Vancouver Christmas Market — Local services in Vancouver

Today, I had the chance to visit the Vancouver Christmas Market. The $20 entrance fee feels reasonable for a unique holiday experience, but if you’re planning multiple visits, the $36 unlimited season pass is worth considering.

I came primarily for the food, and while it’s pricier than expected, the holiday atmosphere and unique offerings make it worthwhile. Here’s my take on the food:

Chimney cake with cinnamon sugar and Nutella ($16) Absolutely delicious! The crispy exterior and soft, sweet interior paired with Nutella made this a 5-star experience.

Haxen pork hock half with sauerkraut ($17) Perfectly tender and flavorful, complemented by the tangy sauerkraut. Worth every penny. 5-star.

Fried squid tentacles large ($19) Huge serving, fresh, and packed with flavor. This was a pleasant surprise—5-star for taste and portion.

Barista & Brothers hot chocolate ($6.82) A letdown—tasted like instant mix. I’d recommend trying their coffee instead. 3-star.

Bratwurst Haus sausage ($11-13) The sausage and sauerkraut were decent, but the dry, cold bun was a dealbreaker. Honestly, Costco’s sausage bun beats this. 2-star.

Hurricane potato ($11) Got the sour cream flavor. It’s fun and okay, but nothing extraordinary—3-star.

I Love Chocolate’s dark chocolate dipped strawberry fondue and hot chocolate ($9 & $8) The dark chocolate here is divine! I’d almost lick the plate clean (just kidding). Their hot chocolate is rich and authentic, far better than Barista & Brothers. Both are an easy 5-star.

Glühwein ($11) This hot spiced mulled wine is perfect for warming up on a cold day. A few cups in, I was feeling pleasantly tipsy. Highly recommend getting the mug over the paper cup—5-star.

Feuerzangenbowle ($14) Another fantastic wine option! The added rum and burnt malt gave it a unique sweetness. After this, I was definitely feeling the holiday cheer. 5-star.

Zotter’s chocolate ($11): I also picked up a bar of Zotter’s chocolate called Brain Food, which had a unique caramel nougat crunch. Even though I’m not usually a fan of caramel, this was surprisingly balanced and not overly sweet, making it easy to enjoy the whole bar without any discomfort. The chocolate quality was evident, and it was a perfect treat to enjoy while wandering through the market.

Overall, I spent close to $200 here on food and drinks to enjoy my Sunday. Tapping my card little by little, I didn’t realize how much it added up until later! While it was more than I expected to spend, the great experience and variety of food made...

I recently visited the Vancouver Christmas Market, and while the overall ambiance and ticket purchasing process were delightful, I must admit that I found many of the offerings inside the market to be overpriced.

If you're planning a visit, I would recommend capturing some photos and enjoying your meal elsewhere to make the most of your experience.

Let's start with the positives. The Vancouver Christmas Market exudes a festive and charming vibe that instantly puts you in the holiday spirit. The market's layout is well-designed, with beautifully decorated stalls, twinkling lights, and a variety of seasonal decorations. The atmosphere truly captures the essence of a traditional European Christmas market, and it's worth a visit for that alone.

Regarding the ticket purchasing process, I had a smooth and hassle-free experience. The organizers have clearly made an effort to streamline the entry process, and I appreciated the efficiency. The availability of online ticket options is also a convenient feature.

However, I must address the elephant in the room: the prices. It's no secret that Christmas markets can be on the pricier side, but the Vancouver Christmas Market takes it to another level. Many of the food and beverage items are significantly overpriced. For example, a simple soup can cost around $15, which I found quite steep. While the quality of the food is decent, the inflated prices can quickly drain your wallet, especially if you're planning to sample a variety of treats.

Given the high prices, I would suggest exercising caution when it comes to dining inside the market. Instead, consider using the Vancouver Christmas Market as a backdrop for some festive photos and then venture to nearby restaurants or cafes to enjoy your meals. This way, you can still soak up the holiday atmosphere without breaking the bank.

In conclusion, the Vancouver Christmas Market offers a visually appealing and festive experience that captures the magic of the holiday season. However, the inflated prices of the food and beverages can be a major downside. If you're looking to save some money, I recommend focusing on enjoying the market's ambiance, taking photos, and seeking out more reasonably priced dining...

First time attending the market. We purchased 5:30pm tickets on a Thursday at the beginning of December.

We parked at the Marriott Pinnacle Hotel parking lot where from 6-11pm it's $8 for the night and a short walk to the plaza.

I was really excited to come however the experience right from entry was quite stress inducing. There were long, ambiguous lineups (especially entry into the event itself and for food stalls) and the lack of effective planning for crowd control really took away the festive spirit. You could hear the music only if you were next to the stand. Food vendors did their best but it seemed they struggled to keep up with the crowds.

Wish they thought of hand washing stations or kept hand sanitizer at the little stand up dining tables given were still in the midst of a pandemic.

All the vendors were lovely, despite the chaos. In terms of food we enjoyed the raclette (though probably won't line up 20+ minutes for it again, ~$15), fried squid ($15), borscht soup($8), and cinnamon hotcakes ($9). My favorite booths were the artisans featuring charming handmade ornaments.

I can't help but compare this experience to one of the Christmas market in the Distillery District in Toronto years ago. I was hoping to enjoy a similar experience, however this was a real disappointment.

I can only imagine the challenges planners had in organizing this event in the midst of unprecedented rains/floods, not to mention the ongoing covid pandemic. However I hope they also take a look at the feedback in these reviews and make major changes for next year to make it a more enjoyable experience for everyone. I'm glad I came once, but I likely won't come back as I would want to skip the stress of the food area, and the ticket price doesn't seem worth it for the other booths or lack of...