[Sydney] South Eveleigh launches Loco Markets, a new winter tradition in the heart of Sydney

South Eveleigh’s inaugural Loco Markets, a six-week program featuring a rotating schedule of themed markets, will launch on Thursday 19 June, running until Sunday 27 July. Loco Markets will celebrate creativity, community and connection, taking inspiration from the festive atmosphere of European street markets, coupled with exclusive South Eveleigh heritage tours and workshops. 

The Loco Markets will bring colour and energy to the precinct with bold, block-coloured market stalls, immersive programming and a rotating lineup of handmade goods, design-led retail, food and drink, and live entertainment. Each week will introduce a new theme and experience, encouraging visitors to return and rediscover the precinct throughout the season. Family-friendly activities will also feature prominently, with face painting, soft play zones, and creative workshops for kids running each weekend. 

Michael Carabetta, Portfolio Manager at Mirvac, explains every element of this event has been carefully crafted to spark excitement and foster meaningful connections within the community. 

“We wanted to create an event that invites people to slow down, explore and connect. The Loco Markets will offer everything from artisanal products, to fresh produce, to Christmas in July festivities – with live music, interactive workshops and activities for all ages. It’s about building a sense of community, while supporting local creatives and small businesses in the process,” said Mr Carabetta. 

Music throughout the program has been curated by ARIA-award nominated jazz musician and producer, Stu Hunter, to match each week’s theme – from funk and blues to classical and festive.

Programming includes a variety of exciting activations that align with the themed weekends:

  • Artisan Design (19-22 June) features bath bomb workshops, live cartoonists and jazz harp performances. Market highlights include Mewse 3D printed gifts, Paper Pops cardboard costumes, and Stof Studios jewellery and accessories.

  • Produce & Wellness (26-29 June) focuses on seasonal food, handmade ceramics and kids’ model-making. Stalls include, Stori of Africa natural skincare, Soka Pantry oils and pantry goods and Junco drinks Sparkling Tea Wine Alternative.

  • Design & Sustainability (3-6 July) offers slow fashion and botanical beauty alongside sing-along art workshops. Expect Ignem Terrae Ceramics earthenware, Mina Finery sustainable fashion, and Em Hatton Art + Illustration, Pachamama Remedies whole body wellness

  • NAIDOC Week (10-13 July), curated in partnership with Awesome Black and Trading Blak, celebrates a week long cultural program - featuring live music, artist residencies with Eric Avery, Salllvage and Dobby, evocative soundscapes of Country, interactive workshops that honour the stories and creativity of First Nations peoples, along with a specially curated selection of 100% blak owned vendors including Ngurrbul Clothing, Jarin Street, Indigiearth and Balgarra Design, showcasing quality products with 100% of sales going directly to Aboriginal people.  Visitors can enjoy cultural storytelling, weaving circles, music workshops and a talented line up of First Nations artists. 

  • Christmas in July (17-20 and 24-7 July) transforms the precinct into a festive winter wonderland with gingerbread decorating, snow globe making, a rebranded “Loco Markets” train ride, and Christmas carols performed by jazz pianists and a mariachi band. Vendors across both weekends include Flavedo, Condimental and Taste Kaleidoscope Tea/ware.

South Eveleigh Tours and Workshops:

  • Uncover the legacy of South Eveleigh on a 60-minute guided tour, created in partnership with the Australian Railway Historical Society. Explore South Eveleigh's rich industrial past, visitors will discover personal stories of the workers who kept it running, and learn about the remarkable process of turning this 134 year old industrial space into a living museum and vibrant multi-use innovation precinct. Each ticket is $20+BF. Tours run every Thursday and Sunday during the campaign.

  • The Eveleigh Works will open its doors for visitors to explore the working forge and meet the people keeping this art alive. There will be live mobile foundry demonstrations every Thursday and Friday 12pm-2pm, as well as a Coin Press Workshop operating on select weekends 10am-5pm where participants can create their own personalized brass coin using fire and a mechanical fly press. Each ticket is $15 + BF.  

After exploring the Loco Markets, visitors are encouraged to wander Locomotive Street and nearby laneways, where they’ll find a variety of South Eveleigh food and drink retailers.  Retailers extending their operating hours to weekends for the duration of the Loco Markets include Sana and Fishbowl, while precinct favourites Anita Gelato, BrewDog, and the new Grounds Coffee Factory will be open as usual.

All events are free to attend, with some workshops and activities requiring bookings.

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