6 reasons to visit The Rocks Markets this weekend

Adventuring through a city illuminated with history and culture can be hungry work. Luckily, The Rocks Markets are home to an ever-changing collection of food stalls offering snacks from across the world. Start your morning with fresh, flaky pastries (and take-home loaves) from Brickfields Bakery, a delicious bagel from Brooklyn Boy Bagels or treat yourself to a banana and Nutella gözleme from the Gözleme Stand. For lunch, toss up between authentic Mediterranean paella from La Gitana, traditional woodfired pizza from That’s Amore, and food from an under-represented region (think Zimbabwean or Syrian) courtesy of FoodLab. When the sweet tooth cravings hit, sink your teeth into creamy custard tarts from Natas & Co or cool down with a refreshing scoop of Mapo Gelato. What’s new on the revamped market menu? You can now chill out in the shade of Sydney Harbour Bridge enjoying sparkling views of Sydney Harbour with take-home dips, olives, fresh seasonal fruit and fine cheeses while taking advantage of picnic rugs and cushions supplied by The Rocks.

Traders have plenty of products to help improve your health and happiness, from juices and breakfast bowls to aromatherapy and candles. But why not start your Sunday with sun salutations and supine twists under Sydney Harbour Bridge at The Rocks’ free Yoga in the Park? Running all year long, this is just one of The Rocks’ many wellness activities, designed to promote balance, well-being and sustainability. Their resident yoga instructor will guide you through a series of strength, mobility and flexibility exercises, followed by active meditation to calm the mind and bring you zen for the week ahead. The best part? No bookings are required, so anyone can participate. Even if it's raining, you can still join from the comfort of your own home on Zoom.

Follow the sounds of lively DJs and acoustic tunes down The Rocks’ cobblestone laneways for free performances at the markets. Rising stars and respected Australian performers from a range of backgrounds take the ‘stage’ each weekend sharing original songs, classic hits and untold stories. Whether you're in the mood to sing along with up-and-coming bands, get your groove on with energetic DJs or enjoy the talents of top-class buskers, there’s something for all. The Rocks is committed to amplifying current Australian voices and stories from talented and culturally diverse backgrounds. So grab your friends, come down and join the party.

Discover hidden talents, flex your creative muscles or spark a new passion at The Rocks’ exciting ‘how to’ workshops run by local traders. Whether you're a seasoned artist or a complete beginner, there's something for every age, interest and skill level. Take a Floral Arrangement Workshop (Sat Apr 15), get into collage and drawing with Shana Danon from Emilio Frank Design (Sat Apr 15), learn how to make a Commander X Wallet (Sun Apr 16) or take a Terrazzo Workshop (Sun Apr 16). Bring a friend or make new ones along the way, and take home unique creations as a treasured souvenir of your experience. You need to book workshops in advance, but you can simply walk into the Markets to watch demonstrations, participate in tastings and listen to talks. 

Discover a treasure trove of locally made arts, crafts, homewares and gifts at The Rocks Markets. Powered by a vibrant community of Australian artists and designers, this is a unique experience to hear their stories and learn about the inspiration behind their products. Sustainability meets creativity with ethically sourced leather bags, natural skincare, consciously curated jewellery and upcycled cork bags. Art enthusiasts can peruse Australian fauna prints, postcards and photos depicting untold narratives of Sydney, and wooden bowls and boards handmade from fallen branches of Sydney trees. 

Dedicated foodie foragers can find all kinds of produce from across NSW. Stock up on artisan fudge made from three-generation-old recipes; Australian-made chocolates with fresh fruit fillings; and natural sparkling kombucha. Stunning things from the Central Tablelands can be found from the Produce from Orange stall including stonefruits and honey, while
Maria River Distillery offers small-batch gin made in Crescent Head on the Tasman Sea Coast. Plant-based teas and hot chocolates to make at home are the specialty of Velicious.  

With a rotating cast of new traders every week, there's reason to come back time and time again.