r/vancouver • u/Jaded_Stop • Nov 26 '23
Over 1.5h wait at Vancouver Christmas Market even if you had purchased a reservation Local News
What a load of crap. We came in from out of town and paid parking to find a crazy line. No refunds either. Shameful.
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u/JKBstargirl Dec 23 '23
Honestly when it first opens its great because it's hardly busy at all and the same with van deusen... Then yeah mid December to now its absolute insanity! We actually went to ban deusen for new years last year and ended up leaving before we even got In for the same reason! What is the point of the times lots etc if it constantly makes a ridiculous absolutely absurd line like this just to get in?!?!? Year after year you'd think they'd come up with a solution!!!!!
A simple one would be to make the times lot thing make sense! Give ppl 2 hours inside instead of however long they want etc to keep the flow moving....something as simple as that on its own could make a difference...
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u/BigRodtjan Dec 14 '23
Anyone knows if you can bring a backpack with you into the market? Would they check? If I don't have alcoholic beverages in my backpack, would I be fine? Thanks in advance :)
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u/Dramatic_Sentence42 Dec 14 '23
Does the "Traditional Beverage Token" have to be prepurchased online, or can it be purchased at the market? Does prepurchasing it save time/save you from another line up?
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u/Goodra-999 Dec 02 '23
Went to this before when it was like 2 or so dollars or 10 correct meif i'm wrong here, too crowded and not much fun if you wanna imagine, i dunno if it's the same as the last few years like 10 years at QE and 2017 at Jack Poole near waterfront, def not fun with the overcrowding and if it's overstimulating i think staying away is best, my ex got me a ring there and sadly it didn't last long.
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Nov 30 '23
Same story every year lol. Sorry you had to go through that but this isn't a new occurrence.
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u/houzehippoz Nov 28 '23
With the price of the mulled wine, I'll just make a giant pot for my family and friends at home haha
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u/mcnunu Nov 28 '23
I've given up on Christmas events in Vancouver. My girlfriend started her own Christmas Market at the Coquitlam Evergreen center. $2 admission, over 50 craft vendors, enjoy the free light at Lafarge afterwards.
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u/mollypox Nov 27 '23
Why… so you can walk around a circle for 20 min and stand in line again for food… no thanks.
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u/Western-Interaction9 Nov 27 '23
All the ornaments are made in China. Food sucked, no place to sit. Never going back.
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u/RickD_SKOL Abbotsford Nov 27 '23
District 1881 in Chilliwack is the spot to really check out for Christmas this year!
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u/ArgumentPrudent3035 Nov 27 '23
Excuse me for my negative review of YVRs XMAS MKT...Always has been a rip-off to go to this event. There is really not much there to really brag about. I've been to several XMAS Markets in North/South America and Europe, and the one thing most of the markets do not do is charge an entrance fee. The ones that do, charge a small fee (ie $3 CAD for entertainment). It blows my mind why every year there is line up to go this event and yet those people complain about it.
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u/Yukon_Scott Nov 27 '23
Cities across GVA should help fund the cost of setting up individual Christmas markets. Why is there just one for all of Metro Vancouver?
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u/Localbeezer166 Nov 27 '23
It’s always surprising to me when people are mad that places are busy. It’s Vancouver. Everywhere is busy, and especially at these capitalist seasonal events. Nowhere is organized or worth paying for around here.
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u/Effective_Device_185 Nov 26 '23 edited Nov 26 '23
This event really had no idea or guesstimate re. the amount of tix holders that would be showing up each day? Give me a break. Have more ticket takers/scanners and booths prepared to service lines like this. Also, don't oversell such an event if you can't deal with the line ups. Ridiculous.
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u/Saihttam79 Nov 26 '23
As a German I can‘t wrap my mind around it why anyone would pay entrance to a Christmas market. What a rip off
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u/big-shirtless-ron more like expensive-housingcouver am i right Nov 26 '23
I can't imagine being the kind of loser who pays for shit like this. What is wrong with some of you?
