Vancouver’s Original Christmas Market Ups the Merry & Bright with Unique Vendors, Interactive Holiday Experiences and a Fiery New Attraction
Vancouver’s Original Christmas Market Ups the Merry & Bright with Unique Vendors, Interactive Holiday Experiences and a Fiery New Attraction
The German-Inspired Vancouver Christmas Market Opens Nov 13 with 90+ Vendor Huts, 360° Lighting Displays, New Market Activities & Photo Ops, and Festive Fun for Swifties & Football Fans
(Vancouver, BC) – November 7, 2024: It’s almost that time of year! As Vancouver prepares to host the Grey Cup, Jack Poole Plaza is transforming into a whimsical German wonderland with a decidedly different cup – one filled with steaming Glühwein. The city’s beloved Vancouver Christmas Market opens Wednesday, Nov 13 with a festive six-week schedule (until December 24) including live music and carollers, added trivia and karaoke nights, new food and drink, revamped lighting displays, upscale lounges, carousel rides from Aeroplan®, Letters to Santa – and even some facetime with the big guy himself.
“Fifteen years ago, we founded the Vancouver Christmas Market to bring an authentic piece of our beloved German Christmas traditions to Vancouverites,” says Market Founder Malte Kluetz. “Since then, we’ve been honoured to see millions of family and friends walk through our gates and make us a part of their annual holiday traditions. Each year, our team works hard to transform our waterfront into a magical German town square, with artisan vendors, authentic European food and drink, twinkling light features, and brand new experiences to add to the Christmas photo albums.”
“We’re the city’s longest-running outdoor Christmas Market, which comes with the challenge of keeping the holiday spirit fresh and exciting – and this year, I think even St. Nick would agree that we’ve gone above and beyond!”
A Market favourite, the Aeroplan Holiday Carousel is back and free to ride for guests young and young-at-heart. Aeroplan, Air Canada’s travel loyalty program, inspires members to earn everyday with their retail partners to reach their travel goals sooner and go-round the world. For those in the giving spirit, Aeroplan offers the opportunity to donate to the Air Canada Foundation through the nearby tap machines.
Also returning are the iconic Christmas Pyramid & Flying Stage (Glühwein served from the bottom, live holiday music served up on top!)
NEW EATS, TREATS & MARKET DELIGHTS
It’s not a German Christmas Market without a festive drink or savoury snack in your hand, while you browse the alpine-style huts for local and international artisan gifts. This year, the Vancouver Christmas Market has added new vendor huts that showcase the best of BC and bring a taste of Europe to the city.
New Feature Drink:
- Prepare to indulge… but don’t stand too close! The all-new Feuerzangenbowle (literally “fire tong punch”) is a traditional German drink in which a rum-soaked sugarloaf is set on fire and drips into Glühwein. You’ll be sure to enjoy it… less sure to pronounce it correctly.
New Sips, Eats & Treats:
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- Skewered meats and vegetables by Das Kebab Haus
- Sauteed mushrooms with garlic sauce by Das Champignon Haus
- Truffle-based delicacies including truffle oil, truffle salts, and truffle pasta sauce by The Truffle Hut
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- Sustainable and locally-sourced seafood from the waters of British Columbia by GoodFish Seafood
- Freshly-baked soft cookies by Connie’s Cookie Haus
- Alfajores (Latin macarons) and French macarons by La Lula Sweets
- Honey-based alcoholic beverage by Mead Haus
- Handcrafted spirits by Tofino Distillery
- Craft premium wines by Quinta Ferreira Estate Winery
New Take-Away Artisan Shops:
- French linens for the home and kitchen by Linen Haus
- Hand-carved wooden home goods and accessories by Lumbo Woodshop
- Handmade needle-felted creations, from adorable animals to intricate decor by Elfin Atelier
Make the memories last! The 2024 collector Market Mug is now on sale online (with limited quantities of last year’s mug remaining at the Info Hut). Plus, pick up custom Vancouver Christmas Market posters from the Trip Poster Hut.
NORTH POLE-WORTHY MARKET ATTRACTIONS
Looking for the perfect photo op or new ways to get all wrapped up in the magic of Christmas? This year’s Market is going bigger and brighter on lighting and decor:
- Walk through the 35 ft Walk-Through Christmas Tree adorned with almost 15,000 twinkling lights. Push the button inside the tree for 360° magical light effects!
- Delight in a bigger and brighter Lovers’ Lane, with countless lights dancing in mesmerizing themed patterns.
- Sip seasonal drinks at the Schnapslplatz, designed like a wintertime vineyard, with barrels, wagon wheels, and patio lights.
- Snap photos at the WinterDeck – an all-new themed photo op area with giant snowflakes, magical decor and stunning North Shore views.
- Enjoy complimentary rides on the Aeroplan Holiday Carousel to go-round the world and learn how to earn points everyday.
- Sit back and relax at the Aeroplan lounge, near the Aeroplan Holiday Carousel, and grab some free swag (think umbrellas and the coveted festive Starbucks cups!)
- Send Letters to Santa from Vancouver straight to the North Pole! Swing by the Air Canada
- Foundation Hut. All you need to bring is your wishes – and we’ll make sure they find their way to the North Pole.
SPECIAL NIGHTS & EVENTS
This season, the Vancouver Christmas Market offers more activities than ever before! Besides nightly live entertainment, the daily event calendar is packed with activities for all ages – most free with admission.
