The best Christmas markets in Melbourne for getting festive in 2023

This December, Prahran Market is transforming into a Christmas wonderland, complete with a nutcracker window display, festive decorations and a ten-metre-tall inflatable tree. The beloved community market will delight visitors with a surprise at every turn – including food-themed edible Christmas trees, a life-size Mrs Claus wearing a red candy dress and some very cheeky elves hiding in Christmas crates and disguised as pineapples.

The big man himself will also be making an appearance on December 16 and 17, with families (and furry friends!) invited to come down and snap a pic. Santa will also be roaming the market from December 19-24. There's truly no better place to get in the festive spirit.

Each Saturday and Sunday the Rose St Artists' Market gathers some of Melbourne's most exciting artists and designers to display their wares and talk all things handmade. The market has been buzzing since 2003 and is modelled off similar markets in London, Berlin and New York. Weave your way through the crowds and duck into the warehouse to check out the handmade fashion, food and curios for sale. The artists are usually on hand to compare crochet needles and discuss their work, so drop in for a squizz, a chat and a haircut from the resident hairdresser.

Arts Centre Melbourne isn't just great for the odd musical or theatre production – in fact, every weekend the grounds of the arts precinct's hub come alive with market stalls selling everything from handmade leather wallets to locally made art by the city's designers and small business owners. Situated a short walk from Flinders Street Station, everything on offer at the market has been locally made, and the market also features a great range of food stalls if you want to shake up your weekend brunch.

The Esplanade Market at St Kilda has been a city icon since 1970. With its inspiring mix of arts and crafts, it's a world-renowned hotspot for local artists and creatives to sell their wares to the casual Sunday crowd who wander along the palm-fringed esplanade. The market is an easy 15-minute ride from the city on the 16 or 96 trams. St Kilda Esplanade Market is open 10am to 5pm during daylight savings, or 10am to 4pm at all other times.