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Sunshine Coast Christmas and holiday markets, festivals and more

Do you have an event or light display to add to our growing list of festivities?
Sea of Lights Christmas tree - illuminated rain
The Sea of Lights in Gibsons event, includes the lighting of the Coast’s "tallest Christmas 'tree.'"

‘Tis the season for holiday shopping, winter festivals, charitable giving and treats of every shape and size, so we’ve created this go-to guide, which will be updated as more events are announced. And, with the Canada Post strike still ongoing, there’s no better time to shop local.

If you have a holiday market, event, light display or charitable undertaking you’d like to add to this list, please drop an email to [email protected].

Gibsons

Sea of Lights, a fundraiser for the Salvation Army Food Bank

Nov. 29 starting at 5:30 p.m.

Gibsons Marina

Enjoy free hot chocolate and Tim Bits, while checking out the Coast’s tallest Christmas tree. Please bring a perishable food item or unwrapped new toy.

Christmas Market: Fundraiser for Kenya & Rwanda

Nov. 30: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Christ the King Church: Gower Point Road

Offering Christmas shopping, music, gift wrapping, baking, local vendors and much more.

Kins Hut Market

Fridays through December: 3 to 7 p.m.

Kinsman Hall: Gower Point Road

This December, the Hall transforms into a lively gathering spot for foodies, artisans and small business lovers. Enjoy delicious treats, browse unique handcrafted goods, and support local talent — all in one cozy location.

Gibsons Public Market: Winter Festival & Market

Winterfest Neighbourhood Night

Dec. 6: 4 to 8 p.m.

Childcare is available and the movie Elf will be playing, so enjoy happy hour from Emelle’s Market Bistro and shop at your leisure. What more do you need?

Winter Market & Festivities

Dec. 7: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Artists, bakers and makers take over the market and pictures with Scuba Claus are available from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Free admission to the Tide Pools Aquarium from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. compliments of BC Ferries.

Winter Market & Live Music

Dec. 8: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Get your groove on with live music by Douglas Campbell from 2 to 4 p.m., TidePools Aquarium is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Mamma Musey’s Pierogi is taking over the Community Kitchen. Holiday Kids Crafting sponsored by SuperValu Gibsons takes place from 1 to 4 p.m., by donation.

Gibsons Elementary Holiday Market

Dec. 7: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Gibsons Elementary School, 783 School Rd.

More than 50 vendors, free face painting, 50/50 draw, silent auction and cafe seating will make this market one the entire family will want to attend.

Free Breakfast with Santa

Dec. 8: 9 a.m. to noon

This is a free, family event.

Kinsmen Club, 516 Gower Point Rd.

Holiday Family Magic Show

Dec. 21: 2 p.m.

Heritage Playhouse

Get ready for an afternoon filled with wonder and excitement as Craig the Magician returns with new, amazing tricks and illusions for the whole family to enjoy. This event is perfect for kids and adults alike, so bring your loved ones and experience the magic together!

A Cappella Strait & Choralations Children’s Choir present:

Time for Seasonal Choral Music

Dec. 6: 7 p.m. at St. Hilda’s Anglican Church

Dec. 7: 7 p.m.

St. Bartholemew’s Anglican Church

Sechelt

Sechelt Winter Market

Every Saturday until Dec. 21

Seaside Centre (the visitor centre building on Teredo Street)

You can find local food and artisan vendors offering amazing eats and endless ideas for your holiday gift giving.

Christmas Crafts and Baking

Nov. 29 and 30

Trail Bay Centre

Find one-of-a-kind crafts and home baking from the women of St Hilda’s Church.

Free Santa Photos

Dec. 7, 14 & 21: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Trail Bay Centre

This is a free event, but food donations are greatly appreciated.

A Christmas Carol Circumstantiated

(or how the Dark Satanic Mills Spewed Forth Ebenezer Scrooge)

Dec. 4: 2:30 p.m.

An “appropriately Christmassy talk discusses Dicken’s story telling genius in the context of changing 19th century life.” Presented by Dr. Christine Pawley, professor emerita. Free with a donation to the seniors centre’s Affordable Lunch Program.

Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre

5604 Trail Ave.

Meet the Artists

Nov. 29: 4 to 8 p.m.

Fresh from the Coast

Trail Bay Centre

Meet James Bennett, potter; Matt Boismier, ‘the Tooninator,’ enjoy a watercolour demonstration; Leonard Brett, painter, and hot chocolate tasting by Christopher Norman Chocolates. Tea sampling by Davis Bay Tea Company.

Book Giving Tree

Talewind Books

5494 Trail Ave.

The community is invited to keep Bev Shaw’s legacy alive by participating in the Book Giving Tree. Select a name tag from the tree and purchase a pre-selected book for a child in need.

New Holiday Market & Festival of Lights Parade

Dec. 7

Holiday Market on Cowrie: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Look for vintage items, clothing, jewellry and gifts.

Kids Make and Take Crafts: 2 to 4 p.m.: Trail Bay Centre
Rockwood Light the Light: 5 p.m.
Festival of Lights Parade: 5:45 p.m. on Cowrie Street

The market also runs Dec. 8, 14, 21, 22.

Shop Hop

Dec. 5 and 8: 5 to 8 p.m.

