Sponsored by The Streets of Barangaroo
Since birthday festivities often enjoy a week-long run, why shouldn’t Mother’s Day get the weekend treatment? It’s only fair!
In the lead-up to Mother’s Day, take mum along to the annual Barangaroo Artisan Market on Saturday, May 10 for a unique cultural and culinary experience. Not only is it a chance to spend time together, but you can also browse the 70 stallholders and pick out a memorable and more personal gift.
You’ll have the opportunity to talk to passionate designers, artisans, makers and producers who are showcasing everything from ceramics, homewares and accessories to artwork, candles and locally designed textiles.
These are items that come with a story, they have a history and their journey from the stallholder to buyer is a personal one. When someone compliments mum on her eye-catching ring, richly embroidered scarf or textural ceramics, she can recall the story of where it came from — and that she bought it when she was with you.
A Mother’s Day out
Stallholders include Sonia Pallett, an Aboriginal artist who creates sterling silver jewellery inspired by Indigenous folklore. La Source is a mother-daughter duo whose art blends Australian landscapes with their French heritage and Essena Fashion uses luxurious fabrics and conscious craftsmanship to craft its slow fashion pieces.
Being Barangaroo, which is home to over 90 retailers, including a slew of fantastic restaurants, cafes and bars, it makes sense that there’ll be gourmet treats on offer at the markets. You’ll need them to fuel all that shopping.
Specialty stalls include Enokido Miso, which will be selling its traditionally fermented miso that blends Australian ingredients with Japanese traditions, Goose on the Loose Salami will be showcasing its award-winning charcuterie and Maya Sunny Honey is bringing its raw, unprocessed honey and artisan honeycomb from Mudgee.
Bottega Coco is one of the stallholders taking part. Even though the Italian restaurant and patisserie has a permanent presence on Barangaroo Ave, marketing manager Natalie Hughes believes it’s important to also have a stall at the Artisan Markets.
“We did it last year and it was really good visibility for us. We have a cellar and gift store attached to the restaurant, which people don’t know about until they visit,” she says.
“This is a great way to get extra exposure and showcase our offering, because a market stall is a bit more approachable than coming into the store. You have that one-on-one communication with people who are wandering around, they’re taking their time browsing and you really get your point across on your brand.”
Free entertainment on the day includes an array of roving performers, like Walks of Art, a fluorescent floral parade inspired by the works of Van Gogh and Monet. There’ll also be acrobatics from the Disco Divas, the high-energy tunes of the Oompah Loompah Band and lots more.
More than just shopping
Last year’s market featured 60 stalls and attracted 10,000 people. With 70 stalls in 2025, this is the biggest Barangaroo Artisan Market yet and a lot of effort has been put into selecting the right mix of wares to create a unique shopping experience.
“The focus is to promote those small artisan Sydney businesses,” says Lendlease head of asset management Karin Ragel.
“Mother’s Day weekend is perfect timing because people are already on the lookout for gifts for mum, grandmother or other family members. The markets are a fun way to connect and spend quality time together, while also making the most of the weekend’s events and shopping and what it has to offer.”
While Barangaroo is mostly a workers’ precinct during the week, the Artisan Markets highlights why it is also an ideal destination for a family day out on the weekend. “It’s by the water, which is really lovely on a sunny day and the new metro makes Barangaroo really accessible,” Ragel says.
“The markets are designed to attract new visitors to the precinct. There’ll be lots of live music, entertainment and lots of foodie retailers so you can tie in shopping with a nice lunch or dinner out.”
Barangaroo’s Artisan Market is on Saturday, May 10, 10am-3pm.
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