Top 10 Most Delightful Christmas Markets To Visit In Canada
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| Top 10 Most Delightful Christmas Markets In Canada. Photo KnowInsiders |
It’s the perfect low-pressure break during the rush-rush days leading up to the holidays: a warm, rich, spiced glass of glühwine, twinkling lights, maybe some carols and a sleigh ride, followed by a leisurely browse through the charming little pop-up shops. Christmas markets are a centuries-old tradition in Western Europe that began back in the Middle Ages. Their popularity has persisted, and more recently, has spread across the Atlantic. From coast to coast, here are top 10 most delightful Christmas markets in Canada:
1.Banff Christmas Market
2.Christkindl
3.Montréal Christmas Village
4.Toronto Christmas Market
5. Vancouver Christmas Market
6.Québec City’s German Christmas Market
7. Kitchener Christkindl Market
8. Le Marché de Noel Allemand in Quebec City
9. Calgary Expo Holiday Market
10. Got Craft
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Top 10 Most Delightful Christmas Markets In Canada
1.Banff Christmas Market
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| Photo Rove.me |
Located in Canada’s first national park, the Banff Christmas Market is truly a one of a kind.
The rustic venue is surrounded by beauty and nature and has over 50 vendors in attendance. From Nova Scotia’s reclaimed boat wood, Inuit carvers and local artisans to jewellers, home decor and clothing retailers, your choice for gifts is endless.
Say hello to Santa, go on a sleigh ride, or enjoy BBQ food and homemade chocolate. There are so many activities you need to try at this popular market.
This Christmas market is typical of those that you may find in Europe, boasting artisanal products that make the perfect gifts for this festive season. Whether you choose to lounge by the fire in the Outdoor Lounge Bar or enjoy the family-friendly entertainment, this is a market not to be missed on your Canada tour this Christmas.
Opening dates: 15th-17th November and 22nd- 24th November
Directions from Downtown Banff:
– From Downtown Banff, head south on Banff Avenue and cross the Bow River
– After crossing the bridge, take the first right onto Cave Avenue
– Turn right onto Sundance Road towards Warner Stables
– The Banff Christmas Market is located at the bottom of Sundance Road.
2.Christkindl
Christkindl Market of Kitchener – Canada’s original festival of German Christmas – is back for its 23rd year.
Since 1996, Kitchener City Hall has transformed into an old-style festival each Christmas. The market recreates all the sights, sounds, smells and spirit of the traditional festivals found throughout Germany.
Head down on the 5th of December for the opening ceremony; join in a sing-along and watch the donkey procession through the streets before the tree is lit.
The famous Christmas market is visited by more than 35,000 visitors every year selling a range of items such as toys, artisan crafts and jewellery. With an emphasis on Old World German themes and flavours, this is the perfect event if you’re looking to get in the Christmas spirit.
If you decide to book cheap flights to Canada and visit, you can expect to see over 30 performances by choirs, bands and dance groups. The free-to-attend market also boasts a model railway display, a live nativity and blacksmith demonstrations on the square.
Opening dates: 5th-8th December
Directions from Toronto to Kitchener:
– Get on Gardiner Expressway W from Bay Street.
– Take exit 139 for ON-427/Brown’s Line/Sherway Gardens Road towards Ontario 401 and continue onto ON-427 N.
– Follow the signs for Ontario 401 W and merge onto ON-401 W and then take exit 278 for ON-8 towards Kitchener/Waterloo.
– The next step is to take the turning for Weber Street E/Waterloo Regional Road 8 to College Street and follow signs for King Street/Downtown.
– Turn right onto Montgomery Road and after two miles turn left onto Weber Street E/Waterloo Regional Road 8.
– Then turn left onto College Street and the Christmas market will be in sight.
| Christmas in Canada is celebrated in much the same way as it is in other Western countries. As it is across the globe, December 25th is the official holiday in Canada, with many Canadians also taking time off on the afternoon of the 24th (Christmas Eve) as well as Boxing Day, celebrated on the 26th. |
3.Montréal Christmas Village
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| Photo readerdigest |
A real traditional Christmas Market with 50 chalets hosting local craftsmen and restaurateurs, including a traditional sugar shack and Santa’s workshop. Alternatively you can visit the Marché de Noël and des Traditions in Longueuil, a suburb on the outskirts of Montreal, where pear cider, maple butter and salted caramels are among the traditional food on offer.
Opening dates: 29th November-22nd December
Directions from Downtown Montréal:
– Head south-east on Avenue Union towards Rue Cathcart
– Turn left at the first cross street onto Rue Cathcart
– Turn right at the first cross street onto Place du Frere Andre/Place Phillips
– Continue onto Côte du Beaver Hall
– Turn right onto Rue de la Gauchetière O
– Turn left at the first cross street onto Boulevard Robert-Bourassa
– Turn right onto Rue Saint-Antoine O (signs for Autoroute 720 O)
– Turn left onto Avenue Atwater
– Keep left to stay on Avenue Atwater
– Turn right onto Rue Sainte-Émilie
| Canada is a multicultural country, so many other holiday traditions aside from Christian ones are observed in December and throughout the year. Hanukkah celebrations are widespread, especially in Toronto and Montreal where there are large Jewish populations. On Christmas Day, pretty much everything in the way of retail and services is closed, except for the occasional convenience store. If you're looking for a bar or restaurant for a good holiday meal, a hotel is a good bet. Christmas Eve (December 24th), is the last chance to get Christmas shopping done, with most stores staying open until 5 or 6 p.m. and lots of people leaving work for the day by noon or shortly thereafter. |
4.Toronto Christmas Market
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| Photo Frontier Canada |
Held annually in Toronto’s historic distillery district and previously named as one of the 10 best Christmas markets in the world, the Toronto Christmas Market combines traditional European charm with some Canadian twists. View the 50-foot white spruce tree decked out with over 40,000 lights and browse the stalls selling goods from all over the world, before heading to the heated outdoor festive gardens serving mulled wine, hot run and Christmas cocktails or take the sweet-toothed to the life-size Gingerbread House.
