The Circle Craft Market, an amazing place for Christmas shopping and quality art gift ideas, takes place at the Vancouver Convention Centre in November.
The five-day market usually happens the first week in November around the Remembrance Day Weekend. It’s a huge event and a very impressive one too. Artists from around the province flock to the market each year to showcase and sell their wares.
See the official Circle Craft Market website for full details.
This article contains the following information about the Circle Craft Market:
What’s Special About Circle Craft? | Dates and Times | Location | Tickets and Admission | Exhibitors | What Else to Expect | Tips & Advice | About Circle Craft | C=Craft Store Video | Other Information
Circle Craft Christmas Market at the Vancouver Convention Centre
The Circle Craft Holiday Market is one of the largest and most impressive craft fairs in Western Canada. More than 300 exhibitors set up booths each year to sell everything from handmade jewellery to soaps, home decor, locally-made art and hundreds of Christmas present ideas you won’t find at most other places.
More than 40,000 people attend in a typical year! It’s quite the spectacle!
Visit the Circle Craft Market website for full details about the event.
What’s Special About Circle Craft?
The Circle Craft Market is exceptional for a number of reasons:
- First – it’s huge! You won’t find this many talented local BC artists, artisans and culinary creators under one roof this time of year anywhere!
- Second – the quality of the products is exceptional. This is an upscale market featuring Canadian handcrafted goods, art and artisanal products.
- Third – Circle Craft is a BC Artist Cooperative, meaning that it’s owned and operated by artists. It’s local!
If you want to support local artists and find something unique, of high-quality and memorable for yourself or someone special, then this the place to go!
Circle Craft Dates and Times
The Circle Craft Market is a five-day event that takes place in early to mid-November each year. Last year it ran from Wednesday, November 6th, until Sunday, November 10th.
The market is open from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm on the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. On the Saturday it runs from 10:00 am until 7:00 pm, and on the Sunday it goes from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm.
Visit the Circle Craft Market website for full details about the event.
Circle Craft Location
The event takes place at the Vancouver Convention Centre West at 1055 Canada Place.
It’s in the newer, main building, not in Canada Place which is the complex with the big white sails and Pan Pacific Hotel.
Tickets and Admission
Regular admission to the Circle Craft Market last year cost $16 for adults and $12 for both seniors and youth (ages 65+ and 13 to 17). Children ages 12 years and younger are free. Prices this year will likely be similar, though details are to be confirmed.
TIP: Last year admission after 5:00 pm was half price on the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. If you bought your tickets far enough in advance online, you could also save yourself about 25%.
Note: Admission is usually good for unlimited re-entry. Tickets are non-transferable, but they are normally valid for the full five days and allow re-entry for the same person throughout the entire event. If you only plan to return later the same day, all you need is a re-entry stamp on the back of your hand.
If you want to return on another day, you need to fill out a digital form at the event and get your photo taken. A re-entry pass will then be e-mailed to you. You need to apply for this at the event on your first day, before you leave.
Visit the Circle Craft Market website for full details about the event.
Circle Craft Exhibitors
Exhibitors at the Circle Craft Market include local, BC and Canadian artists and artisans.
There are glassblowers, leather workers, wood and metal sculptors, fashion and jewellery designers, toy makers, chocolatiers, gourmet bakers, BC wineries and all kinds of talented artisans participating. In fact, participants typically include the following:
- Over 12 candle and soap makers
- Over 30 adult fashion and kids clothing designers
- Close to 40 fashion and fine jewellery makers
- 20+ potters and ceramic artists
- 20+ gourmet food manufacturers
- Over 24 glass, leather and metal product artisans
- Almost 40 exhibitors offering fashion accessories
- Dozens of other creators of amazing products
What Else to Expect
Expect to see lots of people, beautiful displays of art and handmade artisanal products, festive Christmas decorations and a red carpet to walk on. You’ll also find plenty of friendly artist vendors to chat with and buy from.
In addition to all the many artists with their exhibits for sale, the market also features live entertainment with local dancers, singers and musicians. As well, for the convenience of shoppers, there is an on-site restaurant and both coat check and parcel storage services.
Visit the Circle Craft Market website for full details about the event.
Tips & Advice
Below are some tips to help you make the most of your Circle Craft Market experience.
TIP #1: If you like what you see then check out the Circle Craft Shop & Gallery at #1-1666 Johnston Street at the Net Loft next time you’re at Granville Island. It’s not as big and extensive as the fair, but it’s open close to year-round and features works by many of the same artists.
TIP #2: In addition to window shopping and pampering yourself and friends with special gifts, be sure to enjoy the festive live entertainment. Also, look out for the live artisan demonstrations taking place over the five days. Weavers, seamstresses, jewellers, leather makers, stamp artists and potters demonstrate their techniques at various times.
TIP #3: Most of the exhibitors are themselves the artists and creators of the products you’ll see at the market. Unless they happen to be totally swamped at the time with customers, chat with them and ask about their art. It’ll enhance your experience and they’ll love to tell you about their creations, how things are made and what inspires them to do what they do.
TIP #4: If you want to save a few dollars then don’t forget to buy your tickets online in advance. Also, if you show up after 5:00 pm on weekdays, admission is half price.
About Circle Craft
Circle Craft is a local BC Artist Cooperative that has been supporting local artists since the early 1970s. Its mission is “to promote the development, recognition and success of members and their work.”
The cooperative has been running the Circle Craft Market event in November annually for over 40 years, since 1973, and also has a year-round store on Granville Island.
Circle Craft Store Video
Check out the following video for an idea of what the Circle Craft Store looks like on Granville Island.
Other Information
See the Circle Craft Market website to learn more about this event. Visit the Circle Craft Co-op’s website to learn more about the organization behind the market.
Click Vancouver Craft Fairs for a list of other Christmas craft markets.
See Vancouver’s November Calendar or listing of annual Festivals & Events for more ideas on things to do in the Lower Mainland.