Downtown Sechelt

Enjoy late night shopping, live music, treats and festive light displays, while shopping in the boutique shops in Downtown Sechelt and Trail Bay Centre.

This year the focus is on stocking stuffers because the best things come in small packages.

Elder Christmas Craft Fair

Nov. 30: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

At the community hall behind the McDonalds in Sechelt

Almost 30 vendors are taking part in this craft fair, so there is literally something for everybody.

Davis Bay

Davis Bay Christmas Market

Dec. 7 & 21: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Gifts, food, rinks and music. Free popcorn and hot chocolate.

Davis Bay Hall, 5123 Davis Bay Rd.

18th Annual Arts from the ‘Hood

Dec. 7 & 8: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Shop from 40 artisans and crafters and check out jewellery, baking, woodwork, spices, food in jars, fibre arts, mixed media, candles, teas, cards, spirits, chocolate, garden art and more. This year, they are supporting the Gibsons Wildlife Rebab Centre. EatsWest will also be onsite serving up lunch.

Sechelt Seniors Centre: 5604 Trail Ave.

A Cappella Strait & Choralations Children’s Choir present:

Time for Seasonal Choral Music

Dec. 6: 7 p.m. at St. Hilda’s Anglican Church

Dec. 7: 7 p.m.

St. Bartholemew’s Anglican Church

Bright Nights at Rockwood Lodge

Dec. 23: 4 to 7 p.m.

Take in the beautiful light displays, have a photo taken with Santa and enjoy food, drinks and music.

Rockwood Lodge: 5511 Shorncliffe Ave.

Roberts Creek

Roberts Creek Community Market

Wednesdays: 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Indoor and outdoor market with a broad diversity of local vendors, growers, food, artists, crafters and makers.

11th Annual Last Chance Christmas Market

Dec. 14: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Dec. 15: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Check out 30 vendors at this “last chance” market, where you can peruse through baking, preserves, jewellry, cards, mixed media, hot sauces, spices, functional mushrooms, bath & body items, clothing, woodwork, candles and distillery specialties. EatsWest will be onsite serving up lunch.

Roberts Creek Community Hall: 1309 Roberts Creek Rd.

Boutique in the Creek: Holiday Sip and Shop

Dec. 6: 6 to 8 p.m.

1059 Roberts Creek Rd.

Get ready for an evening of holiday cheer, shopping, and community fun. This year, they’re bringing even more magic with live music, tarot readings, a taco truck, freshly spun cotton candy, and special in-store promotions and more.

Pender Harbour

Gather: A Winter Yuletide Feast

Nov. 30
Pender Harbour (exact location available upon ticket purchase)

Gather: a Winter Yuletide Feast  takes place in the quiet winter forest surrounded by enchanting twinkly lights, candlelight and blazing fires. Dig into a five-course, family-style meal where you'll sample seasonal and local produce. Gather is hosted by Harvest Heart, which aims to celebrate the Coast's rich community of farming and food. You'll dine in the company of friends old and new, including local farmers and growers, and listen to stories and poetry throughout the evening. 

Pender Harbour Christmas Market

Dec. 14: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Community Hall in Madeira Park.

Winter Festival

Dec. 14: 3 to 7 p.m.

Have fun with games, food and a bonfire. Santa arrives at 4 p.m. and will be available for photos. Meanwhile, the adults can enjoy live music and bar until 9 p.m.

Carol Ship Viewing: Carol ships will be parked at the dock for the evening for viewing. The Carol ship Parade is scheduled for the following evening. Free moorage overnight for Parade Entries! Millennial Park (Madeira Park Government dock). Bring the family and enjoy a fun, festive Friday night.

“O Come All Ye Soulful”

Dec. 8: 2 p.m.

School of Music

Vocalist Dawn Pemberton and bassist Jodi Proznick, two of Pender Harbour’s favourite musicians, bring joy and soul to your most-loved classics.

Merry Little Christmas

Dec. 15: 2 p.m.

School of Music

Dec. 17: 7 p.m.

Sunshine Coast Botanical Gardens

The Pender Harbour Choir presents their holiday gift of music in two performances.

Tickets: $30 at door, through a member of the choir or at EarthFair Store.

Halfmoon Bay

Third Annual HMB Holiday Market & Kids Craft Fair

Dec. 6: 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Halfmoon Bay Elementary School Gym: 8086 Northwood Rd.

Check out the creative kids from Halfmoon Bay Elementary, West Sechelt Elementary, Roberts Creek Elementary, Cedar Grove Elementary, Spider and Chatelech, Pender and Elphinstone Secondary Schools. The first 300 visitors to the event will receive free Sunshine Coast Credit Union “Kidpreneur Cash,” to buy from the youth vendors. This guarantees sales for the kids and makes it a successful night for everyone.

While you’re there, sip on festive sparkling water at the Bubly Bar, or enjoy a hot chocolate topped with a swirl of whipped cream (suggested donation $2) served by the HMB Student Council kids.

e.b.’s Ice Cream Shop will be scooping their delicious ice creams and the local Halfmoon Bay Girl Guides will be selling their popular cookies. Don’t miss authentic Mexican cuisine made fresh by Heart & Sol Coastal Farm, and Semir’s Hot Dog Cart.

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