The Best Canadian Christmas Markets to Visit This Holiday Season
Take in the twinkle lights, hunt for unique gifts and get your glühwein on at these five traditional markets
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Take in the twinkle lights, hunt for unique gifts and get your glühwein on at these five traditional markets
Skip online shopping this year and browse one of these traditional Christmas markets across the country.
Ranked as one of the best Christmas markets in the world by Fodor’s Travel and Mashable, the Toronto Christmas Market takes over the picturesque Distillery Historic District for its ninth year. Enjoy craft stalls, family-friendly entertainment, beer gardens and European street food under a canopy of Christmas lights. Features include a 15-metre Christmas tree, Ferris wheel, carousel and, of course, Santa.
With more than 675,000 visitors last year, the event can get hectic. Take advantage of the free admission on weekdays or get lost in the crowd on a Friday or Saturday night.
When: November 15 to December 23
Where: Toronto
Admission: Free Tuesday to Friday until 5 p.m.; Friday after 5 p.m. and weekends, $6
For a more traditional experience, the 22-year-old Christkindl Market offers 100 indoor and outdoor vendors, a train room with a model railway, blacksmith demonstrations, German folklore and a live nativity.
When: December 6 to 9
Where: Kitchener, Ont.
Admission: Free
More than 80 exhibitors gather in the Canadian Museum of History’s Grand Hall to showcase their wares at the Museum’s Christmas Market. With choices from Christmas decorations and gourmet treats to crafts and handmade jewelry, this market provides a one-stop shop for everyone on your nice list.
When: November 29 to December 2
Where: Gatineau, Que.
Admission: Free, plus free coat check
Experience the warmth of a European-inspired market at the Marché de Noël Allemand de Quebec. Live musical performances and festive lights entertain shoppers on a break, while vendors in pretty little kiosks sell everything from mulled wine and gingerbread to artisanal creations and imported goods.
When: November 22 to December 23
Where: Quebec City
Admission: Free
Wander the magical twinkling pathways at the Vancouver Christmas Market and discover handcrafted gifts, the spiced citrusy goodness of glühwein and a delicious selection of authentic German sweets and savoury dishes, such as bratwurst, goulash and schnitzel. The market also features holiday entertainers and a spectacular Christmas carousel for the kids.
When: November 21 to December 24
Where: Vancouver
Admission: Adults, $10; youth, $5; children 7 and under, free
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If you’ve brought home a few festive items from a Christmas market, be sure to follow these safe holiday decorating tips as you deck your halls.
Image credits: Tourism Toronto, Courtesy of Christkindl Market christkindl.ca; © Canadian Museum of History; Steve Deschênes/Quebec Tourism; Lindsay Elliott/Vancouver Christmas Market