The Dandenong Ranges and surrounding areas are prolific with different types of markets that operate each and every weekend, both Saturdays and Sundays somewhere in the hills, allowing local residents, day trippers and tourists access to a diverse array of art, entertainment, local produce and community spirit.
Some markets act specifically as a show case for Visual Artists and crafts people, while many others only cater for produce, including locally made cheese and wine, fruits and vegetables, meat, and any thing else you can imagine in a culinary mind or hungry stomach. It is an opportunity not to be missed by the local populace to get their hands on super fresh well priced food, a vast improvement on the over priced and questionable produce provided at the large supermarket chains. Many of the markets held across the Ranges offer a multitude of goods, vast selections of arts and crafts, finely made and original jewelry, food, plants and flowers, live music and other forms of family friendly entertainment.
There are three excellent and well patronised markets coming up this weekend specifically running on the 2nd Saturday or Sunday of each month.
Hills Art Market
The Hills Art Market is located in the village of Emerald, just behind the Puffing Billy Station on Memorial Drive. This market boasts a plethora of world class Visual Art, Industrial Art, Hand made furniture and unique and awe inspiring jewelry design. The market is presently inviting Musicians who live in and around the hills to come and play as part of the greater market community. This is an awesome place to visit with over 50 different artists work on display and available for sale.
This Saturday 9am-3pm.
http://www.hillsartmarket.com/
Monbulk Produce Market
This community market on the North side of the hills is designed to bring fresh seasonal produce to the local people. Monbulk Produce Market situated at the top of Main Street, allows the public to meet the producers directly and create relationships in which everyone benefits. Excellent food and produce as well as some local crafts are available for sale. Get down there and support local farmers.
This Saturday 9am-1pm.
https://www.facebook.com/monbulkproducemarket/
Big Dreams Market
Located inside St Thomas Moore Primary School off Reynolds Road is the Belgrave Big Dreams Market. Vibrant and community driven this market provide stalls that sell diverse food, fresh locally grown produce, astounding art and a menagerie of other objects. They are an all weather market that runs no matter what, except for those dreaded Code Red days. They boast being dog and kid friendly, with specific stalls available for children to sell their wares. They provide live music with buskers and a diverse range of family friendly activities.
This Sunday 9am-2pm.
https://www.belgravebigdreamsmarket.com/