Looking to get crafty this holiday season? If you are interested in making your own Christmas ornaments, you may wish to check out this upcoming workshop led by Strathcona potter, Laura Vanderlinde. You are invited to create your own designs with techniques that will be taught during the course of the workshops. Bring only your imagination and clay which is purchased on the first day of your class. This class runs during the day on Thursdays beginning November 30th at 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and going until December 14th. Cost is $114 not including clay. To register, visit www.vanrec.ca.
Have you made your way down to the walking trails along the Fraser River in SE Vancouver? This generally sleepy hollow was pretty unknown until Wesgroup Properties started to develop on the lands East of Kerr below Marine Drive now known as River District. Add to that the pandemic brought many new people seeking new places to walk in the City. If you haven’t checked it out yet, Tugboat Landing is a sweet community at the foot of Victoria Drive at East Kent Avenue South. It was formerly an industrial area that housed tugboats at the landing of Victoria Drive on the Fraser River, hence the name. It was redeveloped into a community of condos and townhomes that enjoy river front living. The area is located on a public walkway and cycle path just steps away from Gladstone Park and less than a mile West of the now ever growing River District development.
On December 2nd and 3rd, here you will find the 7th Annual Tugboat Landing Artisan Market. This is a boutique artisan market that happens at 2010 East Kent Avenue at the foot of Victoria Drive. They have another great line up of vendors that make it fun and easy space to shop for gifts in an inviting and cozy space.
They will have lots of returning vendors including Ladner Artisan Chocolates, Guava Jelly with handpainted infant wear and t-shirts as well as Mad Laboratory Distilling with their small batch spirits. If you a love dogs, they’ve got 3 vendors with items that will keep your dog warm/dry (ScouterWear), styling with pet accessories (Furever.Eco) and fed with delicious dog treats (Barks & Biscuits). Ava Luna Creations is also back with beautiful handmade artistic soaps perfect for gift giving.
If you are looking for some edible items, last year’s fav Evie + Charlie is back with ready-to-bake cookies in a variety of delicious flavours. East Van Jam will be on hand with sweet & savoury spreads. If you love hot sauce, Toon’s Sauces is back with a few flavours for the foodie on your holiday gift list.
Bower Fibre Goods is back again with beautifully crafted textiles and ILiveInEastVan will be on site with a selection of totes, t-shirts and well as sew-on reflective patches. Knit Collective is also back with cozy designs to keep you warm as well as some very sweet plushies for the wee ones. Oopsiedaisy Ceramics is also back with some very fun whimsical designs which are sure to make you smile. New to the market this year is Little Wood Turning with beautiful handcrafted wooden designs, Marigold Collective with handmade scarves, blankets, jewellery and more from Women’s Fair Trade Co-operatives, Cao Leather Goods joins them with handcrafted leather pieces and PAMJY Candles with eco-friendly candles and diffusers. As always, they will have lots of great items on hand that are perfect for gift giving.
Last year, this boutique artisan market was deemed a Hidden Gem and 1 of 17 Happening Holiday Markets by Destination Vancouver. It’s a cozy inviting space away from all the crazy crowds. Stop by for hot cocoa or coffee and some sweet treats while warming up in front of the fireplace. Food and drink will be available by donation with all proceeds going to BC SPCA and SAINTS (Senior Animals In Need Today Society) Rescue. Market hours will Saturday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Admission is free. To learn more, visit them online at Tugboat Landing Artisan Market, or give them a follow @tugboatlandingartisanmarket on Instagram.
The Firehall, along with The McGrane-Pearson Endowment Fund, presents Ann Mortifee’s Reflections on Crooked Walking from Saturday, December 2 to Sunday, December 24, 2023.
Produced by the Firehall Arts Centre and directed by Donna Spencer, Ann Mortifee’s Reflections on Crooked Walking is a JUNO Award-nominated family musical that tells the tale of four people who find themselves the only ones left awake surrounded by sleeping townspeople. Their journey in search of a cure for the mysterious sleeping sickness leads them down a surprising path of deeper self-awareness. Tickets from $30 and available online at Firehall Arts Centre.
Who does not love to see a beautiful holiday wreath on someone’s door over the holidays. If you wish to create your own holiday wreath, be sure to check out one of the upcoming Holiday Wreath Making Workshops at Figaro’s Garden Centre. They invite you to come get into the festive spirit with this hands-on class. First workshop takes place on Saturday, November 25th at 9:30 am, the next one happens Saturday, December 2nd at 9:30 am. Tickets are $94.49 and available through Eventbrite.
The Cultch and Theatre Replacement are thrilled to present East Van Panto: Beauty and the Beast, November 22, 2023 until January 7, 2024 at the York Theatre. For over a decade, Theatre Replacement and The Cultch have partnered to bring this holiday tradition like no other. It transforms well-known stories with an East Van twist along with pop song parodies, it really has something for all ages.
