Mall is a four-letter word say the organizers behind one of the city's busiest markets, Got Craft? Those who are feeling the shopping spirit but dislike the airless spaces and Muzak of malls can exercise their purchasing power at a multitude of craft fairs and markets before Christmas.
Until Dec. 24
The Vancouver Christmas Market operates daily in the plaza outside the Queen Elizabeth Theatre at Georgia and Hamilton from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. vancouverchristmasmarket.com
Dec. 3
Shop for socially conscious art and crafts and support organizations working for change at Crafts for a Cause. Community groups working for social justice sell art and crafts to support their organizing work, table fees from artists are donated to these groups and the $2 entrance fee supports the community-centered Rhizome Café. Runs 6 to 10 p.m. at 317 East Broadway. crafts4acause.wordpress.com
The second annual Fair Trade Vancouver Holiday Fair and Gala happens at 196 Kingsway St. Admission to shop for goods from Metro Vancouver vendors is free from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and tickets to the gala, which includes live music and a silent auction, are $10. www.fairtradevancouver.ca
Dec. 3 and 4
The Deck the Hall Xmas Craft Fair fills Heritage Hall, 3102 Main St., from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Dec. 3 and 10
The Baker's Market runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre, 7646 Prince Albert St. bakersmarket.com
Dec. 4
Indie B.C. artists sell their handmade goods at Got Craft? at the Royal Canadian Legion, 2205 Commercial Dr., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The wares include jewelry, clothing, ceramics, stationery, posters, plush toys and chocolate. Admission is $3. gotcraft.com
Dec. 8 to 11
More than 300 artists and designers make up One of a Kind. The show runs at the Vancouver Convention Centre West, 1055 Canada Place, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 8 to 10, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 11. oneofakindvancouver.com
Dec. 9 and 10
Toque, an annual craft sale and fundraiser, warms up the Western Front, 303 East Eighth Ave., with 23 invited vendors who will sell books, cards, jewelry, textiles, ceramics and one of a kind art objects. It runs Dec. 9 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. front.bc.ca
Dec. 10 and 11
Shiny Fuzzy Muddy features handmade art and fine crafts from 25 select designers and makers at Heritage Hall. Admission is free for the event that runs 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 10, until 7 p.m. Dec. 11. shinyfuzzymuddy.com
More than 50 local vendors sell leather goods, perfume, clothing, skincare products and jewelry at Portobello West. The market enlivens the Creekside Community Recreation Centre in the former Olympic Village from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. portobellowest.com
Dec. 11
Craftacular should get the Beehive Hair Lounge, 3904 Fraser St., buzzing from 5 to 10 p.m. facebook.com/craftacular
Dec. 16 and 17
The Little Mountain Gallery, 195 East 26th Ave., will be filled with clothes, jewelry and other handmade goods during the Nice Balls Christmas Market. It runs 5 to 10 p.m. Dec. 16, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 17.
Dec. 17
The 16th annual Farmers Market for the Holidays happens at the Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Dr., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It includes high quality crafts, artisan food gifts. Admission is $3, or $2 with a web coupon. eatlocal.org
Dec. 17 and 18
The 18th annual Women's Winter Faire includes eco-friendly wares, artwork and clothing made by women artists and artisans from B.C. It runs 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Heritage Hall. soundsandfuries.com/faire
Dec. 18
The Blim Monthly Community Market happens at the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver, 50 East Pender St., in December, from noon to 5 p.m. blim.ca
