Vancouver, BC – A treasured tradition for locals and visitors alike, the Vancouver Christmas Market returns to Jack Poole Plaza (at the Olympic Cauldron), November 21 – December 24, 2018, with extended hours from 11:30am to 9:30pm. The city’s signature yuletide celebration amplifies and expands its festive offerings with more than 80 huts stuffed with sweets, treats, and treasures, coupled with an increased lineup of large-scale activities and live entertainment. Attracting a record number of more than 220,000 visitors last season, the market remains one of Vancouver’s beloved holiday events in which to savour the abundance of authentic German-inspired sights, sounds, and flavours.
“Every season, families, couples, and friends make their annual pilgrimage to feast upon festive delights, warm themselves with mulled wine, shop for unique treasures, and share the Christmas cheer,” says Malte Kluetz, Founder and President of the Vancouver Christmas Market. “This year, we are thrilled to present even more engaging holiday experiences for visitors of all ages to create lasting memories with their loved ones. Whether gathering to indulge in traditional German delicacies, shopping together for that one-of-a-kind gift, or meeting with friends to take in a wide range of special events including Children’s Wish Weeks with an exclusive visit and on-site activity with Vancouver Canucks defenseman Erik Gudbranson, Deluxe Date Night, Kids Day, Club Christmas Thursdays, or Carousel Fridays, we look forward to welcoming new and returning guests to celebrate this joyous time of year!”
Among this year’s expanded highlights is a cozy heated Alpine Lounge where visitors will be able to relax and enjoy hot beverages and delicious food in a warm holiday environment. Afterwards, guests can make their way outside to revel in the new Winterdeck located beside the Alpine Lounge, featuring a charming entrance arch, a giant lit up picture frame, and stunning views of the North Shore. Couples will delight in venturing down Lovers’ Lane – an Instagram-worthy 30-foot long tunnel adorned with 10,000 twinkling lights and mistletoe. A Love Lock Installation will be placed near the tunnel to which lovers can attach a ‘Vancouver Christmas Market Love Lock’, serving as a beautiful symbol of love and partnership over the holiday season. Visitors will be dazzled by Santa in a 12-foot long sleigh floating underneath the Olympic Cauldron, and the return of Canada’s first-ever Walk-In Christmas Tree, glittering with 36,000 twinkling lights. These magnificent sights will provide the perfect backdrop for guests to take festive photos with family and friends and share in the magic of the season.
A huge draw to the Vancouver Christmas Market is its signature array of mouth-watering delectables, including Glühwein (a hot-spiced mulled wine), German Bratwurst, Gulasch, Spätzle, Schnitzel, Strudels, Transylvanian Chimney Cakes, a selection of German beer, award-winning German style wine, and so much more. A variety of new local vendors will be offering the best food and drink BC has to offer including organic vegan and vegetarian fare from the Organic Villa Vegan Haus, charcuterie from the Charcuterie Haus, sweet and savoury macarons prepared by Bon Macaron Patisserie, syrup-filled pancakes made by Mr.Hot Cakes, warm roasted chestnuts from JJ’s Fresh Roasted Chestnuts, and gluten free hard apple cider made by Howling Moon Craft Cider.
(just a little teaser of some of the delicious food that’ll be offered at the market)
In addition to Deutschland delicacies and returning favourites – such as the Christmas Carousel and the Christmas Pyramid’s ‘Flying Stage’ perched 10 feet high above the market offering a lively line-up of daily festive entertainment, visitors can wander throughout the market’s quaint pathways of huts, discovering lovingly crafted gifts and treasures.
Families will enjoy a multitude of holiday activities including the market’s new Kinder Kraft Igloo sponsored by 4Cats Arts Studio, featuring a market-wide Christmas scavenger hunt for children, as well as free arts and crafts. The Santa Photo Hut also returns along with cookie decorating for kids at the Gingerbread Haus.
Join in on the holiday cheer and visit the Vancouver Christmas Market! Tickets are now on sale at vancouverchristmasmarket.com