Home Christmas Events Burnaby’s Deer Lake Winter Festival and Christmas Craft Fair

Burnaby’s Deer Lake Winter Festival and Christmas Craft Fair

November 16, 2018

The Deer Lake Winter Festival is a Christmas-themed artisan market at Burnaby’s Shadbolt Centre in November. It’s one of several craft fairs in Metro Vancouver.

The craft fair usually takes place over a weekend in late November. Other markets happening at the same time elsewhere in the Lower Mainland include the Shipyards Christmas Market on the North Shore and Vancouver Christmas Market outside the Vancouver Convention Centre.

This article includes the following information about the Deer Lake Winter Festival:

Dates and Hours | What to Expect | Tips & Advice | Other Information

Deer Lake Winter Festival in Burnaby

Hosted by the Burnaby Arts Council, the Deer Lake Winter Festival is a free annual event that highlights local artisans. The 2025 edition takes place from November 14th to 16th. The craft fair takes place at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts at 6450 Deer Lake Avenue (at the edge of Deer Lake Park) in Burnaby. Between about 3,000 and 4,000 people attend the event each year.

More than fifty artisans and makers take part, offering their goods. The vendors sell everything from Christmas ornaments to fancy soaps, homemade chocolates, pottery and handmade glassware. It’s a popular place to find early Christmas gifts.

Alongside the artisan market, the weekend features live performances by local musicians and a craft table hosted by volunteers from the Burnaby Arts Council. Admission is free.

If you like Christmas shopping and artisan markets, other events you’ll want to check out include the Vancouver Christmas Market, Shipyards Christmas Market, New West Holiday Market and Shipyards Artisan Market. There is also the All About Christmas Gifts Expo, Made in the 604 Markets, North Delta Artisan & Gift Market, Coquitlam Christmas Night Market and a variety of others.

See our article about Vancouver Christmas Craft Fairs to learn about these and other markets happening at this time of the year.

Shadbolt Centre Christmas Craft Fair — Deer Lake Winter Festival at the Shadbolt Centre

Dates and Hours

The market celebrates its 54th season in 2025, which makes it one of the Lower Mainland’s longest-running events of its kind. This year, the Deer Lake Winter Festival takes place on the weekend of November 14th to 16th. The 2025 schedule is below (dates and times are subject to change).

Friday 14th November, 2025: 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Saturday 15th November, 2025: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday 16th November, 2025: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

What to Expect

At the Deer Lake Winter Festival you can expect to see holiday decorations, lots of people and over 50 local artisans selling all kinds of wonderful items. The market has multiple rooms inside the Shadbolt Centre, so there is plenty to browse.

In addition to market vendor stalls, there is also live entertainment and activities for children, including face painting, crafts, and the opportunity to decorate Christmas cookies.

The Burnaby Arts Council also hosts a raffle with prizes ranging from gift baskets and spa treatments to event tickets. The venue is beside Deer Lake Park, so many visitors combine the market with a walk around the lake.

Tips & Advice

Below are some tips and suggestions to help you make the most of your experience at the Deer Lake Winter Festival.

TIP #1: If you like craft markets, go to this one. It’s a good one!

TIP #2: If you want some exercise and fresh air, combine your trip with a walk around Deer Lake. It’s a beautiful spot! In good weather the park is also a great place for picnics.

TIP #3: There is a fair bit of free parking in the area (although it does fill up). There are 200 stalls both underground and right outside the building plus more along the street. There is also free parking at Burnaby City Hall just up the street, but only after 5:00 pm on the Friday and all day on the Saturday and Sunday.

TIP #4: The craft fair is a good-sized market and usually takes place in the Atrium, Room 101 and Room 103. Explore all three rooms to find the best gifts.