, outdoor setting.
Make sure to book tickets to the Cheese & Gin Masterclass, hosted by the experts from The Antipodes Gin Company and Le Cheeserie. Learn the art of pairing as you taste a variety of gins—from classic to craft—and savour complementary cheeses that enhance each sip.
Handmade Market Canberra – Summer
Where: Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC)
When: 13 December 2024, 5pm to 9pm, 14 and 15 December 2024 10am to 4pm
The Handmade Markets are held quarterly, bringing over 260 small Australian designers and producers to Canberra. Once you’ve filled your cart with fashion, ceramics, artworks, accessories and more, make your way to the indoor gourmet food and wine pavilion to recharge and enjoy a bite of something new.
National Multicultural Festival
Where: Canberra city
When: 7 to 9 February 2025
Known as the ‘Multi Culti’ by the locals, this three-day food and cultural extravaganza celebrates more than 170 multicultural communities each year. Stallholders sell their national dishes and specialities, with multicultural groups putting on a range of performances at various locations across the city centre. An explosion of tastes, sights, and sounds not to be missed and sure to please. Get the latest festival info straight to your inbox by subscribing here.
The Little Burley Market
Where: Queen Elizabeth Terrace
When: Saturdays, 9am to 2pm
Set along the serene shores of Lake Burley Griffin, The Little Burley Market makes for a delightful Saturday morning by the water. This thoughtfully curated gourmet food and artisan market offers a feast for the senses, allowing you to savour delicious treats while taking in the sunshine and stunning lake views. Conveniently located near several national cultural attractions including The National Gallery of Australia, National Portrait Gallery of Australia, and Questacon, it’s an ideal starting point for a day of exploration.
Capital Region Farmers Market
Where: EPIC
When: Saturdays, 7am to 11:30am
The largest farmers market held in the Southern Tablelands, the Capital Region Farmers Market is a local favourite and Saturday morning staple in Canberra. More than 100 stallholders sell everything from honey to vegetables and nitrate-free bacon at Exhibition Park each weekend. Come early to snag a loaded bagel, enjoy some live music, and take some of the region’s best produce home with you.
Haig Park Village Markets
Where: Braddon
When: Sundays, 8am to 2pm
An inner-city leafy park boasts one of Canberra’s favourite weekend markets, Haig Park Village Markets. This convenient Braddon location pulls crowds each Sunday morning and sells fresh market produce alongside flowers, coffee, and locally made wares. It’s a lovely place to enjoy a picnic whilst feasting your senses on the culinary delights on offer, before wandering your way into the humming streets of Braddon.
Old Bus Depot Markets
Where: Kingston
When: Sundays, 9:30am to 2:30pm
The iconic Old Bus Depot Markets, held each Sunday, showcase the best local produce, artisan baked goods, and beautiful handmade items. Grab breakfast or lunch at the market before heading next door to the Canberra Glassworks and exploring the rest of Kingston and the foreshore’s boutiques, book shops, and cornucopia of restaurants and cafés.
Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets
Where: Fyshwick
When: Thursday to Sunday, 7am to 5:30pm
Boasting over 25 specialty shops, including fruit and vegetable shops, butchers, delicatessens, bakeries, cafes, and seafood shops; the freshest of everything can be found at Canberra’s oldest market, the Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets.
Capital Food Market
Where: Belconnen
When: Traders: Wednesday to Sunday, 8am to 6pm
Dining: Monday to Sunday, 10am to 10pm
Originally established as the Belconnen Fresh Food Markets in 1976, the market reopened as the Capital Food Market in 2023, revitalised and ready to delight. The new market is home to some of the region’s finest fresh food providers and casual dining outlets where restaurateurs are family who cook from the heart, not from a book.
Canberra District Wine events
Home to 140 vineyards and more than 40 wineries within 35 minutes’ drive of the city centre, the Canberra District Wine Region is sure to have your new favourite sip tucked away in its vines. Visit cellar doors, meet the makers, and even stay overnight at one of Canberra’s well-known wineries.
From dinners paired with local wine to cabaret shows, art classes and moving feasts, be sure to check out the Canberra District Wine Industry Association’s website to keep up to date with what’s coming up in their dazzling calendar of year-round events.
Truffle Season
It’s no secret that the Canberra region’s climate is perfect for growing black gold in the form of truffles. Held annually from June through August, Truffle Season in Canberra celebrates the Black Perigord Truffles grown in the region with everything from truffle hunts, degustation dinners, tastings and cooking demonstrations.
