Vancouver Christmas Market 2026 Dates and Tickets

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; however, it’s advisable to purchase them ahead of time 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, goulash, 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 that allow you to 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 come in a variety of flavours, ranging from salted to cinnamon-sugar-coated.
• 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 create handmade items, including jewellery, woodwork, and ceramics, that 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, such as cedar and pine, are added.
• 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 prioritise green practices, including 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 specialise in eco-friendly and ethically sourced products.
• Local and Seasonal Eating: When dining out, opt for 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, consider renting a bike and utilising the city’s extensive cycling paths.
• Waste Reduction: Bring reusable shopping bags, water bottles, and coffee cups to reduce waste. Many Vancouver cafes and shops refill these items, helping to reduce 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.
• Utilise Vancouver’s Green Spaces: Visit Stanley Park, one of the city’s premier green spaces. 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 as definitive. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.