A French-style Christmas market, the Jolly Market, will be set up in Sydney from tomorrow until next Wednesday. From the team that brought you the Christmas edition of the Bastille Festival and the Christmas Festival in July, The Jolly Market brings a French touch to Sydney this December.
While a white Christmas is almost impossible in Australia, you’re guaranteed one nightly at the Jolly Market. Every night at 8pm, in front of the giant Christmas tree, you can dance to Christmas jazz classics (with a few in French) under the snow.
The Jolly Market is the perfect place to do your Christmas shopping or to have your pre-Christmas catchups with friends. Beautiful handcrafted gifts that you won’t find anywhere else are available. Among the handcrafted products, you’ll find jewellery from Parisian-inspired Zag Bijoux, children’s toys, Christmas snow globes from Houseworx, clothing, organic tea and gourmet food from A Taste of Paris. The Canberra Distillery will be selling their award-winning craft spirits. Everything you need to find the perfect gift or just treat yourself.
But even if you’ve already done all your Christmas shopping (good on you!), you can still enjoy the European Christmas atmosphere with a glass of French or Australian wine and food from all over Europe. The Drink Hive offers a selection of local and French wines from South Australian pinot noir to Provençal rosé and even champagne, there’s something for everyone’s tastes.
At the Jolly Market you also have European food to transport you to Europe. Think French alpine fondue but served in Cobb bread, cheese, Breton crepes, Pistou’s authentic double-smoked French sausages are served with confit onions and seasonal pickles. Or traditional snails filled with garlic butter sauce. Perhaps something more summery? Perhaps oysters with champagne sauce.
Or for something sweet, you’ll find macarons from Macaron de Paris, and Ccème brûlée, Portuguese tarts, or Italian gelato from Carnival Gelato.
At the Jolly Market, amidst authentic wooden cabins, lights, candles, falling snow, and jazz music, there’s all the magic you’d expect to experience a white Christmas… The only clues that you are not in Europe will be the iconic view of Sydney Harbour and the weather. Transport yourself to Europe for the next 6 nights at Jolly Market.
KEY INFO FOR JOLLY MARKET
WHAT: The Jolly Market, a French Christmas market in Sydney
WHERE: Customs House Forecourt, SYDNEY
WHEN: from 16 to 21 November during the following hours:
- Friday 16 December from 4pm to 11pm
- Saturday 17 December from noon to 11pm
- Sunday 18 December from noon to 10pm
- Monday 19 December from 4pm to 10pm
- Tuesday 20 December from 4pm to 10pm
- Wednesday 21 December from 4pm to 10pm
HOW: No ticket needed, just show up!
HOW MUCH: It’s free!
Have you ever visited a European Christmas market? What do you miss?
Looking for more Christmas gift ideas?
2022 French Christmas Gift Ideas: French products
French Christmas Gift Ideas 2022: vouchers for French dining in Australia
To find out about other events with French or Francophone links happening in Australia this month, check out our What’s on in December
