The wooden huts are going back up on the downtown waterfront. The Vancouver Christmas Market opens at Jack Poole Plaza on Monday, November 16, 2026, and runs every day until Christmas Eve, December 24.
It’s one of the easiest holiday traditions in the city for families: a carousel, snow falling every 30 minutes, Santa’s Workshop, mini pancakes and hot chocolate, and free entry for kids 6 and under. If you want to save, the main thing to know is that pre-sale pricing ends Sunday, November 15.
When & Where
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Dates | Nov 16 – Dec 24, 2026 (39 market days) |
| Location | Jack Poole Plaza, 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver (by the Olympic Cauldron) |
| Hours, Nov 16 – early Dec | Mon–Fri 4:00–9:30 pm, Sat–Sun 11:30 am–9:30 pm |
| Hours, early Dec – Dec 18 | Sun–Thu 11:30 am–9:30 pm, Fri–Sat 11:30 am–10:00 pm |
| Hours, Dec 19–23 | 10:00 am–10:00 pm daily |
| Christmas Eve | Closes at 6:00 pm |
| Single ticket | From $7.99 (pre-sale), with a 30-minute arrival window |
| Kids 6 and under | Free, no ticket or time slot needed |
Buy on the official Vancouver Christmas Market ticket page. Prices go up on the day, so book ahead.
What Kids Will Love
- Snow showers. Snow falls over the village every 30 minutes, right on cue.
- The Christmas Carousel. It’s right at the entrance, and rides are unlimited with your ticket. Riders must be at least 2 years old and 36 inches (91 cm) tall.
- Santa’s Workshop. Stop by the Alpen Haus beside the workshop for photos and to write a letter to Santa.
- Holiday characters. Keep an eye out for Santa, the Grinch, Elsa, Jack Frost, the Gingerbread Man and the market mascots, Holly and Jolly. On Sundays, Mrs. Claus does free storytelling.
- The Village Passport. Pick one up at the gate and follow it from stop to stop. It’s a fun way to get kids exploring the whole village.
- A candy cane at the gate. Every visit starts with one.
- New for 2026: the Wishing Forest, where you leave a holiday wish among the trees, and free vintage-style photo prints at Alley Press.
Tickets: How to Save
- Kids 6 and under are always free. They don’t need a ticket or a time slot.
- Buy before Nov 15. Pre-sale prices end Sunday, Nov 15, and day-of prices are higher.
- Single-day tickets start at $7.99 and come with a 30-minute arrival window. Once you’re in, stay as long as you like. Late arrivals may have to wait for the next open slot.
- Family Season Pass: 2 adults (15+) and 2 youth (7–14), unlimited visits, a priority entrance lane and 10% off at vendors (alcohol excluded). From $74.99 pre-sale, from $84.99 after Nov 15.
- Season Pass: unlimited visits for one named person, no time slot needed. The pass must match a government-issued ID.
- Watch for flash sales. The market runs short sales on its ticket page and social media.
- Groups of 15 or more get 20% off tickets priced $19.99 and up, Monday to Friday.
- Caregivers of a guest with a disability get in free with a caregiver card such as an Access 2 card.
Tickets are non-refundable, but you can exchange them for another time slot for a fee, as long as you do it before your slot starts.
Food & Treats
The Gourmetstrasse has gingerbread cookies, Netherlands mini pancakes, chocolate-dipped treats, warm pretzels and hot chocolate for kids, with vegetarian and vegan options too. Food, drinks, shopping and extras like Breakfast with Santa cost extra and aren’t included in admission.
Outside food and drink aren’t allowed, but homemade food and water bottles are OK, and there are exceptions for infant and medical needs. Bring a card. The box office is cashless, and there are no ATMs on site.
With Little Kids
- Strollers: there’s free stroller parking (not attended), and ramps at the main entrance.
- Warm-up spot: the heated Alpen Haus has seating.
- Leave the scooter at home. Scooters, bikes, tricycles, skates and shoes with wheels aren’t allowed inside.
- No re-entry. Once you leave, you can’t come back in on the same ticket, so do the washroom run before you go.
- No pets. Only service animals are allowed.
Getting There
Waterfront Station (Expo, Millennium and Canada Lines, plus the SeaBus) is about a 10-minute walk away. Buses 19, 240 and 250 stop near Canada Place. If you drive, there’s underground parking at Canada Place and under the Vancouver Convention Centre, both with elevators, and a drop-off zone at the foot of Howe Street.
Parent Tips
- Go early in the season, and early in the day. The market says weekday evenings from 4 pm and all of Friday to Sunday are busiest, especially the last week before Christmas.
- Pick a weekend daytime slot for young kids. From Nov 16 to early December, weekdays don’t open until 4 pm, but weekends open at 11:30 am.
- Check out the snow on arrival. It falls every 30 minutes, so look at the time and plan your carousel ride around it.
- Dress for outdoors. It’s an outdoor market on the waterfront, and the market asks guests to dress for winter weather.
- Make it a lights night. Pair it with a free evening light walk like Bear Creek Lights in Surrey (Nov 6–20), or with Cirque du Soleil’s LUZIA just down the road at Concord Pacific Place.
Quick Answers
When is the Vancouver Christmas Market 2026? Nov 16 to Dec 24, 2026, at Jack Poole Plaza, 1055 Canada Place.
How much are tickets? Single tickets start at $7.99 pre-sale. Pre-sale pricing ends Nov 15.
Do kids need a ticket? Kids 6 and under are free and don’t need a ticket or time slot.
Is the carousel included? Yes, unlimited rides are included. Riders must be 2+ and at least 36 inches tall.
Can I buy tickets at the gate? Yes, but day-of prices are higher, and sold-out weekend slots won’t be available at the gate either.
Can we bring a stroller? Yes. There’s free (unattended) stroller parking, and the site is accessible.
Final Thoughts
The Vancouver Christmas Market is a classic for a reason: it’s walkable from the SkyTrain, little kids get in free, and the snow showers never get old. Buy before Nov 15 for the best price, pick an early slot, and leave room for mini pancakes.
Tickets: Vancouver Christmas Market tickets Plan your visit: Hours, transit and parking
