Christmas market season is back on Vancouver Island, and our calendars are already filling up. From neighbourhood craft fairs and outdoor night markets to weekends packed with local makers, there are plenty of ways to tackle your gift list while supporting Island businesses.
We love a market that turns Christmas shopping into an outing. Bring a friend, stop for something warm to drink, meet the people behind the products, and see where the day takes you. You might find a gift for someone impossible to shop for, or come home with pottery you had absolutely no intention of buying - why are there so many beautiful pottery vendors? We understand.
We’ve rounded up Christmas and holiday markets happening across Vancouver Island in November and December 2026, organized by region so you can plan a quick local visit or a full day of market hopping.
Dates and event details can change. Please check the organizer’s latest information before heading out. We’ll add more markets as details become available.
Victoria, Saanich & the Saanich Peninsula
Greater Victoria offers plenty of choice, from large artisan shows to community markets. If you’re planning a day downtown, leave time between stops for lunch and a wander.
Creative Craft Fair
November 6-8, 2026
G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre, Saanich
Start your holiday shopping early at this established craft fair featuring handmade goods, art, jewellery and specialty food.
First Chance & Last Chance Christmas Craft Shows
First Chance: November 7–8, 2026
Last Chance: December 11–13, 2026
Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney
Meet artists and makers, browse handcrafted gifts, and pair your visit with a walk along Beacon Avenue or the waterfront.
Bastion Square Winter Market
November 12–December 24, 2026 - selected operating days
Bastion Square, downtown Victoria
Browse rotating local vendors for handcrafted goods and seasonal treats. Check the market schedule before visiting, as the season’s date range does not mean it operates daily.
Cedar Hill Holiday Market
November 22, 2026 | 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cedar Hill Recreation Centre, Saanich
Add this community holiday market to your November shopping plans, especially if you’re looking for a local stop away from downtown.
Out of Hand Holiday Market
November 27-29, 2026
Crystal Garden, Victoria
Held inside the Crystal Garden, Out of Hand brings together independent makers for a weekend of holiday shopping.
A Touch of Saltspring
December 4-6, 2026
Saanich Fairgrounds, Saanichton
Despite the name, you won’t need to catch a ferry for this one. A Touch of Saltspring takes place at the Saanich Fairgrounds and brings together a large selection of artists and craftspeople.
Dickens Christmas Fair
December 5, 2026
James Bay Community Centre, Victoria
A long-running James Bay tradition, the Dickens Fair features more than 60 artisans from Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Make a morning of browsing handmade gifts before exploring the neighbourhood.
Moss Street Holiday Market
December 12–13, 2026 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Fairfield, Victoria
The holiday edition of the Victoria Farmers Market at Moss Street spreads across the Fairfield Gonzales Community Association building, Garry Oak Room and nearby school spaces. It’s a lovely opportunity to shop from local producers and makers as Christmas approaches.
Esquimalt & Vic West
These neighbourhood markets are worth adding to your plans, whether you live nearby or are making a day of exploring the west side of Victoria.
Vic West Winter Market
November 21, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Victoria West Community Centre, 521 Craigflower Road
Expect local vendors, handmade gifts and seasonal shopping.
Esquimalt Farmers Market Holiday Edition
November 22
Esquimalt Recreation Centre
The Vic West market also advertises family activities, making it an option for an outing with the kids.
Winter Bazaar
November 27–29
Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavilion
Browse art, handcrafted gifts and specialty foods from West Coast makers inside the Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavilion.
Sooke, Metchosin, Colwood & Langford
The South Island has several markets to choose from throughout the season. Pick one close to home or plan a route through a few neighbouring communities.
Christmas Markets at Sooke Community Hall
Christmas Craft Fair and Artisan Market: November 7-8
All Sooke Arts & Crafts Christmas Fair: November 13-15
Sooke Christmas Craft Fair: December 12-13
Sooke Community Hall
With dates in both November and December, there’s time for an early browse and a return visit for those final gifts.
Yuletide Market Series at Bilston Creek Farm
Selected dates: November 6 - December 20, 2026
Bilston Creek Farm, Metchosin
Bilston Creek Farm’s Yuletide Market Series brings local businesses and handmade products to the farm throughout the holiday season. Check the individual sessions when planning your visit.
