Five reasons to check out the Vancouver Christmas Market
Credit to Author: Shawn Conner| Date: Tue, 19 Nov 2019 19:02:37 +0000
Vancouver Christmas Market
When: Nov. 20 to Dec. 24
Where: Jack Poole Plaza
Tickets: $9, $13, $15, children six and under free, vancouverchristmasmarket.com/tickets
1. Gifts and things. The city’s authentic German market returns for its 10th year to host over 80 vendors selling everything from gifts to Christmas decorations to authentic German and European food and drink. New merchants this year include eco-friendly suppliers such as Kasandy (handmade fair trade good), Rü Supply Company (locally made lunch bags made from recyclable products), and MysGreen (reusable pouches, beeswax food wraps, and other environmental products).
2. Glühwein. Beverage selections include the ever-popular Glühwein (a hot-spiced mulled wine) and a selection of German beer and wine. You can enjoy drinks while wandering the aisles of the market or you can park yourself at the WunderBAR, an 840-square-foot space that is bookable for hour-long seatings. A new menu features Christmas cocktails, hot Jägertee (an alcoholic punch), and non-alcoholic drinks.
3. Spätzle. Food choices include bratwurst, gulasch, spätzle, schnitzel, macarons, syrup-filled pancakes, and warm roasted chestnuts. New food vendors include Turkey Haus (turkey legs), Damiani Fine Foods (tomato sauces, pasta, pistachio cream spread, pesto, truffle salt, and jam), and Two Sweet Guys (mini Dutch pancakes called poffertjes and Danish pancake balls, aka aebleskiver).
4. Experiences. Hop on the Christmas Carousel or catch some live entertainment on the raised stage. Instagrammable backdrops include a walk-in Christmas tree with 36,000 lights, a new, larger-than-life 10th anniversary Christmas mug in the centre of the market, and Lovers Lane, a 40-foot-long tunnel with even more lights and mistletoe.
5. Activities. For families, the Christmas market hosts the Kinder Kraft Igloo, a market-wide Christmas treasure hunt, and visits from Santa Claus. Krampus, however, will likely sit this one out.