North Vancouver now has its own Christmas Market, similar to the iconic one downtown Vancouver, with vendors selling out of individual wooden huts, but without the entry fee and easier parking at The Quay.
Show runners wanted to bring a taste of European Christmas Markets to the North Shore, with the idea of giving back to the community. Their goal is to host a Christmas market that is free to get into, like the European tradition, that is also aimed at making things a little easier for single parents and low-income families. Here there are free activities and entertainment with live music on stage and Santa poised for photos in his own chalet.
The annual Shipyards Skate Plaza is also up and running daily from 12-8pm
as of November 30th, 2024. This is the region’s largest outdoor skating rink and it is free to participate, if you have your own skates. Otherwise, it is a very reasonable rental fee of $7 for adults, and $5 for kids. Helmet and skate aids are free.
Here, the market loops around the water’s edge, and you get a skyline-view with the city and water in the distance. There are over over 70 wooden stalls and plenty of space in between each, offering the ability to take your time perusing without the need to push and shove. The only downside would be rain, considered all the uncovered areas. We spotted local artists selling knitted plushies, fashion jewelry, stationery, candles, and skin care, to name a few.
There was a section for food and drink with seating/eating tables by the stage. Distilleries like North Van’s local Copper Penny and Wayward Distilling on the island were pouring samples. There were tornado potatoes, bratwurst, raclette, nuts, and tea.
We got a cold press ginger shots to help warm us up inside and out. My partner got the friendlier pomegranate flavoured one, and I went full spice with their original ginger. It certainly helped to clear our sinuses.
We would slowly make our way to the ice rinks and the last round of Christmas Market vendors by the Shipyard entrance arches, adjacent to a waving Santa statue. Here, we spotted and stopped at The Praguery for a hot beverage and a warm treat.
For those familiar, they don’t have their chimney cake ice cream cones here, just a fairly condensed offering of their regular, cylindrical chimney cakes. Three different flavours with 3 different dips available. They also use to have basque cheesecake by the slice as well, but apparently that has since been discontinued.
We got a cup of real cocoa hot chocolate topped with whipped cream to share, and a freshly baked chimney cake each. One chimney cake topped with the classic cinnamon and sugar, the other a milk chocolate and sugar sprinkle.
They have milk chocolate on tap, dispensing at a steady flow, but sadly it is not used to coat their cakes. Instead they gather it in a sauce dish for melty chocolate to dip into.
Despite the granular coating, each cake was a little plain on their own, and in need of sauces for personality. I prefer the tart and refreshing strawberry over the syrupy chocolate. My favourite way to eat these are to unwind them and slurp up the dough like a giant strand of noodle.
On top of the Shipyards open air market, the Pipe Shop next door is also hosting its own market. They are offering similar vendor goods as above, but with a lot more crystals, cookies, and 3D printed items.
It was all shoulder to shoulder tables, making it tight to maneuver in between the isle. This did make for a nice way to enjoy the warmth of a cover hall, but I found it hard to and less enjoyable to shop.
Even MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver has their own pop up market. Helmed by gift shop staff, this is an elevated, curated selection of artisan food products, wellness brands, and Christmas decor for purchase and gifting.
Going through it all made for a nice walk while window shopping.
The Shipyards Christmas Market is conveniently located near the Seabus and bus routes.
November 29 – 17:00 to 22:00
November 30 – December 22
Monday to Thursday – 11:00 to 21:00
Friday to Sunday – 11:00 to 22:00
December 23 – 11:00 to 22:00
December 24 – 11:00 to 17:00
125 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver, BC V7L OB3
(604) 982-8383
shipyardschristmasmarket.com
