Indie Collectives will take over part of Wales Millennium Centre on Saturday 5 September, bringing together a handpicked selection of makers, bakers, artists, designers, food producers and small businesses from across South Wales.
Founded by independent business owner Lois Nolan, the collective works to give small Welsh businesses opportunities to trade in prominent locations, collaborate with other independents and introduce their products to new audiences.
The September event is the first of three Indie Collectives markets at Wales Millennium Centre in 2026, with further markets taking place on Saturday 21 November and Saturday 5 December.
More than just another market
Indie Collectives has been working with Wales Millennium Centre for the past three years, but its work stretches beyond the Cardiff Bay venue.
Through curated markets, food festivals, venue partnerships and community events, the collective creates opportunities for independent businesses that might otherwise struggle to access major locations and large audiences.
Its approach is based around the idea of community over competition, encouraging small businesses to work together, make connections and collaborate.
Founder Lois Nolan said: “Indie Collectives is about helping brilliant small businesses get into the rooms, venues and events where they deserve to be seen.
“There are so many talented makers, bakers, artists, food producers and independent brands across Wales, but getting their work in front of new audiences can be incredibly difficult when they are already doing every job in their business themselves.”
Who will be there?
The September market will feature businesses including Paper & Petal, Welded by SPJ, Cenw, Home Atlas, Arni, Maeve & Moo, That Tattooed Baker and Courtney’s Cakes, alongside a wider selection of Welsh independents.
Visitors will be able to browse everything from handmade gifts, artwork and homeware to food and sweet treats, while meeting the people who actually make and run the businesses.
That personal connection is an important part of the Indie Collectives concept. For many of the traders, the person behind the stall isn’t just the business owner. They’re also responsible for making products, marketing, photography, packing orders, deliveries and customer service.
The collective hopes its events can give those businesses more visibility and potentially lead to returning customers, new stockists and future collaborations.
Three Cardiff Bay dates confirmed
Following the September event, Indie Collectives will return to Wales Millennium Centre for two markets in the run-up to Christmas.
The 21 November and 5 December events will put the focus on independent Christmas shopping, with Welsh businesses offering gifts, fashion, art, food, homeware and handmade products during one of their most important trading periods of the year.
The first market on 5 September will also coincide with 999 Day, which is taking place separately outside Wales Millennium Centre, giving visitors another reason to spend the day in Cardiff Bay.
And the collective isn’t stopping there.
Indie Collectives is continuing to work with food festivals, venues, event partners and communities to develop new opportunities across Wales.
As Lois explains: “A single event can introduce a small business to hundreds of new people. It can lead to returning customers, new stockists, collaborations and the confidence to take the next step.
“That is what we want Indie Collectives to become: a place where small businesses are supported, connected and given genuine opportunities to grow.”
Indie Collectives returns to Wales Millennium Centre on Saturday 5 September, followed by markets on Saturday 21 November and Saturday 5 December 2026.
