The 8 BEST Christchurch MARKETS – A Complete Guide
Traveling around New Zealand’s South Island you most likely pass through Christchurch at some point. So besides exploring all the best things to do in Christchurch, you also can’t miss out on a typical Christchurch market. Luckily Christchurch has plenty of quality markets. You can find a combination of street food markets and homemade & second-hand wares. It is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the local community of Christchurch, see the city’s culture and discover unique products. Find in this complete guide the best Christchurch markets and when they take place so you can plan your trip to Christchurch accordingly!
The 8 best Christchurch markets
Riccarton Market Christchurch
The Riccarton Market is Christchurch’s largest market! In fact, it is the biggest outdoor market in New Zealand! With over 200 stalls and up to 10,000 people per day visiting, you can expect the Riccarton Market to be busy. Situated on the race course in Christchurch, the market has great infrastructure and parking spots with sealed pavements and restroom facilities.
More than 200 vendors are selling a wide variety of goods. From fresh fruit and vegetables to second-hand goods, furniture, clothing, art, plants and trees, food and beverages you name it – the Riccarton Market will have it! Enjoy the great atmosphere, shop for bargains, buy your fresh veggies and delicious snacks or brunch while listening to music from local artists. Riccarton Market is open almost all year round and entry, parking and entertainment is free!
When: Sundays 9 AM – 2 PM
Where: 165 Racecourse Rd, Broomfield
Christchurch Farmers Market
The Christchurch Farmers’ Market is one of Canterbury’s original food markets. Operating since 2004, the market is weekly held under 100-year-old trees and beside the Avon River. This gives the market a very scenic touch. You can find plenty of shade underneath the trees on hot summer days, and the river and grass serve as the perfect picnic spot to enjoy your drinks and snacks.
There are over 60 local producers & artisans showcasing their wares each Saturday. From delicious fresh baking to seasonal vegetables & fruit, cheeses, delis & butchers, patisseries, olive oil and a number of hand-made breakfast & lunch food options. And for the coffee lovers, there is fresh organic coffee from Hummingbird Roaster. The Christchurch Farmers Market is simply put a fantastic melting pot of different cuisines and products in a beautiful environment.
When: Saturday from 9 AM -1 PM
Where: 16 Kahu Road, Riccarton, Christchurch
Christchurch Night Market – The Hub Hornby Night Market
Every Thursday evening the Hub Hornby Night Market takes place upstairs in the rooftop carpark between Farmers and the foodcourt lobby. With over 80 stalls ranging from food to crafts, this unique night market in Christchurch is a great place to hang out and grab a tasty market dinner!
When: Thursdays 6 PM – 10 PM
Where: 418 Main South Road, Hornby, Christchurch
Lyttelton Farmers’ Market
Held in the charming port town of Lyttelton, the Lyttelton Farmers’ Market features a range of fresh produce, artisan foods, and local crafts. It’s a great place to enjoy a relaxing Sunday morning by the harbor and is the place to be for food lovers.
You will find anything here from free-range eggs to organic vegetables, fresh fruit, chocolate, flowers and plants. But also freshly baked bread, homemade pesto, cheese, dressings and even the best fresh fish! Looking for smoked eel or salmon? Or even the classic South Island venison? You will find it at Lyttelton Farmers’ Market.
When: Saturdays from 10 AM -1 PM
Where: London Street, Lyttelton
New Brighton Seaside Market
Taking place in the New Brighton area along the beach, this market offers a mix of fresh produce, crafts, clothing, and food stalls. With its location by the sea, the New Brighton is a very charming market and the perfect combination between a beach walk and strolling along the market stalls.
When: Saturday 10 AM – 2 PM
Where: The New Brighton Pedestrian Mall, Christchurch
Opawa Farmers’ Market
This is Christchurch’s best market for fresh organic produce. Opawa Farmers’ Market is the ‘real deal’ growers’ market with the best selection of fresh local produce in Christchurch. Here you will find a wide range of organic veggies, fresh artisan bread, French-style pastries, free-range eggs, locally made Italian cheeses, seasonal fruits and much more.
When: Sundays 9 AM -12 PM
Where: 275 Fifield Terrace (between Helios Medical Centre and Rudolf Steiner School)
The Nifty Markets Christchurch
The Nifty Markets is a monthly held local market focusing on hand-made and second-hand wares with an ethical focus. While other markets in Christchurch have a huge focus on food, the Nifty Market is a quirky market where you will find everything from plants to prints and embroidery to clothing.
When: Monthly, check their site for the next date.
