If you’ve yet to visit the Vancouver Christmas Market, we have to ask: where have you been? Hopefully at the real deal somewhere on the snowy streets of Cologne, but for the rest us plebs who are a few coins short of an international flight, the market is the closest thing in the city to the twinkling, beer- and wine-serving labyrinths that take Europe by storm during the holidays. And it does a pretty decent job of taking after its predecessors: the merry requisites are all there, from the giant, decked-out Christmas tree to the sparkling carousel to the steady flow of glühwein on hand, which you can sip from an adorable souvenir mug. Stroll through the 50-some food and crafts stalls—many hawking authentic European eats like schnitzel, sauerkraut-topped bratwurst, and fluffy rounds of poffertjes—and you’ll also notice a sweet local spin, thanks to alcoholic offerings from B.C. craft distillery Okanagan Spirits and the Kelowna-based Hainle winery. Don’t forget to stop by the market’s largest vendor, the very German Käthe Wohlfahrt, where you can shop an unparalleled selection of handcrafted (and very giftable) Christmas ornaments.

The Vancouver Christmas Market is open from 11am to 9pm daily. Ticket costs are as follows:
Adults (13+): $8 – Mon-Fri 4pm-9pm & Weekends 11am-9pm
Adults (13+): $4 Special! Mon-Fri 11am-4pm
Seniors (60+): $1 off regular admission
Youth (7-12): $4
Child (0-6): FREE
Book online to receive a FREE Season Pass, or turn any Entry Pass into a Season Pass at the gate for an additional $1.00.