Markets in Christchurch, Christchurch (2024) - Images, Timings

Markets, Christchurch Overview

New Zealand is known for the markets that open primarily on weekends for locals and tourists who frequently shop at these events. Most of these are farmers’ markets or produce markets where growers and farmers sell their fresh produce to the customers. These markets are widely popular for the quality of fruits, vegetables, dairy, etc., that are found. Apart from the items sold, the needs usually have stalls serving breakfast and freshly brewed coffee.

These markets are famous spots for hanging out with friends and family. Some of them, like the Christchurch Farmers’ Market in Riccarton, the Matakana Farmers’ Market and the La Cigale French Market in Auckland, the Rotorua Night Market, and the Wellington Harbourside Market, are famously known amongst the tourists. Still, many other lesser-known markets are worth a visit, like the Whangarei Growers’ Market, the Otago Farmers’ Market and the Creative Queenstown Arts and Crafts Market.

Christchurch Farmers' Market

The Christchurch Farmers’ Market is located within the confines of the historic Riccarton House and Bush area (16 Kahu Road) in the suburb of Riccarton and remains open to all on every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market offers deliciously baked goodies freshly made by the vendors and even more delectable confectionary to satisfy one’s sweet tooth. It is advised to bring your own shopping bags or to buy one from the available stalls at a cost of $8 each. The market also does not encourage dogs around the stalls, but they are allowed to be on the field areas around the house on a lead.

New Brighton Seaside Market

The Seaside Market in Christchurch, New Zealand originally had its beginning in the year 2000 as a community event to be held every couple of months thereafter and then started its weekly routine by 2013. Located at the coastal end in New Brighton’s seaside Pedestrian Mall, the ambience here is pleasant and entertaining.

With colourful stalls filled with arts and crafts, jewellery, games and fresh produce, the market is a tourist hotspot on Saturdays. Alongside the stalls, there is a bouncy castle for the children to play in as well as exciting activities like face painting. There is also a live entertainment scene here where performers take the stage. This market is a part of the New Brighton Community project and as such the profits gained are directly invested in community projects.

New Brighton Seaside Market stays open every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m.

How to reach Seaside Market:
To reach the Seaside Market, you can take the Christchurch Metro from Bus Interchange (Platform A) in Christchurch till New Brighton (Oram Ave). From there it is about a 2-minute walk to the market. If you plan to arrive here by driving, the routes to choose from are via Hereford Street and Pages Road, and via Gloucester Street and Pages road which takes around 20 minutes to reach.

Opawa Farmers' Market

With an array of fresh and organic produce grown by the locals here, Sunday scenes at the Opawa Farmers’ Market are a delight. The farmers of this market take great pleasure in the wide selection of spray free they produce which they offer to the visitors and boasts of its fresh assortments in terms of bread and baked goods, gourmet and eggs.

This market also hosts festivals like the Berry Fest and the Tomato Fest in the winter and spring period.

Opawa Farmers’ Market opens only on Sundays from 9:00 a.m. till 12 p.m.

How to reach Opawa Farmers’ Market:
You can take the Christchurch Metro ‘17 Bryndwrn – Hunstbury’ from Bus Interchange (Platform B) till Wilsons Road near Koromiko Street. From there, the market is about a 10-minute walk away. If you plan to drive the routes to opt for are via Waltham Road, via Durham St S or via Colombo Street.

Things to buy:
The fresh produce available here along with the gourmet and baked goods are the best buy in this market.

Friday Street Food Market

With the start of the weekend, the food hogging session takes the front row and if you happen to find yourself in Christchurch, New Zealand on a Friday, be sure not to miss the Friday Street Food Market. Bundled with delicious food and the best food trucks and stalls of the town, this market keeps up a lively atmosphere with live entertainment, performers and buskers.

The stalls here take cash as well as Eftpos.

This market near Christchurch Central opens only on Fridays, from 11:00 a.m. till 9:00 p.m.

How to reach Friday Street Food Market:
The Market is only a 3 minute walk from the Christchurch, via the Cathedral Square and the Central Bus Exchange is just a 7 minute walk away from here.

Riccarton Sunday Market

The most popular, and also the oldest market in Wellington, goes by the name of the Harbourside Market, which opens every Sunday morning, 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the winters and from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the summers. It’s been serving the local population since the year 1920, making it one of the markets that are very hard to miss. Located on the corner of Cable Street and Barnett Street, the market is mostly visited for its fresh produce and hot food items that are served. Items like vegetables, herbs, eggs, deli meats, etc. are sold by the stall holders at the market. It is advisable to carry your own bags or buy a reusable bag at their kiosk for $3 only. Parking is available for $2 per hour while the market remains open.