5 holiday markets happening in Vancouver this weekend
The Sails of Light at Canada Place are seen lit up for Christmas in this image from the venue's website. (canadaplace.ca)
The first weekend of December brings with it a host of festive markets, installations and activities to brighten up Vancouver's long winter nights.
CHECK OUT A HOLIDAY MARKET OR CRAFT FAIR
The venerable Vancouver Christmas Market opened last month and will continue operating daily through Christmas Eve, but there are lots of smaller, more affordable and more time-limited markets and fairs happening across the city throughout the month of December.
Here are five that are taking place this weekend:
Toque Craft Fair at Western Front: This market showcases "a curated selection of B.C.-based artists, craftspeople and designers" at 303 E. 8th Ave. Admission is by donation and the market is open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Britannia's Winter Craft Market: Hosted at Britannia Community Centre on Commercial Drive, this market is in its 40th year. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for youth and seniors, with children ages 12 and under admitted for free. Hours are 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Holiday Market at City Centre Artist Lodge: This market promises "open studios, free photos with Santa, artist workshops, food trucks and bingo games" from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at City Centre Artist Lodge (2111 Main St.). Admission is free.
Tugboat Landing Artisan Market: Head to the shore of the Fraser River Saturday and Sunday for a "curated boutique artisan market" at the Harbour Master Club (2010 E. Kent Ave., at the foot of Victoria Drive). Admission is free, and the market opens at 11 a.m. both days, closing at 5 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday.
Hero's Holiday Market: This one-day-only market is open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at Hero's Welcome (3917 Main St.). The community pub says it will be offering "festive drink features all day."
Many of the other events happening this weekend are thematically similar to these holiday markets. Some even include a market as part of a larger event. Clearly, there's no shortage of opportunities to get into the festive spirit this weekend, whether you're looking to do some Christmas shopping or not.
YALETOWN BECOMES 'CANDYTOWN'
The Yaletown Business Improvement Association will hold its annual outdoor winter festival on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.
Featuring horse carriage rides by donation, roaming character performers, live music, ice carving demonstrations and an outdoor market – along with the neighbourhood's hundreds of merchants – Candytown aims to transform the Yaletown's public plazas into a winter wonderland.
More information and a map of offerings can be found on the BIA's website.
'LIVEN UP' COAL HARBOUR
On the other side of downtown, Friday marks the start of Coal Harbour's outdoor winter festival, "Liven Up Coal Harbour."
The event features "large-scale lighting installations" lining the seawall between Canada Place and the Westin Bayshore Hotel, with live performances happening at locations along the route on Friday and Saturday nights.
The free event runs through Dec. 30. More information and a schedule of performances can be found on the festival's website.
CHRISTMAS AT CANADA PLACE
A visit to Liven Up Coal Harbour could easily begin with a stop at Canada Place, which is also hosting free, family friendly installations all month long.
Christmas at Canada Place features the nostalgic Woodward's Windows, a light display including a 15-foot-tall moose light sculpture and an "avenue of trees" set up along the venue's west promenade.
The displays begin Friday and will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily through Jan. 2, including on statutory holidays.
SANTA PARADE
No, Vancouver didn't find a last-minute sponsor and un-cancel its Santa Claus Parade, but those looking to get a glimpse of old St. Nick on parade could head to Maple Ridge on Saturday.
That city's Santa Claus Parade is part of the Holidays in the City event, which also includes a tree-lighting, a Christmas market, crafts and activities, live music and more.
The parade starts at 6 p.m., and more information about the event can be found on the city's website.
EBONY ROOTS PART 1
Finally, there are also non-Christmas activities happening in the city this weekend, including "a concert reclaiming Vancouver's 'Black Strathcona.'"
Ebony Roots Part 1 is described on its website as "a preview presentation of the Ebony Roots project" and "a powerful and intimate music experience that journeys through the evolving emancipation of Black identity and culture from the North American perspective."
The concert takes place at Strathcona Church (431 Princess Ave.) on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $30, though the website also indicates there will be a "pay what you can" option.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal
First it was Canada, then the Panama Canal. Now, Donald Trump again wants Greenland.
King Charles ends royal warrants for Ben & Jerry's owner Unilever and Cadbury chocolatiers
King Charles III has ended royal warrants for Cadbury and Unilever, which owns brands including Marmite and Ben & Jerry’s, in a blow to the household names.
LIVE UPDATES
LIVE UPDATES Parts of Ontario under snowfall warning Monday as holiday travellers hit the road
Holiday travellers and commuters could be in for a messy drive on Monday morning as a significant round of snowfall moves into the region. Here are live updates on the situation in Toronto.
U.S. House Ethics report finds evidence Matt Gaetz paid thousands for sex and drugs including paying a 17-year-old for sex in 2017
The U.S. House Ethics Committee found evidence that former Rep. Matt Gaetz paid tens of thousands of dollars to women for sex or drugs on at least 20 occasions, including paying a 17-year-old girl for sex in 2017, according to a final draft of the panel's report on the Florida Republican, obtained by CNN.
