Christmas markets offer special gifts and entertainment

The Christmas Night Market at Space Gallery has been a popular event in previous years.

Whanganui is gearing up for some special pre-Christmas markets.

The Whanganui River Traders and Farmers Market has two Christmas markets scheduled, with the December 16 and 23 market days having a Christmas theme and live music, spokeswoman Annette Main said.

"We always have a lot of additional stalls that mostly sell at Christmas," Ms Main said.

"Some stalls are from out of town, some we haven't seen before and some of the stalls people are used to seeing at the market at Christmas.

"Lots of clever, creative people are busy in their workshops and kitchens right now making lovely gift ideas and special treats for your Christmas celebrations.

"The market on December 23 is perfectly timed to pick up fresh produce for the Christmas table."

The Christmas markets will be open from 8.30am to 2pm, an hour later than the usual Saturday market.

Space Gallery is holding its Christmas Night Market on Saturday, December 16.

Owner Sarah Williams said there will be live music and woodfired pizza as well as a variety of stalls inside the gallery and in the area outside, with many local artists participating.

It is the third year Ms Williams has run the Christmas Night Market.

This year the outdoor marketplace includes David Traub, Cliffside Creations, Lee Williams, Emma Cunningham, Stumpies-Wooden Toys, Indigo & Co, Anna Juden Design, CB&P-Candles, Boards & Platters, Art by Nolan, Jo Parker Originals, Rad Designs, Zana Lokmer Design, Ivan Vostinar Ceramics.

In the area above the gallery, there will be Montserrat & Co, Locksley Avenue, Bee Wrappable & The Flying Fox, NVW, Ink Inc. Michaela Stoneman & Beck White, Faisons du Fromage, Tulle & Heart, Craig Winton, Talula Hodder Illustration + Design, Ruby & Ella, Birgit Moffatt, Fleur Wickes and artists in residence Sandy de Kock, Perry Davies and Patrick Drabczynski.

The gallery itself will feature Cracked Ink, Mike Marsh and Elijah Lamont.

Music in the outdoor area will be provided by Owen Hugh, Leonie Matoe and the duo of Aydie Holland and Colin Luttrell.

The Castlecliff Market will be open every Sunday over the holiday period.

Organiser Clive Ward said they had not yet decided whether there would be anything special happening for Christmas but the market would be open on Christmas Eve.

"We have a market every Sunday. That way there is no confusion as to it being on or not. It is. The size of it depends on the weather of course."

Mr Ward said the market now had its own food trailer as the market was too small to attract other food vans.

The community market runs from midday to 4pm every Sunday on the corner of Bryce St and Heads Rd.