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.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Watch Live Now: Canadian analysis ahead of the CNN Presidential Debate
U.S. President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump are set to go head-to-head tonight in the first of two planned presidential debates. Here's how to watch the CNN Presidential Debate, Power Play's pre- and post-debate specials, and follow along in our real-time CTVNews.ca live expert analysis and commentary by debate and body-language experts.
'Hanging on for her life': Sask. family desperate to bring home sick niece from Philippines
For half a decade, a Saskatoon family has been trying to bring their orphaned niece to Canada, they say now it’s a matter of life or death.
'No additional flights will be cancelled': WestJet avoids strike as feds order binding arbitration
A potential strike by WestJet airplane mechanics would upend travel plans for 250,000 customers over the Canada Day long weekend, the airline says — and cost it millions of dollars.
BREAKING
BREAKING Nunavut judge sentences Toronto woman to 3 years prison for Inuit identity fraud
A Nunavut judge has sentenced a Toronto woman to three years in prison in a case of Inuit identity fraud.
Canada's top court rejects appeal from Sask. man who murdered wife
The Supreme Court of Canada has rejected an application from a Saskatoon man who murdered his wife.
Where do new Canadians come from? India and Philippines take top spots
Canada has welcomed more than 3.9 million new citizens since 2005, with nearly one third coming from India, the Philippines or China, according to a CTVNews.ca analysis.
Marilyn Monroe's former Los Angeles home declared a historic monument to save it from demolition
Fans of Marilyn Monroe have won a battle to preserve her mark on Los Angeles and are a step closer to seeing a towering statue of the silver screen icon remain in Palm Springs.
Man charged with threatening to kill presidential candidates found dead as jury was deciding verdict
A New Hampshire man charged with threatening the lives of presidential candidates last year has been found dead while a jury was deciding his verdict, according to court filings Thursday.
AI regulation 'a start,' needs to 'have teeth': Hinton, godfather of AI, says
So-called godfather of AI Geoffrey Hinton says he's 'pleased' governments are starting to take artificial intelligence, and the possible regulations of it, seriously.
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.
Vancouver Island
-
World's largest hockey stick in B.C. to be chopped up, sold to collectors
The world's largest hockey stick could soon become the world's most in-pieces hockey stick as a Vancouver Island community prepares to tear down and carve up the Canadian landmark.
-
Man accused in Victoria double-stabbing now charged with murder, police say
Months after a double-stabbing in downtown Victoria that left one victim dead, a suspect has been charged with murder.
-
Busy long weekend ahead for BC Ferries, airports, hotels
The hospitality and tourism industry in B.C. is looking forward to a busy Canada Day long weekend.
Kelowna
-
Man stabbed in Kelowna, suspect at large: RCMP
Mounties in Kelowna say a suspect is at large after a man was stabbed in the city Sunday afternoon.
-
Police still investigating cause after woman found dead in Kelowna park
Police are remaining tight-lipped about a woman’s death in a Kelowna park on Friday.
-
Man shot dead in Princeton, B.C., was high-ranking gang member, court records suggest
Police have identified a man found dead in B.C.’s Interior last weekend as Donald “Donnie” Lyons.
Edmonton
-
Holland leaves Oilers; CEO searching for new GM before starting negotiations with Draisaitl
Ken Holland is out as Edmonton Oilers president of hockey operations and general manager. He joined the Oilers in May 2019 and his contract ends this Sunday.
-
Alberta police watchdog clears pair of city officers in man's 2020 shooting death
Police officers involved in a man's September 2020 Edmonton shooting death have been cleared by the province's law-enforcement watchdog.
-
3 charged in Alta. auto theft ring connected to organized crime
Several stolen vehicles believed to have been used in organized and serious crime, including one homicide, have been found in Alberta during an investigation into an auto theft ring.
Calgary
-
'No additional flights will be cancelled': WestJet avoids strike as feds order binding arbitration
A potential strike by WestJet airplane mechanics would upend travel plans for 250,000 customers over the Canada Day long weekend, the airline says — and cost it millions of dollars.
