You go to the Butterdome Craft Sale every year; you’re over it.
You’ve already taken the kids to the Inglewood Night Market. This year, you’re looking for a lesser-known Christmas market. One that’s still filled with Christmas cheer and mulled wine but something a bit more off the beaten path. Here are our suggestions.
Edmonton Area
St Albert Christmas Market
Where: The Enjoy Centre, 101 Riel Drive, St. Albert
When: Every Saturday until December 14th | 10 AM to 3 PM
Cost: Free
The St. Albert Christmas Market takes place inside the greenhouses at the Enjoy Centre in St Albert, thirty minutes northeast of Edmonton. Donations to the Salvation Army Toy Drive and the St. Albert Food Bank are requested.
Odd Bird Art and Craft Fair
When: Nov 29-Dec 1, Dec 6-8 | Friday: 5 to 9 PM | Saturday: 10 AM to 5 PM | Sunday: 10 AM to 4 PM
Where: Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre – 8426 Gateway Blvd. NW, Edmonton
Cost: $5. Kids under 12 get in for free
OddBird Art and Craft Fair is a small market in downtown Edmonton that sells locally made goods whose quality and diversity will impress you.
A Very Indigenous Holiday Market
When: Dec 6: 3 to 9 PM | Dec 7: 10 AM to 8 PM | Dec 8: 10 AM to 5 PM
Where: Alberta Aviation Museum, 11410 Kingsway NW, Edmonton
Cost: Free
This market is run by the Indigenous Artist Market Collective, and features exclusively Indigenous artisans. All are welcome at the market! You can also find them year-round at the Strathcona Farmers’ Market.
Calgary Area
The Barn Artisan Market
When: Dec 1 and 8 | 11 AM to 4 PM
Where: Shawnessy Barn, 224 Shawmeadows Rd SW, Calgary
Cost: A donation to the food bank
The Barn Artisan Market focuses on local, handcrafted goods. It’s located inside the only usable barn within city limits, a building that was originally constructed in 1915.
Market Collective Holiday Markets
When: Dec 6 to 8 and Dec 13 to 15 | Friday: 4 to 9 PM | Saturday: 10 AM to 6 PM | Sunday: 10 AM to 4 PM
Where: BMO Centre, Roundup Way SW, Calgary
Cost: $7. Kids under 12 get in for free.
Run by the Market Collective, this holiday market showcases some of Calgary’s best artistic talent.
The Saskatoon Farm Christmas Market
When: November 29-December 1 and December 6-8 | Friday: 12 to 8 PM | Saturday and Sunday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Where: The Saskatoon Farm, 80181 338 Ave E #20, Foothills County, AB T1S 4S3
Cost: $11.20
You’ll find more than just vendors at this market – you’ll discover a whole afternoon of activities. They have ice sculptors on the scene making beautiful ice creations. They’ve got sleigh rides. They’ve got face painting. Even Santa will be on there!
