Winter Events: Vancouver's Christmas Market

This year marks the 15th iteration of the annual Vancouver Christmas Market, one of the city's most recognizable winter events. Every year at the Jack Poole Plaza, the area is transformed into a small European-styled village filled with wooden stalls, glowing lights, and joy. The market was first introduced in 2010, and while it has grown over the years, its appeal has mostly stayed the same: a mix of food, music, and holiday traditions. The festival offers seasonal foods, handcrafted goods that are perfect gifts, and live performances. 

Though the market is filled with all sorts of stands that serve foods from pretzels to squid or stalls that sell German ornaments to handmade needle-felted animals, the one stand that catches everyone's attention- including viewers from outside the market- is the Glühwein stand. Standing at a staggering four stories tall, the tower is lit with bright patterns and features spinning wooden figures on the top two floors, live singers on the second floor, and mulled wine, apple cider, and other warm holiday drinks served on the first floor . Though there are other major attractions such as the massive Christmas tree and the pyramid carousel, the Glühwein stand is clearly the centrepiece of the market. 

Following the smell of fried food and spices, visitors can experience a different side of the market's charm. Most notably are the "Hurricane Potatoes", which you can also spot from a distance thanks to the line that forms and never really disappears. Behind the counter, thin spiraled potatoes are carefully turned on metal rods before being dropped into hot oil. The result is a crispy, salty snack that many visitors carry around as they explore. 

The market's strongest feature is undoubtedly its overall atmosphere. With lights wrapping around the walkways, the waterfront adding a reflective glow, and the decorations placed carefully enough that nearly every corner becomes a photo spot, families can wander around slowly and enjoy themselves!

However, there are some downsides to consider. On weekends, the plaza can get crowded, and lines become long. Many visitors have also mentioned the high prices of both admission as well as the cost of food and drinks within the market itself. With admission ranging from $6 to $25 and food ranging $18-$25, families or larger groups may find even a short visit to be expensive. 

Despite these limitations, the market is still a great place to enjoy the holiday spirit. With its atmosphere of warmth and celebration, many people from around the world come to visit. It's best to visit earlier in the day or on weekend evenings if you want more space and time to enjoy the activities and food the market has to offer. Although those seeking a quiet and budget-friendly outing may be disappointed, the market is still an enjoyable seasonal experience for those willing to embrace the crowd and cost.