Register your interest to run a Christmas market in Martin Place

You’re invited to run a community market in Martin Place between Pitt and Castlereagh Streets.

In progress

Applications are now open.
Applications close at 11am on Monday 16 June 2025.

Jessica Murphy

Outdoor Events, Markets and Busking Coordinator

Venue management

: 02 9246 7637
: [email protected]

About this opportunity

Applications are now open for a market operator for Sydney Christmas markets who can carry out a community Christmas market on the site commonly known as ‘Martin Place Section 2’.

We seek a diversity of market stalls, both in size and goods offered, across the local area. Preference will be given to a market operator who can demonstrate innovation and diversity in the type of market proposed.

Before you apply

Download and read the request for proposal document before applying. If you need help, email [email protected] or call 02 9246 7637.

Application criteria

We encourage applications from a market operator who can:

provide a curated offering with a point of difference to any existing markets in our local area.
demonstrate a willingness to work with local communities, including businesses and organisations, to facilitate workshops and activities which provide ways for people to connect.
complement the surrounding area and existing businesses.
commit to zero waste to landfill, aligned with Sustainable Sydney 2030-2050. This includes banning single-use plastic bags and using biodegradable containers for drinks, takeaway items and cutlery.

The market operator must be able to:

create an interesting and vibrant destination to celebrate the Christmas festival season.
run on 27, 28, 29 and 30 November and then every Thursday, Friday and Saturday in December 2025.
safely accommodate stallholders each market day within the identified event space in line with appendix A in the request for proposal document.
offer quality goods and services representing value for money.
maintain high standards of presentation and customer satisfaction.
professionally organise and manage the event.
follow all requirements of the temporary event approval as well as legislative and planning obligations.

Each of the evaluation criteria listed above is critical. They’re not of equal weight for evaluation and are not listed in order of priority.

We or a third party we appoint may assess bidders to determine their financial capacity to run the event.

Applicants must complete all parts of the request for proposal forms. We may reject any submission which doesn’t provide all the required information.

Request for proposalPDF · 604.43 KB · Last modified 19 May 2025

About the market operator licence

The successful operator will enter a temporary event approval. The approval will include venue hire charges calculated in line with our revenues policy.

How to apply

Applications close by 11am on Monday 16 June 2025.

We’ll review all applications. Selected applicants will be invited to present to an assessment panel.

Presentations should include information about logistics, safety and security, and managing traffic and waste.

Details can be found in the Martin Place event guidelines.

Applicants must complete the necessary forms and details included within the request for proposal document for submission. These include:
- Form 1 – applicant details for the registration of interest
- Form 2 – company/operator profile to detail relevant experience and key staff (1-page maximum)
- Form 3 – a maximum 2-page proposal outlining a vision for the market proposal, how it will help us meet the goals within Sustainable Sydney 2030-2050 Continuing the Vision and the logistics behind running a market
Market site forms and initial proposal document should be lodged by email to [email protected] by 11am on Monday 16 June 2025.
- Shortlisted applicants will be asked to present to an assessment panel.
- Applicants will be asked questions in line with the assessment criteria and their proposed management of the market
- Applications and presentation will be scored in line with the assessment criteria and other applicable considerations we see as reasonable.
Market applications and proposals will be assessed against criteria set out in this request for proposal, the market policy and the markets guide. This includes any other relevant assessment criteria applicable to determine the feasibility and suitability of a market in Martin Place section 2 between Pitt and Castlereagh Streets. We won’t proceed with applications that don’t meet the assessment criteria or the needs of local communities.
Market licence approval

After the presentations and our review and assessment of all proposals is completed, we may identify a successful proposal and operator to be invited into a temporary event application.

If a proposal is accepted and permitted, the applicant will be asked to provide the necessary documents to support the initial application, as detailed below in the approval process.

Approval process

As part of the final licencing process, the successful applicant will need to lodge the following documents:
- Public liability insurance
- Risk management plans
- Traffic and pedestrian management plans (where deemed necessary)
- Waste management plan
- Site plan
- Temporary food stall approval
- Any further licences required to run a market.
Venue hire fees and other event associated fees will need to be paid before the market opens.

market stall workers serving hot food from a white tent

Business & economyRetail