Most Local and Life-Like Guide to Fairs of Sydney

Spending time in Sydney‘s, markets is a great way to experience local life.

On Saturdays and Sundays, George Street in the Rocks will turn into a fair. Stalls for artware, furniture products, jewelry and clothing, food and so on line up on the street. You can find everything you want here. For a shopaholic, if you go to Sydney without visiting the fair in the Rocks, then you have just walk away from a treasury vault with empty hands. The fair is located in the Rocks full of classical buildings in the 19th century. Every weekend, tents will be set up in lanes. They put quality before everything. Their products outrival common goods along roads. There are artware carved out of raw gemstones, utensils carved out of log, hand-dyed glass supplies, hand-painted bags, table cloths and so on. During business hours of the fair, there are music and singing performances all over streets in the Rocks. It feels like a festival everywhere.

Oxford Street is beyond the downtown of Sydney, extending from the downtown area to Paddington. There are famous Paddington Markets and many fashionable stores. Products there are versatile, including books, antiques and clothes designed by famous designers. Oxford Street is one of the most unique streets in Sydney and guarded by many exquisite stores. Like famous brand clothes, avant-garde design, used clothes, handicraft, antiques and art galleries, cafes and bars, you can surprisingly spot many fashion brands here that many large-scale department stores do not have, including exclusive shops of some top designers in Australia, e.g. Collette Dinnigan and AkiraIsogawa. There are also many unknown but extremely individualized self-established brands on Oxford Street. Therefore, it is a place where many fashionable youngsters or pioneer artists gather. in addition, it is also the focus of night life in Sydney and is well-known throughout Australia for its unique cafe, restaurant and night club culture. Globally renowned gay parade --- Mardi Gras --- is held on this street every year. The parade, from 1978, was a small protest activity at that time. On the first Sunday of each March, a grand gay carnival will be held on Oxford Street, attracting thousands of domestic and foreign tourists.

It is said that name of Paddy’s Market was derived from Liverpool, Britain. In 1830s, the state government gathered vendors around Campbell Street here, and then Haymarket took shape. As an original market in Australia, it is a supplier for major tourism souvenirs and Australianas in Sydney. Its products extend from fresh food to jewelries and are extremely versatile. It is close to Chinatown. So many Chinese vendors sell products here. It is somewhat like the shed fairs in China with all kinds of products. Neighboring MarketCity is a large-scale shopping mall. First-class restaurants are everywhere inside.

Glebe Markets held on the sports field of Glebe Public High School is one of the most famous markets in Sydney. The market’s style varies and is diversified. It is featured by used jewelries, CD and books. On Saturday, you can shop in this market for clothes, jewelries and furniture, buy some food to have a picnic or listen to the singing of bands on the site. It is really cozy to stay in such a leisurely atmosphere.

On Friday, the night market in Chinatown is always bustling and crowded. There are too many customers. You can taste yummy food and fish out many funny things here. In the market, not only Chinese vendors set up stalls, but also some locals sell their handicraft in Chinatown. Every Friday night, a lot of people come here to taste Chinese food. Although their flavors are not as special as those in China, some snacks are still outstanding and unique. It is a good place to satisfy your stomach in far-away-from-home Australia. From the pedestrian bridge on the north of Dixon Street to the Chinese Garden, walk 3-5 min to the north to reach Darling Harbor. It is a good place to take a stroll after dinner.