Handmade Market Canberra
Founded in 2008 with just 35 stalls, this quarterly market outgrew four venues before finding its home at EPIC with 270-plus makers.
About this market
Handmade Market Canberra began in 2008, founded by Julie Nichols after she noticed a genuine gap: Canberra had plenty of markets, but none catered specifically to handmade designers. The first event launched with just 35 stalls focused on local makers, and thousands of shoppers turned up, making it an instant hit right from the start.
From 35 stalls to outgrowing four different venues
That instant success created a genuine venue problem. The market outgrew Albert Hall, then the Yarralumla Woolshed, then the Kamberra Wine Company, with crowds at one point regularly reaching 15,000 people, before finally settling at the National Convention Centre and now Exhibition Park in Canberra. Today it's grown to more than 270 Australian-made stalls under one roof, and holds a genuine distinction: it's the only market in Canberra accredited with the Australian Made Campaign.
Market at a glance
Reviewers who've been both stallholders and shoppers consistently praise the flawless organisation and warm, welcoming atmosphere, with makers specifically noting it's a genuine privilege to be selected, since not every maker gets the opportunity to show their work at this particular market.
Handmade Market Canberra grew so quickly after its 2008 launch that it outgrew four separate venues, Albert Hall, the Yarralumla Woolshed, the Kamberra Wine Company and the National Convention Centre, before finally settling at EPIC.
Good to know before you go
Being quarterly rather than weekly or monthly means checking the specific event dates well ahead of a visit is essential. Given its Australian Made accreditation, it's a genuinely reliable place to shop specifically for guaranteed local-made gifts rather than imported goods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How often does Handmade Market Canberra run?
- Quarterly, four events per year, at Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), Flemington Road, Mitchell. Checking specific dates is essential since it doesn't run weekly or monthly.
- How did it start?
- Julie Nichols founded the market in 2008 after noticing Canberra had no market specifically catering to handmade designers. The first event launched with just 35 stalls and was an instant hit with thousands of shoppers.
- Why is it significant among Canberra markets?
- Handmade Canberra is the only market in Canberra accredited with the Australian Made Campaign, and now hosts more than 270 Australian-made stalls under one roof, having outgrown Albert Hall, the Yarralumla Woolshed and the Kamberra Wine Company before settling at EPIC.