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Vancouver Christmas market 2026: Dates, tickets and opening hours
Vancouver's Christmas season centres on the ticketed German-style market at Jack Poole Plaza, with the free Shipyards market across the water in North Vancouver. This guide compares their 2026 dates, hours and tickets and explains how to plan your visit.
The Vancouver Christmas market is returning in 2026, with confirmed dates starting in mid-November, alongside other markets that will take over the Christmas season in Vancouver.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the Vancouver Christmas market and its unique European style and the Shipyards Christmas markets, along with confirmed dates, tickets, and opening hours.
Plus, we show you how to explore and find the best Christmas items in Vancouver for 2026 using the Holafly eSIM for Vancouver.
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TL;DR: Vancouver Christmas market
Here’s all the info worth knowing before heading to one of the best Christmas locations in Canada to explore its markets:
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Christmas market season | November 16 to December 24; Shipyards Market begins November 27 to December 24 |
| Main market | Vancouver Christmas Market, located in Jack Poole Plaza |
| Best market for first-time visitors | Vancouver Christmas Market |
| Best for families | Vancouver Christmas Market and the Shipyards Christmas Market |
| Best for food | Vancouver Christmas Market |
| Best for traditional crafts | Vancouver Christmas Market and the Shipyards Christmas Market |
| Market open after Christmas | None |
| Admission | Vancouver Christmas Market requires ticket; the Shipyards Christmas Market is free |
| Recommended stay | 3 or 4 days |
| Best time to visit | Shipyards: weekday mornings. Vancouver Christmas Market: weekday afternoons, 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM |
Christmas markets in Vancouver 2026: Dates and opening hours
Here’s a quick overview you should keep in mind when planning your visit to the Vancouver Christmas markets.
| Christmas market | Dates | Opening hours | Best for | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver Christmas Market | November 16 to December 24, confirmed | Nov 16 to Dec 4: Mon to Fri 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM, Sat and Sun 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM Dec 5 to Dec 18: Sun to Thu 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM, Fri and Sat 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM Dec 19 to Dec 23: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM (extended hours) Dec 24: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM | German-style market, ticketed | Jack Poole Plaza, Coal Harbour |
| Shipyards Christmas Market | November 27 to December 24, confirmed | Nov 27 to Dec 17: Sun to Thu 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Fri and Sat 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM Dec 18 to Dec 23: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM Dec 24: 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM | Free entry, waterfront | The Shipyards, North Vancouver (Lonsdale Quay) |
Note: Both markets close on 24 December and neither reopens afterward, so there’s nothing running on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, or into the new year. The Vancouver Christmas Market runs extended hours from 19 to 23 December, which is also its busiest stretch.
Best Christmas markets in Vancouver
If you have time to only explore one Christmas market in Vancouver, it’s best to focus on the Vancouver Christmas Market.
This market isn’t free, so you have to either buy a single-day ticket or a season pass, which offers unlimited access to the market until its closing day.
The Shipyards Christmas Market is less crowded and still features over 120 vendors across 90 wooden chalets, so it’s worth the visit if you have spare time while in Vancouver.
Vancouver Christmas Market: Best for a German-style market
Located in Jack Poole Plaza, the Vancouver Christmas Market is the city’s most popular, running for over 30 days and offering a variety of activities in this German-style market, making visitors feel like they’re in the best Christmas markets in Europe.
The Vancouver Christmas Market is ticketed, and pre-sale pricing runs until 15 November, after which standard pricing takes over. There are three options:
- Single entry: from $7.99 pre-sale. One visit, booked into a 30-minute arrival window, though you can stay as long as you like once you’re in
- Season pass: from $32.99 pre-sale. Unlimited visits with priority entry, no time slot to book
- Family season pass: from $74.99 pre-sale, from $84.99 standard. Unlimited access and priority entry for 2 adults (15+) and 2 youth (7–14)
Kids aged 6 and under get in free, with no ticket or time slot needed. Prices are in Canadian dollars and worth checking on the official site before you book.
Weekends are usually peak times, and starting on December 4, the number of visitors increases significantly, though morning hours are usually the calmest.
Inside the market, there are over 100 European-themed vendors, where you’ll find drinks, food, clothing, and many other Christmas-related items with that European touch.
Keep in mind there are also special events, like Krampus Night, Aprés-Ski Saturdays, and Prost Show, which require separate tickets to attend,
To get there, you have several options, like SkyTrain, SeaBus, and bus, all of which require a 5- to 10-minute walk to get to the event’s site.
If you’re going by car, the Underground Parking at Canada Place and the Convention Centre are two ideal spots to keep your car safe while looking for the perfect Christmas souvenir.
Shipyards Christmas Market: Best for a free market with views
Located in the Shipyards in North Vancouver, this Christmas market is a great addition if you’re visiting the city and have some spare time.
Visiting the Shipyards Christmas Market is totally free, and so are the different events, such as the ice skating rink and photos with Mr. and Ms. Santa, with only the $90 foodie tour being a paid activity.
The Christmas market has over 120 vendors across 90 chalets, where you can find seasonal decorations and desserts, artisanal gifts, clothing, and unique Shipyards market-themed items.
To get there, the SeaBus is the best option, with a stop just 2 minutes from the market at the Waterfront Station; the bus is also a great option, with the Lonsdale Quay Exchange next to the market.
