Published on November 14, 2023
The Vancouver Christmas Market Returns November 16, 2023 with Captivating New Additions to a Beloved Holiday Tradition
MEDIA RELEASE – for immediate distribution
Vancouver’s biggest Holiday Market amps up festivities with new European artisans and gourmet eats, Christmas karaoke and trivia nights, a Lantern Parade, fresh photo ops, plus a second location in Seattle!
(Vancouver, BC) – November 14, 2023: Downtown Vancouver is set to transform into a magical European Christmas village once more! The Vancouver Christmas Market returns to Jack Poole Plaza (at the Olympic Cauldron), lighting up the holiday season with a festive six-week schedule from Thursday, November 16 to Sunday, December 24. Now in its 13th year, the German-inspired event is Vancouver’s largest Christmas Market, with many vendors coming all the way from Germany and other European countries.
“This season, we’re adding 18 new food and merchandise huts to compliment the 76 vendors who will be returning,” says Malte Kluetz, Vancouver Christmas Market CEO and Founder. “Some food vendors will have a bigger hut to speed up the cooking process, which will help us to shorten the lineups in the Market. We’ll have everything from traditional German food and ornaments, to local Canadian craft, to artisanal Christmas creations that span multiple cultures and continents.”
Marketgoers can expect to see quality hand-worked materials, storage-friendly holiday decor, and authentic European delicacies among this year’s new artisans. Some returning food vendors will offer up new local delicacies that are sure to become fast Market favourites: think Strudel, Black Forest Cake, and Spätzle (German egg noodles).
“We’re also introducing new holiday traditions to round out Christmas Market favourites like free photos with St. Nick, Christmas Trivia and Karaoke Nights, a Lantern Parade for kids, and special ticket deals for our Date Nights,” adds Kluetz. “Because what makes traditions stick, is when you can enjoy them year after year with all your family and friends.”
A favourite Market tradition, the Aeroplan Holiday Carousel will be back and free to ride – with a little something special for those too small to board. Also returning are the Walk-In Christmas Tree, the 20,000-light tunnel known as the Lovers Lane, and the Christmas Pyramid and Flying Stage (Glühwein served from the bottom, live holiday music served from the top!) This year, guests will enjoy even more twinkling lights and an array of new photo opportunities, including a festive sleigh sponsored by NOBIS, angel wings, giant ornaments, and more.
South of the border, Seattleites are in for a festive treat of their own: The inaugural Seattle Christmas Market, modelled on the traditional European event here in Vancouver, will run at the Seattle Center from November 24 to December 24. Anyone interested in visiting both Markets can request a personal discount code for 15% off tickets after purchasing tickets for their local Market.
2023 Vancouver Christmas Market Experiences
Content Guide:
- New Eats, Treats & Market Delights
- New Market Decor & Features
- Special Nights & Events
- Live Entertainment
- Connect With Us
NEW EATS, TREATS & MARKET DELIGHTS
Nothing says “the holidays” like feasting on tasty treats or shopping for handmade gifts in winding alleys of alpine-style huts! This year, the Vancouver Christmas Market has added 18 new vendor huts from across Europe and Canada for guests to enjoy.
New Market Food:
- Thomakis Greek Yogurt (handmade yoghurt snacks)
- Strudel Haus (assorted strudels and black forest cake)
- Spätzle Haus (German noodles dish with diverse toppings)
- Vogue Bakery Haus (European baked goods)
New Pre-packaged Food:
- Churchkhela (Georgian, vegan chewy fruit snack with walnuts)
- Crimp and Crumps (hand-painted chocolates)
- Freeze Yum (gourmet freeze-dried treats)
- Das Charcuterie Haus (prepackaged charcuterie deli by Das Smoked Meat Haus)
- Mead Haus (alcoholic beverage made from fermented honey)
New Market Merchandise:
- Waldorf and Wood (handmade dolls and wooden toys)
- Papier Haus (handmade decor products with storage-friendly design)
- Hook & Yarn Atelier (handmade Crochet and micro crochet products)
- Belamy Leder Haus (handmade premium leather products and belt station)
- Manites Flower Haus (flowers, bouquets, Christmas wreaths, and flower decor pieces)
- Words and Wood Dekor (wooden signs, book stack decor, and calendar cubes)
- Global Porcelain Haus (Japanese porcelain kitchenware)
- Art Haus by Atelier 284 (handmade art and decor)
- Syria Ukrainian Christmas Decor (hand-painted Christmas ornaments and decor)
NEW MARKET DECOR & FEATURES
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:
- Fully re-designed Christmas Sleigh featuring Nobis
- Angel Wings – a classic and beloved photo opportunity
- Added thousands of lights to new and traditional decor pieces to lighten up the hearts of all our guests.
SPECIAL NIGHTS & EVENTS
This season, the Christmas Market offers more activities than ever before! Besides nightly live entertainment, the daily event calendar is packed with activities for all ages – all free with admission. Don’t want to miss out on the fun? Make sure you booked your timeslot to coincide with your event – or consider a season pass to participate in all of them!
