Vancouver’s favourite Christmas event is finally back! The beautiful Vancouver Christmas Market is the best way to immerse yourself in the holiday season.
Rows and rows of cabin-looking stands and shops fill Jack Poole Plaza every November and December to deliver a lovely holiday shopping and eating experience for Vancouver.
The shopping vendors are great, but the main event of the market is all the delicious food options. You can choose from 30 different food vendors offering a variety of foods, including some German favourites. Grab a delicious bratwurst from Bratwurst Haus or a schnitzel from Das Schnitzel Haus. If you don’t feel like eating meat, stop by Das Kartoffelhaus for a kartoffelpuffer (a german potato pancake) or a crispy spiralled hurricane potato.
If you have a sweet tooth, check out I Love Chocolate for a glass of chocolate-covered fruit topped with whipped cream and powdered sugar. Or run over to Gingerbread Haus for freshly baked cookies that capture the Christmas spirit.
My favourite was Soup Haus; their vegetable soup is like a warm and comforting hug in a bowl. Plus, they had samples of mushroom and wild rice soup. If none of those tickled your fancy, don’t fret; they have tons of more options.
When you’re done indulging in mouthwatering treats, grab something to sip while you shop. The classic option is to go to the Christmas Pyramid and get a cup of hot-spiced mulled wine, which comes in an adorable collectable mug.
If you’re not in the mood for something boozy, you can find German apple spritzers, hot chocolate and coffee stands, and tons of places to get German ciders and beers.
After you grab a drink, head towards the front of the market again to start shopping. The market has a total of over 90 vendors and quite a bit of diversity in the selection. You are sure to find something for almost everyone on your Christmas list.
Stock up on socks, grab some new jewelry pieces or get some new candles. And, of course, since it’s the German Christmas Market, they have tons of European souvenirs and gifts. You can get a beer stein, or German Christmas ornaments. Out of all the shopping vendors, I loved HUSS Incense the most. They sell incense burners that look like little ovens and incense cones in a bunch of different scents.
Before you leave, make sure you hop on the carousel for a fun (and free) little ride looking around the Christmas wonderland.
The Vancouver Christmas Market is open from now till Christmas Eve, so grab a friend and head down sometime during winter break.