By Miret Rodriguez
With the Vancouver rain upon us, the time has come to hop on our favourite bus and hit our seasonal art markets to bring some added brightness into our homes.
From beadwork to fashion items, to original artwork, our local artists and artisans promise to offer exactly what you’re looking for, even if you’re not sure what that is yet.
We created this guide to inspire your holiday browsing and shopping so that you can continue to support your local creative community. All of these spaces are accessible via transit, so scroll to the end of the article to see which routes you can take! Does supporting local and being environmentally friendly get any better than this?
The Circle Craft Christmas Market is Western Canada’s largest craft market which has been around since 1972. It brings forward Canadian craft and design from hundreds of craftspeople and artisans from coast-to-coast. Their goods encompass traditional, contemporary, one-of-kind works.
Admission: $7.50-$15
Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, 1055 Canada Place
Dates: Nov 9 – 13
With over 80 local makers participating in this Etsy Co Holiday pop-up market, you will surely find something to spoil your loved ones. Art and design items, accessories, fashion, home and decor, jewellery, paper and stationary and even pet accessories are all on offer at this event.
Admission: $5, with 50% going to BCSPCA and Dress for Success Vancouver
Location: The Pipe Shop, 115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Dates: Nov 12- 13
The Seymour Art Gallery has brought together an amazing group of artists to inspire your holiday shopping. Find unique, handmade gifts like ceramics, jewellery, paintings, textiles, and much more. Your support helps local artists and this non-profit art gallery!
Admission: Free
Location: Seymour Art Gallery, 4360 Gallant Ave, North Vancouver
Dates: Saturdays, Nov 12 – Dec 24
Have you been to the Museum of North Vancouver yet? We love their event space that often hosts talks, workshops and art markets! This month Coast Salish artisans will be back to the MONOVA for the exciting Indigenous Artisan Market.
Artists and creators, including bannock makers, beaders, clothing designers, carvers, ceramicists, jewellers, and wool weavers will be selling and showcasing their wares.
Admission: Free
Location: Museum of North Vancouver, 115 West Esplanade, North Vancouver
Dates: Nov 17 – 18
A YVR iconic pop-up market founded by women of colour is happening at least twice before 2022 comes to an end. On November 19 and 20 at the gorgeous Heritage Hall in Mount Pleasant Vancouver, and on December 17 and 18 at the stunning Pipe Shop in North Vancouver.
Mount Pleasant
Admission: Free
Location: Heritage Hall, 3102 Main St, Vancouver
Dates: Nov 19 – 20
North Vancouver
Admission: Free
Location: The Pipe Shop, 115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver
Dates: Dec 17 – 18
For over 50 years, the Deer Lake Craft Festival has been supporting local artisans in the Lower Mainland. This seasonal artisan market is juried to ensure the highest quality, handcrafted creations. This year over 40 B.C. artisans were selected to be part of the market. You will be able to find a diverse mix of artisans, from glass blowers, sculptors, patissiers, jam makers, fashion, and jewellery designers, and more. Craft and community are the heart of this festival, and you’ll get the chance to get to know each artisan and their personal stories. In addition to the market, there will be entertainment from local emerging performers.
Admission: Free
Location: Shadbolt Centre For The Arts, 6450 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby
Dates: Nov 18 – 20
The popular Nikkei Craft Fair is back this year with over 80 local vendors selling handmade crafts, upcycled goods, jewellery, artwork, beauty & skincare products, and more on sale. Admission grants access to the fair, which includes Japanese food trucks and the Kids Zone. Free admission for ages 17 and under; seniors 65 and older; and NNMCC members.
Admission: $5
Location: Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre, 6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby
Dates: Nov 19 – 20
Over 25 local vendors will be selling handmade and artisan products at this Holiday Market. Visitors will find indigenous crafts, holiday handmade cards, hand-cut stickers, magnets, and more.
The market is a part of a bigger celebration where the Mayor of Surrey and special guests (like Santa) will be lighting Surrey’s official 60 ft Christmas tree. Among the activities surrounding the market are an 80-foot light tunnel, giant ornaments, illuminated swings, holiday choirs, a Nutcracker ballet recital, dance battles, a Celtic Christmas performance, Powwow dance lessons, an ugly Christmas sweater contest, and festive giveaways.
