Christmas Markets at EPIC

makkapakka said :

i commend all the exhibitors that were willing to give this a go, and i can only hope, somehow that with some better organisation, this might be worth attending next year.

I’d love to support something like this, but this is the first I’ve heard of it. So maybe it needs better publicity? And why the conflicting dates, was the duration reduced or was the 11/17 a typo/transcription error? Having now checked out the website and Facebook page I doubt if I would have gone anyway. The website, supposedly intended to “become a comprehensive source of information about the Christmas Markets, including a list of stallholders” had little information about entertainment and if there was a list of stallholders I couldn’t find it. My reaction to the “uniquely festive setting” was, EPIC, seriously? For a uniquely ugly festive event maybe. The only thing I like EPIC for is the Canberra Show, the tin sheds and paddocks vibe suits an agricultural show. Otherwise the event needs to REALLY interest me to inspire me to go there. It’s not very central either. Was Albert Hall considered? It’s small but it’s more central and would seem to have the character befitting a traditional festive event? The malls have been in Christmas mode for months, there are other established markets and doesn’t every school fete have face painting and kids entertainment; a Christmas Market for Canberra is a nice idea but it needs something to set it apart from the competition and to give people a real reason to go.

Agree with others – the markets were awful beyond all belief. I sent an email to the organiser to complain, suggesting false advertising. I wonder if I’ll get a response…

Based on the information on the “Canberra Christmas Markets” website I was really looking forward to this market. I was promised an “incredible array of food & handicrafts” and an experience like attending the famous “weihnachtsmarkt”.
What a huge let down. A total waste of petrol driving to EPIC. Truly terrible “markets”.
Where was the food?! All I saw was a pasta stall (which looked lovely, but I can get that at Kingston) and pancakes. NO Christmas fare at all! Thank god the Handmade Markets are next weekend.

i am very fond of canberra’s family-friendly approach to entertainment. and we do a good market. so i was excited by the thought of our own christmas markets. and i had modest expectations, this being the first year and all.
but dear god. this was lame. the most prominent of the 20 odd stands was a guy selling aussie prawn peelers. without the telstra stand the back of the shed would have been empty. and santa was (understandably) asleep. no sign of any christmas foods, hot or cold.
i commend all the exhibitors that were willing to give this a go, and i can only hope, somehow that with some better organisation, this might be worth attending next year.

HerCanberra said :

And you are right to expect liberal dosings of tinsel. Baubles even.

And gluwein I hope, even though the weather is far from appropriate.

intaba said :

Genie said :

I’m confused ? Array of food ? Epic normally block the sale of any outside ‘cooked’ food.

I think it’s probably more along the lines of famers market + handmade market with liberal dosings of tinsel.

Yep, it’s more about Christmas food supplies (hams, turkeys, gingerbread, stuffings, etc.) than meals onsite.

And you are right to expect liberal dosings of tinsel. Baubles even.

Genie said :

I’m confused ? Array of food ? Epic normally block the sale of any outside ‘cooked’ food.

I think it’s probably more along the lines of famers market + handmade market with liberal dosings of tinsel.

I’m confused ? Array of food ? Epic normally block the sale of any outside ‘cooked’ food.