-
UCP blasts new NDP leader Nenshi with attack ads; Smith says he has no policy
The UCP has come out swinging at new Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi in a series of attack ads.
-
Federal health minister accuses Alberta premier of putting politics over patients in dental-care debate
Two days after Alberta informed Ottawa the province intends to "opt out" of a national dental-care program, the federal health minister says Danielle Smith is "trying to seek conflict" instead of focusing on patients.
Lethbridge
-
'A lot of work': Raymond Stampede ready to kick off in new location
The 122-year-old Raymond Stampede is set to get underway this weekend, but this year’s event will occur at a new location.
-
'Our last stand': Murder-conspiracy trial sees phone texts from Coutts blockade
A picture of rage and determination among COVID-19 protesters at the border blockade at Coutts, Alta., was spelled out in text messages shown Thursday at a murder-conspiracy trial.
-
Southern Alberta farmers feeling optimistic about crop conditions
Dozens of farmers from across southern Alberta turned out Wednesday for Farming Smarter’s annual 2024 field school.
Winnipeg
-
'Houses don't just explode': Winnipeg police give update on Transcona blast
Winnipeg police say the occupants of a home that exploded in the Transcona neighbourhood on Wednesday were not there at the time of the blast.
-
Community grants program cuts reconsidered after outcry from organizations
A sigh of relief for Winnipeg community groups concerned about the amount of money available to them through the city's community grants program.
-
'I felt my soul was broken': Women sexually assaulted by Manitoba doctor call for accountability
A sentencing hearing is underway for a Manitoba doctor found guilty of sexually assaulting multiple patients over several years.
Regina
-
'The line has already been crossed': Day 4 of Dumba trial sees vastly different accounts from accused, victim
Thursday marked day four of the trial of Jeffrey Dumba, a former Regina teacher who is accused of sexually exploiting a 15-year-old female student.
-
Federated Co-operatives Limited reports cybersecurity incident, investigation underway
Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) is investigating after suffering what it calls a "cybersecurity incident."
-
Death in Canora deemed non-suspicious, RCMP say
A death in the community of Canora, Sask. has been deemed non-suspicious in nature following an investigation.
Saskatoon
-
Canada's top court rejects appeal from Sask. man who murdered wife
The Supreme Court of Canada has rejected an application from a Saskatoon man who murdered his wife.
-
'Hanging on for her life': Sask. family desperate to bring home sick niece from Philippines
For half a decade, a Saskatoon family has been trying to bring their orphaned niece to Canada, they say now it’s a matter of life or death.
-
Road Hogs: Saskatoon truck spills load of pig parts in rush hour traffic
Drivers in Saskatoon’s north industrial area were treated to a grisly sight on their commute home on Thursday — a truck apparently spilled a load of pig parts onto Millar Avenue.
Toronto
-
LCBO to close all retail stores for 14 days if strike not averted
With a week left until thousands of LCBO workers could walk off the job, the Crown corporation has announced that it will close all its retail stores for 14 days if no deal is reached by July 5.
-
What is anaplasmosis? A tick-borne disease with confirmed cases in Ontario
Ontarians heading outdoors this summer are likely well-versed on the potential risk of Lyme disease that comes with a tick bite. But there are three other pathogens that can be transmitted by blacklegged ticks that public health officials want you to know about – and confirmed cases have already been reported in Ontario.
-
Watch Live Now: Canadian analysis ahead of the CNN Presidential Debate
U.S. President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump are set to go head-to-head tonight in the first of two planned presidential debates. Here's how to watch the CNN Presidential Debate, Power Play's pre- and post-debate specials, and follow along in our real-time CTVNews.ca live expert analysis and commentary by debate and body-language experts.
Montreal
-
Woman killed after tree falls on her in Mont-Saint-Bruno park
The pond sector at the Mont-Saint-Bruno Provincial Park is closed after a woman died after a tree fell on her on the Grand-Duc trail on Thursday.
