It's the most wonderful time of the year.
Vancouver's German-inspired Christmas Market has returned to Jack Poole Plaza with plenty of yummy treats, shopping, and live entertainment.
The holiday event kicked off on Nov. 16 and runs until Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) with a mix of local and German vendors serving up confectionery and Bavarian delicacies like pretzels, bratwurst, raclette, waffles, and of course, Glühwein (mulled wine) alongside B.C. craft cideries and distilleries.
You can feast on mini pancakes with sweet toppings, croissant waffles, chimney cakes, roasted nuts, and churros. There are pierogies, grilled cheese sandwiches, hearty soups, and lángos (Hungarian fried flatbread with toppings like sour cream, bacon, and cheese). Nibble on locally-made macarons or Greek yogurt from some of Vancouver's most beloved vendors, or sample sauces and condiments made right here in B.C.
The market offers many options that are vegetarian or vegan, too.
There will be interactive light displays like the walk-in Christmas tree, a "lovers lane" light tunnel complete with mistletoe, a sky curtain of lights, and a charming carousel. Christmas karaoke and trivia will also take place on select nights.
What's new at the Vancouver Christmas Market for 2023
“This season, we’re adding 18 new food and merchandise huts to compliment the 76 vendors who will be returning,” said Malte Kluetz, Vancouver Christmas Market CEO and Founder, in a media release.
“Some food vendors will have a bigger hut to speed up the cooking process, which will help us to shorten the lineups in the Market. We have everything from traditional German food and ornaments to local Canadian craft and even Syrian-Ukrainian Christmas decor.”
“We’re also introducing new holiday traditions to round out Christmas Market favourites like free photos with St. Nick, Christmas Trivia and Karaoke Nights, a Lantern Parade for kids, and special ticket deals for our Date Nights,” added Kluetz. “Because what makes traditions stick, is when you can enjoy them year after year with all your family and friends.”
Speaking of date nights, Kluetz pointed out during a recent media tour of the event that the Vancouver Christmas Market has proven a perfect backdrop for a few proposals, just in case you were looking for a festive locale to pop the question in the coming weeks.
The Vancouver Christmas Market is in its 13th season. The event began on a smaller scale on the plaza at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre before shifting - and expanding - its operations to the iconic zone around the Olympic Cauldron on the waterfront.
Tickets are available online.
Watch: A tasty tour of the 2023 Vancouver Christmas Market
@forkingawesomevia The annual Vancouver Christmas Market is on for the holiday season. Here’s what I tasted during a preview event. Note: Many of these were sample portions so not actual size! #TikTokHolidays #forkingawesome #vancouverbc #vancouverfoodie ♬ original sound - Forking Awesome/V.I.A.
With files from Maria Diment and Allie Turner.
This article was originally published on Oct. 4, 2023 and has been updated
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