Community & Current Events
The Best Christmas Markets in Canada
Toronto Christmas Market
Community & Current Events
The Best Christmas Markets in Canada
Our favourite holiday hotspots in our home and native land to shop local and get into the festive spirit.
Skip the mall this season in favour of Christmas markets with a seemingly endless array of handmade and Canadian-designed goods. You may even check everyone off on your list in just one stop—all while listening to tunes and noshing on tasty treats. Here are some of the best festive markets coast to coast.
1. Vancouver Christmas Market
November 12th to December 24th, 2022
Inspired by traditional German holiday fairs called Christkindlmarkts, the Vancouver Christmas Market brings together food, shopping and music in the open air. The 75 wooden stalls sell goodies like patterned socks, Austrian tea, Turkish fruit soaps and German snacks including potato pancakes, schnitzel, gingerbread and mulled wine. Plus, the littles will enjoy a ride on the carousel and a chance to sit on Santa's lap.
2. Winter Street Market, Kelowna
December 3rd, 2022, at Stuart Park.
To help you get into the holiday spirit, join us on Saturday December 3, 2022 from 11am to 6pm for our festive outdoor celebration featuring local Okanagan artisans and to share in some holiday cheer.
The Downtown Kelowna Winter Street Market is a free community event geared towards all ages. This event celebrates the magic of the holiday season with authentic local products, delicious food and drink, family activities, music, ice skating, entertainment, and of course, a visit with Santa!
3. Market Collective Cheer, Calgary
December 9th - 11th & December 16th - 18th, 2022
If you're shopping for someone who's too cool for school (she's into local art, knows all the best bands and loves everything organic), you'll want to head to the Market Collective's winter fair in Inglewood for wall hangings, small-batch bath products, beanies and soy candles. While you're there, savour snacks from local food trucks, explore interactive installations and groove to live tunes and DJ sets.
4. The Royal Bison Fair, Edmonton
November 25th - 27th & December 2nd - 4th, 2022
With different vendors each weekend, The Royal Bison Fair's winter market is worth two trips to Old Strathcona. Since it's aligned with the local independent arts community, there's a heavy dose of art and paper products, mostly made by Edmonton-based creatives. You'll even find great gifts for the men in your life. Expect it to be a little edgier than your average craft bazaar; their slogan is “Make Edmonton Weird.”
5. Third + Bird Christmas Market, Winnipeg
November 18th, 19th, and 20th at the Red River Exhibition Place.
Located on a single floor of Hudson's Bay Downtown, Third + Bird Christmas Market offers a carefully curated selection of gifts from more than 130 local makers. Snag healing crystals, home goods made from repurposed materials, leather baby shoes, Bronuts donuts and maybe even a manicure. If you can't make it out, Third + Bird will be hosting a pop-up shop at the Forks Market for three weekends in December.
6. The Distillery Winter Village, Toronto
November 17th to December 31st, 2022
Amongst The Distillery Historic District' s 65+ local shops, restaurants and cafés, you'll find outdoor Distillery Winter Village vendor cabins offering specially curated seasonal items and gifts, plus delicious, can't-miss food cabins. Enjoy strolling the cobblestone streets under the canopy lights while you select the perfect gift for that special someone (or yourself!).
7. Canadian Museum of History's Christmas Market, Ottawa
November 24th to 27th, 2022,
This four-day market hosted in Ottawa's Canadian Museum of History is home to more than 80 stalls with traditional craft-fair wares—think jams, Christmas decorations and pottery. That said, there are also a few quirky vendors, like Jack's Soda (for artisanal pop) and McCormick Wands (yup, there are carved wood wands available for Harry Potter fans). Finish your shopping early this year, then take a whirl through the museum.
8. The Great Christmas Market, Montreal
November 19th to December 31st, 2022
The perfect destination for a family outing, the schedule for Montréal's Grand Marché de Noël is jam-packed with activities. Visit Santa's house and the elves' workshop, decorate cookies or make jewellery and sample cotton candy, beaver tails and European sausages. While the littles are occupied, you'll maybe even sneak in a bit of shopping for household linens, cozy slippers, herb-growing kits and stylin' kids clothing.
9. German Christmas Market, Québec City
November 24th to December 23rd, 2022
A new area is opening this year: The Marktplatz of Galeries de la Capitale, on the Dufferin terrace (next to Château Frontenac)!
A German market in the Christkindlmarkt tradition, Le Marché de Noël Allemand offers a European experience with festive music, beautiful decorations and German food—all set in magical Old Québec. Enjoy choral singing, indoor and outdoor performances, the Lufthansa Group WinterBar and the Kindermarkt—a designated area with children's activities and, naturally, appearances by Mr. Claus.
10. Halifax Crafters Society Winter Market
December 2nd, 3rd & 4th, 2022
Take a few hours to get to know the local artists and makers in the Halifax region at this winter shopping weekend. Since Halifax Crafters Society aims to showcase and support local established and emerging crafters, at least 80 percent of vendors are based in Nova Scotia. A jury selects participants (usually around 80 out of 150 applicants) and each market offers high quality, utterly unique gift options.
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