Melbourne art fairs & exhibitions: December 2026
Begin with the final days of MADA Now, then explore design, handmade gifts and First Peoples art. Five picks take you from Caulfield to the city and Fitzroy.
Start early for the graduate show
MADA Now continues at Monash’s Caulfield campus only until 3 December. The December dates fall on weekdays, with public hours of 10am–4pm and free entry. Treat it as an early-month outing.
The Big Design Market follows at the Royal Exhibition Building on 4–6 December. Check the ticket page before travelling and note that each day has different opening hours.
The December 2026 shortlist
Selected for this guide, with dates and visitor details from the linked organisers. The suggestions are ours. This dated selection is retained as an archive.
MADA Now 2026
- When
- 19 Nov – 3 Dec
- Where
- Monash University, Caulfield campus
- Entry
- Free
Catch the final three days of Monash’s graduate exhibition, 1–3 December.
Before you go: Free entry; weekdays 10am–4pm. The exhibition ends on Thursday 3 December.
The Big Design Market Melbourne
- When
- 4 Dec – 6 Dec
- Where
- Royal Exhibition Building
- Entry
- Ticketed
Browse independent design at the Royal Exhibition Building, 4–6 December.
Before you go: Ticketed. Check current admission and the different Friday, Saturday and Sunday hours.
Visionaries 2026 (Craft Victoria)
- When
- 12 Nov 2026 – 6 Feb 2027
- Where
- Craft Victoria, Main Gallery
- Entry
- Free
Explore contemporary craft and design in Tali Roth’s guest-curated exhibition.
Before you go: Free entry. Craft closes on Sundays, Mondays and public holidays.
Koorie Krismas First Peoples Art and Design Market 2026
- When
- 12 Dec
- Where
- Fed Square Main Square
- Entry
- Free
Meet First Peoples artists and makers at Fed Square on 12 December.
Before you go: 10am–3pm in the Main Square. Check the visitor programme before leaving.
Rose St. Artists' Market
- When
- 5 Dec · 6 Dec · 12 Dec · 13 Dec · 19 Dec · 20 Dec
- Where
- The Rose St. Artists' Market
- Entry
- Free
Take a weekend wander through Fitzroy’s artists market.
Before you go: Check the organiser’s dated calendar for December sessions and the final pre-Christmas weekend.
Art, design and gifts
Visionaries 2026 at Craft is guest curated by Tali Roth and brings together Australian craft and design. The exhibition continues into February, making it a useful option beyond a single market weekend. Entry is free; normal opening days are Tuesday to Saturday.
Koorie Krismas brings First Peoples art, design and making to Fed Square’s Main Square on Saturday 12 December, 10am–3pm. The organiser’s programme is the source for the participating makers and any changes to visitor arrangements.
Build a manageable route
Craft and Fed Square work as city-centre stops when their opening dates overlap. Rose Street is in Fitzroy, while MADA Now is in Caulfield; plan travel time instead of trying to fit all five picks into one afternoon.
December gallery hours can change near Christmas. Use the dated market calendar and venue links, and check public-holiday closures before setting out. For a free-entry outing, the MADA and Craft exhibitions are confirmed options.
Sources & checking
This guide was reviewed on 14 October 2026. Event pages carry their own source and visitor-information review dates. Check with the organiser before travelling: programs, admission and access arrangements can change.
- MADA Now 2026 — organiser details ↗
- The Big Design Market Melbourne — organiser details ↗
- Visionaries 2026 (Craft Victoria) ↗
- Koorie Krismas First Peoples Art and Design Market 2026 — organiser details ↗
- Rose St. Artists' Market — organiser details ↗
- Visionaries 2026 (Craft Victoria) — organiser details ↗