The rent-a-friend industry is booming among Canada's Chinese diaspora
Dozens of people are offering rent-a-friend services on Xiaohongshu, a social media platform also known as Little Red Book or China's Instagram, in cities including Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto.
Dozens of luxury condos and hotels in Florida are sinking, study finds
Dozens of luxury condos, hotels and other buildings in southeast Florida are sinking at a surprising rate, researchers reported in a recent study.
Dutch discover rare 500-year old wooden shoe
The Dutch are known worldwide for their wooden shoes, but the recent rare discovery of a 500-year-old one in the city of Alkmaar has shown just how widespread their use once was.
Statistics Canada reports real GDP grew 0.3 per cent in October
Statistics Canada says the economy grew 0.3 per cent in October, helped by strength in the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction sector, following a 0.2 per cent increase in September.
Nordstrom to be taken private by founding family for US$4B
Nordstrom will be acquired by its founding family and Mexican retailer Liverpool for nearly US$4 billion in an all-cash deal, going private at a time when high-end retailers are grappling with slow demand.
Vancouver Island
-
More strong winds hit parts of B.C.'s coast as record-high temperatures recorded
What has been a windy weekend for parts of B.C.’s coast continued Sunday as Environment Canada issued a fresh set of wind warnings.
-
Drug superlabs leave a toxic mess. Some say B.C.'s cleanup rules are a mess, too
As clandestine drug labs become larger and more complex, so does the toxic mess they leave behind and the tools required to clean them up, creating expensive and dangerous situations for both people and the environment.
-
Second body recovered from site of B.C. landslide
The second resident of a home that was destroyed by a landslide in Lions Bay, B.C., last weekend was found dead Saturday, officials confirmed.
Kelowna
-
Forfeited Hells Angels clubhouse in Kelowna, B.C., sold to the city
A former Hells Angels clubhouse that was seized by the British Columbia government in 2023 after years of fighting in court has been sold to the City of Kelowna.
-
Death of woman found in Kelowna's Waterfront Park in June deemed 'non-criminal in nature': RCMP
Police in Kelowna say a death they began investigating back in June has now been confirmed as "non-criminal in nature."
-
B.C. man sentenced for 'execution-style' murder of bystander in drug trade conflict
A B.C. man convicted of the "intentional and ruthless killing of a bystander" while acting as an enforcer in the drug trade has been sentenced for a second time in the slaying.
Edmonton
-
DEVELOPINGDEVELOPING Evacuation order issued for Edmonton building where security guard was killed
An apartment building where a security guard was killed earlier this month is being evacuated.
-
2 Alberta men charged with sex crimes involving children in separate investigations
Two registered sex offenders are facing charges after separate investigations in northern Alberta.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER Josh Classen's Forecast: Mild temperatures linger through the week
Fog has developed over the northern half of Alberta and in east-central Alberta once again this morning.
Calgary
-
Serious crash closes part of Highway 1 near Bassano, Alta.
RCMP responded to a serious crash on Highway 1 near Bassano, Alta., on Monday morning. The collision occurred approximately two kilometres east of Highway 56.
-
2 Alberta men charged with sex crimes involving children in separate investigations
Two registered sex offenders are facing charges after separate investigations in northern Alberta.
-
Crews respond to blaze at Calgary pizzeria
The Calgary Fire Department put out a fire at a northeast business Monday morning.
Lethbridge
-
Search of suspicious vehicle in south Lethbridge leads to seizure of drugs, cash
A 28-year-old woman has been charged after a search of a suspicious vehicle led to the seizure of drugs and cash.
-
‘A moment of happiness’: Lethbridge 911 dispatchers getting help from dog to alleviate stress
Inside Lethbridge’s Public Safety Communications Centre (PSCC) is a four-legged team member weaving in and out from under the desks, shaking a paw and flopping over to get a belly rub all in an effort to reduce stress and anxiety of emergency dispatchers answering the calls of those in need of help.
-
'Fairly close' and ending 'as anticipated': Lethbridge-West stays with the Alberta NDP in byelection
What was expected to be a tight byelection took nearly three hours to call. Rob Miyashiro won to keep Lethbridge-West for the Alberta NDP.
Winnipeg
-
Manitoba government to make permanent cut to gas tax
Manitobans can expect to see a permanent change at the gas pump as early as next week
-
Manitoba's promised plastic health cards pushed to January: premier
The Manitoba government's plan to replace paper health cards with more durable and modern plastic ones is running a bit behind schedule.
-
Dense fog blanketing parts of Manitoba on Monday
A dense fog is blanketing much of the Prairies, including Manitoba, on Monday morning.
Regina
-
Heavy fog descends over Regina, most of Saskatchewan
Dense fog is being reported across much of the province to begin the week of Christmas, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).
-
'Lots to learn': Regina's new mayor embracing role with budget debate right around the corner
Regina's recently elected Mayor Chad Bachynski has been embracing the learning curve that comes with the role and is looking ahead to the new year, which will include finalizing the city's budget.
-
'For the community, by the community': Regina's Sikh community helping fight food insecurity
Regina's Sikh community has been helping feed those less fortunate in Regina for over seven years.
