West Coast Christmas Show

The West Coast Christmas Show and Artisan Market is a large and impressive winter holiday-themed trade show-style event at the Tradex Centre in Abbotsford.

It’s an awesome event with vendors selling a wide range of products. There are lots of local artisans selling handmade goods. There are also unique, imported and commercially-made gift-idea products and Christmas decorations for sale too. The event is an amazing one-stop place to do your holiday shopping. At it you can find almost everything Christmas-y that your friends and family could possibly want!

The market returns to the Tradex Centre for the 2023 holiday season and runs on November 17th, 18th and 19th.

For the market’s official website visit westcoastchristmasshow.com.

The 2023 West Coast Christmas Show

The West Coast Christmas Show and Artisan Market is a great event. It’s a big production that takes place at the Tradex Centre at 1190 Cornell Street in Abbotsford (which is right beside the Abbotsford Airport).

In 2023 the 16th annual West Coast Christmas Show happens on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of November 17th to 19th at the Tradex Centre.

Although the hours of operation this year are still to be confirmed, you can expect them to be similar to what they were in 2022 when the market was open from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm on the Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on the Saturday, and from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on the Sunday.

Admission Prices

Admission costs vary depending on your age. Tickets are valid for re-entry on all three days. Online admission prices for 2022 are listed below. Admission prices for the 2023 season are still to be confirmed.

Adults (ages 19+) – $11
Seniors (ages 65+) – $10
Youth (ages 13 to 18) – $8
Children (ages 12 and under) – Free
Family Pass (2 adults and 2 youth) – $28

Notes: Tickets purchased at the gate cost $2 or $3 more per person. Buy your tickets online to save a couple of dollars!

There are also further discounts available for tickets at specific times when purchased in advance online. For example, two seniors can get in for just $14 (plus GST) between them on the Friday between 1:00 pm and 6:00 pm. Also on the Friday, after 4:00 pm, any two people can also get in for just $14. Families looking to visit the market on the Sunday morning, meanwhile, can get in for $25 rather than the regular $28 (online price) or $36 (at the door price).

(Note: With the above special discounted tickets, you have to buy the specific timed-entry tickets in advance. If you just show up and pay at the door it’ll cost you full price.)

For the market’s official website visit westcoastchristmasshow.com.

Live Entertainment at West Coast Christmas Show

2022 Activities

The West Coast Christmas Show is a large market with plenty of different vendors to explore. Products available include everything from jewellery and clothing to festive decor, beauty care and plants. There are lots of great gift ideas for the holiday season. New products and vendors that exhibited at the 2022 event included hand-painted silks, Cheryl’s Trading Post, various art products by Jo Morehouse-Power and more.

There were many other popular activities that returned for the 2022 West Coast Christmas Show. There was an ugly sweater contest and several decorated Christmas trees to vote on. The Sounds of the Holidays Performance Stage featured live entertainment with local musicians, singers and dancers.

There were also fun activities for children at the event. Santa’s Workshop offered a wooden tree ornament to decorate and take home for free. Kids could write letters to Santa and families could take pictures with the guy in red too.

If you’re in the Abbotsford area on the weekend of the event and you like Christmas shopping and artisan markets, you’ll definitely want to check out this family-friendly event. We went a few years ago and really enjoyed it. It’s impressive!

Santa and Mrs. Claus

Tips and Advice

Below are some suggestions to help you make the most of your experience at the West Coast Christmas Show and Artisan Market.

TIP#1: Go with a group of friends; the more the merrier. It’s a fun event!

TIP#2: Go on the Friday if you can. You can save a bit on admission that day, depending on when you go and if you buy your tickets online. Also, admission is good for the whole weekend, so if you have so much fun on the first day you’ll still have two more days to go back for.

TIP#3: Take your own reusable shopping bags if you can.

TIP#4: If coming from Metro Vancouver, be sure to fill up with gas while you’re in the Fraser Valley (where gas is typically around 10 cents cheaper).