Adelaide Central Market is transforming into a Christmas wonderland this festive season, with new bespoke decorations unveiled for the first time in a decade, plus a fresh lineup of events, extended trading hours and plenty of local produce and seafood.
Over 100 new bespoke Christmas decorations will adorn the Market, designed exclusively by South Australian artists and featuring oversized hand-crafted cherries, festive tartan prints and giant baubles.
What’s on for families
The Christmas school holidays are sorted with plenty of free activities on offer for kids. Little Market shoppers can post a letter to Santa via the Magical Post Box in the kids’ corner, enjoy Christmas Storytime with City of Adelaide Libraries, get their faces painted on Saturday mornings and more.
Here are the family-friendly highlights:
- Christmas Storytime: City of Adelaide Libraries brings festive tales and craft activities to the Market on 17 December
- Gingerbread Decorating: Sessions on 16 December for little ones to decorate their own gingerbread person to take home
- Kids’ Christmas Craft: Free festive craft workshops on 16 and 18 December
- Free Face Painting: Every Saturday from 9.30am to 12pm
- Roving Elves: Juggling Christmas elves will roam the Market on 19, 22, 23 and 24 December, giving away free candy canes
Carols, music and entertainment
The Market will be filled with the sounds of Christmas throughout December:
- Australian Girls Choir: 11, 19 and 23 December
- Young Adelaide Voices’ Junior Choir: 5 December
- Aurora: 12 December
- School and community choirs: 27 November to 15 December
- Adelaide String Duo: 21 to 24 December
Workshops and foodie events
For grown-ups looking for a festive night out or to brush up on their Christmas cooking skills, there’s plenty on offer:
- A Taste of Christmas: Gouger Dining transforms into a festive haven on Friday evenings (11 and 18 December), with live jazz and cabaret, a pop-up wine bar and seasonal bites from some of the Market’s iconic traders
- Table Wreath Making Workshop: Guided workshops on 5 December, using statement florals and greenery from Central Market Flowers and dried produce from Market stalls
- Cheese After Dark, A Broadway Christmas: Smelly Cheese Co. brings sparkle to the Market on 9 December, with champagne and cheese tastings, live music, a communal art experience and Broadway-inspired entertainment
- Cooking Demonstrations: Learn to prepare the ultimate festive seafood feast with Fair Seafood (10 December) and join Camillo Crugnale for Italian Christmas cooking demos with Jagger Fine Foods (12 and 19 December)
Christmas trading hours
The Market is making it easier to shop during Christmas week with extended hours:
- Monday 21 December: 7am to 5.30pm
- Tuesday 22 December: 7am to 5.30pm
- Wednesday 23 December: 7am to 7pm (open late)
- Thursday 24 December: 7am to 3pm
- Friday 25 to Monday 28 December: Closed
- Tuesday 29 December: 7am to 5.30pm
- Wednesday 30 December: 9am to 5.30pm
- Thursday 31 December: 9am to 5.30pm
- Friday 1 January: Closed
- Saturday 2 January: Normal trading hours resume (7am to 3pm)
The Market’s Christmas program runs until Thursday 24 December. For the full program, visit adelaidecentralmarket.com.au
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