Metro Vancouver holiday markets 2022: Local artists, makers, and designers shine
Live pottery demos, Indigenous art, anonymous artworks, and more can be found at so many festive fairs
Warm And Drift, Toque Craft Fair
Abder Atbi Accessories, at First Pick Handmade
Vancouver Christmas Market.
IF THE FESTIVE spirit hasn’t kicked in yet, so many holiday markets are here to help bring out your inner elf. The unifying factor among them all is a focus on local makers, artists, designers, crafters, and creatives.
Vancouver Christmas Market
To December 24 at Jack Poole Plaza
Inspired by the Christkindlmarkts of Germany, held each December and featuring local artisans, this wintry village comes complete with a carousel, called HolidayLife, that’s free for the riding this year (thanks to a partnership with Interac). New this season is a sky curtain made of 22,000 lights and an augmented reality (AR) experience. Glühwein, German and Austrian beers, sweet and savoury foods, and more than 80 vendors round out the holiday experience.
The Polygon Gallery’s Holiday Shop.
The Polygon Gallery's Holiday Shop
To December 24 at the Polygon Gallery
The gallery’s main floor transforms into a festive destination featuring unique, sustainably minded gifts by indie artists and makers. Little Mountain Shop’s Holiday Pop-Up returns with its all-Canadian lineup of mostly local, women-led, BIPOC creatives. Meet the Maker events take place every weekend from 11 am to 4 pm, highlighting a different guest vendor each time, with demos and a photobooth.
Sleepy Oinky #1, Anonymous Art Show.
The Anonymous Art Show 2022
Previews to November 24; then from November 24 at 7 pm to December 17 at Cityscape Community ArtSpace and online
Back for its 19th year, the Anonymous Art Show features more than 700 unique 8" x 8" works by some 350 local artists. Every single piece is anonymous: the artists have signed the back of the work, so that their identity remains secret until the artwork is purchased and taken down from the wall. Whether created by a well-established artist or an emerging creator, each painting is priced at $100, with the artist and North Van Arts sharing the profit. Proceeds support North Van Arts’ ongoing programs and projects.
Heart to Home Holiday Market
November 26 from 11 am to 5 pm and November 27 from noon to 4 pm at Surrey Arts Centre and November 26 to December 22 online
Surrey Art Gallery Association (SAGA) proudly features pieces by artists from throughout the Lower Mainland as well as the Gulf Islands at this annual bazaar. Upcycled creations, ceramics, hand-felted and hand-knit scarves and hats, jewellery, paintings, prints, photographs, cards, homemade jams and jellies, and handmade chocolates are some of the items on offer. Long-time Surrey Art Gallery ceramics instructor Murray Sanders is doing live pottery demos, while live music comes courtesy Tess Anderson on Saturday and Ranj Singh on Sunday.
SAGA members receive 15 percent off (people can join onsite); for those who would prefer to shop at home, SAGA’s online gift shop will offer a 15-percent discount from November 26 to December 22 (use code H2H@H at checkout).
Portobello West Holiday Market
November 26 and November 27 from 10 am to 5 pm at Roundhouse Community Arts + Recreation Centre
Portobello West’s signature holiday market at the Roundhouse is back with more than 65 B.C. artists, designers, and producers. On the 2022 roster: Coldwell Creations’ reclaimed and repurposed handcrafted woodworking; Quilts by Belle; Covet Handcrafted leather bags; Sapphorica Creations’ art cards; Hotdogs & Dinosaurs’ paintings, Sugarplum Shortbread, Storehouse Winery wines, and tons of other cool stuff. Check out Treasure Boxes by Bob: accurately mitered boxes made from repurposed laminate flooring and crowned with natural pods, cones, crystals, or shells. Camion Café and KYU Grill food trucks will be on-site.
