Coquitlam Christmas Craft Fair

A three-day event, the Coquitlam Christmas Craft Fair takes place at the Poirier Forum in early December and features the work of over 100 local artisans.

The event ran from December 1st to the 3rd in 2023.

OTHER HOLIDAY MARKETS

In addition to the Coquitlam Christmas Craft Fair, a number of other great artisan markets happen around the same time each year. They include the following:

Coquitlam Christmas Night Market (which is at the fabulous and free Lights at Lafarge event that happened on December 1st and 2nd in 2023).
Kensington Holiday Craft Fair (at the Kensington Community Centre in Vancouver that ran on December 9th, 2023).
New West Holiday Market (outside City Hall in New Westminster, which was on December 9th and 10th last year).
Made in the 604 Markets (at North Vancouver’s Shipyards that ran on December 2nd and 3rd in 2023, and at the Heritage Hall in Vancouver on December 16th and 17th. The event is also part of the Spirit of the Season Festival which is a fabulous, free and family-friendly event).
Vancouver Christmas Market (which is the famous German-themed market that ran daily from November 16th until December 24th, 2023, at Jack Pool Plaza).

Christmas Artisan Market at Coquitlam’s Poirier Forum

The Coquitlam Christmas Craft Fair is one of the Lower Mainland’s largest and most impressive holiday-themed artisan markets. It has also been running since around 1980, so for over 40 years.

At the event you can expect to see handmade goods like ceramics, clothing, glasswork, woodwork, jewellery, beauty products and food items. There are also vendors selling paintings, honey, soaps, toys and everything you can imagine finding at a Christmas artisan market.

Where and When

The Coquitlam Christmas Craft Fair runs over three days in early December. Last year, it ran from December 1st to the 3rd.

Hours of operation are usually from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm on the Friday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on the Saturday and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on the Sunday.

The event takes place at the Poirier Forum at 618 Poirier Street in Coquitlam. Admission to the craft fair is about $5 for adults and $3 for seniors. Children ages 12 and under have free admission.

Artisan Market Honey Vendor — Jane’s Honey Bees at the Craft Fair

Tips & Advice

Below are some tips and suggestions to help you make the most of your shopping experience at the craft fair in Coquitlam.

TIP #1: If you like Christmas-themed artisan markets, then be sure to go to this one. For both shoppers and vendors alike, it’s a very good one.

TIP #2: Unless it’s crazy busy and the vendors are being swept off their feet, chat with the artisans and learn about their products. Hearing the story behind what you buy and how it’s made enhances the experience!

TIP #3: Don’t forget to take your own shopping bags. Most vendors will have some, but it’s better for the environment if you bring your own reusable ones.

TIP #4: If you like this kind of market, but also ones where you can buy fresh produce, then you’ll also like the Port Moody Winter Farmers Market and the Poirier Street Farmers Market. The former takes place at the Port Moody Recreation Complex on Sundays between November and April. The latter happens on Sundays outside the Dogwood Pavilion in Coquitlam between May and October.

TIP #5: If you like Christmas lights, especially ones at venues that are free, then combine your trip to the Coquitlam Christmas Craft Fair with a visit to Lights at Lafarge at Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park. The holiday lights there are amazing and they run from the end of November until mid to late January.