Christmas in Vancouver heats up with Yuletide markets, festivals

Christmas in Vancouver is getting crowded as multiple events including a new one billed as Canada's largest indoor Christmas festival nowcompete for visitors, and often their Christmas budgets, to celebrate the yuletide.

For the sixthyear in a row the Vancouver Christmas Market will open on Nov. 21 on the plaza at Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

"It'shard to believe, but we have become a tradition in Vancouver," said presidentMalteKluetz, whohad the idea toreplicate the iconic Christmas markets of his home country of Germany in Vancouver.

In its opening year, the market got120,000 visitors.This year Kluetzexpects more than 180,000, as the market now has 57 vendors which sell everything from pork knuckles to nativity scenes made in Bethlehem.

A costly Christmas?

While the market continues to grow Kluetz says he is in talks with a new venue to expand even more a common complaint since its inception is the $8cost of entry, just to spend more money on food, merchandise and carousel rides.

"It's not a unique concept, I mean there are other events you have to pay for to get in and then what you can do there is shop. We actually give you way more than just the opportunity to shop," said Kluetz about the music and atmosphere once past the gate.

The market is afor-profit corporation, although it does partner with sponsors and their charities.

"In the big picture in Vancouver, it's still one of the most affordable Christmas things you can do," said Kluetz.

More Christmas cheer

There are cheaper options such as Port Metro Vancouver's freeChristmas at Canada Place, now in its 28th year.

Butit could be overshadowed by a massive new Vancouver Winter Wonderlandcoming to the PNE Forum a daybeforethe Canada Place event begins on the Dec. 12.

"The Christmas season is about celebrating with family and friends, and we wanted to bring that spirit of the season to an indoor event in the community," says Wilson Lee, one of the Wonderland organizers,in a statement.

Vancouver Winter Wonderland will put 100 vendors in 45,000 square feet of indoor space, alongside a three-storey Christmas snow globe and other attractions.

But, like the Vancouver Christmas Market, the Wonderland is not free, with tickets ranging between $5 and $8.

VanDusen BotanicalGarden's Festival of Lights has grown too, addingtwo new hectares to what is billed as "Vancouver's premier holiday event" which of course also comes at a cost.

Meanwhile Kluetz is not worried about the competition for a Vancouver Christmas experience.

"I think it's pretty exciting," he said. "I think we got the ball rolling and Vancouver is becoming more and more of a Christmas destination, at least we see that from our visitors and the U.S. dollar bills we have in our cash. It's good for everyone."