The soft orange glow from hanging Christmas lights illuminates dozens of coat-clad men, women, and children as they stroll between rows of small wooden huts stocked with colorful hand-carved ornaments and various tasty treats.
A short distance away, a traditional gospel choir belts out holiday tunes while the savory odors of bratwurst, bread, mulled wine, and coffee permeate the chilly air. These are the sights, sounds, and smells you’ll likely encounter at the annual Vancouver Christmas Market, an event that brings the best of the German market experience to downtown Vancouver.
Each of the market’s 45 huts offers a wide variety of festive Christmas goods, such as colorful nutcrackers, glass ornaments, wooden toys, hard candies, German chocolates, and Russian nesting dolls. You’ll also find beer from the Krombacher Brauerei, one of the largest privately owned breweries in Germany; Feuerzangenbowle and Glühwein, traditional German drinks; and sweet cream cakes, pastries and cookies, and warm strudels.
Along with the fantastic food, the event also features performances from Estonia, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
The Vancouver Christmas Market is a great event to check out during your stay at Sandcastle at Birch Bay, located less than one hour from Vancouver. The market, positioned at the outdoor plaza of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, begins on November 22 and ends on December 24, at 6 p.m.
For information about hours, admission, and group tickets, click here
Where to Stay:
- Sandcastle at Birch Bay: located less than one hour from Vancouver
- Resorts in Canada: located less than a two hour drive from Vancouver