Grand Opening & Grey Cup Celebrations: This season, the Vancouver Christmas Market opens its gates Wednesday, November 13 – just in time for the adjacent Grey Cup Festival celebrations at the Vancouver Convention Centre and BC Place. German Glühwein meets Canadian Football with the special Grey Cup Festival Flex Pass, which gives revellers unlimited access to the Vancouver Christmas Market while they enjoy the Grey Cup Festival from November 13 to 17.
A Taylor-Made Market Treat: To the Lovers celebrating their Christmas Era, join the cheer with a Swiftie-themed Karaoke and Trivia Nights. Taylor fans can also scoop up a Swiftie Flex Pass for unlimited visits during the concert weekend (Dec 4-10). Don’t forget to show off your friendship bracelets!
Festive Workshops (Limited Quantities): Grab the gang and join the Manites Flower Haus for wreath building workshops. Workshop tickets include a Season Pass to the Market, and all the plaid ribbon, fresh greenery and hands-on-instruction you need to make some Hallmark-worthy decor.
Christmas Karaoke: More Mariah all Market long… Christmas Karaoke is back on added evenings throughout the season! Belt out favourite snowy classics from ‘Let It Snow’… to ‘Let It Go’.
Trivia Nights: Back by popular demand, with added nights! Grab your friends and family, and make the ultimate trivia team. Pair your festive facts with a side of Glühwein and Bratwurst (or even a Chimney Cake to get the sugar rushing.)
Photos with St. Nick: Check in with the Man in Red himself! Find Santa strolling the Market, or skip the mall lineups and snap the perfect holiday card photo with him at the Alpen Haus.
The Lantern Parade: In classic European tradition, this kid-friendly procession will wind its way down the Market alleys (November 24 at 5 pm). Guests are invited to bring their own lanterns or pick up a special Lantern Parade Ticket Combo, which includes a charming lantern and a ticket to the Market.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Featuring live music and holiday entertainers, the Vancouver Christmas Market showcases a variety of local talent performing weekdays from 5 pm and weekends from 12:30 pm onwards from the Flying Stage on the second storey of the Christmas Pyramid. Guests can delight in renditions of classic Christmas songs, plus festive tunes from locally-loved performers and rising stars on the music scene.
Join the Christmas cheer for the 14th year! See what makes Vancouver’s longest-running outdoor market – and only German Christmas Market – a holiday mainstay for locals and visitors alike. Willkommen!
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Media Inquiries:
For interviews with Malte Kluetz (Founder), Denise Wegener (President) or local guest vendors, as well as photography and videography requests, please contact:
Shivani Lalan, Kipling Media
Phone: +1-647-8634397
Email: pr@kiplingmedia.com
High-resolution photos can be downloaded from our online media kit.
EVENT DETAILS .
The Vancouver Christmas Market
Location: Jack Poole Plaza (at the Olympic Cauldron), 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC
Dates: November 13 – December 24, 2024
2024 Market Hours:
| November 13 – 30 | December 1 – 19 | December 20 – 24 |
| Mon – Thurs: 4 pm – 9:30 pm. | Mon – Thurs: 11:30 am – 9:30 pm | Dec 20: 11 am – 11 pm |
| Fri & Sat: 11 am – 10 pm | Fri & Sat: 11 am – 11 pm | Dec 21: 10 am – 11 pm |
| Sun: 11 am – 9:30 pm | Sun: 11 am – 9:30 pm | Dec 22 & Dec 23: 10 am – 10 pm |
| Dec 24: 10 am – 6 pm |
Tickets & Timeslots: The Vancouver Christmas Market offers an online reservation system where guests select a date and book a 30-minute arrival timeslot (but can stay for as long as they like). Tickets can be purchased (and timeslots reserved) online at vancouverchristmasmarket.com/tickets or in person at the ticket office.
Getting Here: The Vancouver Christmas Market is a short walk from Waterfront Station (Canada Line and Expo Line SkyTrains, and Seabus) and several bus routes.Street parking and several public parkades are available nearby. Note: Access to Thurlow Street and Burrard Street will be blocked during the Grey Cup Festival (November 13 – 17). Designated Uber drop off zones will be available nearby.
Connect with the Vancouver Christmas Market:
Website: vancouverchristmasmarket.com
Facebook: @VancouverChristmasMarket
Instagram: @vanchristmas
Twitter: @vanchristmas
TikTok: @vanchristmas
BACKGROUND .
About The Vancouver Christmas Market:
Since 2010, the Vancouver Christmas Market has delighted locals and guests with authentic German-inspired festivities. Combining colourful décor, artisan gifts, sweet and savoury food and drink, and live music, the yuletide celebration creates the ideal atmosphere to mix and mingle with friends and family, enjoy a quick lunch or after-work drinks, and indulge in a variety of special events, old world confections, and seasonal entertainment.
About Aeroplan:
Aeroplan, Air Canada’s travel loyalty program, inspires members to reach their travel goals sooner and go-round the world with everyday earning partners Starbucks, Uber/UberEats and Parkland Canada’s Journie Rewards program available at Canadian fuel and convenience brands, including Chevron, Fas Gas, and ON the RUN.
About the Air Canada Foundation:
Make every tap count by spreading a little Christmas cheer with a donation to the Air Canada Foundation.
Supporting children through its pillars of Health, Protection, and Dreams, the Foundation strengthens healthcare access, supports the ecosystem of childhood, and uplifts children facing adversity through transformative experiences. Join the movement of giving this holiday season by tapping to donate to the Air Canada Foundation at the machines located nearby the Aeroplan Holiday Carousel.
