10 Best Places in Vancouver To Do Your Christmas Shopping

It’s that’s time of year.  The downtown shops are displaying Christmas decorations and there’s the sound of merry Christmas music in the air.  Whether you’re visiting Vancouver, or a resident who wants new ideas of places to go for Christmas shopping,  here’s a list of the ten best spots to shop.  And all of them are easily accessible by public transit so you can avoid bringing  your vehicle downtown if you wish.

Right in the heart of downtown at the corner of Granville and Georgia Streets are two of the major department stores.  The Bay, owned by the historical Hudson’s Bay Company, 604-681-6211, is the official retails vendor for the 2010 Winter Olympics team apparal and souveniers. The Bay is known for its quality merchandise, ranging from medium to upper prices.  There are 600 retail locations so you can shop at The Bay at some of the major shopping malls.  But this is the main downtown store. It’s connected to the Pacific Centre Mall. Open Mon-Tue: 9.30 am – 7 pm; Wed -Frid 9.30 am – 9 pm, Sat. 8 am – 7 pm, Sun 11am – 7 pm

Just across the street is another big department store, Sears, at 701 Granville, 604-685-7112.  (home@sears.ca for hours) You can get good deals here, and it’s one of my favorite places to shop.  If you hit a sale, you will find some great bargains.  There’s a tourist store in the store selling Canadian products like maple syrup and packaged smoked salmon, T-shirts etc.

Like The Bay, you’ll find Sears outlets at other shopping malls as well, but this is the main downtown store and it links to the Pacific Centre Shopping Mall. This is a popular mall in downtown Vancouver, a premier office, retail and hotel complex featuring 100 shops and several leading department stores, Sears and Holt Renfrew.  The Mall connects to the Four Seasons Hotel and has convenient access to other hotels and shopping areas.  It’s close to public transit including the Seabus, Sky Train and the West Coast Express.

Nearby is the Royal Centre Mall, located at 1055 W. Georgia St (Georgia at Burrard) This retail mall and office complex is connected to the Hyatt Regency Hotel.  There are boutique retailers, hair care, spa services, jewelry, dining, a food court, coffee shops and a drug stores at this mall.  It’s located right by the Burrard Sky’Train station.

For a change of scene where you’ll find lots of unique craft and art shops as well as speciality boutiques and the Public Market,  spend an afternoon at Granville Island. You can even take in a theatre event when you’ve finished shopping.  The Market is open 7 days a week 9 – 7 pm and the Net Loft Retail Building is open 7 days a week 10 – 7 pm.  You can get there by car, bus or the Granville Island Ferries, from various ports in False Creek.

Oakridge Shopping Centre, located at 201-650 W. 41st Ave is easy to get to now that the new Canada Line stops nearby. This is a high-end mall and Oakridge has 150 stores and services, exclusive retails shops leading in fashion and interior designs.   There’s food courts and kids play areas as well. Oakridge is close to the airport, with the Canada Line stopping there enroute to YVR.  Mon- Tue 9.30 – 6 pm, Wed – Fir 9.30 – 9 pm, Sat 9.30 – 6, Sun & Hol 11 am – 6 pm

Across town in Burnaby, the Metrotown Shopping Mall has grown into a mega complex known as Metropolis. It’s BC’s largest mall complex, the second largest in Canada.  You’ll find lots to do at Metropolis including the 470 shops and services with stores like The Bay, Sears, Zellers, T&T Supermarket and Chapters.  There’s also a cinema complex. Metropolis at Metrotown is located at 4700 Kingsway between Willington and Royal Oak.  It has easy access to the SkyTrain from downtown as well as a Translink bus station. There’s ample parking in the area. Mon-Fir 10 am – 9 pm, Sat. 9.30 – 9, Sun 11 am – 6 pm.

If you happen to be staying on the North Shore, there’s an excellent shopping centre at Park Royal, 2002 Park Royal South, West Vancouver.  This is a trendy, high-end shopping centre with 280 stores and restaurants.  It’s only 10 minutes from downtown by car and there’s a bus service from downtown to the Mall.  Park Royal is hosting a Winter Carnival with three major non ticketed events including a Community Hockey Game, Public skating and a beverage and concert tent.

A little farther afield, but close to the Vancouver Intenational Airport as well as hotels in the area, Richmond Centre, located at 1400 – 6551 No3 Rd. Richmond BC,  has everything from designer fashions to home furnishings.  There’[s 240 stores and other venues.  It’s located right across from the Canada Line station (Richmond/Brighouse) and accessible to the airport.  As well, there’s lots of hotels in the area.  The Centre is open Mon- Tues 9.30 am - 7pm;  Wed-Fri 930 am – 9 pm; Sat. 9 am – 7 pm, Sun/Hol 11 am – 6 pm.

Another unique shopping mall in Richmond, is the Aberdeen Centre, 4151 Hazelbridge Way a short walk from the Canada Line Aberdeen stop.  This is a truly Asian shopping mall, an alternate to Chinatown, with Asian themed retail stores, herbal tea shops, restaurants, cinema and Daiso, one of the best $2 stores you’ll find for getting those special stocking stuffers.  It’s one of the largest Asian retail centres in North America.  Open Mon- Wed 11am – 7 pm; Thur – Sat 11 am – 9 pm, Sun & Hol 11 am – 7 pm.

There’s lots of festive events happening at all these malls.  And don’t forget, Santa Claus will soon be there as well as other Yuletime entertainment for the kiddies.  Check the websites for special Christmas shopping hours during December.

PHOTOS by Ruth Kozak