The Shipyards Christmas Market is a new European-themed winter holiday market. It takes place over the Christmas season in North Vancouver’s Shipyards District.

One of the Lower Mainland’s newest Christmas events features festive decorations as well as close to 70 vendor booths. The inaugural edition of the market runs from November 29th to December 24th in 2024. Admission is free.

We dropped by the market on November 30th (which was also the day of the Shipyards Christmas Festival). The place looked awesome!

TIP: Best times to visit the Shipyards Christmas Market are on the weekends of December 6th to 8th and December 14th and 15th. That’s because the Made in the 604 Holiday Market and Shipyards Artisan Market are also happening in the Pipe Shop at the Shipyards at the same time. Both of these other markets are exception markets for high quality, handmade products made by local artists. On these two weekends, between these two artisan market and the Shipyards Christmas Market, the Shipyards District will be one of the best places to do your holiday shopping in Western Canada!

The Shipyards Christmas Market in 2024

The Shipyards Christmas Market is an outdoor holiday market with a European theme. It features lots of vendors and light displays plus ice skating, live music and other activities.

The first annual Shipyards Christmas Market opens on Friday, November 29th, 2024. It’s scheduled to run until Tuesday, December 24th.

As the name of the market suggests, the event takes place at the Shipyards in North Vancouver. Located at 125 Victory Ship Way, the venue offers beautiful waterfront views. The Shipyards is also just a 5-minute walk away from Lonsdale Quay and the SeaBus Terminal, making it very transit-friendly.

(Note: The video in this article shows scenes of the market from November 30th in 2024. The music in the video is Winter and Christmas Music – Pop Orchestra and Piano by Julius H. from Pixabay.)

What to Expect

The Shipyards Christmas Market promises to be a very popular event. Who can say no to Christmas activities, artisan vendors, live music and free admission! Expect to see people of all ages getting into the Christmas spirit at the Shipyards this season!

Similar to the Vancouver Christmas Market in downtown Vancouver, at the new event there will be dozens of wooden stalls with vendors selling artisanal products. A big difference with this market, however, is that admission is free. Whether you’re looking to do some Christmas shopping, or just enjoy comfort food, drinks and the holiday spirit, the Shipyards Christmas Market should be a fun place to visit.

In addition to food and market vendors, the event also features live performances by choirs and roaming entertainers. The city’s main Christmas tree is in the area to admire, as are various light displays that make for great photo opportunities. Folks are welcome to ice skate at the Shipyards Skate Plaza as well. Kids can even meet Santa Claus at certain times at the market!

North Vancouver Shipyards in Snow — The Shipyards in Snow

When is the Shipyards Christmas Market

The Shipyards Christmas Market takes place on select dates between November 29th and Christmas Eve. On its opening day the market operates from 5:00 pm until 10:00 pm. After that and until December 22nd, it’s open Mondays to Thursdays between 11:00 am and 10:00 pm. It’s also open between 11:00 am and 10:00 pm on Fridays to Sundays as well as on December 23rd. On the final day of the season, on December 24th, the hours of operation are from 11:00 am until 5:00 pm.

Christmas on Vancouver’s North Shore

The North Shore is home to a number of great Christmas-themed attractions and events. There’s Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge, the Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain, Dundarave Festival of Lights in West Vancouver, and Holiday Hi-Light Festival at Park & Tilford.

There are also holiday artisan markets like the Made in the 604 Holiday Market and Shipyards Artisan Market. In early December there is also the Shipyards Christmas Festival (which takes place at the same place as the new Christmas market).

The new Shipyards Christmas Market will be a fabulous addition to the region and make North Vancouver an even more popular destination for Christmas cheer and holiday shopping! We can’t wait to see the Shipyards when it’s full of market vendors and festive fun!