10 Best Christmas Markets in Vancouver
Christmas is not just a time nor a season. It’s a state of mind! To make your Christmas extra special, we have a carefully curated list of best Christmas markets in Vancouver ready for you. Of course, we all know the Vancouver Christmas Market is one of the most festive Christmas markets in the world. But we are not limiting your Christmas shopping to just one market this time! So, pick one or visit, all the choice is yours!
1. The Vancouver Christmas Market
In the Vancouver Christmas Market, you can find everything from traditional German foods like potato pancakes and bratwurst to ugly Christmas sweaters, soaps made from lavender, and even products from Provence.
In addition to the tents, there is also a Wunderbar where you can enjoy cocktails under a tent with Käthe Wohlfahrt, one of the best-known Christmas brands in Germany.
So, if you missed the Vancouver Christmas Market last year or have never been here, it’s high time you did!
Discover a winter wonderland of holiday shopping, music, and lights while you enjoy German food and drinks.
Where: Jack Poole Plaza
When: November 13th to December 24th
2. Christmas Store at Potter’s
There is no place like Potters in Western Canada when it comes to Christmas shopping. Potters is the largest Christmas store in the province!
This 28,000 square foot greenhouse becomes a Christmas store for nine weeks a year. In keeping with the Christmas season, greenhouse benches are moved out and store fixtures are moved in.
With over 60,000 themed ornaments, Potter’s covers everything from fishing to skiing to baseball to equestrian and more. There is an entire showroom dedicated to Christmas lighting and illuminated home décor that has been darkened.
The Christmas designers decorate more than 30 trees. There are multiple themed trees, each brimming with ideas that you can use. It’s a Christmas adventure throughout the entire store. They strongly strive to impress their customers from the moment they walk through the door. And, they succeed in doing so.
Where: 19158 48th Ave. in Surrey.
When: It is open daily through Dec. 24 on Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
3. Holidays on the Block
The Holidays on the Block event is held over the course of a few days in December. It features about half a dozen food trucks and twenty or so artisan vendors (but there are as many as 40 vendors on busy days)! A holiday light display and a photo session with Santa Claus are also available.
From now until Christmas, a rotating food truck lineup includes Shameless Buns, Cin City Donuts, Crack On, Beavertails, and more. The event is curated by BCShopLocal and includes local small business owners like Our Little Soap, ALMirah Designs, and Home of West Candle Co.
While you shop for loved ones or eat a warm meal, you can snap a quick shot of Santa (furry friends too). Also be sure not to miss the community stage, which showcases local talent from all over the block.
Every ticket sold for $5 is donated to charity, and children under age six are free.
You can also contribute any amount you like to their Giving Tree that benefits the less fortunate. Other than its unique offering, Holidays on the Block is not like any other Christmas market. It is also morally rewarding.
Where: 2150, Alpha Avenue, Burnaby
When: December 9th – December 24th
4. Ambleside Holiday Market
This is another amazing Christmas and holiday market in Vancouver, set in Ambleside. It’s an outdoor market set up for all ages. It has live entertainment and over 100 vendors from different categories rotating through the market every weekend. You can benefit from amazing creations offering the best holiday gifts!
The event is free, fun, and most of all, pet-friendly. Whether you want to take your partner or go Christmas shopping with your whole family, this is a perfect choice! Market set in Ambleside West Vancouver.
Where: Grosvenor Ambleside
When: November 6 – December 19
5. Shipyard Christmas Market
This is a perfect family Christmas market that you can hang around with all your loved ones this season. You’ll discover the ultimate North Vancouver Christmas Market at the Shipyards, no doubt! It features more than 70 local artisans and makers, making it one of the biggest Christmas markets in Vancouver.
Oh, and don’t forget to keep an eye for baked goods, jewelry, and candies. They’re not to be missed!
Where: The Shipyards, North Vancouver
When: December 14 – December 23
6. BCIT Alumni Holiday Market
Make sure everyone on your list has something to look forward to!
