Holiday markets to check out in Calgary
Without much snow on the ground, it may be hard to start thinking about Christmas already, but did you know that the big day is just over five weeks away? The holidays tend to sneak up on us with a multitude of errands and necessary preparation piling up: find gifts, decorate the house, holiday baking, finding the right tree, putting up your Christmas lights, the list goes on, and on, and on. This year, we’ve compiled a list of holiday markets for you to attend to help knock at least a few of those items off your errand list! Shop for your holiday gifts at these events to find unique items, perhaps buy some delicious baking, new decorations for your home and support local entrepreneurs simultaneously. Here are our top picks for the 2019 holiday market season:
Calgary Christmas Market
Thursday-Sunday from 9am-5pm running now until December 23
The famous Calgary Farmers’ Market has turned into a holiday extravaganza from now until the Sunday before Christmas Day. With local vendors supplying food, baking, trinkets, decorations and homemade knick-knacks galore, you’re bound to find all your holiday needs right here. Dine in to try something new and tasty while enjoying live entertainment right inside the market. Don’t forget about the free food and drink samples as you peruse the market and find all your holiday desires under one roof. Happy shopping!
International Christmas Market
Friday-Saturday from 10am-7pm and Sunday from 10am-5pm running on the following weekends: November 22-24 and November 29-December 1
Experience the magic of the holidays at Spruce Meadows this year. With over 300 vendors, cozy outdoor firepits and Christmas lights galore, this is one outdoor market you won’t want to miss. With handcrafted goods and homemade goodies to world-imported items and internationally renowned brands, you can find a little bit of everything when wandering these aisles. There are only a few weekends here for you to enjoy free parking, festive carolling and all the holiday spirit you can handle.
Granary Road Christmas Market
Friday-Sunday from 9:30am-5:30pm running between December 6-22
Visit this local farm on the outskirts of the city, complete with farm animals, jungle gyms, learning activities and farm trivia. However, come to the farm any weekend in December prior to Christmas Day to enter a world of festivities. Their local vendors will be serving up holiday treats and merchandise for you to peruse, plus 40+ unique vendors with more Christmas-themed items than you can imagine. Get a festive photo with an alpaca or take your little one to Santa’s workshop – it’s all possible here at Granary Road Christmas Market.
And, these are just three of the local markets happening in and around Calgary in the next few weeks. For a more complete list of the local holiday market scene, visit the Tourism Calgary websitehere. You could be travelling around the city almost each and every day hitting up a new market if you so desire.
Happy holidays, Calgary!