Admission: Free
Location: Surrey Civic Plaza, 13450 104 Ave, Surrey
Dates: Nov 19
Sample beers, shop local goods, and rework your gift list at one of Langley’s favourite breweries. This gathering of artists, small-batch cooks, and bakers is a great way to kick off your gift mode. Not too close to Christmas, so you can actually consider presents with a level head for once.
Admission: Free
Location: Trading Post Brewing Tasting Room, 20120 64th Avenue 107 Langley
Dates: Nov 26
Visiting the gorgeous Audain Art Museum surrounded by snow is reason enough to attend this Whistler artisanal market. Featuring all manner of local artists and makers, you can peruse items like curated vintage, slow fashion, pottery, paintings and fashion for the perfect gift for a friend (or yourself). It’s a fantastic chance to discover your next favourite creative.
Admission: $10
Location: Audain Art Museum, 4350 Blackcomb Way Whistler
Dates: Dec 2 – 3
The Combine Art Fair returns again, but with an added book fair this year! Chat with curators and artists as you take inspiration from the art and unique pieces on sale.
A collaboration between the host gallery Griffin Art Projects, Mónica Reyes Gallery, Unit 17, Wil Aballe Art Projects, and Montreal-based Galerie Hugues Charbonneau, this event will give a boost of creative spirit ahead of the holiday season. That’s the sweet spot for when the best gift ideas happen.
Admission: Free
Location: Griffin Art Projects Residency, 1180 Welch St. North Vancouver
Dates: Dec 8 – 11
Every Saturday from November 19 to December 17, one of Vancouver’s most eclectic and vibrant cultural spaces will host a mini art market. Over 25 local vendors will show their work, and visitors are invited to enjoy music, pinball, snacks, and a clothing swap.
At the same location every day of the week, more than 100 local artists showcase their work in the gallery’s gift shop. Slice will not host any art exhibitions during December to make room for all the new art and creative items.
Mini Mart Saturdays
Admission: Free
Location: Slice of Life Gallery & Gift Shop,1636 Venables St, Vancouver
Dates: Saturdays, Nov 19 – 25
Slice Gallery Holiday Market
Admission: Free
Location: Slice of Life Gallery & Gift Shop,1636 Venables St, Vancouver
Dates: Dec 1 – 24
Cover photo by @melissay.h
Circle Craft Market – Convention Centre: Take the Canada or Expo Lines to Waterfront Station, it’s about a 10 min walk from there.
Etsy Holiday Pop-up – The Pipe Shop: Head to Lonsdale Quay on the Seabus and walk about 5 mins East along the water.
Winter Gift Gallery – Seymour Art Gallery: From Phibbs Exchange, take the #212 Deep Cove bus to Naughton Ave
Indigenous Artisan Market – MoNoVa: Take the Seabus to Lonsdale Quay it’s only one block North.
Made in the 604 – Heritage Hall: Take the #3 Main-Marine Drive bus to 16th Ave.
Made in the 604 – The Pipe Shop: Head to Lonsdale Quay on the Seabus and walk about 5 mins East along the water.
Nikkei Craft Fair – Nikkei National Museum: From Metrotown, take the #119 Edmonds Station bus to Sperling Ave
Surrey Tree Lighting Festival – Surrey Civic Plaza: Take the Expo Line to Surrey Central Station, it’s less that n a 5 mins walk from there.
Holiday Makers’ Market – Trading Post Brewing Tasting Room: From FRaser Hwy, take the #364 Scottsdale bus to 201 St.
Whistler Bespoke Market – Audain Art Museum: There are several shuttles you can take to Whistler from Vancouver. For instance, there is one that leaves from the River Rock Casino in Richmond, which you can get to by taking the Canada Line train to Bridgeport Station.
Combine Art Fair – Griffin Art Projects: Take the #236 Grouse Mountain bus to Hamilton ave. It’s about a 10 min walk afterwards.
Slice Holiday Market – Slice of Life Gallery: On Commercial Drive, take the #20 Downtown bus to Venables St.