Frequently Asked Questions
2026 introduces six new signature experiences: the Wishing Forest, the Secret Wall Cocktail Hut, the Fire Pit Lounge, Alley Press vintage photo prints, new German Village facades, and a limited-edition Collectable Mug.
When you secure your ticket to the Vancouver Christmas Market & European Village, your admission is more than just a gate entry—it is a proud promise of a curated, unhurried winter experience on the downtown waterfront. Once you step inside, you are welcome to stay as long as you wish and enjoy several of our most iconic activations at no extra cost. <br /> What is Included in Your Ticket: - Unlimited Carousel Rides: Guests of all ages can enjoy unlimited spins on our nostalgic, waterfront Christmas Carousel. <br /> - Santa’s Workshop & Photo Opportunities: Head to the workshop to write Letters to Santa, enjoy free kids' storytelling (including Mrs. Claus Storytelling on Sundays), and snap as many festive selfies with Santa and our beloved mascots, Holly & Jolly, as your camera roll allows. <br /> - Live Shows & Entertainment: Entertainment is built in throughout your visit: the Prost Show at 7pm, and Snow Showers every 30 minutes. <br /> - Cinematic Sights: Walk through the dazzling Pyramid and tree lights. Watch the giant 35-foot Christmas Tree light show, wander beneath the illuminated canopy of Lovers' Lane, and experience the spectacular Snow Showers falling every 30 minutes. <br /> - Artisan Shopping: Handcrafted treasures, winter keepsakes, and beautiful holiday gifts from over 90 of our authentic wooden huts. <br /> - New 2026 Activations: Access interactive new zones like the Wishing Forest to leave your holiday wishes, gather around the crackling open flames at the Fire Pit Lounge, and pick up a free on-site vintage photo printout at Alley Press to remember your night. <br /> - A Warm Welcome: Enjoy a sweet candy cane giveaway as an arrival ritual the moment you enter the village. <br /> Please note that food and beverages, handcrafted treasures from our artisan huts, specialty holiday workshops, and premium ticketed experiences (such as Breakfast with Santa) are not included in your admission ticket and are available for purchase, or require separate bookings.
The Market is designed for everyone — families, couples, friend groups, and solo guests all find their own way through it. For families specifically: Santa's Workshop, a market-wide passport adventure, the Christmas Carousel, and free entry for kids 6 and under.
The Market's food and drink lineup goes well beyond Glühwein — think Bavarian beers, warm pretzels, chocolate-dipped treats, and hearty European fare from more than 90 vendors, plus dedicated vegetarian and vegan options. View our full list of <a href="/eats-treats">vendors here.</a>
Little ones under 6 join the Market for free—no ticket needed 🎄✨
Enjoy the magic of the Market all season long with our popular Season Passes – available while supplies last! What are the perks? Unlimited visits throughout the season, no need to book time slots, and access to a dedicated fast entry lane, just for you. Single Season Passes are available for adults, youth, and seniors. <br> <br> Looking for family fun? Our Family Pass bundles 2 Adults and 2 Youth, offering the same great benefits as the Season Pass. <br> <br> <b>Please Note:<b> All passes are non-transferable and require a government-issued ID. Kids 6 and under are free. <br> <br> <a href="https://vcm2026.stagingwhitecanvas.ca/tickets/" style="color: #c24163; text-decoration: none;"> Buy Now </a>
We appreciate your curiosity! Unlike German Christmas markets that may receive public funding, our event operates independently. The admission fee is essential to cover various operational costs, ensuring a magical experience for all our guests. From venue rentals to labor, decorations, and supporting local vendors, your contribution helps us create a festive atmosphere that everyone can enjoy. We're committed to providing a joyful and memorable experience, and your support through the admission fee is a vital part of making it all happen! Additionally, keep an eye out for our discounts, offering up to 50% off on tickets & Season Passes and take advantage of our Festive Fives - $5 Tickets for select time-slots!
The Vancouver Christmas Market opens its festive gates on November 13, and runs daily through December 24. That’s 6 weeks of holiday cheer waiting for you! <a href="/hours-location/" target="_blank">View Dates/Times.</a>
You can find the Market right in the heart of downtown at the Olympic Cauldron, located at Jack Poole Plaza: 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC, V6C 3L5. <br> <br> For more details, visit <a href='https://vcm2026.stagingwhitecanvas.ca/hours-location'>Hours + Location</a>.
