Sunday, 17th October “ Green Savvy Sunday ”

Our newest theme day at the markets focusing on Green alternatives for our everyday life. This event was developed in response to feedback from our customers and stallholders who wanted to have better access to information and products that helped them develop a more sustainable lifestyle and reduce their impact on the environment. The themes of recycle, reuse and low use of energy are things we all want to strive for - and there will be stalls to answer your questions, information, green products, displays and to inspire and entice. To encourage the ‘green savvy’ lifestyle in us all, we have organised some fantastic speakers. Jackie French is one of these and will give three presentations on the day - including how to grow everything (except chocolate) in Canberra, and how to grow 60% of your food in half an hour a week, including picking.

Sunday, 14th November “ The Jewel of Canberra ”

The Jewel of Canberra is a gathering of some of the best jewellery designers in the region and there is always something to interest everyone who loves to adorn themselves! Unusual techniques, fresh approaches to colour and mixed media spring to mind. Check back later for details of who will be coming.

Saturday, 4th December “ Christmas at the Old Bus Depot Markets ”

Saturdays and Sundays 4 & 5, 11 & 12 18 & 19 December 2010 Christmas shopping at the Old Bus Depot Markets is great fun with a fantastic festive atmosphere, full of music and colourful characters. It is a place where one can find unique gifts that are beautifully handcrafted, personalised homewares, gift certificates, scrumptious Christmas fare, gifts for the table and the tree, personalised baubles, live Christmas trees, art, soaps and stocking stuffers.

Sunday, 9th January “ Portobello Road ”

The Markets reopen in 2011 with a favourite event – “Portobello Road” Antiques and Collectables. Visitors love to search for the weird and wonderful through the aisles of quirky collectables, antique jewellery, small antique furniture, retro decorative art, china and cut glass, linens and lace, silver, rare books, and restored pieces.

Sunday, 13th February “ International Day at the Markets ”

This day is a celebration of our multicultural society in Canberra with delicious multicultural foods, stalls with handcrafted items from around the world, and local music and dance groups performing traditional dances from their country of origin. Savour wonderful dishes from Spain, Laos, Ethiopia, France and Mexico. Purchase a mysterious handcarved statue from Africa, a traditional handbag from Thailand made from Thai silk, or a warm handfelted woollen hat from Nepal.

Sunday, 24th April “ Portobello Road ”

For Easter Sunday the focus has been on Antiques and Collectables for a number of years now, and visitors come to browse the aisles of eclectic and interesting treasures. There will always be retro decorative art, antique jewellery, quirky collectables, china and art glass, linens and lace, silver, and restored pieces. The fun is in the search and there will be plenty to choose from.

Sunday, 15th May “ A Celebration of Wool ”

“A Celebration of Wool” is in its sixteenth year at the Old Bus Depot Markets –a spectacular event. Canberra is in the middle of a wool growing area, and to see what artists and business people with big ideas do with wool is fascinating. Craftspeople who work with wool come from NSW, Victoria, and South Australia to participate in this showcase of top quality Australian made wool products, many made on their own properties. Products of the finest quality are featured including handfelted garments and accessories, designer knitwear, millinery, weavings, funky beanies and farm label knitwear. The fantastic range of specialist yarns are always a huge drawcard for knitters and include hand carded, and hand dyed yarns, natural yarns and Wensleydale yarns. Regional Guilds provide demonstrations of hand spinning, hand felting, and other traditional wool based crafts.

Sunday, 19th June “ Kids in the Shed ”

“Kids in the Shed” is a day for the very young and is always fun and noisy! Parents will like the large number of stalls catering for children, their rooms and their play. There will be beautifully handcrafted toys, original artworks for kids’ rooms, locally designed children’s clothes, exquisitely embroidered christening gowns, baby slings, doll’s houses, funky bedding and lots more originality.

Sunday, 17th July “ Creative Fibre ”

Canberra is a region brimming with textile artists, who weave, design and make knitted garments, embroider, hand dye fabrics and yarns, make lace, and handfelt accessories or homewares. Creative Fibre is an event where visitors can speak to the artist about their textile speciality and learn about the processes involved. ANU School of Arts, Textile Design and the ACT Textiles Art Association will also be on hand along with Canberra Regional Guilds who will demonstrate on the day and be available to answer questions. Join a group on the day!

Sunday, 14th August “ Portobello Road ”

This is the final Portobello Road theme event for 2011 where visitors can look for that unique collectable, small antiques, crystal and china, retro decorative arts, collectable books and maps, linen and lace, antique jewellery and other curios. Antique and collectables dealers from around the region come to offer the old and the unique!

Sunday, 13th November “ The Jewel of Canberra ”

Jewellery is one of the most sought after handcrafted products at the Old Bus Depot Markets. At “The Jewel of Canberra”, the range expands even further with jewellery designers and makers coming from further a field offering a huge selection of styles, sizes and price points. There is everything from blown glass beaded pieces; flower brooches made from antique Japanese kimonos; chunky exotic ethnic bracelets and necklets; precious and semi precious stones set in gold and silver; pearls; hand crafted one off silver pieces; ceramic brooches; funky beaded bracelets, bridal styles, and antique button creations.