Saskatoon
-
'There are lines': In year-end interview, NDP leader says Moe went too far in election campaign
Saskatchewan’s two main political leaders had agreed before October's provincial election not to target the families of candidates during the campaign, says Opposition NDP Leader Carla Beck.
-
Heavy fog hits Saskatoon, creating slippery roadways
Saskatoon is under a fog advisory on Monday, creating slippery conditions for commuters and last-minute Christmas shoppers.
-
Sask. woman dead following crash on Highway 5
A 69-year-old woman from the Humboldt area is dead after her SUV collided with a truck on Highway 5, according to police.
Toronto
-
LIVE UPDATESLIVE UPDATES Parts of Ontario under snowfall warning Monday as holiday travellers hit the road
Holiday travellers and commuters could be in for a messy drive on Monday morning as a significant round of snowfall moves into the region. Here are live updates on the situation in Toronto.
-
Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty to murder and weapons charges in UnitedHealthcare CEO's death
The man accused of fatally shooting the CEO of UnitedHealthcare pleaded not guilty on Monday to state murder and terror charges while his attorney complained that statements coming from New York's mayor would make it tough to receive a fair trial.
-
Teen dies in crash with snowplow in St. Catharines: police
Niagara police say a teenager is dead after colliding with a snowplow in St. Catharines.
Montreal
-
Snow on the way as Montreal is put under weather advisory
A weather advisory has been initiated for the Greater Montreal area, with 10 to 15 cm of snow expected to hit the ground.
-
What's open and closed in Montreal during the holidays
Here's a list of what's open and closed for the holidays in Montreal.
-
Two vehicles set on fire in Montreal in suspected arson attacks
Montreal police is investigating after two vehicles were set ablaze in different parts of the city.
Ottawa
-
WINTER TRAVEL ADVISORYWINTER TRAVEL ADVISORY Up to 15 cm of snow in the forecast for Ottawa right before Christmas
A winter weather travel advisory is in effect in Ottawa, calling for up to 15 centimetres of snow right before Christmas.
-
Man handed 5th distracted driving charge for using cellphone on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa
An Ottawa driver was charged for using a cellphone behind the wheel on Sunday, the fifth time he has faced distracted driving charges.
-
What's open and closed in Ottawa over the holidays
CTVNewsOttawa.ca takes a look at what's open and closed over the Christmas and New Year's holidays this year.
Atlantic
-
Cape Breton police arrest second person in missing man investigation
A second person has been arrested in the disappearance of Justin MacDonald in Cape Breton.
-
Province names 2024 Order of Nova Scotia recipients
Nova Scotia has named the five individuals who will receive the province’s highest honour for 2024.
-
Police charge man with stunting in Halifax
Halifax Regional Police (HRP) charged a driver with stunting Monday morning, according to a news release.
London
-
Anonymous $2 million donation given to St. Joseph’s Health Care
St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation has received an anonymous $2 million donation from a local community member.
-
91-year-old harness driver victorious at The Raceway in London, Ont.
A 91-year-old harness driver raced his way to victory on Friday night with his horse, Willy Strike.
-
Statistics Canada reports real GDP grew 0.3 per cent in October
Statistics Canada says the economy grew 0.3 per cent in October, helped by strength in the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction sector, following a 0.2 per cent increase in September.
Kitchener
-
Parts of southern Ontario under travel advisory
Anyone planning to travel today is being urged to be prepared as 5 to 15 cm of snow could hit a large portion of southern Ontario.
-
Grand River Transit’s holiday service begins
Grand River Transit (GRT) will operate on a holiday service schedule starting Monday.
-
Must-see moments of 2024: A superstar surprise, roundabout resident and CKCO studios come down
From a WWE surprise for a Guelph superfan, to the recovery of a lost aviation artifact, to a reporter getting the story right from the goose's mouth, here are some of our can’t-miss moments from 2024.
Northern Ontario
-
Teen passed out at coffee shop with bottle of booze on the table, northern Ont. police say
A 19-year-old from Blind River is facing several charges following incidents at a coffee shop and in jail.
-
Sturgeon Falls suspect charged with uttering threats, cruelty to animals
A 31-year-old has been charged following an intimate partner investigation last weekend in Sturgeon Falls, Ont.
-
Stolen vehicle investigation ends with sleeping driver and impaired charges
An apparent attempt to steal a vehicle in Thunder Bay, Ont., failed when the impaired driver fell asleep in a parking lot.
N.L.
-
Newfoundland woman washed sick patients' hair every Saturday for more than 20 years
A retired nurse and teacher in Newfoundland was honoured this week for her volunteer work, which included more than two decades washing the hair of bedridden hospital patients.
-
Newfoundland man facing more charges related to youth sex crimes
A 64-year-old Newfoundland man charged with dozens of sex crimes involving young people is facing several new charges.
-
After fanfare of Churchill Falls deal, Newfoundland urged to learn its dam lessons
Energy observers in Newfoundland and Labrador are urging the provincial government to take a sober second look at a massive tentative deal announced last week with Quebec that promises to deliver hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue to the Atlantic province.
