Holiday Markets 2023: Stir's ultimate guide to festive fairs featuring local creatives
Photography, glass blowing, leather work, wearable art, food and wine, and more: Vancouver makers have been as busy as elves
The Holiday Pop-up at The Polygon.
HOLIDAY MARKETS ARE a sure-fire way to get in the seasonal spirit, whether you lean toward weirdo gifts or have a liking for more traditional trinkets. Below is a look at places where local makers and creatives have all kinds of artful items on offer this year.
The Polygon Gallery’s Holiday Shop
To January 7 at The Polygon Gallery
The Polygon’s main floor transforms into a festive wonderland every holiday season, offering a curated selection of one-of-a-kind gifts by indie artists and makers. The 2023 edition features several special events, from a bannock bake sale by Métis Bannock Queen (with proceeds going to Urban Native Youth Association) and tintype dog portraits to a natural-wine pop-up and a wreath-making workshop. Check out Neighbourhood Night on November 30, from 6 to 9 pm, which features complementary gallery admission, in-store discounts, and a guided tour of the winter exhibition, From Slander’s Brand.
Light Blue Eagle Sarah V-neck Dress, Haisla Dream Creations, Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week Artisan Market
Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week Artisan Market
November 20 to 23 at Queen Elizabeth Theatre
The fourth edition of Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week features collections from 32 Indigenous designers, including 15 from the Northwest Territories. And that’s not all. The VIFW Artisan Market is back by popular demand, and bigger than ever, taking over the entire lobby of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre while runway shows will be held in the theatre space to accommodate more guests. As many as 50 vendors per day will be on-site with hand-crafted items, from jewellery, to apparel and more.
Emily Carr University’s Legendary Student Art Sale
November 23 to 25 at Emily Carr University of Art + Design
It’s the 50th year of the Student Art Sale, a place to get one-of-a-kind pieces by emerging artists and designers. Original paintings, sculpture, photographs, housewares, jewellery, wearables, prints, paintings, and more will be available. With more than 225 participating students, 2023 marks the event’s biggest sale to date.
Deer Lake Winter Festival, Heart & Sewl.
Deer Lake Winter Festival
November 24 to 26 at Shadbolt Centre for the Arts
The Burnaby Arts Council presents the annual Deer Lake Winter Festival, a juried event featuring some 40 B.C. artisans, including glass blowers, fashion designers, pâtissiers, sculptors, jewellers, and jam makers.
Magkasama Christmas Market
November 24 to December 3 online
The annual virtual Filipino market takes its name from the Tagalog word for “together”. Baked goods, candles, sustainable household products, coffee and more are on offer. Order pick-up takes place December 8 to 10.
Portobello West Holiday Market, Lollipop Craft Dolls.
Portobello West Holiday Market
November 25 and 26 at Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre
More than 65 local artists are taking part in the annual event, with everything from pet accessories to home décor to wine and spirits. Face painting for all ages, live entertainment, and nearby food trucks all add to the festive fun.
Vancouver Etsy Co. Holiday Pop-up Market at the Pipe Shop, Amandatomical Art.
Vancouver Etsy Co. Holiday Pop-up Market at the Pipe Shop
November 25 and 26 at the Pipe Shop in North Vancouver
More than 105 local makers, designers, creatives, and artists will be onsite with ceramics, home wares, food and drinks, apparel, jewellery, body care, and other items. For the first time, there will be a Kids Zone, where UBC Geering Up offers interactive STEAM activities (Saturday only). Plus, 12 Mini Makers will be on-hand, budding young entrepreneurs with crafts, bath bombs, soap, jewellery, and more. Fifty percent of ticket sales go to BC Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Greater Vancouver Food Bank. Last year, the event raised over $9,000 for Dress for Success Vancouver and BC SPCA.
Heart to Home Holiday Market
November 25 and 26 at Surrey Art Gallery
Jellies and cookies and jams, oh my! That’s not all that’s available at this annual event hosted by the Surrey Art Gallery Association. Look also for ceramics, jewellery, paintings, prints, photography, art cards, skincare, and more. SAGA members get a 15-percent discount. Plus, there’s live music by local artists Lisa Rae Simons and Ranj Singh. For those who would rather shop from home, SAGA’s gift shop is open at sagabc.com. (From November 25 to December 22, use the code H2H@H at checkout for 15 percent off.)
Toque Craft Fair, Studio Note.
Toque Craft Fair
December 1 to 3 at Western Front
A cherished annual community event and fundraiser hosted by Western Front, the fair features a curated selection of BC-based artists, craftspeople and designers. Textiles, stationary, home decor, bags, ceramics, and body products are just some of the goods on offer.
