Circle Craft Holiday Market Returns Nov. 11 to 15

Hours, tickets and the early bird deal

The market is open 10 AM to 9 PM on Wednesday, November 11, Thursday, November 12 and Friday, November 13, then 10 AM to 7 PM on Saturday, November 14 and 10 AM to 5 PM on Sunday, November 15. One ticket covers all five days with free re-admission, so you can scout on a weeknight and come back for the thing you couldn't stop thinking about.

Early bird tickets are 25% off until November 4. When we checked on October 19, that put general admission (18 to 64) at $12, seniors 65+ at $9 and youth 13 to 17 at $9. Kids 12 and under get in free.

Cheaper ways in, and getting there

Two deals are worth knowing. Thursday, November 12 is Seniors Day, with a 50% off senior ticket listed at $6. After 5 PM on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, a half-price evening ticket is listed at $8. The market is in the Vancouver Convention Centre West, steps from Waterfront Station, with SkyTrain, SeaBus and bus connections right at the door.

How to do the market as a date

Circle Craft bills itself as Western Canada's largest craft sale, with this year's vendors coming from as far as Halifax. Expect winter fashion, home decor, jewellery, ceramics, gourmet foods and craft spirits, plus live music, craft demos, and sips and snacks while you shop.

If it were us, we'd go on a weeknight after 5 PM: the ticket is cheaper, the doors stay open until 9, and there's time for dinner downtown after. Set a small budget, each pick one gift for the other, and reveal them at the table. It's a lot more fun than another evening scrolling for gift ideas.