As a one-stop online shop, the Holiday Market, lets you find something for everyone on your list while supporting alumni-owned businesses, including local artwork, artisan chocolates, craft beer, wellness products, and modern home décor. For those who are too cozy at home and don’t want to step out shopping, you can make use of this one to get your shopping done from home!
Where: Online
When: November 1 – December 31
7. Winter Treasures Artisan Market
Winter Treasures Artisan Market returns this year for its 8th year! It’s definitely the perfect place to find perfect handmade gifts, including pottery, jewelry, glass, art, and so much more. What’s really special is that everything is handmade by British Columbia artists, and something new is arriving every day. What more could you ask for than shopping local, discovering unique gifts, and supporting local artists to celebrate the holiday season?
Where: PoMoArts Centre, 2425 St.John Street, Port Moody
When: November 12 – December 22
8. Lumagica
The LUMAGICA experience has finally made its debut here at Surrey’s Cloverdale Fairgrounds, a global outdoor and indoor holiday celebration in association with MK Illumination.
The 1km holiday light walk will take you on a journey through diverse lands that will capture and inspire the holiday spirit. After passing through a light tunnel, you will arrive at the magical North Pole Village. Enjoy interactive displays, animation, photo opportunities, and surprises galore while immersing yourself in the magical atmosphere.
With over 120 features and ornaments, this is a special experience that will delight and excite in equal measure. With its light forests and the opportunity to visit Santa at his cabin at the North Pole, Lumagica makes the perfect backdrop for a festive family photo. With mulled wine, hot cocoa, and snacks available throughout the park, guests can take their time exploring the light walk.
Enjoy food, entertainment, and shopping at the North Pole village where you can eat, drink and be merry.
Where: Cloverdale Fairgrounds
When: December 3–30
9. Eastside Flea Holiday Markets
Take your loved ones along to shop a curated roster of locally-made and vintage goods at the Eastside Flea Holiday Markets this season!
The Eastside Flea, a bi-weekly community market that takes place year-round, happens every two weeks. During each event, over 40 local vendors sell handmade goods, vintage clothing, collectibles, plants, artisan eats, and more!
Additionally, you can enjoy outdoor seating on sunny days, food trucks, and games.
Where: Eastside Studios, 550 Malkin Ave., Vancouver
When: December 4 – 19
10. Lulu Island Winery Christmas Market
Held back one of the best Christmas Markets in Vancouver for the end!
Lulu Island Winery’s indoor Christmas Market brings the best of Vancouver to you! This will be the coziest market of the year, with 50+ local vendors, two weekends, food trucks, and mulled wine.
Lulu Island Winery’s indoor Christmas market brings you everything Vancouver has to offer. There are four full days of markets with new vendors every day. This is the perfect time to shop locally. It will be a four day event with 50+ vendors, so everyone will find something they like. Treat yourself to something new, buy the perfect gift for friends, or stock up on stocking stuffers!
As you browse the market with family and friends, sip on hot mulled wine to keep warm. In addition to the wine tastings, there will be individual bottles and glasses to enjoy while shopping. The winery welcomes pets as always, and we will not disappoint. So, it’s the perfect Christmas Market where you can bring the whole family and embrace the holiday season.
What makes this Christmas Market Special?
Each day of the market, there will be a different food truck. Besides salads, fried chicken, spring rolls, and Vietnamese coffee, they also serve Vietnamese coffee! The Kyu Grill serves delicious Japanese Hawaiian fusion dishes. They are a favorite around here, and with some of the finest popcorn chicken, loaded fries, and hero sandwiches. The popular Filipino restaurant Shameless Buns will be serving their popular dishes. There are a wide range of mouthwatering sandwiches, spam fries, and loaded fries to choose from.
Lulu Island Winery cherishes the unceded Territory of the Coast Salish Peoples and brings people from all cultures together!
Where: Lulu Island Winery, 16880 Westminster Hwy, Richmond, BC V6V 1A8
When: December 11 – 19
Now that you have a whole list of 10 Christmas markets in Vancouver, it’s time for you to start choosing which one to visit first.
Hint: Check the dates under each market that we have mentioned, so you won’t miss out on any!