Holiday market season is upon us!
A great way to shop local, holiday markets bring together many of our favourite Edmonton Made businesses under one roof for an effortless (but fruitful) shopping experience.
With more than a dozen markets and craft sales to choose from over the next month in the Edmonton region, we've rounded up some of the biggest markets in town to create a handy list that'll have you shopping every weekend from today to Christmas!
The first 100 people to the Make It! show will receive a free copy of the paper version of the Gifted catalogue
On now at the Enjoy Centre, Indie Handmade brings together more than 110 local and national artists, artisan and designers. Shop a wide assortment of quality handmade goods, including fashion, home décor, natural body care products, fine art, jewellery and food items. In its second year, Indie Handmade runs Nov. 16-19 at the Enjoy Centre (101 Riel Drive) in St. Albert and features more than a dozen Edmonton Made companies, such as Auntie Jean's Fudge, Justine Ma Design, North Kinder Clothing, Cloud + Lolly Jewellery Studio and The Colombian Mountain Coffee. General admission is $5.
With more than 265 vendors, you might get all your holiday shopping done in one fell swoop at Make It. This upbeat shopping experience features food trucks, beer gardens and some of the finest handmade goods from across the country. This year's lineup includes more than 50 of our very own Edmonton Made businesses, such as artists Jason Blower and Gloria Ho; yummy treat makers Fruits of Sherbrooke, Bakers Block Chocolates and Confetti Sweets; skincare companies PLANTiful, Bro Brick and Pure Essentials; and jewellers Smithstine Copper, Haiku Lane and Mad Love Design. A local startup itself, Make It has grown to become one of the most popular craft shows in Canada and has expanded into Calgary and Vancouver.
Make It takes places Nov. 23-26 at the Expo Centre (7515 118 Ave.). Admission at the door is $8. Advance tickets are available online for a reduced price. The first 100 people to walk through the doors each day will get a free Gifted catalogue.
The Royal Bison brings Gifted to life with its lineup of around 70 talented, primarily Edmonton-based makers. From leatherworkers Sylvia Soo and Clo's General Leather Co. to textiles designers Mezzaluna Studio and Salgado Fenwick to jewellers Lord Violet and Stable State to artists Stephanie Simpson and Mel Liles, you'll be sure to find that perfect (local) gift for that perfect someone. Copper Cherry, Concrete Cat, Cyanotype Paper Goods and Libertine Fragrance will also be selling at Royal Bison, which takes place in the building north of the Old Strathcona Farmers' Market at 8426 Gateway Blvd. Admission is $3. Kids get in for free. Be sure to pick up your copy of Gifted — available at the door while supplies last.
Western Canada's largest outdoor farmers' market is setting up indoors for the holiday season. For four Saturdays between Nov. 25 and Dec. 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., visit some of your favourite outdoor vendors (and discover some new ones) in St. Albert Place (5 St. Anne St.). In addition to more than 75 vendors each weekend, there will be family friendly activities like Christmas cookie decorating, ugly sweater contests and crafts.
Still the largest Christmas market in Edmonton, the 27th edition of the Butterdome Craft Sale brings together more than 275 of Canada's most talented artists, artisans and designers. From fashion to jewellery, home décor to natural body care, this is a one-stop-gift-shop. Some Edmonton Made makers showing at the Butterdome are Hot Dame, Like Grandpa Shave Products, Wild Prairie Soap Company Inc., William Rae Designs and SALTED studio. The Butterdome Craft Sale takes place Nov. 30 to Dec. 3 in the University of Alberta's Butterdome sports complex (11440 87 Ave.). Admission is $7. Kids under 17 are free.
This year La Cité Francophone will host a night market from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the three Fridays before Christmas at 8627 91 Street (Rue Marie Anne Gaboury). Take a trip to the old country, as La Cité recreates the magic of the European Christmas market with lights, hot chestnuts and other French delicacies from Café Bicyclette.