November 14-December 22, 2019 (market closed on Mondays)
5. Vancouver Christmas Market
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| Photo Frontier Canada |
When: November 20 - December 24, 2019
Address: Jack Poole Plaza, 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC
Flaming bowls of feuerzangenbowle (fire-tongs punch) will keep you warm as you wander between the wooden chalets that fill the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza in central Vancouver. This traditional German drink involves a rum-soaked sugarloaf set ablaze and left to melt into a beaker of mulled wine. Along with baked apples and decadent Swiss raclette, it's just one of the winter treats available at the Vancouver Christmas Market.
The German-themed market is also the place to find painted beer steins, elegant lace-work decorations and many other handmade gifts. Poinsettias, Christmas lights and advent wreaths add a splash colour with an old-fashioned Christmas carousel, gospel choirs and string ensembles for entertainment.
If you're on the hunt for arty stocking-fillers, head to the annual Craft Circle Christmas Market. The market features hundreds of stalls with work by Canadian artisans including wood-turners, glass-blowers and toymakers. It's the perfect place to find a special Christmas gift.
6.Québec City’s German Christmas Market
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| Photo Frontier Canada |
Québec City’s German Christmas Market is a European wonderland nestled right in the heart of Québec City.
The market has a festive atmosphere and its wooden stalls and bright Christmas lights make it an amazing multi-sensory experience that you really don’t want to miss. Plus, with plenty of gift ideas and free shows, it makes a wonderful evening activity in the run-up to Christmas.
Get ready to be enchanted and taste some delicious foods. On the menu is a selection of German treats like mulled wine, bratwurst and gingerbread.
There are lots of beautiful decorations you can buy and other Christmas gifts. But if its entertainment you’re after, then the carol singing, and other performances will charm you.
Opening dates: 22nd November-23rd December
Directions from the centre of Quebec City:
– From the centre of Quebec City you will need to head west towards Rue Pierre Olivier Chauveau
– Then you need to take Boulevard René-Lévesque E and Ch Ste-Foy to Avenue Désy
– Continue onto Avenue Désy and then take a left onto Rue Jeanne d’Arc.
7. Kitchener Christkindl Market
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| Photo readerdigest |
Originally named Berlin, the city of Kitchener, Ontario, has a strong German heritage. Is it any wonder, then, that it hosted Canada’s first annual holiday market, Christkindl, back in 1997? This flurry of festive activity opens with a philharmonic choir singing the Hallelujah Chorus from a balcony at City Hall, followed by a tree lighting and candlelight procession. Over the next few days, you can come and see actual blacksmiths at work, skate on an ice rink and visit a live nativity scene. Fuel your festive spirit with some (free!) milk and cookies.
8. Le Marché de Noel Allemand in Quebec City
What could be better than visiting one of the best Canadian Christmas markets with historic European scenery? Well, it might not be Europe, but it’s almost as close as you can get within Canada – Quebec City! Quebec City has an amazing Christmas Market right in the middle of Old Quebec’s Upper Town called Le Marche de Noel Allemand. Bundle up in your winter coat and brave the elements for this traditional German Christmas market in Quebec City.
9. Calgary Expo Holiday Market
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| Photo Daily Hive |
Local retailers, artists, makers and creators come together for this Christmas event. The BMO Centre will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland, where you can shop ‘til you drop with their range of toys, collectables and memorabilia.
As you wander amongst the stalls picking up presents to put beneath the tree, you can watch comic book artists sketching away, costumed characters ready for photo opportunities and visit Santa to share your Christmas wishes.
The Calgary Expo Holiday Market is great if you’re looking for a place with everything under one roof. Tickets cost $10 CAD and can be purchased from their website.
Opening dates: 30th November
Directions from Downtown Calgary:
– Head west on 6 Ave SE W and take the left at the first cross street onto 1 Street SE S
– Use the left two lanes to turn left at the first cross street onto 1 St SE S
– Turn left onto 12 Ave SE
– Turn right towards 13 Ave SE
– Turn left onto 13 Ave SE
– Turn right into the BMO Centre
10. Got Craft
Christmas markets in Canada are famed for their crafts—and Got Craft is one market that showcases this in abundance.
Got Craft was established in 2007 with the market getting bigger and better every year. It features 105 local makers, do-it-yourself workshops and food carts. Plus, if you’re one of the first 50 people, you’ll go home with a free swag bag filled with items from the vendors.
The market costs just $5 CAD to enter and is being held at the Pipe Shop Building, which is conveniently located across from the Seabus terminal, perfect if you’re arranging car hire in Vancouver.
Opening dates:7th-8th December
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