Vancouver Christmas Market cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic

The Vancouver Christmas market won’t be happening this year.

The festive market that usually sets up in Jack Poole Plaza for the holiday season couldn’t get approval to operate given current public health restrictions, it announced on Instagram Saturday.

“It is with deep regret that we announce the Vancouver Christmas Market is postponed until 2021,” organizers wrote. “We have worked tirelessly and exhausted all potential avenues; ultimately, we must prioritize the safety of our staff, vendors, and guests.”

• See also:
  • Toronto Christmas Market cancelled this winter due to the pandemic
  • 9 epic things to eat at the Vancouver Christmas Market (PHOTOS)

Staff are working to create some sort of virtual version of the market, but details on what that could look like are not yet available.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

It is with deep regret that we announce the Vancouver Christmas Market is postponed until 2021. Unfortunately, with the current safety guidelines we could not get approval for the 2020 Vancouver Christmas Market. Read our full letter to our supporters: link in bio. Do not have fear, our hearts are still full of Christmas cheer! Continue following us and sign-up for our newsletter to be the first to hear about what our elves have been working so you can enjoy the essence of the Vancouver Christmas Market from the comfort of your own home. ❤️💚

A post shared by Vancouver Christmas Market (@vanchristmas) on Oct 2, 2020 at 6:01pm PDT

Coronavirus cases are increasing in BC and in most of Canada. Vancouver’s Christmas market is not the first to be cancelled by the pandemic — the Toronto Christmas Market announced back in September it wouldn’t be happening this year.

Vancouver’s market is styled after a traditional Bavarian Christmas market, and usually offers different types of food from vendor stalls, an indoor market for Christmas handicrafts, plus mulled wine and live music.