Melbourne art fairs & markets: October 2026
Go broad at Finders Keepers, step into a working studio in Banyule or spend a weekend looking closely at clay in Northcote.
This is a October 2026 archive. See the current Melbourne calendar
Three ways into the month
Finders Keepers is the broad design-market option, with several disciplines under one roof. Banyule Open Studios offers visits to individual artists’ working spaces. Melbourne Ceramic Fair gives the weekend of 17 to 18 October a specific focus: contemporary ceramics.
Choose by what you want to do. A market suits browsing across many makers; a studio visit is a chance to ask about a particular practice; a ceramics fair lets you compare objects, surfaces and techniques in person.
The October 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.
The Finders Keepers Melbourne Design Market (Spring/Summer 26)
- When
- 9 Oct to 11 Oct
- Where
- Royal Exhibition Building
- Entry
- From $7
A broad introduction to independent design and making at the Royal Exhibition Building. Choose this if your interests cross art, homewares and other handmade disciplines.
Before you go: The organiser advertises $7 tickets plus a booking fee; check the current ticket options before buying.
Banyule Open Studios
- When
- 10 Oct to 11 Oct
- Where
- Artists' studios across Banyule
- Entry
- Free
Visit artists in their studios across Banyule on 10 to 11 October. The opening celebration is at 7pm on Friday 9 October at the Old Shire Offices in Heidelberg.
Before you go: Studio visits run 10am-5pm on Saturday and Sunday; use the organiser’s location map.
Melbourne Ceramic Fair
- When
- 17 Oct to 18 Oct
- Where
- Northcote Town Hall
- Entry
- Free
A ceramics-focused outing at Northcote Town Hall on 17 to 18 October, with work ranging from tableware to sculptural pieces.
Before you go: The source confirms the dates and venue. Check the official site for visitor hours and admission before travelling.
Plan around the venue and date
The Royal Exhibition Building, Northcote Town Hall and the participating Banyule studios are separate outings. For Banyule, use the organiser’s artist-location map and make a short route. The Friday opening celebration is a different venue and session from the Saturday and Sunday studio visits.
At a ceramics event, think about how you will get a purchase home. Ask the maker about packaging, collection and delivery before choosing a piece. For functional work, ask about its intended use and care rather than assuming all handmade ceramics suit the same conditions.
- Check the exact studio locations before travelling to Banyule.
- Confirm entry prices and opening times using the organiser link.
- Leave room in your plan to talk with makers and revisit work that catches your eye.
Buying something for the first time?
You can arrive with questions rather than a shopping list. Ask who made the work, how it was produced, whether the price includes framing or packaging, and what care it needs. Take down the maker’s details so you can follow up after the event.
Sources & checking
This guide was reviewed on 26 September 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.
- The Finders Keepers Melbourne Design Market (Spring/Summer 26)
- Banyule Open Studios
- Melbourne Ceramic Fair
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