Experience a Traditional German Christmas Market in Vancouver

In Germany, the history of Christmas Markets goes back to the Middle Ages.  One of the oldest Christmas markets is in Dresden dating to 1424.  It attracts millions of visitors each year.  The Christmas Market ushers in Advent.  The markets are known as Weihnachtsmarkt or Christkindelsmarkt.  Besides the booths of crafts and traditional foods and sweets, there is usually a Nativity scene and a Nutcracker.

You can enjoy a traditional type German Christmas Market right here in Vancouver this festive season until December 24.  After an unfortunate mishap delayed the opening, the market finally got underway, located in the outdoor plaza of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre at West Georgia and Hamilton Streets (map).

It’s a lot more than just a craft fair, there is entertainment too, and special events for children.  The Market’s centre piece is a festively decorated stage surrounded by more than 30 traditional wooden booths and rows of decorated Christmas trees.  There are merchandise as well as food booths where you can sample German Bratwurst, suckling pig and Swiss Raclette, traditional Christmas cookies, Lebkuchen, roasted chestnuts and spiced Stollen (Christmas cake).  Whether you are 19 or 90, if you want to sample the mulled wine or German beer, be prepared to produce two items of ID.

You can browse the craft booths, some inside a long covered area, but when I went the line-up snaked all around the market to the stage area.  There are crocheted Christmas ornaments, wooden toys, expensive decorated gingerbread hearts and a beautiful display of Polish ceramics.

There are presentations of chocolate making and other workshops as well as plenty of entertainment on the stage.  If you’re looking for something really unique to put under the Christmas tree, or even if you just want to browse and sample the food, come on down and enjoy a morning or afternoon of holiday fun.

The Vancouver Christmas Market (map)

November 24 – December 24.

Daily from 11 am to 9 pm

All Day Admission: Adult (13+ years) $5.00 General Admission; $2.00 Monday – Friday, 11 am – 2 pm

Youth 7 – 12 years $2.00

Child (0-6 years) Free

Photo by W. Ruth Kozak