36 Vancouver food events worth checking out this December
We can’t believe it, but December has officially arrived.
Whether you’re ready or not, that means the holidays are fast approaching, and the unofficial month of over-indulgence has commenced.
There’s holiday-themed everything, seasonal delights, dinners, and markets that are ready to blow your socks off. Make the last month of 2017 a delicious one.
Here are 36 food events, in or around Vancouver, worth checking out this December.
Please note we’ll be filling you in where to plan your Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and NYE meals in separate posts.
See also
Events
Colorado-based brewery Funkwerks takes over the taps at Bells and Whistles on December 1 (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)
Funkwerks tap takeover at Bells and Whistles
Colorado-based brewery Funkwerks is hosting a tap takeover at Bells and Whistles and pouring an exciting selection of their award-winning signature and seasonal brews, including their ‘Flagship’ saison, which earned Gold award at the 2017 Great American Beer Fest. Funkwerks beers will be available all day at $8 per 10 oz pour. Beers will be offered on a first-come, first-poured basis so those who wish to sample are encouraged to come early.
When: Friday, December 1 from 11:30 am
Where: Bells and Whistles – 3296 Fraser Street, Vancouver
Latte Art Work Shop at Zenstone Coffee
Learn how to make your caffeinated beverage beautiful at this beginner level workshop at Richmond’s Zenstone Cafe. Results are guaranteed, register early as seats are limited.
When: December 2 or December 3 at 9:30 am
Where: Zenstone Coffee – 1131-8328 Capstan Way, Richmond
Flour Shop
Flour Shop pop-up is teaming up with Main Street Brewing on December 2 to bring you everything you need to plan for you holiday parties and dinners. Secure your flour, and sourdough by pre-ordering, and buy cookies, brownies, and mini galettes, which will available for purchase on site. For bulk sales, attendees can opt for Organic Sifted Red Spring Wheat Flour and Organic Sifted Red Fife Wheat Flour, which is available in 1kg loads. Buyers can enjoy a sourdough starter as a free gift with purchase as well.
When: Saturday, December 2 from noon to 4 pm
Where: Main Street Brewing – 261 East 7th Avenue, Vancouver
Ukrainian Food Fair & Bazaar
Free admission, free parking, and Ukrainian food served all day? We’re in. The Ukrainian Food Fair & Bazaar also features a silent auction, raffles, 50/50 draws, baking, preserves, crafts, and rummage. Look or eats like perogies, cabbage rolls and sausage rings. Eat in or take-out, just get your grub!
When: Saturday, December 2 from 11 am to 4 pm
Where: 3150 Ash Street, Vancouver
Cost: Free
Holiday Cookie – Bake & Decorate
Tartine & Maple, with The Uncommon Cafe, are bringing back your favourite Holiday Cookie Class! You get a ball of dough and tones of cookie cutters and decor options to make your cookies. You don’t have to worry about mess and shopping for sprinkles. Just show up, bake, take them away.
When: Sunday, December 3, from 1 to 3:30 pm
Where: The Uncommon Cafe, 477 Powell Street, Vancouver
Cost: $45; buy via Eventbrite
Spirit of the Season Bittered Sling Pop-up
On December 5 head to the Spirit of the Season Bittered Sling Pop-up with Chef Jonathan Chovancek, featuring cocktails from Katie Ingram of L’Abattoir and Chantelle Gabino flying in from Toronto. Celebrate the local makers passionate about creating the best spirits and cocktails right here in BC. Taste creations from small-batch distilleries, crafted into their most perfect form by Bittered Sling mixologists. Jonathan Chovancek, previously Executive Chef at Cafe Medina, will work with Edible Canada’s Chef Grignon to present a spirit-paired menu to match the class and innovation of the cocktails.
When: December 5
Where: Edible Canada – 1596 Johnston Street, Vancouver
Cost: $124 per person
Buckets Ice Cream x Trafiq Bakery Fundraiser
What’s better than pastry and cake topped with made-to-order ice cream? Join Buckets and Trafiq on December 8 for a parfait fundraiser with proceeds going to Kidsafe. Attendees will get to taste the liquid nitrogen ice cream and also get to check out a special new menu item.
When: Friday, December 8 from 3:30 to 6 pm
Where: Trafiq – 4216 Main Street, Vancouver
Cost: Minimum $6 donation per parfait
Eclairs & Cream Puff – Holiday Special
In this class, you’ll learn to make, pipe, decorate Cream Puffs and Eclairs, and fancy them up for any occasions. Bring home recipes and pastries.
