Vancouver Island Christmas Markets 2025: Dates, Locations & Events
As winter settles in, Vancouver Island takes on a comfortable holiday rhythm. Markets pop up in community halls, barns, and downtown spaces, each offering a mix of handmade goods, warm drinks, and relaxed browsing. People wander slowly, chat with local makers, and enjoy the gentle build-up to the season. Whether you’re picking up a few thoughtful gifts or just looking for a pleasant way to spend a December afternoon, these markets add a simple, welcoming touch to the holidays.
⭐ Out of Hand Modern Market – Victoria (Crystal Garden)
Walking into Out of Hand feels like stepping into Victoria’s stylish side of Christmas — warm lights glowing under Crystal Garden’s tall glass ceiling, local makers chatting happily with shoppers, and that unmistakable holiday buzz in the air. It’s the kind of market where you wander slowly with a latte in hand, touching soft textiles, sampling artisan chocolate, and discovering those perfect handmade gifts you didn’t even know you needed. Everything has a modern, polished feel: chic jewelry, small-batch skincare, gorgeous ceramics, and beautifully crafted décor. Whether you come to shop seriously or simply soak in the atmosphere, it’s one of Victoria’s most festive holiday outings.
Dates: November 27–30, 2025
Hours: Thu (VIP Night) 7–9pm; Fri 10am–7pm; Sat 10am–5pm; Sun 10am–4pm
Location: Crystal Garden 713 Douglas St, Victoria
Special Events
- VIP Opening Night with live music and evening-market ambiance
- Family Fun Hour on Saturday, connected with Victoria’s Santa Parade weekend
- Artisan food & drink tastings throughout the weekend
Local Tip
Go Friday morning if you want first pick of the one-of-a-kind items. If you prefer a festive, social buzz, Saturday afternoon is the best time to go.
Let me know if this structure is perfect — and I’ll continue with all remaining markets in exactly the same format.
⭐ Last Chance Christmas Craft Fair – Sidney (Mary Winspear Centre)
Last Chance is where the holiday season truly peaks — that friendly, slightly frantic “okay, time to finish the gift list!” energy fills every corner of the Mary Winspear Centre. The halls are packed with beautiful handmade items: jewelry, pottery, textiles, gourmet foods, candles, and festive décor. It’s lively, warm, and full of cheerful shoppers ticking off their lists. The Friday evening session has a lovely glow, with softer lighting and a calmer pace, perfect for wandering with a warm drink.
Dates: December 12–14, 2025
Hours: Fri 2–8pm; Sat 10am–5pm; Sun 10am–4pm
Location: Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney
Special Events
- Evening shopping on Friday with a festive ambiance
- Live local musicians throughout the weekend
- Maker showcases and artisan demos
Local Tip
Friday evening is magic — quieter crowds, beautiful lighting, and lots of time to browse without rushing.
⭐The Dickens Fair – James Bay, Victoria
The Dickens Fair feels like Victoria’s warm neighbourhood hug. It’s small, sweet, and wonderfully local — the kind of market where people greet each other by name and kids wander around with gingerbread cookies. Inside the James Bay Community Centre, you’ll find handmade treasures: pottery, knitted hats, candles, baked treats, woodcrafts, artwork, and holiday décor. It’s cozy, nostalgic, and perfect for a simple, joyful holiday morning.
Dates: December 6, 2025
Hours: 10am–4pm
Location: James Bay Community Centre,140 Oswego Street, Victoria, BC
Special Events
- Live seasonal music
- Children’s craft activities
- Holiday baking and local food stands
Local Tip
Pair the market with a walk to the Inner Harbour afterwards — the Legislature lights are stunning in early December.
⭐ Bilston Creek Farm Yuletide Market – Metchosin
Bilston Creek Farm has a way of making the holidays feel calm and inviting. The barns, forest edges, and lavender fields take on a cozy winter atmosphere, and wandering through the markets feels more like stepping into a seasonal pop-up village than a traditional craft fair. Each weekend brings a new mix of vendors, so the experience changes every time you go. Between handmade ceramics, local art, lavender products, and small-batch goods, you always find something unexpected. Add warm drinks, wood-fired pizza, and the farm’s gentle December charm, and it makes for a genuinely pleasant holiday outing.
Dates: Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays until December 21, 2025
Hours: Day Market 10am–4pm; Night Market December 15–18, 4pm–8pm
Location: 4185 Metchosin Road, Victoria
Special Events
- Live music in the barn on select dates
- Sadie Karlsson: Nov 23 & 30 (10–2), Dec 13 (11–3)
- Montanka Voice: Dec 14 (12–1pm)
- Wood-fired orchard pizza available during market days
- The Bilston Café open daily with hot and cold drinks and snacks
- Bread Babe pop-ups on select Saturdays (Nov 22, Dec 6 & 13)
- Rotating vendors every weekend — no two markets are the same
Local Tip
If you prefer a quieter, more atmospheric visit, choose one of the night market dates. The soft lights, cooler air, and slower pace make it a lovely evening outing.