Magkasama Christmas Market
From November 25 to December 4 online; pick up from December 9 to 11 at at Shameless Buns (5772 Fraser Street)
The annual virtual market is a celebration of local Filipino-owned businesses. Pinoy goods for gifting (or keeping) include longaniza smash burger kits, sampaguita candles, ube cake in a jar, adobo chili oil, charcuterie boxes, holiday crafts, Filipino mugs, sinigang ramen, and more.
…and then again, Got Craft Virtual Market
Got Craft Virtual Market
To November 27 online
Apparel, body care, textiles, wall art, pet accessories, home goods, chocolate, coffee, tea, baby and kids’ stuff, baked goods, candles… This is one of the biggest curated markets of local makers, designers, and small shops in B.C.
Whistler Bespoke Market
December 2 from 12 to 7 pm and December 3 from 10 am to 5 pm at Audain Art Musuem
Venture a little further afield to the winter wonderland that is Whistler for this gathering of 30+ unique vendors. Handcrafted jewellery, one-of-a-kind art, natural skincare, artisanal foods and beverages, slow fashion, and home goods are among the offerings. As an added bonus: upon purchasing a market ticket ($7 to November 27; $10 thereafter or $12 for both days), visitors get access to the museum, including the exhibition Out of Control: The Concrete Art of Skateboarding.
Toque Craft Fair
December 2 from 6 to 10 pm and December 3 and 4 from 11 am to 5 pm at Western Front
Western Front hosts this annual community event and fundraiser showcasing a curated selection of BC-based artists, craftspeople, and designers who make textiles, ceramics, jewellery, bags, stationery, and home and body products. Vendors donate 30 percent of all sales to support Western Front’s artistic program.
Holidays on Hudson
December 2, 3, 16, and 17 from 4 to 9 pm Fridays and 10 am to 5 pm Saturdays at Scottish Cultural Centre
Local farmers (like Matt’s Farm Fresh Produce, K&M Orchards, Sunshine Meadows Farms and Tatton Springs Ranch) get a seat at the table alongside makers of jewellery, pottery, home décor, and then some.
Coquitlam Christmas Craft Fair
December 2 from 4 to 9 pm; December 3 from 10 am to 6 pm; and December 4 from 10 am to 4 pm at Poirier Sport & Leisure Centre
The 41st annual event features everything from silver jewellery and hand-made mohair socks to embroidered aprons and Coast Salish art.
Motherboard, 2019, Concept piece for a work in progress. Also used for the cover of Me Tomorrow from Douglas & McIntyre by Jordanna George, appearing at Indigenous Artisans Market.
Indigenous Artisans Market
December 3 from 11 am to 3 pm at the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art
The Bill Reid Gallery hosts this market of works by more than 20 Indigenous artists from around BC. Weaving, carving, jewelry-making, beading, painting, printmaking, and other forms are featured. Entry is included with gallery admission and is free to members of the Indigenous community and of the gallery. Bannock and refreshments will be served.
New West Craft Holiday Market
December 3, 2022 from 10 am to 4 pm at River Market
The Arts Council of New Westminster hosts the holiday version of its ongoing market, with goods by local crafters, artisans, and makers.
Stɑlə̓w̓ Christmas Craft Market
December 3 from 10am to 4 pm at Museum of Surrey (17710 56A Avenue)
Stɑlə̓w̓ Arts & Cultural Society and Museum of Surrey present this market with everything from jewelry to plant medicine jam.
CONNECT X-Mas Market & Music Festival: Love is the Warmest Colour
December 3 and December 4 from 11 am to 7pm (studio art sale) and from 7 to 11 pm (live music) at City Centre Artist Lodge
Presented by the City Centre Artist Lodge X Ice Cream Truck Live, this two-day community festival combines an open-studio art sale with live music and food trucks. Located in an iconic mid-century low-rise motel in the heart of Mount Pleasant, City Centre Artist Lodge home to 79 temporary low-barrier artists’ studios, the units being managed by The Narrow Group in partnership with Vancouver Mural Festival. The open studio art sale is a chance to view artists’ work, learn about their influences and creative process, and purchase art.
