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Christmas shopping shouldn't be stressful, and with a visit to one of our local craft fairs you can cross off every name on your list without breaking a sweat
The Christmas season is all about giving, and with these craft fairs you can make sure your loved ones are getting the most beautiful and unique presents around. Support talented local artisans and find exclusive goods for everyone on your list. From an authentic German marketplace to Santa on a canoe, there is no shortage of seasonal experiences to fill you with joy.
Stay a step ahead of the holiday rush with a trip to Circle Craft Market. This six-day market will feature over 310 vendors from across Canada specializing in everything from pottery to metal to glass and more. Held at the Vancouver Convention Centre, there’ll be live family-friendly entertainment and artisan demonstrations to help get everyone in the gift giving spirit. Little shoppers can enjoy the family craft zone, where they can make holiday cards, paper wreaths and mini stockings.
Escape the city for the day and head to Squamish for their biggest craft fair of the year, Refresh Market. There will be 70 vendors from around the Lower Mainland offering vintage and handmade goods. Kids will love the beading station, and with child minding provided, moms are free to enjoy their fashion show. Be sure to get there early, as the first 50 guests will receive a complimentary swag bag.
Visit the historic Fort Langley Community Hall for a one-of-a-kind craft fair experience at Bloom Market. This intimate event is hosting 40 local artisans who will be showing off their goods. You can find handmade home décor, fashion, jewelry and other works of art. Stick around for their special Santa ceremony and watch as he trades in his sled for a canoe. After a fantastic entrance, he’ll help light the Christmas tree all to the sounds of festive carolers.
The most magical Christmas event in the city can be found at Queen Elizabeth Plaza’s Vancouver Christmas Market. The Market recreates classic German Christmas markets with traditional foods and drinks (think beer – and lots of it!), unique handmade gifts, folk dancers and more. Even if you’ve crossed off everything on your shopping list, stop by for a drink after work or to experience Vancouver’s only Christmas carousel.
In the heart of Vancouver’s Olympic Village is the Creekside Community Recreation Centre, home to the Portobello West Fashion and Art Market. This market was inspired by European artisan markets and was voted the best craft fair in the city by the Georgia Straight. This event is all about keeping it local and features over 50 local vendors offering the goods from fashion to food and everything in between.
There’s more to Christmas than just presents. For example, really great holiday parties! Make It! Vancouver combines the two for the ultimate fun craft fair experience. This self-described “craft show in the front, party in the back” will be held at the PNE Forum for four days this December. They’ll have food carts, a licensed bar, good music and goods from all the best Canadian artisans.
Western Front is one of Vancouver’s leading supporters of the arts and their annual fundraising event, the Toque Craft Fair, is not to be missed. Every year they host as many as 2,500 guests to their two-day event. They’ve carefully curated their list too include rising local talent. They’ve invited vendors offering a wide range of things like handmade cards, ceramics and yummy food.
If you’re searching for a fair with a reputation, check out Got Craft? Holiday Edition. They describe themselves as a “modern twist on the conventional craft fair,” and this December they’ll be holding their 16th event. You can’t tempt your taste buds with delicious treats like home baked goods and artisan chocolates. Be sure to stop by their D.I.Y. workshops so that you can bring home a present that’s truly one of a kind.
The Christmas season can be stressful with so much to do and sometimes you need every last minute to prepare. For all the procrastinators out there, there’s the Last Chance Craft Fair. Rush down on December 20 and 21 to catch over 150 artisans from across the province. And, in the true spirit of holiday giving, part of the proceeds from the event will go to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.
