For the holiday season, the Chihuly glass museum, Space Needle, and Seattle Christmas Market teamed up with a cost savings pass for locals and tourists alike. Visiting all three, all in the same area, will help you save. So when we took our recent road trip down to Seattle we did just that.
The Seattle Christmas Market is branded just like the one in Vancouver, BC except with a lot more square footage. Therefore it is able to host a lot more vendors and a lot more activations. Both adds to a more richer market experience and is one that you can linger longer at.
Therefore I cannot help but compare the two, keeping in mind that I did not visit the Vancouver Christmas Market for the 2025 season.
We got our Seattle Christmas Market tickets online and opted in for the commemorative souvenirs. The annual keepsake mug and a “Naughty” and “Nice” tote to store it, and anything else we bought at the market within.
The mug would later be filled with Glühwein, pre-batched and poured from out of their pyramid windmill at the centre of the market. Hot red wine, seasoned with spices for extra warmth. This was ideal for keeping us warm inside out.
There are so many light installations to appreciate and take photos with, it certainly adds to the richness of the enclosed space. Reindeers pulling Santa’s sleigh over cotton snow, a giant teddy bear, and several pine wrapped arches. With lots to see, the walk around the vicinity is just as entertaining.
Unique to Seattle is the “Wishing Forest” that allows you to make a wish. You do this by writing it down on a wood ornament, and then hanging it on a tree with all the other wishes, from all the other guests.
Just behind it is the Tunnel of Love, which is an iconic memorial to love that both markets have. Walk through it holding hands and purchase a “love lock” to symbolize your forever love. This is shaped like a heart, where you can write your initials on and attach to the tunnel’s interior, or on the sign inviting kisses to be done under the mistletoe.
Both Christmas Markets also have the iconic Christmas Pyramid. A four story windmill that serves as a stage for carollers up above, and a bar for festive hot beverages down below. And the giant Christmas tree draped in lights that you can walked in to and through. But at Seattle’s Market Santa Claus is standing outside and available for photos in a unique blue version of his iconic fuzzy and furry red suit.
For both markets your admission ticket includes a ride on a merry-go-round carousel. However the one in Vancouver appears to be larger in size, more ornately painted with not just horses with saddles to ride on, but safari animals and chariots. And as I can remember it, it also felt and sounds more safe with minimal squeaking.
Both markets feature German themed food like bratwurst, perogies, schnitzel, soup in bread bowls, chimney cakes and raclette cheese. And other popular foodstuffs like hurricane potatoes, fudge, toasted nuts, and caramel popcorn.
From what I can see, unique to Seattle was the authentic and traditional Hawaiian bbq meats turning over a live fire, cheesy pasta being tossed in a cheese wheel, and cream stuffed donuts fried on location.
More notable was the giant food hall. A covered space for guests to keep warm and dry within. This also doubled as a bingo hall, with free to play games with prizes for winners. We played a few rounds to no success, but half the fun is in the dabbing.
Overall, if I had to choose one market over the other, it would be Seattle’s for size and variety. Although this also might be because the grass is greener on the other side.
Seattle Christmas Market
305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109, United States
seattlechristmasmarket.com