Church of the Advent Christmas Craft Fair
November 14, 2026 | 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Church of the Advent, Colwood
A neighbourhood craft fair is a welcome opportunity to slow down, browse and support local vendors.
Magic of Christmas Artisan Market
November 20-22, 2026
Eagle Ridge Community Centre, Langford
This West Shore market brings together more than 125 B.C. artisans. Set aside some browsing time if you’re hoping to make progress on several people’s gifts in one visit.
Moss Cottage Christmas & Market
December 5, 2026
Sooke Region Museum, 2070 Phillips Road
Combine holiday shopping with a visit to the historic Moss Cottage setting. The event highlights local food producers, artists, artisans and holiday traditions.
Shawnigan Lake, Cowichan & Chemainus
Across the Cowichan Valley, you’ll find community craft fairs, large artisan markets and an evening shopping event in downtown Chemainus.
Christmas Chaos Arts & Crafts Market
November 12-15
Cowichan Community Centre, Duncan
Christmas Chaos offers extensive artisan shopping.
Chemainus Sip & Shop
November 14, 3-7:30 p.m.
Willow Street, Chemainus
For an evening out, Chemainus Sip & Shop combines an outdoor market with food, beverages and live music.
Deck the Hall Christmas Market
November 27-29
Cowichan Exhibition Grounds
Christmas Chaos offers extensive artisan shopping - Keep an eye out for Santa.
Shawnigan Lake Artisan Christmas Craft Fair
November 28, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Shawnigan Lake Community Centre
Shawnigan’s craft fair features handcrafted gifts and Mrs. Claus’s concession.
Ladysmith, Cedar & Yellow Point
This stretch of the Island offers both traditional markets and a chance to visit artists in their own studios.
Ladysmith Christmas Craft Fair
November 26, 2026
Aggie Hall, Ladysmith
Visit the craft fair during Ladysmith’s Light Up celebrations. It’s an opportunity to combine gift shopping with one of the town’s busiest festive evenings; just allow extra time for parking and getting around.
Gifts from the Heart Christmas Arts Market
December 12–13, 2026 | 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Aggie Hall, Ladysmith
Browse handcrafted gifts and artwork at this December market hosted by Pacific Arts Market. Admission and parking are listed as free.
Cedar Christmas Market
November 8, 2026
Woodbank School, Cedar
The last great outdoor market of the year in Cedar.
Yellow Point Country Christmas Tour
November 19–22 and November 26–29, 2026
Additional December 12–13 weekend listed
Multiple locations around Cedar and Yellow Point
Follow a self-guided route between local artisans and farms. This is a different pace from a busy market hall, with opportunities to explore the area along the way. Check the Cedar Yellow Point Artisans’ current map and participating locations before setting out.
Nanaimo & Lantzville
Nanaimo’s holiday market calendar includes several weekends at Beban Park, along with a German Christmas market at a new venue this year.
Once Upon a Craft Fair
November 6-8
Beban Park Social Centre
Browse handmade gifts from more than 110 makers and enjoy door prizes and activities for the kids.
A Handmade Christmas Makers Market
November 20-22
Beban Park Social Centre
Shop Canadian handmade gifts, meet the makers and bring the kids for a visit with Santa.
Superior Farms Winter Vendor Market
November 21-22
Superior Farms, Lantzville
Enjoy many vendors at a fun family farm.
Nanaimo Christmas Village
November 27-28
Wellington Hall, 3922 Corunna Avenue
Nanaimo Christmas Village has moved to Wellington Hall for 2026. Browse Island makers and enjoy traditional German food while you shop.
Mistletoe & Magic Handmade Market
December 11-13
Beban Park Social Centre
Find Canadian handmade gifts, enjoy prize draws and visit Santa during this December market at Beban Park.
Nanoose Bay, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Errington & Coombs
There’s plenty happening in Oceanside, particularly during the first two weekends of December. Check your route before leaving; you may be able to visit a few events in one day.
WinterFest Craft Fair
November 20–22
Qualicum Beach Civic Centre
Browse handmade gifts, enjoy live entertainment and explore the student art showcase at this festive Qualicum Beach fair.
Ho Ho Ho Handmade Market
November 28
Qualicum Beach Civic Centre
Shop more than 60 local vendors for handmade gifts, seasonal treats and something special for your Christmas list.
