Circle Craft Market

Taking place at the Vancouver Convention Centre in November, the Circle Craft Market is a good place for Christmas shopping and quality art gift ideas.

In 2023 the market happens from November 8th to 12th. It’s a big event and the artists come from all over the province.

For the event’s official website, visit circlecraft.net.

Circle Craft Market at the Vancouver Convention Centre

Taking place at the Vancouver Convention Centre in November, the Circle Craft Market is a good place for Christmas shopping and quality art gift ideas.

The Circle Craft Market is one of the largest and most impressive craft fairs of the season in Vancouver. It features over 300 exhibitors selling 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. In a typical year more than 40,000 people attend.

The 2020 event didn’t happen due to the coronavirus pandemic. In 2021 the event took place from November 10th to 14th. In 2022 it ran from November 9th to 13th. The event is back again in 2023 and runs from November 8th to 12th.

What’s Special about Circle Craft?

In years when it does take place, the Circle Craft Market is exceptional for a number of reasons.

First – it’s huge! You won’t find as many talented local BC artists, artisans and culinary creators at one place 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!

Note: As mentioned above, in past years the event has been run by Circle Craft which is a local artists’ cooperative. As of 2021, however, it’s run by Signatures which is an Ontario-based company.

If you want to support local artists and find something unique, of high-quality and memorable for yourself or someone special, then this is a good place to go!

For the event’s official website, visit circlecraft.net.

Circle Craft Dates & Times

The Circle Craft Fair is a five-day event that takes place in mid-November each year. In 2023 the event runs from Wednesday, November 8th, to Sunday, November 12th.

In 2022 the market opened from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. On Saturday it was open from 10:00 am until 7:00 pm, and on Sunday it was open from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. The hours of operation in 2023 are likely to be similar.

Mislean Confections at Circle Craft — Milseán Shoppe at the Circle Craft Market

Circle Craft Location

The Vancouver Convention Centre West at 1055 Canada Place is where the Circle Craft Market takes place.

Tickets & Admission

In 2022 regular admission to the Circle Craft Market cost $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and youth, and free for children 12 years of age and under. Ticket prices for 2023’s market are likely to be similar.

TIP: Admission after 5:00 pm is half price on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

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. Just be sure to pick up your re-entry pass before you leave on your first visit.

For the event’s official website, visit circlecraft.net.

Lone Willow at Circle Craft Market

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 a dozen 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 two dozen glass, leather and metal product artisans
Almost 40 exhibitors offering fashion accessories
Dozens of other creators of amazing products

An example of an artisan food vendor to look out for is Sweet Thea Bakery. They don’t participate every year, but they do sometimes.

Sweet Thea has retail locations in Vancouver, Langley and Tsawwassen. Their pastry chef used to work at one of the world’s top-rated bed and breakfasts and her baked goods are amazing. We love their Stollen in particular, and their premium Christmas cake is the best we’ve ever tasted! If you like fruit cake and other Christmas-y baked goods, you’ll want to check out Sweet Thea if you can find them.

Sweet Thea Bakery at Circle Craft Christmas Market — Sweet Thea Bakery at Circle Craft Market

What Else to Expect

At the Circle Craft Market 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 Circle Craft 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.

For the event’s official website, visit circlecraft.net.

Advice and Suggestions

Below are suggestions on how to make the most out of your Circle Craft Market experience.

TIP #1: Admission is good for the full duration of the five-day event (or at least it has been in the past). This is great if you find too many things to carry home in one visit. Just remember to get your non-transferable re-entry pass before you leave on your first day.

TIP #2: 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 360 days a year and features works by many of the same artists.

TIP #3: 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 course of the five days. Weavers, seamstresses, jewellers, leather makers, stamp artists and potters demonstrate their techniques at various times.

Pottery at the Circle Craft Market — Pottery by Artist Gordon Hutchens

TIP #4: Many of the exhibitors are themselves the artists and creators of the products you’ll see at the Circle Craft 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 #5: If you want to save a couple of dollars then don’t forget to buy your tickets online in advance. Also, if you show up after 5:00 pm on weekdays then admission is usually 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.