Scandinavian Xmas Bazaar

Each year for as long as I have lived in Melbourne we have gone to the Scandinavian Xmas Bazaar, which is always held on the first weekend in December in the Swedish Church in Toorak.

 

And this year was no exception; we followed tradition and went along on Saturday the 1^st December. I believe that it has become an iconic Melbourne tradition for those in the know as regardless of the weather it is always very well visited.

Although called a church, it is not your normal church – the two storey mansion is based in one of Toorak’s most magnificent tree-lined streets, and was once the home of the Governor of Victoria in the days before the Government House was built. The Swedish church purchased the building in 1956.

In spite of being held in the Swedish Church, the bazaar combines the Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, and you can always find lots of Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian design, home wares and craftsmanship.

Swedish Dala Horses

Santas little helpers..

Cute pig in a tin

And of course you also get the chance to try and have the opportunity to purchase all kinds of Scandinavian foods like Danish hot dogs with crunchy fried onions, pickled cucumber, mustard and tomato sauce. You can also try Danish æbleskiver with sugar and jam (which are a bit like Dutch Poffertjes /pancakes), frikadeller on rye bread (Danish meat balls), Swedish waffles with ice cream and strawberry jam, and not to forget Danish pastries, cakes and sweets from the Danish Deli....oh, and maybe a Danish beer or two..

Danish Hot Dogs

 

Danish æbleskiver

Danish Frikadeller

Swedish waffles

 

Cakes, bread and sweets from the Danish Deli

 

There are also musical and dance performances throughout the day and lots of family friendly activities such as farm animals, face painting and a bouncing castle.

 

Doggie stop

 

Old style beer crates

 

All in all its a fantastic event, and I get to stock up on things that are otherwise hard to find here in Australia, such as herrings and Danish treats!

 

Have you ever been to the Scandinavian Xmas Bazaar? Or do you visit any Xmas markets or have other traditions you do every year? And have you ever tried a Danish hotdog, or maybe frikadeller?