Artisan Market at the Shipyards

The Shipyards Christmas Artisan Market takes place in the Pipe Shop at the Shipyards in North Vancouver’s Lower Lonsdale District in December.

In 2024, the market happens on the Saturday and Sunday of December 14th and 15th. It’s a fabulous market in a very interesting neighbourhood.

Artisan Market in the Pipe Shop at Christmas

Lots of events happen throughout the year in the Pipe Shop at the Shipyards near Lonsdale Quay. This includes the Shipyards Christmas Artisan Market just before Christmas.

Admission to the winter holiday market is free, but donations benefiting the North Shore Women’s Centre are greatly appreciated.

Click Shipyards Christmas Markets for the event’s official website.

Where and When

The Pipe Shop is by Shipbuilders’ Square at 115 Victory Ship Way near the bottom of Lonsdale Avenue in North Vancouver. Coming from Lonsdale Quay, the Pipe shop is just on the other side of the Tap & Barrel Restaurant.

The Pipe Shop is a large, restored heritage building that’s used for various community events. It can also be rented for private use.

In 2024 the Shipyards Christmas Markets takes place in the Pipe Shop on the weekend of December 14th & 15th. On the Saturday it typically runs from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm. On the Sunday it’s usually open from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm.

Shipyards Christmas Market

What to Expect

At the market expect to see dozens of vendors selling high-quality crafts and artisan products in the Pipe Shop. The venue is pretty big and it fills up with shoppers and tables full of all kinds of art and handmade products.

At the market you’ll likely find homemade preserves, fancy soaps and artisan liquors. There are also handsewn clothes and plush toys, handcrafted jewellery, organic chocolates, scented candles, original paintings, unique gift cards, vegan delicacies and all kinds of interesting things you’d never find at a shopping mall.

At the Shipyards Christmas Market there are usually 48 or more vendors, all of whom sell products of a fairly high quality. In most cases, the people selling the items are the people who make them (or at least related in some way). It can be fun chatting with the people who make the gifts that you buy!

Artisan Vendor at the Pipe Shop — Artisan Vendors in the Pipe Shop

What Else to do in the Area

If you want to check out the Shipyards Christmas Market and you’re not from North Vancouver, it’s good to know what else is in the area so you can combine your trip with other activities.

The Pipe Shop is in the heart of the Lower Lonsdale and Shipyards District of North Vancouver. In the neighbourhood there are a number of really Good Restaurants. The Lobby is really nice, for example, as is Pier 7 which is right on the water. There is also Shipbuilders’ Pier to walk down and the Lonsdale Quay Public Market to explore. The SeaBus terminal connecting downtown Vancouver with the North Shore is also just a five-minute walk away.

There are often special events at the Shipyards on weekends most years, especially in the summer, but also sometimes in the late fall and winter. This includes the Shipyards Christmas Festival which took place in early December last year.

At the Shipyards Christmas Festival there is the lighting of the City of North Vancouver’s official Christmas tree, plus live music and family-friendly activities.

The Shipyards is also home to the Lower Mainland’s newest, biggest and best outdoor ice-skating facility. Shipyard Commons is an outdoor covered structure (so still great on rainy days) where North Vancouver community events take place.

North Vancouver Christmas Festival — Shipyards Christmas Festival

Other Information

For more details about the above winter holiday artisan fair, see the Shipyards Christmas Market website.

Organized by the same people as the Shipyards Christmas Market, the North Shore Artisan Market is a similar event that happens at various times of the year.

For more information about the community event marking the official start to the holiday season in the City of North Vancouver, see our article about the Shipyards Christmas Festival.

To learn more about the surrounding neighbourhood and other things to do in the area, check out any of the following:

Other articles that might be of interest include the following: