The Vancouver Christmas Market returns to Jack Poole Plaza on the downtown waterfront from November 16 to December 24, 2026. It’s a German-style market with more than 90 wooden huts, Glühwein in collectible mugs, a carousel and a walk-through Christmas tree, all with the North Shore mountains across the water. This year the organizers are adding several new features. Here’s what to know about dates, tickets and getting there.
Vancouver Christmas Market 2026: key facts
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | Monday, November 16 to Thursday, December 24, 2026 |
| Location | Jack Poole Plaza, 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver |
| Hours | Timed entry slots; daily hours on the official site |
| Tickets | Sold online; pre-sale pricing ends November 15. Season passes available |
| Nearest station | Waterfront (SkyTrain, SeaBus) |
Prices and time slots are listed on the official market website. Weekend evenings in December sell out first, so book ahead if you have a fixed date.
What’s new at the Vancouver Christmas Market in 2026
The organizers call 2026 the biggest expansion in the market’s history. New German Village facades frame the entrance, and a Wishing Forest lets you write a wish on a wooden ornament and hang it among the trees. At the Secret Wall Cocktail Hut you ring a bell near the Christmas Pyramid, and Santa or the Grinch hands your drink through a hidden window. There’s also a new Fire Pit Lounge, where you can warm up and pick up this year’s collectible mug.
Inside the market
More than 90 wooden huts sell food, drinks, ornaments and gifts from artisans and makers. The Christmas Pyramid sits in the middle, with live entertainment on the Flying Stage on its second level. You’ll also find a carousel, a photo booth and a walk-through Christmas tree covered in lights. The Season Pass gives unlimited visits from November 16 to December 24 plus skip-the-line entry, which is worth it if you live nearby or plan to come back.
Food and drink to try
Glühwein is the signature drink, served in a limited-edition mug shaped like a Christmas tree in 2026. On the food side, look for German classics like bratwurst, pretzels and potato pancakes, plus sweets and hot drinks for kids. Dozens of food and drink vendors set up across the plaza, so it’s easy to make a meal of it.
Getting to Jack Poole Plaza
Jack Poole Plaza is next to the Vancouver Convention Centre, by the Olympic Cauldron. Waterfront Station is a few minutes’ walk away and is served by the Expo and Canada SkyTrain lines and the SeaBus from Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. Coming from the airport, the Canada Line runs straight to Waterfront. Driving downtown in December is slow and parking is expensive, so transit is the easier choice.
Vancouver winters are mild but wet. Bring a rain jacket and shoes that can handle puddles.
Luggage storage near the Vancouver Christmas Market
Many visitors arrive straight from the airport, a cruise or the train, and timed entry slots make a suitcase even more awkward. Leave your bags downtown first. Radical Storage partners with local shops and hotels around Vancouver, including spots near Waterfront Station and Canada Place. You can find storage near Jack Poole Plaza and book in a couple of minutes.
Bags are protected, cancellation is free and travelers rate the service 4.8/5. With 16.5K+ locations in 2.3K+ cities, you can use the same app on the rest of your trip.
Vancouver Christmas Market FAQ
The market runs from Monday, November 16 to Thursday, December 24, 2026 at Jack Poole Plaza.
Yes. Entry is by timed ticket, bought online. Pre-sale pricing ends November 15, and season passes with unlimited visits and skip-the-line entry are also available.
New German Village facades at the entrance, a Wishing Forest, the Secret Wall Cocktail Hut and a Fire Pit Lounge.
Take the SkyTrain or SeaBus to Waterfront Station, then walk a few minutes to the plaza next to the Vancouver Convention Centre.
Yes. The market has a carousel, a photo booth and a walk-through Christmas tree.
Radical Storage has storage points in downtown Vancouver, including near Waterfront Station and Canada Place. Book online, drop your bags and visit the market hands-free. Bags are protected and cancellation is free.