Ice Cream Truck Live was launched in 2020 by producer Roberto Richards as a response to the devastating impacts of the pandemic on the local musicians. It has since hosted over 20 pop-up shows in unique outdoor spaces. During the CONNECT X-Mas Market & Music Festival, the signature Neapolitan-coloured ice cream truck will be onsite alongside two stages, with performances by the likes of Dakota Bear, Naduh, Sadé Awele, Ludic, DK Kookum, to name just a few.
The Best of CandyTown.
The Best of CandyTown
December 3 and 4 from 12 to 5 pm in Yaletown (Bill Curtis Square/Yaletown Canada Line and Helmcken Plaza, 1198 Mainland Street)
Live ice sculpting, roaming holiday characters, a holiday gift market, a candy station, and a self-guided cocktail tour are some of the highlights of this 10th annual free, family-friendly event presented by the Yaletown Business Improvement Association.
Tugboat Landing Artisan Market
December 3 and 4 from 11 am to 4 pm at Harbour Master Clubhouse
Stocking stuffers, hot sauce, cocktail mixers, small-batch spirits, custom accessories for e-bikes, and hand-stitched leather goods are some of the items on offer this year at the boutique artisan market with 20 vendors—all with views of the Fraser River.
CYarn Hut, Make It!
Make It!
December 7 to 11 at PNE Forum
Makies at this beloved market After Dark Distillery and AMLiora Designs (floral resin pieces) to YookYoung Yong Ceramics and Zoet Studios (soy candles). A bar and DJ set this shop-local experience apart.
COMBINE Art Fair
December 8 from 5 to 7 pm, followed by a public reception from 7 to 9pm; and December 9 to 11 from 12 to 5 pm at Griffin Art Gallery Residency (1180 Welch Street, North Vancouver)
Griffin Art Gallery teams up with Mónica Reyes Gallery, Unit 17, Wil Aballe Art Projects, and Montreal’s Galerie Hugues Charbonneau from Montreal for this second annual event, where people can connect with gallerists to find out more about the emerging and established artists they represent. New this year is a book fair featuring exhibition catalogues, limited edition publications, and other selections
WinterLuxe Recycled Cashmere at First Pick Handmade.
First Pick Handmade
December 10 and 11 from 11 am to 6 pm at Heritage Hall (3102 Main Street)
More than 25 artists, makers, and designers of sustainable, thoughtful goods, from clothing to jewellery, are taking part.
West Coast Macabre, Black/Blue Butterfly with Silver Pentagram, Weirdos Holiday Market.
Weirdos Holiday Market
December 9 and 16 from 6 to 9 pm; December 10, 11, 17, and 18 from 10 am to 6 pm at Russian Hall
All things kooky, curious, creepy, upcycled, one-of-a-kind, and ultra cool are at this annual market made up of hand-picked artists. Sword-swallowing master Neil E Dee will be onsite with his Danger Thrill Show; so will Punk Rock Pastries and readings by Wicked Bliss Tarot. New this year are Friday-night markets for weirdos aged 19+.
David Lloyd, Kyusu Teapot wood-fired.
Place des Arts Holiday Artisan Shop
To December 18 at Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Avenue, Coquitlam) and online to December 16
Fibre, wood, felt, stone, and glass are some of the materials that PoCo artists are working with this year; there’s also everything from hand-beaded and -sewn Barbie dresses to miniature sculptures to printed pillows.
Winter Treasures and Blackberry Christmas Marketplace
To December 22 from 10:30 am to 9 pm weekdays and from 10 am to 4:30 pm weekends at Port Moody Arts Centre (2425 St John’s Street, Port Moody)
The 9th annual Winter Treasures Artisan Market features dozens of B.C. artists, while the Blackberry Artists’ Society is Port Moody’s local artist’s collective, which operates the only artist-run gift shop in the Tri-Cities area. Mixed media, photography, basketry, ceramics, painting, drawing, and other artforms are featured.
Dina-Radvinsky, Gnome. Place des Arts Holiday Artisan Market.
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