By Danielle Kutchel
Forget travelling to the city for a family-friendly market experience; Melbourne’s newest night market is right in our backyards.
Perennial favourite Dandenong Market is throwing open its doors every Thursday night in January for the Dandenong Night Market.
Open from 4:30pm to 9:30pm, there are plenty of activities for the whole family to keep the summer vibe going all night long.
Wile away the balmy summer nights with mouth-watering street food and a cool drink against a background of live music.
Among the sizzling offerings are Mauritian, Caribbean, Halal and Sri Lankan street foods and South American slow-cooked meats.
Night Market sponsor Running Bull Sangria will be in attendance, supplying authentic Spanish paella and sangria.
There will also be pop-up wine bars for the adults, and the event is fully licensed.
Ben Mitchell, Sarah Margot, Yazmindi, Zac Godwin and Jonny Maldonado will provide musical entertainment, while Becky Bubble will enthral children and grown-ups alike with magic floating bubble creations.
Murrundindi, the elder and head man (Ngurungaeta) of the Wurundjeri tribe will perform a traditional Welcome to Country and will demonstrate how to play the didgeridoo. Kids are welcome to come and give it a go!
Children of all ages can climb aboard Danny the Dandenong Market train, get shimmying to a silent disco, and find a fluid art rock hidden around the Market to keep for themselves.
Jennifer Hibbs, general manager of Dandenong Market, said the idea of the night market had been floated for some time.
She and her team have experience in running other night markets, including at Queen Victoria Market, Coburg and Geelong – so much so that it’s almost in their DNA.
“We’re always looking at ways we can improve the Dandenong Market and support the community here. We felt the timing was right to run a night market here in Dandenong and give the community somewhere to go at night,” she explained.
“Everyone should come down, it’s a really fun event – vibrant and colourful,” Ms Hibbs said.
The Dandenong Night Market is open on Thursday nights in January at Dandenong Market, from 4:30pm to 9:30pm.