Where: 105 Disraeli Street, Christchurch
Arts Centre Weekend Market
Located in the historic Arts Centre, the Arts Centre Mākete showcases local artisans and their creations, including arts, crafts, jewelry, fashion, and more. Here you can expect a range of delicious foods, treats and drinks, alongside with vintage clothes, handmade products and unique crafts and treasures. The Arts Centre Mākete takes place on weekends and offers a unique shopping experience in Christchurch.
When: Sundays10 AM – 4 PM
Where: Market Square, Worcester Boulevard
Other markets around Christchurch
Akaroa Farmers Market
Every Saturday from 9.30 AM to 1 PM from October to April the Akaroa Farmers Market takes place at St Patrick’s Catholic Church Grounds Akaroa. This charming coastal town is situated approximately 75 kilometers (47 miles) southeast of Christchurch. So if you’re planning to visit the market from Christchurch you can better make it a complete day trip to explore all the other things to do in Akaroa as well.
The Akaroa Farmers Market has a collection of local produce including locally grown fruit, veggies, herbs, honey, olive oil, olives, nuts and flowers. And you can also find locally produced preserves such as pickles, jams, sauces, bread, pastries, lavender products, plants, and more. It is the perfect combination of a nice day trip including shopping for some local products!
Ohoka Farmers’ Market
Only a 20-minute drive outside of Christchurch, this market is worth the trip for its high-quality local produce, gourmet foods, and unique crafts. It offers a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
How to get around in New Zealand
To experience New Zealand to the fullest and at your own pace, renting a car, campervan or motorhome is the best way to get around. Whether you rent a car or campervan depends on your preference and budget. If you love camping, being outdoors all day and you don’t mind a smaller living space, then renting a camper van is the way to go. It also gives you the freedom to sleep at some of the most beautiful camping spots, but for some of them you’ll have to make a reservation and plan your trip accordingly. The same goes for a motorhome which is bigger than a campervan and fits about 4-6 people. Here’s what you need to know about renting a car, camper van or motorhome in New Zealand.
Car rental New Zealand
Renting a car in New Zealand is the easiest and cheapest rental vehicle available. It will get you to all the best destinations with ease and gives you the freedom to stop for a break wherever you want. However, you should keep in mind that some roads in New Zealand are still gravel or that you have to cross shallow rivers to some destinations in National Parks. Therefore we personally recommend a mini SUV or SUV model to have enough clearance for this kind of roads.
The best place to book your rental car in New Zealand is on Discover Cars where you can compare different car models, prices, companies and terms and conditions. Make sure to secure the booking of your rental car as soon as possible to have the lowest price possible. Prices go up the closer you get to the pickup date.
Campervan rental in New Zealand
Traveling around in a campervan is one of the most popular ways for a road trip in New Zealand. With a bed, small kitchen and seating area you will have all the (basic) needs on four wheels. A campervan allows you to camp at plenty of beautiful places, sometimes for free, sometimes for a fee. It will give you a true feeling of freedom and fully connects you with nature.
We personally recommend to book your campervan with Travellers Autobarn. They have a wide range of Station wagons, 2-berth campervans & 3-5 berth campervans to hire for all budgets. All Travellers Autobarn campervan hires in New Zealand come with free unlimited kilometers, a 10% discount to premium campgrounds, 24/7 roadside assistance & long-term rental discounts. Check the availability and prices today to secure your campervan for a New Zealand dream road trip!
More New Zealand travel guides
I hope you enjoyed this complete guide about the best Christchurch markets. We have many more New Zealand travel guides, so make sure to check them out for more tips and to plan your ultimate New Zealand road trip!
South Island New Zealand guides
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20 best day hikes on South Island New Zealand – The Ultimate Guide
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Milford Sound Cruise – The Complete Guide
Key Summit track – The Complete Guide
Gertrude Saddle hike – The Complete Guide
Queenstown
30 best things to do in Queenstown – The Ultimate Guide
22 best photo spots in Queenstown – The Ultimate Guide
16 best hikes in Queenstown – The Ultimate Guide
12 best helicopter tours Queenstown – The Complete Guide
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Wanaka
22 best things to do in Wanaka – The Ultimate Guide
15 best walks in Wanaka – The Complete Guide
Where to stay in Wanaka – The Complete Guide
Mount Cook National Park
Best Mount Cook helicopter tours – The Complete Guide
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Hooker Valley track – The Complete Guide
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Glenorchy
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Glenorchy walkway & lagoon track – The Complete Guide
Earnslaw Burn glacier valley and waterfalls – The Complete Guide
Franz Josef Glacier Country
Best Franz Josef heli hike tours – All You Need to Know
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