When: Sunday, December 10 from 2 to 4 pm
Where: Trout Lake Community Center, 3350 Victoria Dr, Vancouver
Cost: $57.14; buy via Trout Lake CC
Holiday Cookie – Bake & Decorate
Tartine & Maple, with The Uncommon Cafe, are bringing back your favourite Holiday Cookie Class! You get a ball of dough and tones of cookie cutters and decor options to make your cookies. You don’t have to worry about mess and shopping for sprinkles. Just show up, bake, take them away.
When: Wednesday, December 13 from 6 to 8:30 pm
Where: The Uncommon Cafe, 477 Powell Street, Vancouver
Cost: $45; buy via Eventbrite
Vegan Fermentation and Cheese Class
Master the art of vegan artisan cheese. You will be learning a whole new way of making vegan fermented food using whole some ingredients that are mindfully picked to make best vegan fermented product possible. By the end of this class you will know haw to substitute and make kefir, yogurt, different types of artisan cheese, kombucha, and more!
When: Friday, December 15 from 9 to 11 am
Where: Indigo Age Cafe – 436 Richards Street, Vancouver
Cost: $95 per person; buy online
Holiday Baking Class at H2 Rotisserie & Bar
This Holiday Baking Class otherwise known as “Holly, Jolly, Holiday Cookies”, takes place on Tuesday, December 19 at 5 pm. H2 Restaurant Chef Caitlin Mark and Executive Sous Chef Mike Reid lead guests through three stellar recipes for classic gingerbread, pumpkin spice and shortbread cookies. Each participant enjoys vegetable crudité, cheese and charcuterie, and, at the end of the class, leaves with three dozen cookies and a s’mores kit. Space is limited to 12.
When: Tuesday, December 19 at 5 pm
Where: H2 Rotisserie & Bar – 1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver
Cost: $75 per person; call 604-691-6966 to reserve
Ultimate Holiday Class: Treats & Champagne
Learn different kind of treats to bake and share for the holidays: Meringues, truffles and more! Enjoy them during the class, or take them home, with a glass of Champagne. Take home recipes.
When: Wednesday, December 20 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm
Where: The Uncommon Cafe, 477 Powell Street, Vancouver
Cost: $65; buy via Eventbrite
Holiday Eats
Offerings from Festive Tea Set at TWG Tea. (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)
Joy of Christmas Feast/Festive Tea Set at TWG Tea
Let the festivities begin with a magical cocktail infused with Joy of Christmas Tea or opt for an eggnog-inspired mocktail infused with tea, almond, cinnamon and a sprinkle of cocoa.Enjoy dishes such as grilled wagyu beef with with black truffle and foie gras beef jus accompanied by charred pears poached in Red Christmas Tea, served with silky mash potato and cabbage braised with veal bacon and chestnut. End the festivities with a Joy of Christmas Tea infused yule log.
Where: TWG Tea Salon & Boutique – 1070 W Georgia Street, Vancouver
When: November 15 to December 31
Cost: Festive Set Menu is priced at $42 (main course, tea, and dessert), cocktail or mocktail is available for an additional $16 and $12 respectively
Holiday Meals at West Restaurant
For the month of December, West will be offering a three-course holiday lunch for $45 per person along with an a la carte lunch menu. For dinner, West will also be offering a five-course Holiday Tasting Menu for $125 per person. Additional $68 for wine pairings.
When: The month of December
Where: West – 2881 Granville Street, Vancouver
Cost: Holiday Lunch $45, Holiday Tasting Menu $125, additional $68 for wine pairings.
Holiday Lunch at CinCin Ristorante
CinCin Ristorante + Bar will be open for lunch service Monday through Friday from 1130am to 230pm – December 1st to 22nd. Currently accepting lunch and dinner reservations for groups up to 180ppl. Group menu selections attached, as well as reception canapes, floorplans and images of our terrace/wine room private spaces. Check out the holiday lunch menu here.
When: December 1 to 22 (Monday through Friday) from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm
Where: 1154 Robson Street, Vancouver
Festive Menu at H2 Rotisserie & Bar
This menu is perfect for holiday group gatherings and features dishes like Spiced Carrot & Apple Bisque, Slow Roast Rossdown Farm Free Range Turkey, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Honey Roasted Baby Carrots, Fig & Brioche Stuffing, and Spiced Pumpkin Pie to name a few.
When: December 1 to 27
Where: H2 Rotisserie & Bar – 1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver
Cost: $29 per person; call 604-691-6966 to reserve
Cioppino’s Holiday Lunch
Cioppino’s is celebrating the holiday season by opening for lunch service from December 5 until December 22, Tuesday through Friday. Ideal for sharing celebratory lunches with colleagues, family, or friends, Chef Pino Posteraro’s lunch menu will feature many of the same beloved dishes as the dinner menu, offering a range of appetizers, pastas and mains. Lunch is available by reservation, and guests are encouraged to book early to secure a table. To book a table or private room for lunch, dinner, or your holiday party, call 604-688-7466 or reserve online at www.cioppinosyaletown.com/contact.
