Stir's ultimate guide to Metro Vancouver holiday markets
Here’s where to get into the holiday spirit and check out the latest by local artists, designers, makers, and creatives
Le Petit Laser Design Co.’s maple “Vaccinated 2021” ornament, at Got Craft?
Winterluxe’s arm warmers, at First Pick Handmade.
’TIS THE SEASON to seek out gifts and goodies while and support local artists at the same time. Here’s Stir’s guide to help you plot out your holiday market plan. Check back for updates throughout the merry period.
Vancouver Christmas Market.
Vancouver Christmas Market
Jack Poole Plaza, to December 24
After a one-year hiatus, Vancouver’s only European Christmas Market is back at its home site at the Olympic Cauldron. Inspired by traditional German markets, the festive event features a bierhall-style Alpine Lounge; the HOLIDAYLIFE Carousel presented by Interac, this year operating for free—and the new Gourmetstrasse, a dedicated street selling packaged gourmet foods from around the globe. Beer and glühwein (hot-spiced mulled wine) are on offer, as are food and drink from more than 30 vendors, such as THOSE Pretzels, the Licorice Parlour, and Das Fisch Haus. Prost!
And Then Again’s “You Are Loved” hand-stamped vintage silver-plated teaspoon is among the goods at Got Craft?
Got Craft?
Holiday Virtual Market, to November 28; Holiday Market in person at the Croatian Cultural Centre, December 18 and 19
“Because MALL is a four-letter word”—so goes the slogan for this crazily popular event featuring 75 makers and small shops from all across Canada offering a curated selection of goods, from greeting cards and jewellery to clothing and ceramics. Check out And Then Again’s “You Are Loved” hand-stamped vintage silver-plated teaspoon; you have the option of adding a small heart stamp to make it extra sweet. The designers source silverware from estate sales, online sales, and thrift stores and transform them into unique, nostalgic gifts. Riding the Pine’s hand-screened and -sewn textiles use original design, photography, and illustration, while their shadow box artwork is handcrafted from local recycled boards and recycled hockey sticks and skis. The East Village Tea Towel features hand screened original birds on a wire design, printed on 100% natural hemp. Then there’s Reclaimed Print Co’s 4” East Van Cross to hang on your tree: made with locally milled sustainable wood, the hand-crafted ornament and other wood canvas designs are created by a team of local artists and photographers. Or commemorate an unforgettable year with Le Petit Laser Design Co.’s maple “Vaccinated 2021” ornament ($10).
The Mergatroid Building.
Winter Open Studios at The Mergatroid Building
December 18, 11 am to 4 pm
See where it all happen when more than a dozen artists working in ceramics, clay, drawing, fabric arts, glass, leather, painting, sculptures, and textiles open their studio doors at the Mergatroid. Aja Billas, Bettina Matzkuhn, Bronsino, Cheryl Stapleton, eikcam, Firebelly Clayworks, Felicia VanDenBoogaard, Jacqueline Robins, Krista Johnson, Lisa Ochowycz, Suzan Marczak, Scott McDougall, Sorour Abdollahi, YiWei Wang all create out of the lime green building on the corner of Parker Street and Vernon Drive.
Studio Daisy, which will be at Little Mountain Shop’s annual Holiday Pop-Up at the Polygon, specializes in bespoke flowers.
The Polygon Gallery Annual Holiday Pop-up Shop
The Polygon Gallery, November 24 to December 26
The Polygon Gallery is once again transforming its main floor retail space into a festive holiday experience and shopping spot. Returning this year is Little Mountain Shop’s annual Holiday Pop-Up, with an all-Canadian lineup of mostly local, women-led, BIPOC makers and creatives. New this year are Meet the Maker events every Thursday from 4 to 8 pm. The weekly socials will highlight a local vendor—like Studio Daisy, which specializes in bespoke flowers, including winter wreaths and naturally dried bouquets—and guests get to enjoy music and shopping before taking in the gallery’s solo exhibition by Vancouver artist Steven Shearer.
Visual artist Shivani Singal loves bold colours in her playful paintings.
Winter Treasures Artisan Market
PoMoARTS Centre, to December 22
Hand-made gifts, art, décor, and fine craft items by dozens of local artists are found at this boutique artisan market at the on-site gallery—a 10-minute walk to the SkyTrain and West Coast Express and a 10-minute walk to Port Moody’s Brewers’ Row. We love visual artist Shivani Singal’s fanciful paintings (usually in acrylics but sometimes oil and pastels), with their vivid colours and sense of playfulness.