We use time slot bookings to improve the guest experience and manage the Market's capacity effectively. During the online ticket purchase process, you'll be asked to pick a 30-minute time slot from the available dates and times. It's important to arrive on the chosen date within your selected time slot to ensure a smooth entry to the Market. However, once inside, you're free to stay as long as you like! <br> <br> Please keep in mind that entrance to the Market depends on our event's capacity. If you happen to miss your chosen time slot by a few minutes, don't worry—you can join the line for the next available time slot.
You can upgrade your UNUSED tickets by returning your previous purchase for store credit and then buying a Season Pass. Follow the steps below or <a href="https://help.showpass.com/hc/en-us/articles/360059361813--Exchange-Tickets-">visit this article</a>! <br> <br> If you have a Showpass account: <br> 1. <a href="https://www.showpass.com/accounts/login/">Log in</a> to your Showpass account. <br> 2. Go to <i>'My Orders.'</i> <br> 3. Click <i>'Order Options'</i> under your Ticket. <br> 4. Return your ticket. <br> 5. Purchase a Season Pass. <br> <br> If you checked out as a guest: <br> 1. Open your order confirmation email. <br> 2. Click the <i>'Connect Purchase'</i> button. <br> 3. Log in or create an account with the same email used for your purchase. <br> 4. Go to <i>'My Orders'</i>. <br> 5. Exchange for a new ticket type. <br> <br> Please Note: <br> - You can exchange tickets up to 2 hours before your reserved time slot. <br> - Exchange credits expire after 1 hour and must be used promptly. <br> - You can only exchange for tickets of equal or greater value. <br> - Complimentary, transferred, or free tickets are not eligible for exchange, and there are no refunds. <br> <br> Upgrade at the Market: You also have the option to upgrade during your visit. Just head to the Info Booth, and they can assist you with upgrading to a Season Pass.
Season Pass tickets must match the name and valid Government ID of the ticket holder. If you would like to change the name, get in contact <a href="https://vcm2026.stagingwhitecanvas.ca/about/contact/">here.</a> <br> <br> <b>Please Note:</b> We can only change the name on Season Passes that have not been used yet.
The name on General Admission tickets does not need to match the name of the ticket holder. You don't have to show your photo ID at the entrance. This means you can buy a ticket for your friend under your name and they will be able to enter the market. The name only needs to match on a Season Pass.
Your ticket can be exchanged for another available date/time. Please note there is a service fee for each exchange and prices may vary depending on ticket selection. <br> <br> Follow the steps below, <a href="https://help.showpass.com/hc/en-us/articles/360059361813--Exchange-Tickets-">read this article</a> OR <a href="https://youtu.be/Ao8OtIJRImc">watch this video!</a> <br> <br> <b>Please Note:<b> <br> - You must exchange your entire order, you cannot select certain tickets in your order to exchange, and you cannot initiate two exchanges at the same time. <br> - You will have 1 hour to use the temporary exchange credits. If not used within the hour then the exchange credits expire, and fallback to your original purchase. <br> - You can only use exchange credits for orders of equal or greater value. <br> - If you have a complimentary, transferred or free ticket you cannot initiate a ticket exchange. <br> - You can only exchange your tickets until the time your time slot starts. <br> - There are no refunds.
Yes, you can absolutely purchase tickets at the gate! However, we highly recommend securing your tickets in advance for various advantages. By doing so, you can: <br> <br> 1. Guarantee your desired timeslot. <br> 2. Benefit from discounted admission rates and avoid 'Day Of' rates. <br> 3. Avoid waiting in the Box Office line. <br> <br> Especially on weekends, certain timeslots may reach full capacity. Therefore, it's advisable to check availability before you start your trip to the Market. Please be aware that if a timeslot is marked as 'Sold Out', it means tickets won't be available at the gate either.
