AW25 Melbourne Design Market Highlights & Activities:

Melbourne, we are back this July to celebrate all things mindfully made and thoughtfully bought! With over 270 incredible makers and designers, enjoy local food and drink, groove to a live music lineup, and uncover unique treasures like ceramics, art, slow fashion, jewellery, and so much more! We’re back at the one and only Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens, Narrm, from 11 to 13 July 2025. So, who are we keen to see on the lineup, and what new and exciting things can you look forward to? Let us tell you!

Stallholder Lineup:

Your groovy lineup is now live (here) and just waiting for you to start your shopping lists! Meet, admire, and support some of the coolest people around! 

Introducing: The Neighbourhood by Food for Everyone

We have invited Food For Everyone to thoughtfully curate a space within The Finders Keepers market that celebrates food, community, and creativity – and you’re invited to explore ‘The Neighbourhood’!

Here you’ll discover a wonderful mix of both new and familiar stallholders, engaging craft activities like the recipe collages, the vibrant Mindfulness Mural, hopscotch, and a community board. It’s the perfect place to bring the kids (or the kids at heart) and relax from the hustle and bustle of the market! Here’s a glimpse of some of our lovely neighbourhood sellers:

A Recipe For Joy:

As part of The Neighbourhood by Food For Everyone, we’re excited to invite you to get creative and cook up your most-loved dish into a work of art in this creative workshop!

Using colourful paper and official FFE templates (complete with logo!), you’ll illustrate a recipe inspired by your favourite dish, turning cherished meals into beautiful works of art. We’ll provide the pens and pencils, and our friendly Market team will be there to support you and collect optional pay-what-you-can donations for SecondBite. 

You can choose to take your poster home, or you can add it to our Community Recipe Wall to inspire fellow food-lovers at the market!

Have a boogie:

We have a wonderful lineup of local artists and DJS ready to serenade you while you enjoy a stroll through the aisles. If you’re feeling energetic, there’s a stage with a dancefloor set up just for you to show off your disco dance moves! Live music will accompany you all three days, with DJS on Friday to set a lively mood, and local bands and artists on Saturday and Sunday to help create those mellow vibes.

Our Mindfulness Mural:

How much fun is this? Our Mindfulness Mural will be back in Melbourne for you to relax and contribute to our community. This mural encourages visitors to reflect on the mindfulness that goes into each product at the market. 

This market’s mural is brought to life by Gem Leslie, the creative mind behind Food for Everyone. Gem has designed this joyful mural that celebrates the beauty of eating with the seasons — helping us all reconnect with what fruit and veg are at their best, and when.

It’s an interactive way to get the little ones curious about where their food comes from, and to spark conversations about our incredible planet and its natural rhythms. 

Our food truck area, aka picnic ground:

That’s right! We are bringing food trucks to the Melbourne Design Market, creating a special spot just for dining (and yes, food envy is a given!). We’ve got all your favourites and more to indulge in. The only challenge? Choosing what to order from the menu (and that’s easier said than done!). 

Our first timers:

We’re excited to welcome some new faces to The Finders Keepers! With over 50 new and debut designers on our list, there’s truly something for everyone. Enjoy plenty of tasty snacks and discover unique, mindfully crafted gifts from independent Aussie brands.

You’ll want to keep an eye on some amazing designers like RCK! They create beautiful Japanese-inspired soy candles. Founded by two sisters, Yuli and Aya, they grew up surrounded by stunning Australian sandstone quarries and the vibrant traditions of Japan. RCK beautifully embodies the deep connection between their Australian and Japanese roots.

Another gem is The Urban Cottage, which is a fantastic female-led business creating small-batch teas, essential oil blends, and natural skincare using Australian botanicals and herbs grown in their Cottage garden. Every product is made by hand with a strong focus on sustainability, quality, and supporting mindful everyday self-care through simple rituals.

And for ceramic lovers, don’t miss out on Morph + Mould, a charming ceramic pottery studio nestled in the Adelaide Hills on the land of the Kaurna People. Founded by Deanna Wilson, this two-person project delivers handcrafted ceramics that blend modern technology with time-honoured techniques. Their stoneware showcases refined, organic designs with artistic elegance.

Indigenous Program:

Blak Brews has claimed the big prize as our Indigenous program recipient! Founded by the wonderful husband-and-wife duo Troy and Cerisa, they proudly operate a 100% Indigenous-owned tea and coffee company. 

Here, they lovingly blend native Australian botanicals with rich cultural roots and storytelling. Every sip invites you to enjoy a delightful experience, steeped in tradition, place, and purpose. With their organic, vegan-friendly brews, it’s not just a stop for tea; it’s a vibrant cultural moment that you simply won’t want to miss! You can read more about them here.

Our Art & Illustration favs:

We’re constantly amazed by the incredible talent that brightens our market family. Every now and then, certain creatives truly capture our hearts in the most enchanting ways.

Take the colourful world of Alejandro Lauren, beautifully brought to life by Wayde, a proud Wiradjuri and Birpai artist whose work feels like a big warm hug. His art brims with emotion, identity, and culture, woven together through vibrant storytelling that celebrates life, healing, and our connections as humans.

Then there’s The Nonsense Maker, a whimsical escape conjured up by Sidonie, the adventurous alter ego of artist Emily May. Along with her creative partner, this Brunswick-based duo crafts a delightful world of greeting cards, art prints, tea towels, magnets (and more!) that are ethically designed and locally printed. 

We couldn’t possibly forget the delicate work from Maki’s Art, where Brisbane-based Maki infuses her love of Japanese culture into every tiny treasure. As an origami instructor and jewellery maker, she transforms traditional washi paper into vibrant, wearable pieces—each one lovingly hand-folded, sealed in resin, and made to last. 

There’s just so much heart and imagination in every corner of our markets; we absolutely can’t wait for you to come and experience it all!

When:

Friday 11 July 2025 4pm – 9pm
Saturday 12 July 2025 10am – 5pm
Sunday 13 July 2025 10am – 5pm
+ Low sensory hour Sunday 9am – 10am – get your ticket here! (includes your GA)

Where:

Royal Exhibition Building
9 Nicholson Street Carlton VIC 3053
Narrm

Tickets:

⁠Online Here:⁠
General Admission: $10⁠ (until doors open Fri 11 July)⁠
Group booking: 4 adults for $30⁠
Low Sensory Hour (Sunday 9am): $8 early bird / $10 presale⁠
Multi-Day ticket: +$5 at checkout⁠

At the Door:⁠
General Admission: $12⁠
Concession (students & seniors): $10 (with valid ID)⁠
Group booking: 4 adults for $36⁠
Multi-Day ticket: +$5 upgrade⁠
Kids under 13: Free⁠
*Note: All door tickets are cashless and include a small transaction fee.⁠


We can’t wait to see you there!

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