Friday 29 November: It’s that time of year when the really special markets pop up around the South Coast, enticing you to explore the region while ticking off your Christmas list. We have put together your essential guide to all the markets over the next two weekends (and don’t forget the farmers’ markets every Thursday), so you can plan to make the most of it all.
Keep scrolling to find out what else is happening around Jervis Bay, including so many incredible live music choices you will want to clone yourself.
Christmas Markets Guide
Saturday 30 November
Callala Beach Makers Markets, 8am-1pm in the hall at 89A Quay Road. “Make It, Bake It, Sew It, Grow It” they offer only local items made, produced and grown in the Shoalhaven! Highlighting amateurs and pros alike, it’s always a fantastic market community at one of the markets.
Sunday 1 December
Culburra Beach Market, 8am-2pm at the Community Centre on Fred Evans Lane, you will find dozens of stalls with crafts, homewares, plants, kids toys, great food to take home and eat there.
Berry Showground Markets, 8.30am-2pm, one of the best weekend markets for fresh produce with more than 50 stalls including bakery goods, salami, fruit and veg, honey, fresh meat direct from the farmers, olives, gin, wine and so much more. This promises to be a bumper market event.
Thursday 5 December
Farmers Markets! Nowra and Berry both have weekly farmers markets where you can stock up for the weekend, buy direct from the farmers and the makers, support local, keep your footprint small and enjoy food the way nature intended it. If this isn’t already your weekly habit, why not! Every Thursday, 2pm-5pm.
Friday 6 December
Kangaroo Valley Twilight Christmas shopping, 5pm-8pm, shops open late, market stalls, delicious food and family activities including a visit from Santa.
Saturday 7 December
Milton Showground Village Christmas Market, 9am-2pm. This is always a bumper market with live music and street food. Santa is arriving at 10am. Celebrate the cherry season with a box of fruit direct from the farms in Young, and tick off your Christmas shopping list with local artisanal wares.
Bundanon Artists & Makers Market, 10am-4pm, is an inaugural event from the home of the Arthur Boyd art museum, and promises a selection of handmade ceramics, jewellery, weaving, original artworks and more.
The Barn on the Ridge Christmas Market, Morton (a short trip south-west of Milton), 10am-3pm, 30 stalls, arts and crafts, live music, food and treats, family and pet friendly.
Twilight Markets at Jervis Bay Maritime Museum, 3pm-7pm, featuring a pond-side bar and bbq and a great line up of local products including some great Christmas gift ideas.
Sunday 8 December
Husky Markets on the sports fields, 8am-2pm, over 100 stalls to browse around the spacious event, with this market promising to be brimming with great ideas for gifts.
Artisans Markets in Huskisson, hosted by Arts Muster, 10am-3pm with around 30 stalls including framed art, textiles, ceramics, jewellery, homewares, clothing, quirky gifts and more. Buy direct from the artists and makers, see some demonstrations, and enjoy live music, in the Huskisson Community Centre.
Ulladulla Wharf Market, 8am-1pm, in one of the most atmospheric coastal locations, where a commercial fishing fleet operates, and the shoreline is dotted with prehistoric fossils, this wonderful monthly market will be turning up the charm in the run-up to Christmas.
Kangaroo Valley Farmers Market, behind the Friendly Inn from 9am-1pm. Shop for a sensational range of fresh local food, keep your footprint small, support our growers and makers, and enjoy some live music while you fill up your baskets.
What Else is Happening in Jervis Bay this Summer
Cool Vinyl
Jervis Bay Brewing Co record fair is on this Saturday 30 November, in the Huskisson industrial zone, midday till 5pm. DJ Dusty Knuckle will be providing the soundtrack to your crate-digging for gems of all genres. Happy hunting.
Movie Magic
Glicked – this year’s Barbenheimer – are showing at the Husky Pictures. With some hot days forecast, a movie is a perfect antidote to a hot, sticky day. Check their website for screening times and buy your tickets at the box office in the foyer.