Krampustmarkt, Maria Ida Designs.
Krampusmarkt
December 1 to 3 at Strange Fellows Brewing
Strange Fellows Brewing and OH Studio Project team up for the annual Krampusmarkt with one-of-a-kind ceramics, baskets, jewellery, leather, stationary, glass, wall art textiles, chocolate, baked goods, coffee, perfume, florals, ethical clothing and skincare, and more from over 30 local artisans. Top Rope Birria Food Truck will be on-site, and photos with Krampus himself will be available. (According to European legend, he’s a half-goat, half-demon who punishes misbehaved kids at Christmastime.) December 1 features a kick-off reception with music, food, and drink in celebration of the bad cop to Santa’s good cop. Goth or festive attire encouraged.
Tugboat Landing Artisan Market, Cord and Stone Jewellery.
Tugboat Landing Artisan Market
December 2 from 11 am to 5 pm and December 3 from 11 am to 4 pm at HarbourMaster Clubhouse
The riverside market offers free admission as well as coffee, hot cocoa, and treats by donation. Among the vendors are Toon’s Sauces, Evie & Charlie Bakery, ScouterWear, Ladner Artisan Chocolates, Mad Lab Distillers, Odd Couple Company, Bark & Biscuits, Knit Collective, Opseidaisy Ceramics, Guava Jelly, ILiveInEastVan, and Bower Fibre Goods.
Good Stuff Market $50 and Under
December 2 and 3 from 11 am to 5 pm at Heritage Hall
First Pick Handmade presents its inaugural Good Stuff Market featuring hand-made objects and stocking stuffers priced at $50 or less. Around 40 local vendors will be on-site, each making goods by hand.
Got Craft Holiday Market, Mended With Gold.
Got Craft Holiday Virtual Market
To December 3 online
This pop-up market is Got Craft’s most ambitious online event of the year, with some 50 makers and small shops from all across Canada. Find paper goods, jewellery, homewares, clothing, bath and body products, ceramics, and food and drink, among other gift ideas.
Make it Vancouver.
Make it Vancouver
December 7 to 10 at the PNE Forum
Some 265 Makies descend upon the PNE Forum for “handmade awesomeness” in their self-declared handmade revolution. A beer garden, live music, and food trucks mean you can make a day of it, shopping for everything from batik pillows and crocheted plants to cool cribbage boards and preserved floral arrangements.
Weirdos Holiday Market, This Monkey’s Gone to Heaven.
Weirdos Holiday Market
December 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17 at Russian Hall
Weirdness rules at this crazily popular market with some 40 vendors (out of the 200 artists who applied this year), complete with tarot readings, sword swallowing, photos with Puppyteeth Santa, and nosh by Food Network favourites Punk Rock Pastries. New this year are two Friday evening markets for adults only. Day or night, from clothing to candles to anatomical curiosities, expect all things outrageous, offbeat, eccentric, and bizarre. Participating makers include Ultraviolet Oddities, Diabolical Dungeoneer, Intergalactic Ceramic, Roan’s Victorian Rag Dolls, Softasvulvet, The Glass Witch, West Coast Macabre, Kwest Costume Art, Decadent Decay, and ADHD Witchery
First Pick Handmade, Soul Sister.
First Pick Handmade
December 9 and 10 at Heritage Hall
Thirty local makers will be on-site with clothing, jewellery, accessories, ceramics, small-batch skin care, and original artwork.
Bespoke Holiday Market
December 9 and 10 at Audain Art Museum
Some 30-plus local vendors will be on-site at the Whistler venue with a selection of hand-crafted and unique products, including slow fashion, original artwork, artisanal food and drink, and more.
Vancouver Christmas Market, Art of Soap.
Vancouver Christmas Market
To December 24 at Jack Poole Plaza
A Christmas carousel, a walk-in Christmas tree, sky curtain of lights, Christmas karaoke, a lantern parade, German and Austrian beers, gluhwein… The list goes on at this massive event that turns Jack Poole Plaza into a European market every year. Along with live music daily, there are more than 90 artisan huts offering hand-crafted goods and wares. It’s worth a trip for the food alone; think raclette, pretzels, goulash, bratwurst, and more.
Eastside Flea Holiday Market.
Eastside Flea Holiday Market
To December 16 at Eastside Studios
Vintage clothing, collectibles, plants, artisan eats are just some of what you’ll find here—plus three rotating food trucks parked right outside to fuel your shopping spree.
Shipyards Artisan Christmas Market
December 16 and 17 at the Pipe Shop Building
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