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 a terrific event with vendors selling a variety 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.

The event is an amazing one-stop place to do your holiday shopping. You can find almost everything related to Christmas that your friends and family could possibly want!

CANCELLED IN 2024

The West Coast Christmas Show was cancelled in 2024 as it was the year before. It hopes to return, however, in 2025, although details are to be confirmed. See our article about Lower Mainland Christmas Craft Fairs for a list of similar events in the region.

Some of the top holiday artisan markets include the Circle Craft Market, Vancouver Christmas Market, West End Holiday Craft Fair and Coquitlam Christmas Night Market.

There is also the Christmas Gifts Expo, North Delta Artisan & Gift Market, Made in the 604 Markets, Shipyards Artisan Market and various others.

The 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 beside the Abbotsford Airport).

The last time the event ran was in 2022. It was cancelled the following two years. When the market does happen, it’s 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

Assuming the market returns in 2025, admission costs vary depending on your age. Tickets are valid for re-entry on all three days. The following were the online admission prices for the market in 2022:

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 when the market hopefully returns again!

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 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. It’ll cost you full price if you just show up and pay at the door.)

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. Products offered and vendors who exhibited when the event last ran in 2022 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 West Coast Christmas Show three years ago. 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. 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, when it does take place, 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!

Tips & Advice

Below are some suggestions to help you make the most of your experience at the West Coast Christmas Show and Artisan Market when it returns (hopefully in 2025).

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).