British Columbia

Get your glühwein and bratwurst! Vancouver's Christmas Market opens Saturday

The 7th annual market opens on Saturday at its new location in Jack Poole Plaza.

The 7th annual market runs Nov. 26 to Dec. 31 in new location at Jack Poole Plaza

The Christmas Market has vendors hawking handmade Christmas crafts, treats, spirits and other trinkets. (Stephanie Bachmann/ Vancouver Christmas Market)

With a month to go before Christmas, Vancouverites can indulge in one of the city's most popular yuletide attractions: the Vancouver Christmas Market.

The seventh annual Vancouver Christmas Market opens Saturday at its new location at the Jack Poole Plaza.

This conceptual image shows what the Vancouver Christmas Market will look like at its new location at Jack Poole Plaza in downtown Vancouver. (Vancouver Christmas Market)

Malte Kluetz, founder of the Vancouver Christmas Market, said the market is a homage to traditional German markets held in town squares during the holiday season.

"I grew up with these Christmas markets in Germany. I was surprised not to see them here. So I thought, 'why not start one in Vancouver?'"

The market sells European favourites like pretzels, bratwurst and crepes as well as gulasch — pictured here. (Cliff Shim/CBC)

Kluetz said the new location is great for the growing attraction.

"It fits perfectly: the contrast of the old, wooden medieval village with modern Vancouver."

The market — with tickets starting at $4 — features multiple vendors selling traditional crafts as well as food and beverage huts offering everything from chocolate to pretzels to hot glühwein — the traditional European mulled wine.

Stacks of handmade chocolate treats are laid out in preparation of the 7th annual Vancouver Christmas Market. (Cliff Shim/CBC)

With files from Margaret Gallagher


To listen to the segment, click on the link labelled Vancouver Christmas Market opens Saturday