This year, East Van Panto’s Belle and Bento Buddies invite you on a fun adventure to escape the Beast’s clutches and break the curse on Venables Street. Bright, business-minded Belle is separated from her free-spirited dad Maurice and becomes imprisoned in an enchanted specialty grocery store by a strangely familiar Beast who seems very set in his ways. Time is running out and Belle who must use her smarts alongside her new friends Miso Potts, little Tofu and their Bento Buds to flip the perspective of Belle’s captor and break the curse before the last cherry blossom falls.
Seeing the live performance of the East Van Panto is a treat with the whole audience involved, but for those that wish to watch it from the comfort of home, the East Van Panto will again be available online from December 18, 2023 to January 7, 2024. If you plan to attend in person, you also have the opportunity to be part of the filming magic as part of the studio audience for Panto Online on December 5th & 6th when tickets are $30. Whether you attend in person or online, this is one show not to miss. Be sure to grab your tickets early. Tickets start at $39 for in person shows, family packages are available, digital tickets from $25. For more information, or to grab your tickets, visit The Cultch.
“Rowdy made-in-East-Van fun for the whole family” Stir Vancouver
“It is the silliest, most wonderful of traditions. And for me, it has become essential.” The Globe and Mail
“If the East Van Panto isn’t part of your holiday tradition yet, what are you waiting for?” Georgia Straight
“East Van Panto has earned its place as one of the best-loved holiday traditions in Vancouver…” Colin Thomas
Got Craft is back for another year with their Winter Holiday Market at the Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Drive, November 18 and 19, 2023. The event will feature over 95 makers, designers, creative entrepreneurs showcasing ceramics, clothing, body + skincare, jewelry, food, homewares, greeting cards, art and much more. This year expect to find a newly expanded Mini Makers Market with kidpreneuers aged 16 years plus. Got Craft Winter Market is a great chance to get a jump on your holiday shopping while at the same time supporting a diverse community of independent artists, many that are BIPOC and women owned. There will also be a selection of food trucks on hand if you get hungry while you shop. Tickets are $5 and available online which cost lets you shop all weekend long Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
For those that wish to shop local without heading outside, you can shop online at the Got Craft Holiday Virtual Market which kicks off Wednesday, November 22nd and runs till Sunday, December 3rd. Their virtual market features 70 creative entrepreneurs from across Canada and this is the last one so if you wish to shop in your PJs, this is your chance.
It’s that time of year again where the opportunities to shop local are abundant. There are some great artisan markets and craft fairs coming up to help you make your gift giving easy whether for Christmas or birthday gifts. Did you know: “for every $100 spent with a BC local business, $64 is re-circulated back into our BC economy versus $14 for multi nationals. Why? Because locally owned businesses circulate more dollars in the community compared to multinational organizations.”
When you buy from a local maker, you’re supporting your neighbor next door, your co-worker working full-time and holding down a side gig, moms carving out some extra income while still being home with their families. All have created a business doing something they love and are passionate about. We are 100% behind supporting those local dreamers and makers. Also, buying local is better for the environment. Items at markets are not being shipped long distances and there is usually much less packaging involved. All around win win. To that end, we have again created a list of all the artisan markets and craft fairs happening in East Vancouver this holiday season. Here’s hoping our big list will make it easier for you to shop local this holiday season.
NOVEMBER 2023
Nov. 3: Pop Up Market – Art Soul Methods – The Cultch 12:30 – 7:30 pm
Nov. 4: Pop Up Market – Art Soul Methods – The Cultch 12:30 – 7:30 pm Nov. 4: Made In The 604 Winter Market – Heritage Hall 11-5 Nov. 4: Fair Trade & Artisan Market – Trinity Grace United Church 10 – 4
Nov. 5: Fall Pop Up Market – Artworks Bldg, 237 East 4th Ave. 12-5 Nov. 5: Made In The 604 Winter Market – Heritage Hall 11-5
Nov. 16: Eastside Culture Crawl – Various Locations 5-10 pm Nov. 17: Eastside Culture Crawl – Various Locations 5-10 pm
Nov. 18: Got Craft Holiday Market – Croatian Cultural Centre 10-5 Nov. 18: Eastside Culture Crawl – Various Locations 11- 6 Nov. 18: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – 1101 Union Street 11-5 pm
Nov. 19: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – 1101 Union Street – 11- 5 pm Nov. 19: Got Craft Holiday Market – Croatian Cultural Centre 10-5 Nov. 19: Eastside Culture Crawl – Various Locations 11-6 Nov. 19: East Van Holiday Market – 2285 Clark Drive 12- 4 pm
Nov. 22-Dec. 3: Got Craft Virtual Holiday Market
Nov. 24: Pottery Sale – Trout Lake Comm. Centre 4-8 pm