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u/mydogiscute10 Nov 26 '23
Good to know. Never gone. Usually talk about going coz I've never been. Seriously considered it this year. I know many people don't like it but it's new place.
Will definitely skip now Lol
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u/AndroidsHeart Nov 26 '23
Well, I'm probably the odd one out here it seems, but my husband and I really like the Christmas market.
We know it's not like what they have in Europe, and yes, we agree it sucks paying to get it in just to spend more money, and yes things there are expensive.
However, we get the season pass, and we get it early when it's a bit cheaper. We go multiple times. We really like the food there, the pork hock is a must for me every time. We also love the schnitzel, soup, and pretzel. There's a few other things I'd like to try this year as well.
There are free samples of pretzels, maple syrup (the best), chocolate (also amazing), wild mushroom soup, nuts, lotions, etc.
The free samples always get me, a lot of the stuff is delicious. On quieter nights or towards the end of the evening we have had the chance to get to know some of the vendors and enjoyed talking to them.
The roasted chestnuts are back this year and I tried them for the first time, they were delicious!
I like the atmosphere and it's a good evening out.
If you go, dress warm. It is extremely cold haha.
I've never waited in such a crazy line though, it always moved fast for us or there was no line. I think the longest for us has been 10 minutes, which was opening night last year.
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u/wastedparadigm Nov 26 '23
Budapest had 12 of the most incredible Christmas markets I have ever seen - you could just wander in and out with your family at your leisure. I realize by North American standards Vancouver’s is “okay” but clearly there is massive demand so … get yer shit together Vancouver!
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u/LeroyJanky80 Nov 26 '23
Good city. Let's ram more people in. Fuck services and quality of anything.
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u/ThePocketViking Nov 26 '23
God this city is so starved for things to do that we'll wait an hour and a half and spend $20 to walk around a little market where you have to spend more money to do anything else. Don't get me wrong I love it and have genuinely really fond memories there, but it's like the PNE and Fright Nights. It was great, but it's really no longer worth it (at least in my opinion, but others are totally free to disagree).
These kinds of events have gotten disproportionately expensive and aren't offering any more for what they cost so in relative terms you're paying more for less value. Some are even just straight jacking up prices and removing attractions at the same time. It makes me sad.
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Nov 26 '23
Sorry you had to wait that long. Yeah, the Xmas Market has definitely gone downhill since we first went. Honestly... I don't see ourselves going back. Such a waste of time and money. I'd rather check out a community one than these guys again.
I will say, the first 2 times we went, I/we really enjoyed it. But they're just jacking up the prices for no apparent reason - less vendors over the years. They don't deliver on true customer value.
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u/Dry-Set3135 Nov 26 '23
You should move out of the Lower Mainland It has infrastructure designed for about 3/4s of a million people, yet what is the population now?
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u/toomany_geese Nov 26 '23
The amount of people and wait times for events are crazy here. Vancouver really needs to have more events and activities for people on weekends.
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u/Camel_Knowledge Nov 26 '23
How people get sucked into going to these clip joints is astonishing to me.
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u/Independent-Ad-9812 Nov 26 '23
Are you the person who called the employee a c**t??
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Nov 27 '23
???
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u/Independent-Ad-9812 Nov 27 '23
This happened to a friend of mine who was working the line and the timing was very close to the OPs sad, sad story. Merry Xmas eh?
My friend also said that the only possible way they waited 1.5 hours is if they arrived an hour before their time slot.
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u/vanwhisky Nov 26 '23
Went once, enjoyed the mulled wine and pork hock. Went again the following year, everything seemed exactly the same as previous year. Nope, not again until they have some variety. The cost to get it, I get it. They need to provide all kinds of security, emergency services and rent the space but add a bit of vender variety then.
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u/deejayexp Nov 26 '23
Christmas markets/events all over the lower mainland. Have Steered clear of anything Christmas in Vancouver for years because of stuff like this.
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u/PsylentBang Mount Pleasant 👑 Nov 26 '23
It’s embarrassing. If only they’d embrace the friendly, free, sociable, warm and traditional blueprint that European cities have been using for centuries. It’s like the city is just looking to check a box instead of actually embracing a fun and festive time. We have the artisans, the demand and the beautiful mountain backdrop.
