The largest Christmas Show in the Lower Mainland starts this month

Let’s admit it, shopping for the holidays can be annoying even if you like shopping. And for those of you on the opposite end of the spectrum? We see you in the mall food court on Christmas Eve, crying into your poutine.

But holiday shopping doesn’t have to be such a burden. In fact, there is a place where you can get every gift you need, in one place. And it’s not the mall.

Not only is the 2019 West Coast Christmas Show & Market your go-to place to find Christmas gifts, but you’ll find items there that you would never find at the mall, like gourmet cider and Christmas sweaters.

Bee Kind/West Coast Christmas Show

Did we mention that there are 300 exhibitors in attendance? It’ll be impossible not to find something unique for everyone, or simply stock up on gourmet treats for all your seasonal celebrations at home. #TreatYourself.

Is this magical place in the North Pole, you ask? If that’s your nickname for Abbotsford, then yes it is. You’ll find the market at Tradex, just for one weekend only, happening from Friday, November 15 to Sunday, November 17.

Saras Art Corner/West Coast Christmas Show

If you’re looking for something extra special for that someone in your life, your best bet is to head to the Artisan Market, which has 170 stalls. This is your go-to for one-of-a-kind gifts that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.

Old Order Gin/West Coast Christmas Show

Once you’re shopped out, you’ll also have the chance to enjoy some of the entertainment.

One of the stages is all about being “Home for the Holidays” — where you’ll find presentations on all things culinary and home décor. To really get you in the Christmas spirit, there’s also a musical stage called The Sounds of the Holidays where you can catch performances from wind ensembles, fiddlers, and choral groups.

Knottebysar/West Coast Christmas Show

And if that wasn’t enough, for the first time ever, there’s also a Community Arts Stage with none other than the Royal City Youth Ballet performing their preview of the Nutcracker. Sounds a lot more epic than the mall if you ask us.

Not so into Christmas shopping because you think a lot of gifts end up in landfill?  The West Coast Christmas Show is proud to showcase a new feature called It Takes a Village, where a select group of artisans have gone green by limiting their use of plastic and toxic materials; they’re selling as many fair trade, zero-waste items as possible.

Meraki Movement/West Coast Christmas Show

Speaking of all things green, the market also has something called the Festival of Trees, where charitable organizations decorate a tree to draw attention to their cause (and potentially win a cash prize!). Visitors to the market who cast their vote for the best tree will be entered to win a prize pack of exhibitor products.

Christmas tree decorating/Shutterstock

And last but not least, what would be a Christmas event without Santa? He stops by the market daily where children (and all of us who are young at heart) are welcome to snap a selfie with him! And if he’s not around on the day, they’re able to write him a letter and pop it in the mailbox so it can be sent off to the North Pole.

As a bonus, the market has bought out the parking lot so guests have free parking. It’s the season of giving, after all.

West Coast Christmas Show & Artisan Market

When: Friday to Sunday, November 15-17
Times: Friday, 1 pm to 9 pm; Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm; Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm
Where: Tradex —1190 Cornell St, Abbotsford
Price: Buy online to save at the door (General – $9; Seniors – $8; Kids age 16 & under are free)