Vancouver’s Circle Craft Christmas Market returns this week for first time in two years
Posted November 9, 2021 4:55 pm.
Last Updated November 9, 2021 4:56 pm.
It’s considered the unofficial kick-off to the holiday shopping season. The near-half century old tradition that is Vancouver’s Circle Craft Christmas Market returns to the Convention Centre this week for the first time in two years.
Given the long pandemic layoff, there is a lot of excitement around this year’s event.
“You’ll feel the vibe when you walk into the place,” says show producer Peter Harbic. “The exhibitors are thrilled to be out. We are thrilled to be out. The Convention Centre is thrilled to have us. And you will feel it, you know, feel the Christmas vibe, the excitement vibe, as soon as you walk into the hall.”
This year, the event features 200 artisans, everyone from clothing designers to candle and soap makers, including more than 40 brand-new exhibitors.
“These people don’t just sign up to the show, they go through quite a lot of scrutiny. We call it ‘jurying’ or curating,” Harbic explains. “We recruit for the year and this is our excitement to show you what we’ve found. And we’ve had two years to do it this time. Come and see what we got, you’ll be surprised.”
And given the pandemic is very much still with us, all the usual COVID safety protocols will be in place.
“Everyone that walks into the show must be double-vaccinated,” Harbic says. “Beyond that, there’s masks, the aisles are wider than normal, we’re using more space here. And social distancing will be encouraged throughout. There’s signs everywhere, arrows and such that we’re all familiar with now.”
The Circle Craft Christmas Market is from Wednesday through Sunday at the Vancouver Convention Centre West. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and youth aged 13 to 17, and children 12 and under get in for free. Tickets are available at signatures.ca/circle-craft.