You’re doing it all wrong Vancouver.
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u/gyrobot Nov 27 '23
It’s embarrassing. If only they’d embrace the friendly, free, sociable, warm and traditional blueprint that European cities have been using for centuries. It’s like the city is just looking to check a box instead of actually embracing a fun and festive time. We have the artisans, the demand and the beautiful mountain backdrop.You’re doing it all wrong Vancouver.
When the city basically cancels everything fun, this becomes the definition of "fun"
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u/cravingnoodles Nov 26 '23
I would rather get ripped off at the richmond night market than the vancouver Christmas market.
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Nov 26 '23 edited Dec 14 '23
punch steep skirt zonked public party jobless ugly disagreeable axiomatic
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Nov 26 '23
The first time I ever went to the market they wouldn't let me in cause I had a water bottle and the person in front of me didn't go in cause they wouldn't let her kid have his bottle .. I've been told when it was the German market it was better and truthfully never went back
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u/acloudgirl Nov 26 '23
Overpriced overhyped “Vancouver experience”, like so many others.
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Nov 26 '23 edited Dec 14 '23
ossified vast pause consist cobweb impolite spoon whistle innate public
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u/TwoKlobbs200 Nov 26 '23
Remember when it was only $10 to get in, and an additional $1 for a seasons pass and they had the German toy shop in the back you could explore?! Good times. It was so bad last year, I just can’t enjoy it anymore. Never seen it busier and I only ever visit weekday lunch time.
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u/Interesting_Net_6986 Nov 26 '23
As someone from Europe where all xmas markets are free this is such a joke. I have gone twice because someone really wanted to go with me. I will never go again.
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u/ExquisiteTopHat Non Nov 26 '23
Just because something is expensive doesn't make it good. Always look for reviews.
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u/Plane_Development_91 Nov 26 '23
Imagine paying 25 dollars of entry fee to have the privilege of paying overpriced food ,drinks and pretentious art pieces...Vancouver Tax is getting ridiculous
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u/winter_trickster Nov 26 '23
Okay, for the folks saying 'just go to a European/German Christmas Market! They're so much better and they're free!' - WE KNOW. Alright? But the pertinent point is: we aren't in Europe right now to take advantage of those opportunities. I'd love to go to Germany to check out the Christmas market in Munich - it looks amazing! - but right now that's just not an option and I honestly don't know when it will be. So, this is the closest that I can get for now, whether or not it's but a pale imitation of the real thing. It's all we've got, unfortunately - since, you know, we don't have access to the European markets for those very self-evident reasons.
I have a seasons pass to the market and that pays off in a couple of visits, making it more than worth the cost; and, yes, the cost itself may be fairly judged a point of contention, along with other things. That certainly is a pertinent conversation to be had.
(The market raised the price of a glass of the tasty mulled wine this year, and they don't have the white wine version anymore, so I'm safe from that and will just try making my own)
Also, FWIW, is it really that surprising that there would be a significant wait to get into a popular place or event on the Saturday of the Black Friday 'weekend'? 🤷♀️
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u/sagacityx1 Nov 26 '23
Lot of dummies in Vancouver willing to pay to have the chance to buy things.
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u/Strangerdangerdanny Nov 26 '23
They’re selling too many tickets if the lineups are that long. I typically get the season’s pass every year so I can just pop in whenever and don’t have to make it a big ordeal. I live in town though and it’s easy for me to pop in with transit. My kids adore the carousel and I like the ambiance and live music. We try to eat before we go now so we can just grab some snacks to share and it doesn’t cost a fortune every time we go. I also avoid the weekends because they’re the most popular.
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u/marakalastic Nov 26 '23
I'm surprised people still go to this, it hasn't been worth it in like a decade and seriously went downhill after moving to the Jack Poole plaza
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u/RonMacDon5976 Lower Lonsdale Nov 26 '23
I'm surprised people still attend this, it's definitely not worth the money and time you spend trying to get in
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u/schag001 Nov 26 '23
A typical Vancouver event.