Yes, we offer group rates for parties of 15 or more people! Enjoy exciting add-ons such as $5 and $10 Market tokens, beverage tokens, a variety of branded VCM merchandise, and traditional mugs. For a cozy indoor space, consider booking our Alpen Haus. It’s the perfect setting for a comfortable and memorable group experience. Contact us to reserve private space. <br> <br> Add 15+ Tickets to your cart and the discount will automatically apply! <a href="/tickets/" target="_blank">View More Here!</a>
Yes, you can enjoy daily entertainment on our Flying Stage on our Christmas Pyramid. <br> <a href="https://vcm2026.stagingwhitecanvas.ca/entertainment-schedule/">View our Entertainment Schedule</a> for this year's line-up!
Absolutely! We recommend having a look at our <a href="/eats-treats"> Eats & Treats </a> and using our filter option to see which vendors offer vegetarian and vegan options at the Market this year.
If you've purchased tickets online and haven't received them, here are the steps to follow: <br> <br> 1. Check your email's spam folder for an email from 'Showpass.' Sometimes, the tickets might end up there. <br> 2. If you still can't locate your tickets, please submit a request through <a href="https://vcm2026.stagingwhitecanvas.ca/about/contact/">our contact form</a>. Please ensure that you provide the name, email address, and phone number you used to purchase your tickets.
We encourage our guests to go cashless for convenience. While our Box Office accepts cash, credit, and debit, our vendors may offer various payment methods. <br> <br> Please Note: There are no ATM machines available at the Market. The nearest ATMs are located inside the Waterfront Centre, across from Canada Place, or at the TD Branch at 1177 W Hastings Street.
Outside alcohol isn't permitted, but there's plenty inside: Glühwein, Spiked Apple Cider, Feuerzangenbowle, cocktails, and traditional Bavarian beers. <br> Please note: Two forms of ID are required for alcohol purchases—one must be a government-issued photo ID, and the second can be something like a credit card. Pre-packaged alcoholic beverages are also available for purchase, but consumption is not permitted within the Market.
Weekday evenings from 4pm on, and all day Friday through Sunday, tend to be busiest. Please note that the Market is at its busiest the final week before Christmas. <br> For a more quieter and line-free experience, we suggest visiting earlier in the Season and early time-slots.
For capacity and safety reasons, re-entry isn't permitted once you've exited — so plan for your group to arrive and leave together
Children must be <br> <br> - Two years or older and <br> - Taller than 36 inches (or 91 centimetres) <br> <br> to ride the Carousel. However, the Christmas Carousel is certainly not only for the young ones. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the ride.
Service animals are welcome within the premises. However, in compliance with food and service licensing regulations, dogs of any size and other pets are not permitted in the Market area. <br> <br> We do, however, have a pet accessories vendor at the Market – so you can treat your best friend to a little gift when you get home. <a href="https://vcm2026.stagingwhitecanvas.ca/vendor/puccissime-pet-couture/" target="_blank">View here!</a>
Yes, free stroller parking is available at the Market. <br> <br> Please note that no attendant will monitor the stroller parking.
There are multiple benches throughout the Market. Visitors are also welcome to find seating in the heated Alpen Haus and the Winterdeck area. <br> <br> The Alpen Haus is a heated area with chairs and tables to sit, socialize, and enjoy the great food offered by our vendors.
Yes! Jack Poole Plaza is considered a fully accessible venue and the Vancouver Christmas Market implements additional measures to make it even more accessible. <br> <br> Wheelchair accessible toilets are available on site. Please visit our <a href="https://vcm2026.stagingwhitecanvas.ca/accessibility-guide/?preview_id=9556&preview_nonce=44fdd8efec&_thumbnail_id=-1&preview=true" target="_blank">Accessibility Guide</a> for more details.
To enhance accessibility and ensure that everyone can enjoy our Market, we offer a caregiver-friendly policy. <br> <br> When you pre-purchase your ticket, your designated caregiver does not need to pre-purchase a ticket separately. Caregivers can simply present their validation (registered caregiver card or Access 2 card, etc.) at the gate for complimentary entry.
We’re sorry you’ve lost something! <a href="https://vcm2026.stagingwhitecanvas.ca/about/contact/">Contact us here</a> or at the Info Hut on site at the Market.