Dirt Spindle mugs at the Weirdos Holiday Market.
The Weirdos Holiday Market
The Venables Hall (1739 Venables St.), December 4 to 5 and 11 to 12
Vancouver’s most unique craft market is back, with more than 25 strange and oddball vendors, curated by founder and organizer Rachel Zottenberg and expanded across two weekends for maximum COVID safety. Returning fan favourites include Bonetique’s sculptures made from salvaged animal bones and found organic matter; Ultraviolet Oddities’ wacky planters made from deconstructed plastic doll heads; Dirt Spindle’s pottery pieces that have been fused into the shapes of human mouths, feet, and hands; and Mush Appreciated’s jewellery created from real forest-foraged fungi.
A pillow by Heather Johnston Art
First Pick Handmade Holiday Pop-Up Market
Heritage Hall, December 11 to 12
The impeccably “picked” pop-up market holds its first holiday market with a cast of makers that includes the Vancouver photo-pillows of Heather Johnston Art, SML Glassworks’ ethereal jewellery and glassware by Sonya Labrie, and Winterluxe’s cozy recycled cashmere hats, gloves, and scarves.
Toque Craft Fair
Online via the Western Front, December 1 to 5
Browse a cleverly curated selection of textiles, ceramics, jewelry, books, bags, and home and body products by BC-based artists and designers. Highlights include: Anita Sikma Design’s fine wax-cast jewellery; Goodbeast’s bespoke glassware; and Cloth Tone’s beautifully textural handwoven scarves and blankets. Thirty percent of donations go to the Front’s arts programming. Purchased items will be available for pickup at the venue on December 11 and 12.
Krampusmarkt
Strange Fellows Brewing, December 3 to 5
OhStudio Project curates a lineup of more than 30 artisans who work in the realms of ceramics, jewellery, linens, baked goods, leather, cashmere, and silk accessories, baskets, chocolate, florals, stationary, wall art, glass, and coffee. The big draw? The four-buck admission includes a includes a beer, cider, or wine tasting. (Under-18s are free.)
Deer Lake Craft Festival
Shadbolt Centre for the Arts, November 19 to 21
Still going strong after five decades: Burnaby Arts Council presents the annual winter Deer Lake Craft Festival with more than 30 juried local artisans, including glass blowers, sculptors, pâtissiers, wood turners, fashion and jewellery designers, craft distillers, jam makers, and more. The family-friendly event is free admission and features performances by emerging local artists.
Heart to Home Holiday Market
Surrey Arts Centre’s Studio Theatre, November 27 and 28
Artists who are part of the Surrey Art Gallery Association (SAGA) offer one-of-a-kind gifts, such as handmade silk scarves, original paintings, intricately designed jewellery, funky sculpture, well-crafted pottery, functional woodworks, home-made jams and jellies, and more.
Amideh, which makes wearable art and zero-waste fashion, will be at Portobello West Holiday Market 2021.
Portobello West Holiday Market 2021
Roundhouse Community Centre, November 20 and 21
More than 60 B.C. artists, designers, and producers will be onsite with everything from home décor to jewellery. Among this year’s highlights: Amideh, with its wearable art and zero-waste fashion; Dana Keli Ceramics, dimpled or speckled, or with mountains or moons; and Watson Goods Co.’s darling block prints.
Carols, ballet, and cocktails are on offer at this year’s CandyTown.
CandyTown
Yaletown, November 27
From noon to 6 pm, the Yaletown BIA transforms the neighbourhood into a free outdoor winter festival, complete with stilt walkers, dancers from Goh Ballet, live music featuring DJ Niña Mendoza, carols, ice sculptures, costumed characters, the #StockJoy charity stocking booth, and the “All I Want for Christmas” Gift Market. Plus, a self-guided cocktail tour gives adults the chance to indulge in a little holiday spirit with special drinks at places like Brix & Mortar (Gin and Peppermint Champagne cocktail), West Oak (Coconut and Coco Liqueur cocktail) and the Flying Pig (Brown Butter and Spiced Cranberry cocktail, a new take on a Brandy Alexander).
Chanukah Market
Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver, November 28
It’s a first for the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver, a Chanukah Market in celebration of the Jewish festival of lights with artwork, one-of-a-kind gifts, live music, food trucks, and more. Admission is free with a donation to the Jewish Food Bank and the day’s festivities culminate in the lighting of the first candle on the menorah at sundown.
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