With around 250 stalls set up all around leafy Bellingen Park, you can spend hours at the market, which has such a good atmosphere and live music and performances that it feels less like a normal market but more like a festival that you get to enjoy every month.

Of course, Bellingen is known for its laid-back character, interesting locals and alternative lifestyles. This adds to the lovely, casual ambience you’ll find anywhere around the town and at the markets as well (cue massage tents and tarot reading stalls).

The Bellingen Markets: 250 stalls under the trees in the park

250+ market stalls selling EVERYthing

The stalls sell a huge variety of handmade arts and crafts, fresh produce, jewellery, plants and flowers, clothing, shoes and bags, musical instruments, household and kitchen items, soaps and natural remedies, gourmet tea and coffee, and much, much more. You’ll find plenty of local, organic and ‘green’ home-made products.

Even if you don’t think you need anything, I can almost guarantee that you will see something you like or want. Before you know it, you’ll have filled up your bag with a net of local avocados, a tiny bottle of essential oil, a handmade toy for an upcoming kid’s birthday, a pot of honey and a unique garden sculpture – or any other random collection of goodies.

Food & drink

Whatever your taste buds prefer, there will be something to your liking on offer at the market, whether it’s for a snack or a meal. Just follow your nose and you’ll find a good feed at one of the food stalls representing different cuisines. Or buy some  cake, dessert or other treat made lovingly at home by one of the local stallholders.

Live music & entertainment

Everyone just loves the Bellingen Markets, which creates a fantastic atmosphere. Something that definitely adds to that is the live music and other performances held at the markets. There is a main performance area where booked artists provide the main musical entertainment, but you’re likely to hear tunes coming from other areas around the markets as well. Two little girls playing violins here, a guy on a didgeridoo there – it really makes for a happy place to walk around on a Saturday.

For the kiddies, there are things like pony rides, swing rides and a jumping castle plus probably other things as well, but I have to admit I don’t pay much attention to that as I’ve never taken a child to the markets.

The monthly Bellingen Markets are among the largest in Northern NSW

Essential info

Day:
When are the Bellingen Markets on? The Bellingen Community Markets are held every 3rd Saturday of the month, 12 months a year.

Location:
Where are the markets held? The markets are at Bellingen Park close to the centre of Bellingen. From Waterfall Way (the main road through town), turn into either Ford Street or Church Street and you can’t miss it. You may need to park a few blocks away if you don’t arrive early.

Time:
What time do the Bellingen Markets start and end? The markets officially open to the public at 9am and end around 2.30pm when stallholders start packing up.

Bellingen:
How far is it to Bellingen from Coffs Harbour? Bellingen is less than half an hour by car from the city of Coffs Harbour. Take the Pacific Highway south and after about 15 minutes turn onto the Waterfall Way and enjoy the short drive through the beautiful Bellinger Valley.

Further info:
For more information about the markets or to contact the organisers, visit the Bellingen Community Markets website.

For more information on any of these, click on the link to go to the relevant website.

Overview of the main annual Coffs Harbour events and Coffs Harbour festivals:

January:
Pittwater to Coffs (yacht race) & Festival of Sail
March’s Coffs Jetty Carnival

March:
Coffs Coast Ocean Swims

April:
Woolgoolga Curryfest
Bellingen Readers & Writers Festival

May:
Bellingen Music Festival

July:
Sawtell Chilli Festival

August:
Coffs Harbour Gold Cup Carnival (horse racing)
Bellingen Jazz & Blues Festival

September:
Toast Urunga (food & wine festival)
Coffs Harbour International Buskers & Comedy Festival

October:
Coffs Harbour International Buskers & Comedy Festival
Bellingen Global Carnival (world music & performing arts)

December:
Various Carols by Candlelight events

The Coffs Coast has great festivals and events throughout the year

Of all the festivals and events listed above, the weeklong International Buskers & Comedy Festival in Coffs Harbour in September/October is definitely the biggest and possibly the best.

The Bellingen Jazz & Blues Festival and Global Carnival are also major and extremely popular events on the Coffs Coast.

I would say any of these three events, at the very least, are definitely worth a trip to Coffs Harbour from anywhere in Australia.