Hosted by the Vancouver’s University Women’s Club in November, Hycroft for the Holidays was an upscale Christmas-themed artisan market in a heritage building.

Hycroft for the Holidays was more than just a fancy artisan market in a beautiful historic manor. It also included a couple of brunch events.

Note: Sadly, the event is cancelled in 2024. Whether or not it will return in future years is unknown. Hopefully it will!

This article contains the following information about Hycroft for the Holidays:

Hycroft for the Holidays

The Vancouver’s University Women’s Club used to host Hycroft for the Holidays. It was an annual series of events that included one of the region’s most famous and anticipated artisan markets as well as two brunches.

It was actually the longest-running winter holiday craft fair in Vancouver, and one of our absolute favourites. Formerly called “Christmas at Hycroft”, the event celebrated its 50th year in 2023.

If you like beautifully decorated heritage buildings and upscale Christmas craft and artisan markets, then you would have loved the artisan market at Hycroft for the Holidays. The brunches were also lovely events and a real treat.

Hycroft Manor at Night — 1489 McRae Avenue at Night

Where is Hycroft for the Holidays?

Hycroft for the Holidays events took place at Hycroft House at 1489 McRae Avenue in Shaughnessy. Hycroft House is in one of Vancouver’s most prestigious and exclusive neighbourhoods, and the artisan market was one of the Lower Mainland’s most upscale Christmas markets.

Flamebuoyant Glass Artisan Vendor — Flamebuoyant Glass

2023 Events

In 2023 there were three different Hycroft for the Holidays events. There was the artisan market as well as two Sunday brunch events. See below for details.

Artisan Market (November 16th to 19th, 2023)

In 2023 the popular artisan market at Hycroft ran from Thursday, November 16th, until Sunday, November 19th. Hours on the Thursday and Friday were from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. Weekend hours, meanwhile, were from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm. This past year there were about 40 artisan vendors spread across the three floors of the manor.

The market is open to the public and features handmade treasures, gifts, crafts, a silent auction and more. There was also Live Jazz Night on the Thursday and Friday starting at 6:00 pm last year.

General admission tickets were available online for $17 each. Proceeds typically go to the Hycroft Heritage Preservation Foundation. Children usually enter for free.

Love Your Suds at Artisan Market — Love Your Suds at Hycroft in 2023

Holidays Brunches at Hycroft

In 2023 Hycroft for the Holidays included two Sunday brunches. One was in late November. The other was extra child-friendly and happened on the first weekend in December.

Family & Friends Brunch (November 26th, 2023)

This Hycroft for the Holidays event took place in the Grand Ballroom. The Family & Friends Brunch happened on Sunday, November 26th. The event ran from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm. Tickets cost $85 per person, plus taxes and tips.

Sugar Plum Brunch Santa & Storytelling (December 3rd, 2023)

The Sugar Plum Brunch Santa & Storytelling event took place on Sunday, December 3rd.

This second brunch was held in the Hycroft Grand Ballroom from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm. When the event runs in 2024, expect the venue to be full of families and friends enjoying a variety of tasty dishes. Children also get to see Santa Claus and enjoy some winter holiday-themed stories.

This brunch cost $85 per adult (plus taxes and tips) last year. Children between the ages of 6 and 12 cost $45. Younger kids were free.

About the Christmas Market

The artisan market at Hycroft for the Holidays was an upscale Christmas market featuring fine artisan products. Years ago it was called “Christmas at Hycroft.” At the event there were gourmet treats and baked goods as well as jewellery, handmade clothing, beautiful pieces of art, and all sorts of interesting items for sale.

The market also featured live entertainment at set times, refreshments, and a silent auction (the last of which was usually on the top floor).

The venue is amazing! It’s beautiful, historic and very large. The manor has stately rooms as well as hidden nooks and crannies. The house is fun to wander around. You can admire both the building and all the artisan products while you explore the different rooms.

Do you like markets and wonder what a beautiful Edwardian mansion looks like all decorated for Christmas? Then the Holidays at Hycroft artisan market would have been a great place to visit. The products were high quality and it was a fundraising event for a heritage preservation organization. It was a fun place to do your Christmas shopping while supporting both local artisans and a good cause.

Hycroft Artisan Market Video

For an idea of what Hycroft House and the Christmas artisan market at Holidays at Hycroft looked like, check out the following video. It shows scenes of the mansion and artisan market in 2019.

Christmas Market Entertainment

In addition to dozens of vendors, the market at Hycroft for the Holidays also featured live entertainment. In the past, most performances took place in the Drawing Room or Ballroom. Some were in the Lounge and Library.

In 2023 there was live Jazz at 6:00 pm on the Thursday and Friday of November 16th and 17th. Performing both times was Gabriel Hasselbach. The Jazz took place in the McRae Lounge and admission to it was by donation (with a suggested amount of $10). For the music at other times, it was included with general admission.

Performers in the Drawing Room in 2023 included the following (in addition to a few other musicians at various times on the Thursday and Friday):

Saturday, November 18th, 2023

1:00 pm – Janet Davidson (Choir & Piano)
2:00 pm – Lana Lambert (Vocal)
3:00 pm – Jocelyn Pritchard (Piano)
4:00 pm – Hycroft Choir
5:00 pm – Virginia Grey & Janet Davidson (Flute & Piano)

Sunday, November 19th, 2023

1:00 pm – Hycroft Choir
2:00 pm – Sunny Qu & Students (Piano)
4:00 pm – Janet Davidson (Piano)
5:00 pm – Virginia Grey (Flute)

About Hycroft House

The Hycroft Clubhouse is a beautiful Edwardian manor normally closed to the public, although it can be rented out for private functions. It’s almost worth paying admission and going to the event just to see the building.

At Christmas at Hycroft you could wander around all three floors, admire the elegant rooms, and browse the vendor stalls scattered throughout the building.

Completed in 1911 as the residence for Alexander Duncan McRae, a prominent businessman and politician, Hycroft House today is home to the University Women’s Club of Vancouver.

TIP: Of special interest to TV fans, Hycroft House has been used in a number of movie sets and television shows including the American-Canadian drama When Calls the Heart. In that particular show the manor is the home of teacher Elizabeth Thatcher’s wealthy parents.

Other Information

Accessibility Note: As Christmas at Hycroft is typically in a three-storey heritage building, the venue is not wheelchair or stroller accessible.

For details on the cancellation of Hycroft for the Holidays, visit the University Women’s Club of Vancouver website.

For details on other seasonal markets and craft fairs, check out Vancouver’s Best Christmas Craft Fairs (of which Christmas at Hycroft should win first prize for its venue).

And for more ideas on things to do during the holiday season, check out Vancouver’s December Calendar or Vancouver’s Top Holiday Season Things to Do.