30 August 2023

Little Burley Market returns in time for spring (and it's sticking around for good!)

| Travis Radford
Join the conversation
5
The Little Burley Market.

This year’s the last winter without the Little Burley Market – it’s going to be here all year! Photo: The Little Burley Market.

The Little Burley Market is returning to the shores of Lake Burley Griffin this Saturday, 2 September, and it’s sticking around all year.

Visitors to the foodies and makers market will be greeted by more than 50 stallholders and an entertainment line-up celebrating the end of the market’s winter-time hiatus.

“We’ve got some of the old favourite, gorgeous stallholders returning, and we’ve got a whole bunch of newbies, which is really exciting,” Local Village Markets director Alexandra Webb explains.

“They’re all locally made, handcrafted goods and foods, so you’re supporting those locals and it’s going directly to them, which is a really nice feeling when you do your shopping or eat your food.”

In the food category, expect Viennese spaetzle (a type of egg noodle) from Little Vienna, gluten-free sweet treats by local pastry chef Kotesh Khandala of W Patisserie and Italian pizza courtesy of Five Passions.

There’ll also be a selection of take-home food items from the likes of Deda’s Smokehouse (“one of my old favourites. They do incredibly smoked meats,” Alexandra recommends) and olives and dips by Luscious Dips. In the way of arts and homewares, there are handmade upcycled products (Upcycled by Trish), macrame and wall hangings (It’s all about Thyme), and Nepalese felt products from KarmaKat Emporium.

Plus, you’ll find an array of other stalls selling more multicultural eats, hot beverages, fresh produce, flowers, art, jewellery, fashion, photography, artisan pottery and more homewares.

“And then, of course, lots of dog stalls for all the furry friends that come along,” Alexandra adds.

“It’s really nice after you’ve had a walk to treat them, too.”

READ ALSO From Canberra to Katanning (and beyond) – returning to roots after decades away

The weekly market will begin at 8 am – an hour earlier than usual with this Saturday’s entertainment starting at the same time with live music from local 16-year-old artist Jett Blyton and free children’s arts and crafts. These will be followed by face painting (9 am to 1 pm), more live music from local jazz band Get Fake (10:30 am to 1 pm) and Samba dancing with Rio Samba (from 11:30 am).

Aside from the extended hours, Alexandra has more good news for those forced to endure a Little Burley Market-less winter this year.

“Due to the location and having La Niña the year before … we decided it would be a better option to shut up for the winter and then relaunch in time for spring and Floriade,” she says.

“However, now that we’ve seen this gorgeous winter just past, we will run it all the way through next year.”

READ ALSO Root cause of blockages: heads up for gardeners as Icon Water map goes underground

While the market’s outdoor lakeside location places it at the weather’s mercy, Alexandra says it also provides a unique experience compared to Canberra’s other local markets.

“The Little Burley Market is quite different. It’s in an absolutely beautiful spot. It’s one of my favourite spots in Canberra,” she says.

“You can grab some breakfast or lunch and sit there and chill. The vibe you get down there is so relaxing and calming because it’s next to the water.”

The Little Burley Market is held weekly from Saturday, 2 September, from 8 am to 1 pm, on Queen Elizabeth Terrace, Lake Burley Griffin. To find out more, visit the The Little Burley Market’s website.

Join the conversation

5
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

Sounds worth catching a bus, or getting on the bike and checking it out. I wouldn’t consider driving a car there with the parking hassle.

There goes being able to go to the National library or Questacon at the weekend because of the people trying to use the carpark. I got stuck trying to leave the library when I had to sit in my car for an hour, unable to leave because of gridlock.

lets not get carried away megsy, its not the whole weekend. its from 8-1 on saturdays. still plenty of time to go to the gallery or questacon. you can even go to the library, just time it so there isnt as many cars around.

My point was about how the people attending the markets lacked commonsense. There would have been spaces for them if they showed enough intelligence to let other people leave. I saw multiple other people frustrated about not being able to exit their parking space because people kept trying to enter an already over-full car park. Whoever thought up the need for yet another market (and it doesn’t offer anything not already available at other markets) didn’t think through the parking situation.

megsy, Bus 6 passes close by every fifteen minutes. If you don’t live on its route or other bus route that passes through here, park in Civic or somewhere on the route and catch a bus here. Cycling is another option. People don’t always need to drive. Hopefully there are enough handicapped parking places though.

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.