Sunday Sessions Live Music on 1 December
Community Orchestra In Concert: Nature & Nurture: music for the soul is the theme of a pre-Christmas concert by local community orchestra MUSO at the Ulladulla Civic Centre this Sunday from 3pm. Reserve your seat with a donation online or at the door. The orchestra will be playing an exciting program including works by Grainger, Newbold, Corelli and more. Discover the hidden talents living among us on the South Coast.
Vic & Linds: If we could be in two places at once, this is the second place we would be – enjoying the great music of Victoria and Lindsay in the beer garden at the Jervis Bay Brewing Co in the Husky industrial zone. We simply love this duo, who mix their soulful folk vibe with some shredding fiddle. One of the best ways to while away a Sunday arvo.
Horse Drawn Cadillac: Actually, if we could be in three places at once… Horse Drawn Cadillac will be playing at Cupitt’s Estate on Sunday from 12.30pm. We’ve seen these guys a few times around the South Coast – including a live recording of their album. You will groove to their blend of New Orleans funk and Chicago blues. Book a table for lunch but expect to be on your feet cos you won’t be able to stop yourself from dancing.
Jason Norris: The best rooftop bar in the South Coast is host to Jason Norris this Sunday from 5pm. Settle in to sunset at Bannisters Pavilion rooftop and enjoy the cool vibe of guitar and melodic vocals from local muso, Jason Norris.
Grand Stand For the Kids
Vincentia Public School P&C’s Mega Christmas Raffle is raising money to purchase a grandstand for the basketball court at the school. Tickets are $5 or 6 for $20, and there are 12 prize packs to be won, worth between $2400 and $300. Winners will be drawn on 11 December so hop onto their website and bag some entries for a great cause.
Santa Photos at Schutz
The glorious grounds of Schutz Landscape and Garden Supplies, on Island Point Road at Tomerong, will make a beautiful backdrop for your family Santa photos this year – including fur babies – in a partnership with Meals on Wheels. One of the owners, Bek Scott told us they are creating a Christmas scene in the picnic area near the café, and for $25 (with a big slice going to the charity), you have 10 minutes to take as many photos on your own devices as you wish. Afterwards, explore the sensory garden and enjoy a beverage and snack from the big red bus café. Book a slot online for 2, 3, 5 or 6 December, or come into the shop to make a booking in person.
Berry Christmas Parade
Taking off from the Showground at 4pm, the annual Berry Christmas Parade will move along Albany Street then Queen Street to Prince Alfred Street, culminating in a family event at the park on North Street thanks to the local Rotary Club. Santa will be there for the free sausage sizzle and selfies.
Artist Talk
Hear painter & Archibald winner Euan Macleod talk about his internationally successful art career, and his current exhibition at the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery this Saturday 30 November, in the gallery at midday, free entry.
Art Trail
The Currarong Art Trail open day for next month is on Saturday 7 December, 10am-2pm, a perfect opportunity to buy some original art for your loved ones this Christmas and support local artists by buying direct. Check the online map for the walking trail and to see which studios will be open on the day.
Make Art
Paint a Beach Scene Workshop $150 includes food at Forager’s Wholefood Cafe, Berry St Nowra, Saturday 7 December, 3pm-6pm, BYO (wine only), with The Art Hub Studio. Reserve your place online.
Plan Ahead – How Many Santas?
This year’s charity Santa Party at Jervis Bay Brewing Co will support the Huskisson Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade, those incredibly courageous and dedicated folks who snap into action in a crisis. The aim of the event is to set a record for the most Santas in a brewery.
So dust off your red suit, don’t scrimp on the bushiness of your beard, and head to the beer garden at 3pm on Saturday 14 December. Purchase a whole stack of raffle tickets to make sure your contribution counts. Tickets are $10 each available online till 6 January but do it now so you don’t forget.