When: December 5 until December 22, Tuesday through Friday
Where: 1133 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Forage Christmas Lunch
Forage is offering a $40 four-course festive lunch during the month of December. Enjoy the products of local farmers, fishers, and foragers with a delicious midday meal throughout a 90-minute seating. Book your holiday lunch at Forage via OpenTable.
When: December 6 to 22 (Monday to Friday), seating from 11:30 am and 1:00 pm
Where: 1300 Robson Street, Vancouver
Cost: $40 per person; call 604-661-1400 or email [email protected] to book
Blue Water Cafe’s Holiday Lunch Menu
Blue Water is offering a holiday lunch menu to die for. Feast on all of your favourite seafood and so much more.
When: December 7 to 22 (Monday to Friday) from noon to 2 pm
Where: Blue Water Cafe – 1085 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
Meat and Bread Turducken Sandwich 2017
This once-a-year culinary treat combines a chicken in a duck in a turkey – perfectly seasoned and prepped to perfection, carved and placed in a fresh ciabatta bun with jalapeno cranberry mustard, pickled red cabbage, arugula, and brown butter sage and apple jus. We have all the important Turducken dates – so get ready to mark you calendars, because if this offering is as in-demand as it has been the past few years, there’s definitely going to be a line up.
When:
Meat & Bread Cambie – Thursday, December 21 to Saturday, December 23
Meat & Bread Pender – Thursday, December 21 and Friday, December 22 (closed weekends)
Where:
Meat & Bread Cambie – 370 Cambie Street,Vancouver
Meat & Bread Pender – 1033 West Pender Street, Vancouver
Feast of Seven Fishes at Cibo
On Saturday, December 23 and Sunday, December 24, Cibo Trattoria will make spirits bright by hosting a pair of ‘Feast of Seven Fishes’ culinary events in the restaurant’s intimate dining room. Both dinners feature a menu comprising seven courses that showcase the best fresh, local seafood and ingredients available in dishes such as BC Spot Prawns with Calabrian Chilli and Herb Crusted Sea Scallops, Pan Roasted Sablefish, and Grilled Tuna Tagliatelle.
When: December 23 and 24
Where: Cibo Trattoria – 900 Seymour St, Vancouver
Cost: $88 per person, $163 per person with wine pairings
Holiday Markets
Get your fill of holiday food and drinks at these markets, craft fairs, and farmer’s markets scattered in or around Metro Vancouver!
Eastside Flea Holiday Markets
This flea market is more like a party because it has a DJ, beer, and a delicious selection of hot eats from a variety of food trucks. Check out the 50-plus vendors offering plants, collectibles, handmade items, and vintage clothing.
When: Every weekend starting Friday, November 17 and ending Sunday, December 17
Where: The Ellis Building – 1024 Main Street, Vancouver
Price: $3 admission, $5 for a weekend pass
Kensington Holiday Craft Fair
The 10th Annual Holiday Craft Fair at Kensington Community Centre will feature holiday gifts and stocking stuffers made by talented local artisans along with raffle and door prizes for attendees. This fair also offers free parking.
When: Saturday, December 2 from 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Kensington Community Centre – 5175 Dumfries Street, Vancouver
Price: Free admission
River District Craft Fair
The River District Craft Fair aims to support local businesses by featuring BC artisans from the area. Head here to get your holiday fill of food and gifts.
When: Sunday, November 26; Sunday, December 3, 10, and 17 from 11 am to 4 pm
Where: River District Centre – 8683 Kerr Street, Vancouver
Price: Free admission.
Icelandic Bake & Craft Sale
Head to the Icelandic Bake & Craft Sale to enjoy the Hard Fisk Café (opens at 9 am), Craft Sale (opens at 9 am), and a Bake Sale from 10 am to 12:30 pm. Enojy vinarterta, hangikjöt (triple-smoked lamb), and rúllupylsa, along with other traditional Scandinavian offerings. Pre-sales will include Hangikjöt and Rúllupylsa only and can be collected at the Bake Sale.
When: Sunday, December 3 from 9 am to 12:30 pm
Where: Scandinavian Community Centre – 6540 Thomas Street, Burnaby
Cost: Free admission
Vancouver Christmas Market
The 8th annual authentic German-inspired Christmas Market creates the perfect atmosphere to get into the holiday spirit. Experience a selection of traditional food and beverages, and browse vendors offering authentic wood carvings and toys, knitted goods, nutcrackers, pottery, and other unique gifts. There will be tons of kids activities and the opportunity to ride downtown Vancouver’s only Christmas Carousel.