-
350 concerts coming as Montreal Jazz Fest kicks off
The stage is set for the 44th edition of the Montreal International Jazz Festival. Over the next 10 days there will be 350 concerts taking place in the heart of downtown, the majority of them free.
-
River shuttle collides with boat, injuring 9 on Montreal's South Shore: police
Nine people have suffered minor injuries after an STM river shuttle collided with another boat on the St. Lawrence River near Ile-Charron.
Ottawa
-
Ottawa police warn residents to avoid Facebook Marketplace when looking for a place to rent
Ottawa police are going as far as to tell people to stay away from Facebook Marketplace altogether when looking for a place to rent because of the prevalence of scams.
-
Alex Munter stepping down as CHEO president and CEO to lead Canadian Medical Association
CHEO has announced that Alex Munter is stepping down as the president and CEO of eastern Ontario's children's hospital to take on a new role as the CEO of the Canadian Medical Association.
-
Ontario government spending $1B to refurbish 8 hydro generating stations in eastern Ontario
The provincial government has announced it will be spending close to $1 billion to refurbish eight hydroelectric generating stations in eastern Ontario.
Atlantic
-
'Absolutely amazing video': Basking shark spotted along eastern shore of Nova Scotia
A large basking shark was captured close to the shoreline on Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore.
-
National survey reveals desire to return to office, but hybrid work models remain popular
A national survey of 1,232 Canadians from individuals from both the public and private sectors reveals a significant desire among employees who believe employers have the right to choose where employees should work.
-
6 people injured in N.S. highway collision
A three-vehicle collision has closed part of Highway 1 in Mount Uniacke, N.S., Thursday morning.
London
-
Charges laid in fatal hit and run in St. Thomas
Charges have been laid in relation to a recent fatal fail to remain investigation in St. Thomas.
-
Residents express frustration with decision to close Huron County pool
For nearly 50 years, Clinton's kids have enjoyed an outdoor pool. However, following a three-year long closure due to expensive required repairs, Clinton's pool will now never be swam in again.
-
VIA unveils new, accessible trains, but civic leaders call for more service
VIA Rail unveiled the first cars in its new fleet of state of the art passenger trains Thursday, with leaders taking part in the inaugural ride between London and Windsor.
Kitchener
-
Showdown expected at Thursday night’s Stratford council meeting
Drama is usually reserved for the Stratford Festival stage, but on Thursday night, it might play out at Stratford City Hall - again.
-
Guilty plea to second-degree murder of Kitchener man
A man, previously found guilty of first-degree murder in connection to a 2014 death in Kitchener, has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.
-
Extended care registration will reopen in July for Waterloo Region schools
Parents who ran into technical problems with Waterloo Region’s registration system for before and after school programs have a new date to circle on their calendars.
Northern Ontario
-
Beverage maker Lactalis reopens Sudbury facility with a plant-based twist
Lactalis Canada officially reopened its facility on Thursday, unveiling a new product line.
-
Police say suspended driver in northern Ont. drove stolen vehicle to police station
One person has been charged after a suspect stole a vehicle in Sables-Spanish Rivers Township, then drove it to Ontario Provincial Police to discuss another matter.
-
New Timmins police chief ready for the challenges ahead
Armed with notes, Chief Sydney Lecky was ready for his first public meeting with the Timmins Police Service Board on Thursday.
N.L.
-
Judge acquits Newfoundland lawyer on sexual assault, interference charges
A judge dismissed all sexual misconduct charges against a Newfoundland lawyer Thursday, saying repeated inconsistencies and falsehoods in the complainant's accounts eroded her credibility and left him unable to believe her allegations.
-
Threat from Churchill Falls wildfire eases, officials say 'promising' forecast ahead
With rain coming down in central Labrador and temperatures dropping, the wildfire near Churchill Falls has been downgraded, although fire officials say there's still work to be done to keep the flames at bay.
-
'The weather conditions are favourable,' N.L. premier says as wildfire remains away from Churchill Falls
The wildfire that forced the evacuation of Churchill Falls remains three kilometres from the community as the premier of Newfoundland and Labrador signalled cautious optimism.
