10 Holiday Craft Markets and Artisan Fairs to Shop in Vancouver This Holiday Season

We’re allowed indoors again! It’s a Christmas miracle! And that means  holiday craft and artisan markets are making a comeback in 2021. Get your #shoplocal on with the glut of fairs coming to a neighbourhood near you: we’ve got the full rundown of events happening over the next month to help you get through your holiday gift-giving list.

Credit: theshipyardsdistrict.ca

Little Mountain Holiday Pop-Up Shop

Returning to the Polygon Gallery this year is Little Mountain Shop’s annual Holiday Pop-Up, which features an all-Canadian lineup of primarily local, women-led, BIPOC makers and creatives. Featured vendors include Anita Cheung, whose original art prints made from cut washi paper incorporate themes of curiosity and wonder, and Homecoming candles.

Where: The Polygon Gallery, 101 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver, BC
When: Wednesdays to Sundays from November 24 – December 26, 2021, from 10:00 am — 5:00 pm
Cost: Free
More info: thepolygon.ca

Credit: Lindsay Elliot

Vancouver Christmas Market

After a one-year hiatus, the Vancouver Christmas Market is back! Indulge with the authentic German-inspired festivities—take in the colourful décor, artisan gifts, seasonal food and drinks, and the overall yuletide celebrations. Stock up on traditional Euro treats from the Licorice Parlour (find 90 different kinds of licorice, locally made hula hoops, imported candy and chocolate from Europe, and more) or hand-carved Russian ornaments from Syrin. 

Where: Jack Poole Plaza (downtown at the Olympic Cauldron), 1055 Canada Place
When: November 13 – December 24, 2021
Cost: Tickets starting at $7.99
More info: vancouverchristmasmarket.com

Credit: Coho Makers Market

Coho Makers Market

This specialty artisan market is new to East Vancouver, giving the community another destination to shop small and local this holiday season. Shoppers will have the chance to meet local entrepreneurs, including artists, food vendors, and food trucks (a banh mi and coffee from Camion Ca Phe is a must). Seluna’s practical and original sewing kits come packed with custom size pre-washed and cut fabrics and step-by-step instructions; L’Atelier Wildbirds will serve up delicate vintage-inspired jewellery.

Where: Coho Coffee, 1370 East Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC
When: The market is a series of three Saturday pop-up markets running on October 23, November 27, and December 11, 2021, from 11 am – 4 pm
Cost: Free
More info: coho.coffee

Credit: violetpatrich.com

The Weirdos Holiday Market

Get weird this holiday season with greater Vancouver’s most unusual holiday shopping destination! You will find the most unique (and, indeed, weird!) selection of holiday gift ideas, from witchy wares, anatomical curiosities, unique collectibles, quirky clothing and eccentric art to magical pottery, one-of-a-kind prints, candles, books, stickers and much more. Find whimsical sculptures from Artist Yolanda Mason, created with salvaged animal bones and found organic matter, or uniquely creepy planters from Ultraviolet Oddities. Or show that special someone just how “mush” you care with fungi-jewellery from Mush Appreciated.

Where: The Venables Hall, 1739 Venables Street
When: December 4 & 5, 2021, December 11 & 12, 2021 from 10am – 6pm
Cost: $4 per person for ages 13+ (by donation for children 12 and under). A portion of the door proceeds will be donated to the Urban Native Youth Association.
More info: facebook.com/Weirdos.Market

Credit: eastsideflea.com

Eastside Flea

This is the best place to buy a gift for anyone interested in cooler things than you. Find authentic treasures from old vinyl records to cozy toques and all the other vintagey stuff in between. Made By Mussell sells adorable custom embroidery products and pop-culture-inspired ornaments. Knot Only will be hawking hand-crafted yarn wall décor. Fuel your shopping with a warm-your-belly grilled cheese from Melt City.

Where: Eastside Studios, 550 Malkin Avenue
When: December 4 & 5, 2021; December 11 & 12, 2021 and December 18 & 19, 2021 from 11am – 5pm
Cost: $3
More info: eastsideflea.com

Credit: gotcraft.com

Got Craft?

This curated marketplace showcases the best in independent craft and design, with the emphasis on handmade goods—think delicate spoons from And Then Again for your high-tea-obsessed friend or a stylish market bag from The Bag for your go-green mom. 

Where: Croatian Cultural Centre – 3250 Commercial Dr.
When: December 18, 2021 and December 19, 2021 from 10am –5pm
Cost: $5 (kids 12 and under are free)
More info: gocraft.com

Credit: strangefellowsbrewing.com/event/krampusmarkt-strange-fellows-brewing/

Krampus Markt

Want to learn more about the mythological goat-horned demon of Yule aka St. Nick’s demonic cousin? If you dare, head on over to East Vancouver’s Strange Fellows Brewing for a weekend filled with eclectic and crafty gift ideas, think ceramics, jewellery, skincare products, handmade chocolates and more. Our pick? For that skincare guru in your life, gift them something from Sḵwálwen Botanicals, and  Indigenous skincare brand that honours cultural knowledge, Indigenous plant science and self-care. Of course, there will also be wine, beer and cider tastings to devour… along with the chance to meet Krampus himself.

Where: Strange Fellows Brewing – 1345 Clark Dr.
When: December 3, 2021 from 6pm – 10pm (Opening night); December 4, 2021 from 11am – 6pm and December 5, 2021 from 12pm – 4pm
Cost: Friday (opening night) $12, Sat and Sun $4
More info: strangefellowsbrewing.com

Credit: craftyaffaire.com

Crafty Affaire Market

Looking for that one-of-a-kind gift? Take a stroll and to the Crafty Affaire Market and you might end up picking up an item or two for yourself and a loved one. The curated and high-quality handmade goods are hard to pass on, like the perfectly-extra jewel-encrusted-everything from Em J Gemstones or spiced eggnog cookies from Bak’d.

Where: Croatian Cultural Centre – 3250 Commercial Dr.
When: December 4, 2021 and December 5, 2021 from 10am – 5pm
Cost: Admission by donation
More info: craftyaffaire.com

Credit: etsy.com

Japan Christmas Market

Local Japanese vendors (as well as non-Japanese vendors) team up to offer treasures that evoke joy and passion for both the Japanese culture and community—goods from Siamurai Apparel make for excellent loungewear for the work-from-home crew on your shopping list.

Where: UBC Robson Square, 800 Robson St.
When: December 4, 2021 from 10 am – 4 pm
Cost: Early bird tickets before Nov.27: $3/person age 13+, $5/2 people. From Nov.28-Dec.4: $4/person age 13+, $7/2 people
More info: japanmarket.ca

Credit: northvancouvershipyardsdistrict.com

Shipyards Artisan Christmas Market

Hop on the SeaBus to North Vancouver for a great gift-buying option just steps from the Lonsdale Quay terminal. This market will be brimming with a kaleidoscopic array of vendors in a family-friendly setting: Infusion Soy Sauces, wood prints from artist Rick Herdman, and more. 

Where: The Pipe Shop – 115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
When: December 4 – 5, 2021 and December 11 – 12, 2021 from 10am – 6pm
Cost: Admission by donation
More info: northvancouvershipyardsdistrict.com