Our initiatives
Lions Market Day in the Square
Palmerston North's premier community market day – held on the Saturday of Labour Day weekend every October since 1956.
About the day
A bustling day in the heart of Palmy
Middle Districts Lions Club organises the annual Lions Market Day in The Square. Previously known as the Old English Faire, it has been running since 1956, transforming The Square – the heart of Palmerston North's shopping area – into a bustling hub of activity.
The Plaza corner of The Square is home to over 80 craft stalls offering a diverse range of products and experiences, along with plenty of food trucks and a full day of entertainment from local music artists.
What to expect
- Collectibles – unique and rare items
- Arts & crafts – handmade creations
- Quality wares – products built to last
- Clothing – a wide selection of fashion
- Jewellery & trinkets – accessories and gifts
- Plants – greenery for home and garden
- Wellness products – for wellbeing and self-care
- Activities for children – fun for the little ones
- Hot & cold food and drinks – around 10 food trucks
- Live local music – performances all day
The Lions Market Day is not the place for political, religious or contentious material or views.
Stallholders
Stall sizes, prices and conditions
Register online and you'll receive an automatic confirmation email. Please register before 30 September so we can plan layouts and allocate sites.
Size of site
Our normal site is 5 metres by 4 metres. We can accommodate larger sites, but we need to know your size so we can fit you in. Don't forget to include your guy ropes in your site size.
Power
Power is only available for pre-approved children's rides. All other stallholders need to provide their own power via generators as required.
Preferred sites
We try to give last year's stallholders the same site as last year. It helps if you can supply last year's site number.
Food operators
1. Middle Districts Lions reserves the right to approve or decline applications at its sole discretion.
2. All cooking equipment must be under cover, i.e. under an umbrella, tent or gazebo.
3. A barrier is required between the cooker and the public – the public must not be able to touch cookers.
4. All operators, other than non-profit organisations, must hold a current local body health licence.
5. More information about local authority regulations is at pncc.govt.nz.
6. Failure to follow these conditions may result in the stall being closed.
Cancellation
No refunds are available after 4 October.
Should we have to cancel Market Day (for example due to a Covid lockdown), we will email you asking for your bank account details and refund your application fee within a month.
Restrictions
The Lions Market Day is not the place for political, religious or contentious material or views. By taking part, you agree not to display, provide, bring or espouse any such material at the market day. If you breach this requirement your stall will be removed with no refund, stallholders will be trespassed from the event and, if necessary, the Police will be asked to carry out the removal.
Stall prices
| Standard site (5m x 4m) | $50.00 |
| Commercial food operators | $70.00 |
| Non-standard site, add | $20.00 |
| Late applications, add | $10.00 |
Limited stalls are still available for the 2026 Lions Market Day.
Gallery
Market days past