When: Wednesday, November 22 to Sunday, December 24 open daily from 11 am to 9 pm (closes at 6 pm on Christmas Eve)
Where: Jack Poole Plaza – 1055 Canada Place, Vancouver
Price: $10 per person and $4 for kids, all varieties of tickets available online
TOQUE Fundraiser and Craft Fair
This annual craft fair is a fundraiser for Western Front. It features a variety of BC artists and artisans and attracts over 2,000 visitors each year. Proceeds from TOQUE support the music programs year-round at Western Front.
When: Friday, December 1 from 6 to 10 pm, Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3 from from 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Luxe Hall at Western Front – 303 East 8th Avenue, Vancouver
Price: By donation
Make It! Holiday Show
This show is a fun, upbeat shopping experience that showcases artists, crafters, and makers from all over Canada. Find over 265 exhibitors selling gorgeous handcrafted items. This holiday show features beer garden, live music, and food trucks. Make It! also has a silent auction with items donated by vendors where 100% of the proceeds will go to benefit the Union Gospel Mission. Parking for this market is $12.
When: Thursday, December 7 and 8 from 11 am to 9 pm; Saturday, December, 9 from 10 am to 6 pm; Sunday, December 10 from 11 am to 5 pm
Where: The PNE Forum – 2901 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
Price: $8 at the door, free for kids 12 and under
Got Craft? Holiday Edition
Head to Got Craft! to celebrate a decade of handmade goodness. Shop for locally made goods, enjoy plenty of good eats, and craft a DIY project to take home. This fair also offers free swag bags for the first 50 people at the event each day.
When: Saturday, December 9 and Sunday, December 10 from 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Maritime Labour Centre – 1880 Triumph Street, Vancouver
Price: $3 per person, tickets available online
Shiny Fuzzy Muddy
The annual holiday show of this Vancouver-based artisan collective will feature all kinds of handmade goods and products for the holiday season. This event aims to seek out new artists and connect guests with talented artisans in their community.
When: Saturday, December 9 from 11 am to 7 pm and Sunday, December 10 from 10 am to 6 pm
Where: Heritage Hall – 3102 Main Street, Vancouver
Price: $3 admission
Weirdos Holiday Market
On December 16 and 17 local curio shop, This Monkey’s Gone to Heaven, will present the first annual Weirdos Holiday Market. Taking place Betamax Studios, located at 2244 East Hastings. This market will showcase an eclectic array of local artisans and unconventional gift ideas. Vendors will include Mush Appreciated, an educational jewellery collection crafted with real, freshly-foraged mushrooms, Jaik Puppyteeth, an artist and designer whose work is typically bleak, cynical, and funny, Paper Skull Studios, working with pencil, ink, and watercolour to create illustrative images informed by a love of science, nature, and a touch of the existential, along with all the incredible artists and artisans currently featured at This Monkey’s Gone to Heaven.
When: December 16 and 17 from 11 am to 7 pm
Where: Betamax Studios – 2244 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
Price: $2 admission
Burnaby Christmas Craft Fair
The 4th annual Burnaby Christmas Craft Fair features 80% local handmade items and live music along with a raffle and prizes. Partial proceeds from the craft fair go towards the music program at Burnaby Central Secondary School.
When: Saturday, December and Sunday, December 3 from 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Bonsor Recreation Complex – 6550 Bonsor Avenue, Burnaby
Price: By donation
Crafty Affaire Holiday Market
The Crafty Affaire Holiday market promotes unique and modern handmade items, as well as some vintage treasures. There will also be food trucks at this market.
When: December 16 from 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Croatian Cultural Centre – 3250 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Price: $2 admission, kids 12 and under free
Coquitlam Christmas Craft Fair
The 37th annual Coquitlam Christmas Craft Fair will feature over 100 BC artisans. The Poirier Forum will be turned into a holiday wonderland offering attendees artisan crafts, prepared foods, holiday gifts, and decor.
When: Friday, December 1 from 5 to 9 pm, Saturday, December 2 and Sunday December 3 from 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Poirier Forum – 618 Poirier Street, Coquitlam
Price: $3 at the door, kids 12 and under free
Coquitlam Christmas Farmers’ Market
The Coquitlam Christmas Farmers’ Market will have everything you need to make this holiday a special one. With a selection of artisan crafts, bakers confections, spice, wine, and vinegars, this is one market you wont want to miss if you’re in the area.
When: Sunday, December 9 from 9 am to 4 pm
Where: Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex – 633 Poirier Street, Coquitlam
Price: Free admission
Port Moody Christmas Craft Fair
The Port Moody Christmas Craft Fair is back for their 2nd year with dozens of exciting vendors that offer great gift ideas and stocking stuffers. All proceeds from this event will be donated to the Share Family Services Society.
When: Saturday, December 9 from 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Galleria at Port Moody City Hall – 100 Newport Drive, Port Moody
Price: By donation
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