St Kilda Esplanade Market
In its idyllic beachside location, the St Kilda Esplanade Market is an icon of St Kilda and Melbourne. A world-renowned art and craft makers’ haven, the market has been the destination of choice for those seeking high-quality and authentic Australian products since 1970. Find a range of arts, crafts and other original creations to take home every Sunday from 10am.
St Kilda Esplanade Market, 1984 (My Mum)
Plan Your Visit
Located on the Upper Esplanade in St Kilda, Melbourne, the market is an easy 15-minute ride from the city on the 16 or 96 trams. Alternatively, there is plenty of parking nearby.
Opening Hours
Every Sunday of the year.
(Except for St Kilda Festival Sunday in February)
10am to 5pm (daylight savings hours) 4pm all other times.
Stay up-to-date by following the market on Facebook and Instagram.
Opening and closing times are subject to extreme weather forecasts and may change without notice.
Location
The Esplanade, St Kilda VIC 3182
Melbourne's Makers' Market by the Bay
Since 1970, the St Kilda Esplanade Market has been a Sunday delight in St Kilda. It's famous for a good reason – there's something for everyone and more! Enjoy browsing through works by more than 90 artists and craftspeople in Melbourne's open-air gallery by the sea.
Each and every stallholder has a hand in making the products being sold. Take the time to ask how their products are made, and you will soon see the love and passion that is poured into each of their one-of-a-kind pieces of work.
From gifts and souvenirs to furniture and jewellery – you will leave with confidence knowing that you will take home something that is truly one of a kind.
New stalls are added to the market on a regular basis so there's always something different to catch your eye!
History
One fine day in December in 1970, the Art Bank, now St Kilda Esplanade Market, was officially opened by Councillor Manning. Noting the high expense of holding art exhibitions, Cr. Manning invited several artists and sculptors to exhibit at the new outdoor venue on the Upper Esplanade.
James Egan, and Ruth Epps were among the first twenty or so artists to display their work. Soon they were joined by potters, leather-workers and other artists and craftspeople, and the magic of St Kilda Esplanade Market began.
The market quickly attracted stallholders, artists and makers from all over. Adam Elliot, Academy Award-winning animator and director of Harvey Krumpet, sold his hand-painted t-shirts at the market for five years!
The market has always been a platform for new artists to begin their careers and is so loved by some stallholders that they have stayed on for as long as it has been running.
