Vancouver Christmas Market is the largest winter event in Canada, with visitors attending from across the country and further abroad for the German-style stalls, rides and bars.
In this guide, I share all the details, including confirmed dates for 2024, opening times, how to get tickets and what stalls to expect.
Vancouver Christmas Market 2024
Dates – Confirmed
Vancouver dates: 13th November to 24th December 2024 (confirmed).
Update: This year’s schedule was released in September. Sign up for our newsletter for future updates.
Source: Information obtained directly from the organiser is available here.
Plan Your Visit
Location and Times
Location: Jack Poole Plaza, Canada Place.
Opening hours:
Monday to Thursday: 4pm to 9:30pm.
Firday and Saturday: 11am to 10pm.
Sunday: 11am to 9:30pm.
Christmas Eve: 11am to 6pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Travel and Accommodation
Recommended tour: The Gardens Christmas Tour of Victoria on Vancouver Island.
Public transport: Canada Line: Waterfront Station or walk from downtown.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion.
Where to stay: Paradox Hotel is a highly-rated hotel in Coal Harbour, 10 minutes from Jack Poole Plaze.
Tickets
Admission: Tickets are required.
Tickets: You can purchase a single-entry ticket, a family pass, or a season pass for multiple visits. Book online or buy at the gate.
Prices: Start at $19.99 (early bird tickets are cheaper).
Amenities and Attractions
Christmas lights: Yes, look out for the Sky Curtain of Lights display.
Santa: Yes.
Ice skating: No.
Reason to visit: The beautiful waterfront location with many events.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Several options. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Food specialities: Gourmetstrasse is the place to go for food. Specialties include locally made gingerbread, sweet knedla dumplings, candied nuts, sweet and savoury macarons, Transylvanian chimney cake, gulasch, schnitzel, pierogies and Swiss raclette.
Accessibility
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: No, only service animals are allowed.
Convenient Places to Stay
Although the event is located at Canada Place, I suggest staying in a neighbourhood with more things to do and a wider variety of places to eat out, such as Gastown, where the Victorian Hotel is a good value for money.
Otherwise, you might like the Paradox Hotel in the convenient Coal Harbour district.
Recommended Tours
I recommend taking this interesting tour of Vancouver’s infamous Prohibition-era history. You’ll get to see some famous landmarks and attractions while learning about a unique time in the city’s history.
If you’re visiting Vancouver, you might also like to take a tour of Gastown. I did this on my first visit to the city, and I found it really interesting. This food tour in Gastown is a great place to start your visit.
Read my Canadian Christmas Markets guide for more ideas on where to go this year.
Event Location
Captured a moment that embodies the holiday season? Tag your photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets — we can’t wait to see your festive finds!
What to Expect
Tickets are available online or at the gate, though it’s wise to buy ahead to avoid disappointment.
Once inside, explore over 80 stalls featuring local handmade products and items from European vendors. Enjoy various activities as you wander through the festive chalets.
Food offerings include a range of Central European dishes, such as bratwurst, pierogies, schnitzel, chimney cake, raclette, gulasch, kartoffelpuffs, spiced baked apples, pork shank, and mulled wine.
Vegetarian, vegan, nut-free, and gluten-free options are also available.
- Alpen House – A winter wonderland where you can sit, drink and keep warm.
- Gourmetstrasse – The place to go for Christmas food and drinks.
- Christmas Carousel – FREE rides for everyone.
- Christmas Tree – A walk-in Christmas tree decorated with 36,000 lights.
- Scavenger Hunt – A fun event to keep the kids entertained.
- Sky Curtain – A festive celebration of 22,000 lights above Tannenbaum Terrace.
- Love Locks – Purchase a lovelock for $3, or bring your own.
- Schwibbogen – A place to take a photo with a Christmas candle decoration. 🤷♀️
- Augmented Reality – These are Instagram filters where you can take photos to share.
Food Specialties
- Butter Tarts: A classic Canadian dessert with a gooey filling in a pastry shell, often with raisins or pecans.
- Tourtière: A traditional French-Canadian meat pie, commonly filled with pork or beef.
- Bannock: A bread with Indigenous roots, typically made with simple ingredients and sometimes flavoured with dried fruits or spices.
- Perogies: Dumplings popularised by Ukrainian immigrants, filled with potato, cheese, or sauerkraut, available with various fillings.
- Smoked Salmon: Pacific Coast specialty often enjoyed with bagels or cream cheese.
- Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup: A vegan dish combining wild rice and mushrooms.
At the Market Stalls
- Poutine: Canada’s signature dish of fries topped with gravy and cheese curds.
- Nanaimo Bars: A no-bake treat from Nanaimo, featuring a wafer, coconut, and almond base, topped with custard icing and chocolate ganache.
- BC Salmon Chowder: A creamy soup featuring locally sourced salmon.
- German Pretzels: Freshly baked and sold warm, these twisted breads range from salted to cinnamon-sugar-coated varieties.
- Beaver Tails: A fried dough pastry shaped like a beaver’s tail, topped with options like Nutella or cinnamon sugar.
- Artisan Chocolate: Local chocolatiers craft unique flavours like lavender and chai.
- Mulled Wine: Spiced wine served warm.
What to Buy
- Local Artisan Crafts: Vancouver’s artisans’ handmade items, including jewellery, woodwork, and ceramics, make meaningful souvenirs.
- Indigenous Art: Authentic pieces such as woven baskets, totem carvings, and beadwork, created by local Indigenous artists.
- Canadian Maple Syrup: Bottles of maple syrup from eastern Canada, plus maple-infused treats like candies and cookies.
- Hand-Knitted Clothing: Warm hats, scarves, and mittens, often made from locally sourced wool.
- Local Wines and Spirits: Wines, gins, and spirits from British Columbia’s vineyards and distilleries.
- Handmade Candles: Scented candles with Pacific Northwest aromas like cedar and pine, adding.
- Traditional Decorations: Items like hand-painted glass baubles and wooden ornaments.
Sustainable Travel Tips
- Eco-Friendly Hotels: Book a hotel that uses renewable energy or energy-efficient systems. Some Vancouver hotels focus on green practices like solar power and low-impact heating.
- Reducing Food Waste: Order smaller portions or share dishes at restaurants to avoid waste.
- Ethical Shopping: Support local artisans and Indigenous artists who use sustainable practices. Many Vancouver shops focus on eco-friendly and ethical products.
- Local and Seasonal Eating: When eating out, choose local and seasonal produce. Vancouver has many options that highlight regional ingredients, reducing the distance food travels.
- Eco-Friendly Transport: Use Vancouver’s public transport, including buses, trams, and the SkyTrain, to get around. For short trips, rent a bike and use the city’s extensive cycling paths.
- Waste Reduction: Bring reusable shopping bags, water bottles, and coffee cups. Many Vancouver cafes and shops refill these items, helping to cut down on single-use waste.
- Responsible Wildlife Tours: Select ethical tour operators for wildlife viewing. Vancouver has operators who follow strict guidelines to protect local wildlife, especially in whale-watching tours.
- Use of Green Spaces: Visit Vancouver’s green spaces, like Stanley Park. Following leave-no-trace principles helps maintain these areas and supports local biodiversity.
Comment below if you want to leave a Xmas review, have any questions or would like to report any inaccuracies.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.
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