There are city and non-city parking lots around The Shipyards, including accessible parking on the ground level of the Quay parkade, but the market recommends transit. The SeaBus is only a 12-minute ride from downtown and connects to the Canada Line, SkyTrain and West Coast Express, so driving is rarely worth the hassle.
How Vancouver’s Christmas markets compare with Europe’s
Compared to European markets, the main Vancouver Christmas Market has some key differences, such as:
- Pay entry, with different ticket types available for visitors depending on how many times they plan to visit the market.
- Mild and rainy weather, unlike the snowy conditions seen in European markets.
- Indoor markets, which prevent visitors from needing to deal with the rain, but packing a rain jacket is advisable.
- Relatively new markets, which are different from the century-old European Christmas markets.
Map of the Christmas markets in Vancouver
As you have two Christmas markets to visit in Vancouver, here’s a map for each one:
For the Vancouver Christmas Market, here’s the 2026 map:
For the Shipyards Christmas Market, here’s the 2026 map:
What to eat and drink at the Vancouver Christmas markets
At both Vancouver Christmas markets, it’s quite common to find European-style dishes, with little to no local options to try.
Some of the best options to try are:
| Food or drink | What it is | Typical price | Where to try it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glühwein | Red wine, cinnamon, clove, and orange, sometimes including a shot of amaretto or spiked rum | $8.50 to $9.50 CAD | Shipyards and Vancouver Christmas Market |
| Raclette | Traditional Swiss cheese, served with gherkins, ham, and other sides | $17 to $22 CAD | Vancouver Christmas Market |
| Lebkuchen | Traditional honey-sweetened cake, similar to gingerbread | $5 to over $20 CAD | Shipyards and Vancouver Christmas Market |
| Hot chocolate | Classic and spiked versions, with some vendors adding marshmallows | $5 to $12.50 CAD | Shipyards and Vancouver Christmas Market |
| Bratwurst | Traditional German sausages, made from pork, beef, or veal, sometimes combined and spiced | $10 to $12.50 CAD | Shipyards and Vancouver Christmas Market |
| Schnitzel | Traditional Wiener-Schnitzel, usually served with potato salad | $10 to $19 CAD | Shipyards and Vancouver Christmas Market |
| Belgian fries | Crispy, Belgian-style fries served with different sauces | $10 to $15 CAD | Vancouver Christmas Market |
| Pretzels | Hand-twisted pastry baked in the traditional Bavarian way | $7 to $9 CAD | Shipyards and Vancouver Christmas Market |
What to buy at the Vancouver Christmas markets
Visiting the Vancouver Christmas Market and the Shipyards Christmas Market is a special occasion to get unique souvenirs and memorabilia.
- Collectible mugs: Both markets have their own limited-edition mugs, with the Vancouver Christmas Market one being hand-illustrated by local artists.
- Christmas-themed glass ornaments: Made with European glass, these mouth-blown ornaments are perfect Christmas gifts found at both markets.
- Artisan crafts: Hand-woven and carved leather and textile items.
- Christmas items: Festive cards, Santa-themed socks, yuletide decor, and hand-woven caps.
- Food: Hand-painted Valrhona chocolate, local ginger and turmeric drinks, butter candles, authentic German gingerbread, and much more.
As a general tip, if you plan to buy items to take back home, ask about any restrictions and look for vacuum-sealed items, as these are easier and safer to carry in your luggage.
Note: Larger stalls at both markets take cards, but smaller independent makers often don’t, so bring some cash. Worth knowing: AMEX isn’t accepted at the Shipyards market.
Navigate between Christmas markets and check live travel updates
Since the Christmas markets are separate, having internet during your trip is a must, as you’ll need to pay for a bus, SeaBus, or maybe an Uber and plan your route to get from Jack Poole to The Shipyards and vice versa.
But that’s not all. You might want to check the currency exchange rate in Vancouver before paying for that limited-edition cup or for a cup of Glühwein.
Using a Holafly eSIM for Vancouver helps you with all that and more, as you’ll get unlimited data so you can plan your trip the way you prefer or even make a last-minute reservation.
Plus, you get the Always On perk, which includes 1 GB of monthly backup data, so you can keep exploring your favorite Christmas markets in Vancouver without worry.
Unlimited data. Peace of mind.
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Vancouver Christmas markets FAQs
There’s no public discount code, and anything offering one is worth treating with suspicion. The cheapest route is buying during the pre-sale window, which runs until mid-November and is roughly $3 cheaper on a season pass than standard pricing. Groups of 15 or more get 20% off automatically at checkout on tickets priced $19.99 or above, with no code needed.
You can, but it costs more. The market’s own advice is to book ahead because prices rise on the day. Single-day tickets also need a 30-minute arrival window booked in advance, so turning up without one risks waiting for the next available slot on a busy evening. The Shipyards market needs no ticket at all.
Yes, though it’s a different proposition from a European Christmas trip. Expect mild, wet weather rather than snow, and two markets that are event-led rather than centuries old. What Vancouver adds is the setting: the downtown market sits on the waterfront at Coal Harbour, and the Shipyards market looks back across the water at the city skyline. If you’re building a longer trip, the city also works as a base for day trips from Vancouver.
It depends on which one. The Vancouver Christmas Market at Jack Poole Plaza only admits certified service dogs, as food-service regulations rule out other pets. The Shipyards Christmas Market is pet-friendly, so if you’re bringing a dog, head to North Vancouver.
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I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