Bradley Christmas Artisan Market
November 29
Bradley Centre, Coombs
Support the Coombs community while browsing locally handmade goods and stopping for a bite at the concession.
Christmas Night Market
December 4
Qualicum Beach Community Hall / Veterans Way
Spend an evening browsing local vendors under twinkling lights, with festive treats and holiday music along the way.
Christmas Artisan Market
December 5
Qualicum Beach Civic Centre
Discover paintings, pottery, home décor and handcrafted gifts created by members of Mid Island Artisans.
Coombs Christmas Market
December 5–6, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Coombs Fairgrounds, 1014 Ford Road
Browse local vendors among fresh greenery and twinkling lights, grab something to eat and stop at the festive photo booth.
Nanoose Bay Studio Tour Christmas Crawl
December 5–6, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Multiple Nanoose Bay locations
Follow a self-guided route through local studios, galleries and businesses to meet artists and shop their work.
A Very, Merry Christmas Market
December 6
Qualicum Beach Community Hall
Shop local artisan goods and enjoy live music while supporting the Oceanside Hospice Society.
Artisan Christmas Market
December 12
Nanoose Place Community Centre
Find handcrafted gifts from Mid Island Artisans while supporting a market that also gives back to the local food bank.
Errington Christmas Craft Faire
December 12, 2026 | 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Errington War Memorial Hall
Errington’s long-running Christmas Craft Faire is another December stop for handmade gifts and holiday treats.
Qualicum Bay, Comox Valley & Campbell River
Heading farther north? There are more markets to explore, including community-hall fairs, an outdoor market at Filberg Park and a youth craft fair in Courtenay.
Lighthouse Christmas Market
November 21–22
Lighthouse Community Centre, Qualicum Bay
Browse more than 40 vendors for locally made gifts and enter the gift-basket draws at this Qualicum Bay community market.
Christmas at Filberg outdoor market
November 21
Filberg Park, Comox
Shop artisan vendors, enjoy warm food and drinks, and catch Santa’s visit as Filberg Park kicks off its Christmas celebrations.
Christmas Market at Crown Isle
November 22
Crown Isle, Courtenay
Explore local artisan and vendor stalls spread throughout Crown Isle’s clubhouse for a day of holiday shopping.
Black Creek Winter Market
November 28
Black Creek Community Centre
Enjoy a relaxed day of gift shopping in a country setting while supporting local makers and the Black Creek community.
Fanny Bay Christmas Market
November 28–29
Fanny Bay Community Hall
Browse handmade gifts from local artisans, explore the quilt display and sale, and stop at the concession for homemade baking.
Cumberland Winterfaire
November 28–29
Downtown Cumberland venues
Explore handmade goods, homemade food and festive music across downtown venues while supporting the Cumberland Museum & Archives.
Christmas Craft Fair & Luncheon
November 29
Union Bay Community Club
Pick up handmade gifts and Christmas baking, then stay for lunch at this Union Bay community gathering.
St. Peter Anglican Church Christmas Market
November 14
228 South Dogwood Street, Campbell River
Browse handmade gifts, Christmas baking, jewellery and knitted goods at this community holiday market.
Christmas Toy & Craft Show
November 28–29
Campbell River Sportsplex
Explore more than 70 craft stalls for gifts, toys and handmade finds at the Campbell River Sportsplex.
North Island Métis Christmas Bazaar
November 29, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Campbell River; see event listing for venue
Support local vendors and enjoy a festive day of shopping and community connection at this annual bazaar.
Gnarly Little Christmas Craft Fair
December 5, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Florence Filberg Centre, Courtenay
Shop handmade gifts created and sold by local youth while supporting the Island’s next generation of makers.
Before You Head Out
Bring a reusable shopping bag and some cash, and check admission costs, hours and accessibility with the organizer. For outdoor markets, an extra layer and a rain jacket are usually worth having in the car.
You don’t need to fit every market into the season. Choose a few, invite someone along, and leave enough time to enjoy them. Shopping locally gives you the chance to meet the people making your gifts, and that’s a pretty good way to spend a winter afternoon.
Know of a 2026 Vancouver Island Christmas market we should include? Send us the event details so we can keep growing this guide.