Nov. 25: Pottery Sale – Trout Lake Comm. Centre 9-4 pm Nov. 25: Bake, Quilt & Knit Sale – Trout Lake Comm. Centre 9 – 3 Nov. 25: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – 1101 Union Street 11-5 pm
Nov. 26: Christmas Gift & Craft Show – Vancouver Flea Market 10-3 Nov. 26: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – 1101 Union Street 11-5 pm
Dec. 2: Tugboat Landing Artisan Market – 2010 East Kent Ave. S. 11-5 Dec. 2: Toque Craft Fair – 303 East 8th Ave. 11-5 Dec. 2: Hero’s Holiday Market – 3917 Main Street 1- 6 pm Dec. 2: Good Stuff Market – Heritage Hall Dec. 2: Winter Craft Market – Britannia Community Centre Dec. 2: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – 1101 Union Street 11-5 pm Dec. 2: KrampusMarkt – Strange Fellows Brewing 11- 6 pm Dec. 2: Britannia’s Winter Craft Market – Britannia CC (Gym D) 10-4
Dec. 3: Tugboat Landing Artisan Market – 2010 East Kent Ave. s. 11-4 Dec. 3: Toque Craft Fair – 303 East 8th Ave. 11-5 Dec. 3: Good Stuff Market – Heritage Hall Dec. 3: Winter Craft Market – Britannia Community Centre Dec. 3: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – 1101 Union Street 11-5 pm Dec. 3: KrampusMarkt – Strange Fellows Brewing 11-4 Dec. 3: Britannia’s Winter Craft Market – Britannia CC (Gym D) 10-4
Dec. 7: Make It Vancouver – PNE Forum 5-9 pm Dec. 7: Vegan Holiday Night Market – Waldorf Hotel 6-10 pm Dec. 8: Make It Vancouver – PNE Forum 11-9
Dec. 9: Make It Vancouver – PNE Forum 10-6 Dec. 9: First Pick Handmade Holiday Pop Up – Heritage Hall 11-6 Dec. 9: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – 1101 Union Street 11-5 pm Dec. 9: New Gen Sip & Shop Christmas Market – 1659 Venables 11-6 Dec. 9: Kensington Holiday Craft Fair – Kensington CC 10-4
Dec. 10: Make It Vancouver – PNE Forum 11-5 Dec. 10: First Pick Handmade Holiday Pop Up – Heritage Hall 11-6 Dec. 10: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – 1101 Union Street 11-5 pm
Dec. 11: Il Centro’s Christmas Market – Italian Cultural Centre
Dec. 13: Holiday Open House & Market – Kiwassa Neighbourhood House 3-6
Dec. 16: Made In The 604 – Heritage Hall 11-5 Dec. 16: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – 1101 Union Street 11-5 pm Dec. 16: Indigenous Christmas Market – 2205 Commercial Street 12- 6 Dec. 16: Makers Market – 2408 Main Street 11 – 6 pm
Dec. 17: Made In The 604 – Heritage Hall 11-5 Dec. 17: Eastside Flea Holiday Market – 1101 Union Street 11-5 pm Dec. 17: Holiday Craft Fair – Sunset Community Centre 10 – 3 Dec. 17: Makers Market – 2408 Main Street 11 – 5 pm
Vancouver Farmers Markets are kicking off their winter farmer markets this weekend. In East Vancouver, you can expect to find two markets. First up is Riley Park Farmers Market which carries on in the same location as the summer market at 50 East 30th & Ontario Street every Saturday from November 4, 2023 to March 30, 2024. Next up is the Hastings Park Farmers Market which returns for another year and happens every Sunday from November 5th 2023 to April 28, 2024. The market is located on the PNE Centregrounds behind The Forum Building and is always a popular market. Both markets run from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and jam packed with lots of great local goods. Be sure to stop by and support our local growers and makers. If you wish to learn more about what vendors will be on site at any given market, be sure to visit www.eatlocal.org.
Riley Park Farmers Market 50 East 30th & Ontario Street Saturdays 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Hastings Park Farmers Market Hastings Park Centregrounds Sundays 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
The Eastside Culture Crawl is back November 16 – 19, 2023. This 4 day visual arts festival now in its 27th year is an amazing opportunity to check out the work of over 500 local artists. As the name indicates, most of the studios are on Vancouver’s Eastside in bounded by Columbia Street, First Ave and Victoria Drive.
The Eastside Culture Crawl features a wide variety of artists including painters, furniture makers, jewellers, sculptors, potters, photographers, glassblowers and many more mediums. We invite you to take the opportunity to visit artists in their working studios. Not only is it a great opportunity to meet local artists, it’s a great opportunity to learn more about each craft. Artists are generally available to discuss their work and creative process, but keep in the mind the weekend of the crawl is the busiest. If you wish to have a chat with an artist, maybe try one of the evenings they are open on November 16th and 17th.
The Eastside Culture Crawl runs from November 16-19 from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm and November 18 and 19 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. The Eastside Culture Crawl covers a wide geographical area. We find the Crawl Map to be a great resource in narrowing down artists we are interested in visiting. Although sometimes we narrow down an area of East Van we wish to scout around in and combine with a great spot for coffee or lunch. Either way, it’s a great way to get to know your City and maybe light your own creative spark. This is a free event and open to all ages. For more information visit, the Eastside Culture Crawl.
ILiveInEastVan.com 