⭐ Nanaimo Christmas Village – Cavallotti Lodge
This charming, European-style market has a warm, festive vibe with the smell of bratwurst in the air and handmade goodies filling every corner. It’s a smaller market, but incredibly atmospheric — ornaments, chocolates, baking, woodcrafts, and holiday décor all displayed in a cozy “village” layout. It’s a heartwarming way to welcome the season.
Dates: November 28–30, 2025
Hours: Fri 11am–6pm; Sat–Sun 10am–5pm
Location: Cavallotti Lodge2060 East Wellington Rd, Nanaimo
Special Events
- Traditional German food vendors
- Christmas baking stalls
- Festive holiday displays
Local Tip
Go Saturday mid-morning — it’s lively but not crowded, and vendors are fully stocked.
⭐ Tofino Winter Artisan Market – Tofino Community Hall
The Tofino Winter Artisan Market is a relaxed, welcoming holiday stop where the town’s creative side comes together under one roof. It’s casual and friendly, the kind of market where you can browse at an unhurried pace, chat with makers, and pick up handmade gifts that reflect the West Coast vibe — ceramics, woven goods, woodwork, textiles, and plenty of locally made treats. The Community Hall feels warm and lively, and it’s a nice way to spend a late-November morning.
Dates: November 29, 2025
Hours: 10am–3pm
Location: Tofino Community Hall, 121 Third Street, Tofino
Special Events
- Live local music throughout the day
- Family-friendly creative workshops
- Dozens of rotating artisans and makers
Local Tip
Arrive close to opening if you prefer a quieter visit — by midday it becomes a popular stop for locals heading out for lunch.
⭐ Ladysmith Festival of Lights Craft Market – Aggie Hall
This market runs in connection with Ladysmith’s well-known Festival of Lights week. The craft fair at Aggie Hall is full of handmade goods, baking, art, holiday décor, and gifts made by local artisans. The atmosphere feels cheerful and lively, with lots of families stopping by before or after enjoying the light displays downtown.
Dates: November 29, 2025
Hours: 3PM - 9PM
Location: Aggie Hall, 1110 1st Avenue, Ladysmith
Special Events
- Festival of Lights week across the town
- Holiday treats and handmade goods
- Seasonal music inside the hall
Local Tip
Pair the market with an evening walk through Ladysmith’s illuminated main street — it’s one of the prettiest December night strolls on the Island.
⭐ Sooke Winter Fest & Christmas Market – Sooke Community Hall
Sooke’s Winter Fest brings together local makers, families, and seasonal activities in a friendly community atmosphere. The hall fills with handmade crafts, art, jewelry, woodwork, holiday baking, and small-batch foods. It’s a comfortable, no-rush place to gift shop, and families tend to stay for a while because there’s lots to look at and a nice, warm holiday buzz.
Dates: December 6–7, 2025
Hours: 10am–4pm both days
Location: Sooke Community Hall, 2037 Shields Road, Sooke
Special Events
- Santa visits and photo time
- Kids’ craft tables
- Live seasonal music and local performers
Local Tip
Go Sunday morning if you prefer more space — it’s usually quieter than Saturday’s rush.
⭐ Comox Valley Christmas Artisan Market – Touch of Class (Little Red Church, Comox)
Touch of Class has a very different feel from most holiday markets — it’s softer, more atmospheric, and set up in a way that feels almost like walking into a European Christmas boutique. The Little Red Church transforms into a warm, twinkling space filled with fresh greenery, gentle lights, and beautifully arranged displays. The handmade art and crafts aren’t crowded together; they’re thoughtfully presented so you can wander slowly and take everything in. A live Christmas tree stands at the centre, decorated with locally made ornaments, giving the room that “true holiday” feeling. There’s even a small café serving warm drinks and treats, plus a bakery table with homemade sweets — perfect for taking a quiet pause in the middle of your browsing.
Dates: December 5–6, 2025
Hours: Fri 3pm–8pm; Sat 10am–4pm
Location: The Little Red Church, 2182 Comox Avenue, Comox
Special Events
- Live Christmas tree decorated with handmade ornaments
- Cozy café with warm drinks and seasonal treats
- Artisan bakery table with fresh holiday baking
- European-style display layout for relaxed browsing
Local Tip
Go Friday evening if you enjoy a softer, more atmospheric visit — the lights feel extra gentle, and the pace is unhurried.
Visiting these markets is a nice way to ease into the holidays without rushing. Each stop has its own atmosphere, its own small traditions, and a sense of community that feels good this time of year. You might leave with a few gifts, or maybe just a warm drink and a handful of ideas, but either way, the experience feels honest and unhurried. However you explore them, may your season be calm, cozy, and full of small moments you enjoy.
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