If you happen to be in Colombo on a Saturday morning, cancel your other plans and head straight to the Colombo Racecourse. The “Good Market” is an approved community of social enterprises and organic farmers—but more importantly, it serves as the unofficial weekend meeting ground for Colombo’s families.
Set up under dozens of shaded tents right next to the historic Racecourse pavilion, the market is completely pedestrianized and borders a massive green lawn, making it an incredibly relaxed environment.
What Kids Love Most
- Face Painting & Art: There is almost always a dedicated kids’ corner offering face painting, balloon animals, or local craft-making.
- Running Free: The massive green space of the Racecourse is perfect for toddlers to burn off energy while you watch them from a safe distance.
- The Treats: From organic popsicles and freshly squeezed fruit juices to towering brownies and vegan treats, there are plenty of healthy ways to bribe your kids.
Parent Tips
Get there early, ideally around 9:00 AM. Grab an iced coffee from one of the artisanal vendors, buy some fresh organic fruit for the hotel room, and let the kids run wild. It gets very hot by noon, at which point you can retreat into the air-conditioned shopping complex inside the Racecourse building itself!
