New West Craft is a series of artisan markets that take place twice a month in New Westminster. Last year a few Christmas markets were hosted at River Market.

This year New West Craft’s main Christmas-themed market is on December 7th. It takes place just a week before the New West Holiday Market which is a great event outside New Westminster’s City Hall. Unrelated to the event hosted by New West Craft, this other market happens on the Saturday and Sunday of December 14th and 15th.

Other Lower Mainland craft fairs around the same time include the Kensington Holiday Craft Fair and West End Holiday Craft Fair in Vancouver. There are also Made in the 604 Markets, Burnaby Holiday Market, Christmas Gifts Expo in Chilliwack, the Shipyards Christmas Market, Vancouver Christmas Market and Coquitlam Christmas Night Market.

Below is information about the various artisan markets hosted by the Arts Council of New Westminster.

New West Craft Christmas Markets

Presented by The Arts Council of New Westminster, the markets happen throughout the year on the first and third Saturdays of the month. The holiday markets in 2023 were on the Saturdays of November 4th and 18th as well as December 9th and 16th. There was also a special Holiday Night Market on December 2nd. In 2025 the Arts Council of New Westminster hosts a special Christmas-themed market on Saturday, December 7th.

The above markets all happen at River Market which is located at 810 Quayside Drive in New Westminster. Admission to the events is free!

New West Craft Holiday Night Market

The New West Craft Holiday Night Market is an annual event. Some years, more than 50 vendors participate. In 2024 the market runs between 3:00 pm and 9:00 pm on Saturday, December 7th, at the River Market at 810 Quayside Drive. Admission is free.

This event features live holiday music and lots of interesting handmade artisan products. Food, drinks and other unique gift ideas are also available from River Market eateries and shops.

Quayside Voices at River Market — Quayside Voices at the River Market

About The Arts Council

The Arts Council of New Westminster is a non-profit organization that supports and showcases local artists and the arts. According to its website, “the Arts Council’s role in the community is to advocate for the arts and foster support for those engaging in artistic and cultural endeavors.”

Operating since 1967, the Arts Council of New Westminster hosts a wide variety of arts-related programs and events. These include New West Craft, the New Westminster Culture Crawl, Queens’s Park Arts Festival, Queen’s Park Concert Series and other activities.