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Shop till you drop at this year's holiday markets and craft fairs.
You still have time to grab gifts for those on your nice (or naughty) list. We've rounded up some of the popular holiday markets across Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton for you to #shoplocal and #shopsmall this holiday season.
This one-of-a-kind holiday market is back! Little Modern Market is Calgary's one-stop-shop for vintage apparel, special art pieces and everything else in between – all local. Shoppers will have a chance to meet different local shops from clothing, beauty, food, art, pet shops and more. Eat Yours Truly Cookies to indulge that sweet tooth; try on some cozy scarves or headbands from Knots + Knits to help you stay warm this winter; soothe your skin with Suntree Soaps’ handcrafted and sustainable bar soaps.
Where: The Brownstone YYC #120, 211 10th Ave SE, Calgary, ABWhen: December 11 & 18, 2021 from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm Cost: $5More info: littlemodernmarket.com
This grassroots market supports more than 80 local Indigenous artisans and businesses from the Calgary area. Enjoy a wide variety of items like beaded jewellery, paintings, clothing, moccasins, ribbon skirts, and more. Don’t miss out on the Gingerbread Tipi Kits from Teddi Cakes, which come fully equipped with gingerbread Tipi cookies, royal icing, candy, and a cake board to place your Tipi on. Or stop by and pick up some custom leather goodies from The Nerdy Rodeo Girl Custom Leather.
Where: Kerby Centre Gym 1133 7 Ave SW, Calgary, ABWhen: December 11 – 12, 2021 from 10 am – 5 pm Cost: $5 per day or $8 for a weekend pass. Children aged 12 and under can get into the market for free.More info: authenticallyindig.com
Sing-along to Christmas carols at Granary Road's Christmas market. Shop for fresh jams and jellies from Dancing Bear, or indulge with the natural and gluten-free apple ciders (pro tip: get your hands on their baked cinnamon sugar mini donuts!) from Adam & Eve's.
Where: Granary Road – 226066 112th Street West, Calgary, ABWhen: November 27 to December 19 – every Saturday and Sunday from 9 am – 5 pm Cost: FreeMore info: granaryroad.com
Returning to the holiday scene is Market Collective. This beloved market will once again be featuring all locally made goodies from artists, makers and entrepreneurs with fun live music and delicious food and drinks – a holiday party you don't want to miss out on. Pick up one of Rachael Meckling's colourful art prints (or get her to paint your portrait!). Stock up on Hadash Jewelries with their statement and Polymer Clay-made jewellery.
Where: BMO Centre – 20 Roundup Way SE, Calgary, ABWhen: December 10 – 12 & December 17 – 19, 2021 from 4 – 9 pm on Friday, and 10 am – 6 pm on Saturday & SundayCost:$6 for the weekend (Kids under 12 Free)More info: marketcollective.ca
Whether you need something to place under the tree or on the kitchen table, this farmers’ market will give you everything you need. Get into the yuletide spirit with Peruvian Alpaca wool-like sweaters from D Alpaca Peru and take home the handmade baby and children's clothing from Growing Co. Kids.
Where: Heritage Drive and Blackfoot Trail 510-77th Ave SE, Calgary, ABWhen: November 18 – December 23, 2021, from 9 am – 5 pmCost: FreeMore info: calgaryfarmersmarket.ca
The Edmonton Christmas Market has returned! Enjoy live entertainment, captivating light installations, and all of the holiday cheer. Drape yourself with a beautiful dress by Dazzling Designs By Archana, or grab a stylish organic canvas tote bag from Mommy Bag for your bestie mom friend. While youre there, don't forget to enjoy a craft beer from Town Square Brewing Co.
Where: Fort Edmonton Park – Fort Edmonton Midway, 7000 143 St NW, Edmonton, ABWhen: December 8 – 10, 2021 from 3 pm – 9 pm and December 11 – 12, 2021 from 12 pm – 9 pmCost: $5More info: publicxmasmarket.com
Need gift ideas? Be inspired by all the goodies at the Royal Bison Art & Craft Fair. Think beautiful ceramics, bath and beauty, jewellery, and more. Our favourite picks are Little House of Macrame with their intricate macrame wall décor and plant hangers – a fun way to display your plant babies, or pick up Meghan MacWhirter‘s ultra-cute ceramic fruity cow planter.
Where: Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre 8426 Gateway Blvd, Edmonton, ABWhen: December 10 – 12, 2021 from 5 pm – 9 pm on Friday, 10 am – 5 pm on Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm on SundayCost: $4More info: royalbison.ca
Enjoy this market and everything it has to offer from Indigenous vendors, artists, performers and more all local and authentically handmade. Purchase some beautiful moccasin vamps from Bead work & Bannock: moccasin vamps are beaded embellished tops for your moccasins. They’re intentionally not sewn into the moccasins, as this represents the unfinished lives of The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), symbolizing their path or journey that was ended prematurely. As well, more recently, vamps have been created to memorialize the deaths of residential school children. Also, be sure to check out the beading kits from Metis ALIVE.
Where: Alberta Aviation Hangar 11410 Kingsway NW, Edmonton, ABWhen: December 10 – 12, 2021 from 3 pm – 11 pm on Friday, 10 am – 7 pm on Saturday, and 11 am – 6 pm on SundayCost: Free but they are collecting donated items like winter footwear, clothing, women’s sanitary products, toiletries and cash donations.More info: A Very Indigenous Holiday Market
With over 35 local alternative vendors, artists, designers, and brewers you are sure to find the perfect gift just in time for the holidays. Don’t miss Evergreenly Handmade Jewelry and their adorable coffee mug earrings or go for a hauntingly beautiful decoration like a rose skull to place in your study space from Tacos Macabre Creations.