The Grand opening:
This season we open the gates of the Vancouver Christmas Market on Thursday, Nov 16th for an extended Market opening Weekend.
Photos with St. Nikolaus
Skip the mall lineups! Join Jolly Ole Saint Nikolaus for a free photo on Wednesdays (4-8 pm) Nov 22, Nov 29, Dec 6 and Dec 13. Check the activity calendar on our website for more details.
Christmas Karaoke
From Bing to Mariah and everything in between… Start brushing up on those holiday vocals! Our all-new Christmas Karaoke show features ONLY Christmas classics and runs Mondays / Fridays (6-9 p.m.) on Nov 24, Nov 27, Dec 8 and Dec 11.
Christmas Trivia
Gather up the dream team and win some yuletide prizes. Head to the Alpen Haus Tuesdays (6-7 pm) on Nov 28 and Dec 12 for 4 x 15 min rounds of holiday trivia.
Lantern Parade
A new family tradition on Nov 29 – already fully booked for 2023! Families with kids will meet at the Market with their lanterns (homemade or purchased at the ticket booth). Parade-goers will then walk together around the Seawall, sing carols, and return to the Market. Find all the details here.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Featuring live music and holiday entertainers, the Vancouver Christmas Market showcases a variety of local talent performing weekdays from 5:00 p.m. and weekends from 12:30 p.m. onwards from the Flying Stage on the second storey of the Christmas Pyramid.
CONNECT WITH US
Stay in the know on all things Christmas Market. Follow us, tag us, and connect at:
Website: vancouverchristmasmarket.com
Facebook: @VancouverChristmasMarket
Instagram: @vanchristmas
TikTok: @vanchristmas
X, formerly known as Twitter: @vanchristmas
About the Vancouver Christmas Market
EVENT
The Vancouver Christmas Market
Vancouver’s largest – and only authentic German-inspired – outdoor holiday Market
vancouverchristmasmarket.com
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 cultural activities, old world confections, and seasonal entertainment.
LOCATION: Jack Poole Plaza (downtown at the Olympic Cauldron), 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC
DATES
Thursday, November 16 – Sunday, December 24, 2023
TIMES
Nov 16 – 30:
Monday – Thursday: 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm
Friday & Saturday: 11:00 am to 10:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am to 9:30 pm
Dec 1 – Dec 23:
Friday & Saturday: 11:00 am to 10:00 pm
Sunday – Thursday: 11:00 am to 9:30 pm
Dec 24:
Sunday: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
RESERVE YOUR TIMESLOT
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!). The reservation system allows guests to reserve a guaranteed entry time, managing guest flow for a more enjoyable on-site experience.
PURCHASE TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased (and timeslots reserved) online at vancouverchristmasmarket.com/tickets or in person at the ticket office.
STREET PARKING
Street parking and several public parkades are available nearby
PUBLIC TRANSIT
The Vancouver Christmas Market is a short walk from Waterfront Station (Canada Line and Expo Line SkyTrains, and Seabus) and several bus routes.
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Media Kit
Media Inquiries:
For interviews with Malte Kluetz (Market Founder), Denise Wegener (President) or local guest vendors, as well as photography and videography requests, please contact:
Gabrielle Price, Kipling Media
Phone: (250) 818-9962
Email: pr@kiplingmedia.com
High-resolution photos can be downloaded from our website in our media room: vancouverchristmasmarket.com/news-and-media/
Background
About Aeroplan
Air Canada’s Aeroplan is Canada’s premier travel loyalty program, where members can earn or redeem points on the world’s largest airline partner network of 45 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental partners. Aeroplan inspires members to reach their travel goals sooner with everyday earning partners Starbucks, Uber/UberEats and Parkland Canada’s JournieTM Rewards program, available at Canadian fuel and convenience brands, including Chevron, Fas Gas, and ON the RUN. Become a member for free today.
This year, Aeroplan is thrilled to offer free rides on the Aeroplan Holiday Carousel to Market-goers young and old.
About the Seattle Christmas Market
Founded by Malte Kluetz in 2023, the Seattle Christmas Market (Nov 24 – Dec 24, 2023 at the Fisher Pavilion and South Fountain Lawn at Seattle Center) is a pop-up holiday village inspired by traditional German Christmas Markets – and by our Vancouver Christmas Market north of the border! Washington locals and visitors alike can shop artisan crafts and gifts from 60+ vendors, and delight in interactive installations, entertainment, and seasonal decorations, including a free carousel and a 50-foot walk-through Christmas Tree. Guests can savour traditional European fare, like Bratwurst, Schnitzel, pierogies, roasted nuts, and Stollen, stroll the ground with a mug of hot chocolate or Glühwein (hot mulled wine), or head to the Alpen Haus to warm up.
Stay up to date on exciting event details, advanced ticketing, and all things Seattle Christmas Market by signing up for the newsletter at seattlechristmasmarket.com