Where: Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre 8426 Gateway Blvd., Edmonton, ABWhen: December 18, 2021, from 11 am – 4 pmCost: FreeMore info: Pop Culture Christmas Market
Get your holiday shopping done at Wholly Handmade. Pick up the lovable stuffed animals for your kids from Critters to Cuddle, or feel refreshed with the buttery smooth and coconut oil-infused soaps by Foxbank Manor Soapery.
Where: Strathcona County Community Centre 401 Festival Lane, Sherwood Park, Edmonton, ABWhen: December 11, 2021, from 10 am – 5 pm; December 12, 2021, from 11 am – 4 pm; December 18, 2021, from 10 am – 5 pm; December 19, 2021, from 11 am – 4 pmCost: FreeMore info: Wholly Handmade
Returning to the Polygon Gallery this year is Little Mountain Shop's annual Holiday Pop-Up, which features an all-Canadian lineup of primarily local, women-led, BIPOC makers and creatives. Featured vendors include Anita Cheung, whose original art prints made from cut washi paper incorporate themes of curiosity and wonder, and Homecoming candles.
Where: The Polygon Gallery, 101 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver, BCWhen: Wednesdays to Sundays from November 24 – December 26, 2021, from 10:00 am 5:00 pmCost: FreeMore info: thepolygon.ca
After a one-year hiatus, the Vancouver Christmas Market is back! Indulge with the authentic German-inspired festivitiestake in the colourful décor, artisan gifts, seasonal food and drinks, and the overall yuletide celebrations. Stock up on traditional Euro treats from the Licorice Parlour (find 90 different kinds of licorice, locally made hula hoops, imported candy and chocolate from Europe, and more) or hand-carved Russian ornaments from Syrin.
Where: Jack Poole Plaza (downtown at the Olympic Cauldron), 1055 Canada PlaceWhen: November 13 – December 24, 2021Cost: Tickets starting at $7.99More info: vancouverchristmasmarket.com
This specialty artisan market is new to East Vancouver, giving the community another destination to shop small and local this holiday season. Shoppers will have the chance to meet local entrepreneurs, including artists, food vendors, and food trucks (a banh mi and coffee from Camion Ca Phe is a must). Seluna's practical and original sewing kits come packed with custom size pre-washed and cut fabrics and step-by-step instructions; LAtelier Wildbirds will serve up delicate vintage-inspired jewellery.
Where: Coho Coffee, 1370 East Georgia Street, Vancouver, BCWhen: The market is a series of three Saturday pop-up markets running on October 23, November 27, and December 11, 2021, from 11 am – 4 pmCost: FreeMore info: coho.coffee
Get weird this holiday season with greater Vancouver’s most unusual holiday shopping destination! You will find the most unique (and, indeed, weird!) selection of holiday gift ideas, from witchy wares, anatomical curiosities, unique collectibles, quirky clothing and eccentric art to magical pottery, one-of-a-kind prints, candles, books, stickers and much more. Find whimsical sculptures from Artist Yolanda Mason, created with salvaged animal bones and found organic matter, or uniquely creepy planters from Ultraviolet Oddities. Or show that special someone just how “mush” you care with fungi-jewellery from Mush Appreciated.
Where: The Venables Hall, 1739 Venables StreetWhen: December 4 & 5, 2021, December 11 & 12, 2021 from 10am – 6pmCost: $4 per person for ages 13+ (by donation for children 12 and under). A portion of the door proceeds will be donated to the Urban Native Youth Association.More info: facebook.com/Weirdos.Market
This is the best place to buy a gift for anyone interested in cooler things than you. Find authentic treasures from old vinyl records to cozy toques and all the other vintagey stuff in between. Made By Mussell sells adorable custom embroidery products and pop-culture-inspired ornaments. Knot Only will be hawking hand-crafted yarn wall décor. Fuel your shopping with a warm-your-belly grilled cheese from Melt City.
Where: Eastside Studios, 550 Malkin AvenueWhen: December 4 & 5, 2021; December 11 & 12, 2021 and December 18 & 19, 2021 from 11am – 5pmCost: $3More info: eastsideflea.com
This curated marketplace showcases the best in independent craft and design, with the emphasis on handmade goodsthink delicate spoons from And Then Again for your high-tea-obsessed friend or a stylish market bag from The Bag for your go-green mom.
Where: Croatian Cultural Centre – 3250 Commercial Dr.When: December 18, 2021 and December 19, 2021 from 10am 5pmCost: $5 (kids 12 and under are free)More info: gocraft.com
Hop on the SeaBus to North Vancouver for a great gift-buying option just steps from the Lonsdale Quay terminal. This market will be brimming with a kaleidoscopic array of vendors in a family-friendly setting: Infusion Soy Sauces, wood prints from artist Rick Herdman, and more.
Where: The Pipe Shop – 115 Victory Ship Way, North VancouverWhen: December 4 – 5, 2021 and December 11 – 12, 2021 from 10am – 6pmCost: Admission by donationMore info: northvancouvershipyardsdistrict.com
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