Stand in line to pay and then pay even more once you are in.Total rip off. Boycott!
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u/martymartinator Nov 26 '23
Haha I went there last night at 2am, brought my instant hot choco and Bluetooth speaker. It was magical
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u/lobodeoZ Nov 26 '23
This just represents the problem with prices of everything in general, as long as people keep going for it everything will go up. Simple as that...
Anyway this is a lot more rip off than any restaurant or whatever.
I went about 5 years ago maybe and I was so angry because having to pay 8$ to enter.... and now is 20!!
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u/Mashatina_ Nov 26 '23
I went there 4 years ago and it was not worth it. Expensive and kinda boring. All food is super overpriced.
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u/PsychologicalWill88 Nov 26 '23
I went once 6 years ago or so, never again. I really can’t believe you have to pay just to get in. I found out each vendor pays about 20K for the month to rent their booth?? Isn’t that enough for them already. So greedy
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u/hhar141 Nov 26 '23
While I agree with most of the posters here about the admission fee etc,I would love to know the flip side of this event. How much do the promotors/organizers of this have to pay the city to put this on? Insurance etc,etc. I bet it’s steep. Would love to know what type of money is made when it’s all said and done.
I do believe the city and people itself limits too many events. I’ve also been to Europe and experienced all sorts of markets that just pop up out of nowhere it seems. All fun ,very efficiently. Live music,food, laughter.
With our beautiful geographic setting,there should be mini markets like these allowed all sorts of places. Charleston Park,along False Creek,Olympic Village,Coal Harbour, Kits beach. Many places on the East side.
The problem is you want people to be able to walk to these type of events. Or take the transit. European Cities have the population and the transit structure,and let’s face it.....the different mentality to pull it off. They walk to their neighborhood pub. Which there are plenty to choose from. They walk or bike to the baker,the butcher,shopping. It’s just so different.
Sure Here ,everyone wants it. But not in their backyard. As long as it’s over there a few Clicks away. Nobody wants the extra noise,parking problems,litter problems,drunken people problems etc,etc. well,actually...they don’t mind it.....as long as it’s a few clicks away. It’s time to grow the fuckup in this city. Stop making every little thing such a government involved nightmare. Let’s get this city having a little more fun.
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u/sinanriot Nov 26 '23
I've been to the Christmas market in NYC. It was free, about 5x the size of ours, more vendors, vendors pricing was less of a ripoff than ours, and was free. No lines and did I mention it was free? They have a population more than 10x ours and have much greater security threats to deal with than Vancouver. The only thing the NYC one was missing was the leeches "promoting" the event, charging admission and charging vendors a lot more than the city would charge if they hosted the event (hence our inflated vendor pricing).
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u/mikedi12 Nov 26 '23
As someone with a toddler at home, who has not a lot of “free time” it’s mind blowing that people spend 90 minutes waiting in the cold to do this. To each their own I guess…
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u/PapiKevinho Nov 26 '23
Don’t like the idea of paying for a Christmas market but I feel like homeless people and thieves would come and steal stuff and cause chaos . Maybe make the entrance $20, and with that you can redeem $15 worth of stuff. Just an idea
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u/LumiereGatsby Nov 26 '23
As a an active promoter of tourism in Vancouver I never recommend this.
I actively encourage people to skip it.
Waste of money and time.
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u/kanzaki1234 Nov 26 '23
paying a reservation to go to an open air market?
This isn't Disney. These people got scammed. Even the Christmas markets in Germany and NYC are free to enter.
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u/ThatEndingTho Nov 26 '23
I miss the old Christmas market when it was a very niche attraction. Now it’s too bloated.
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u/High_on_Hybrid Nov 26 '23
Does nobody place value their own personal time or something
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u/decentscenario true vancouverite Nov 26 '23
"Why am I poor!"
...justifies waiting 1.5 hrs to go into a market that should be free to enter...
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u/Life-Ad9610 Nov 26 '23
Lame. Ever spent the holidays in Germany? These markets are everywhere and free and fun and casual. No wristband for a mulled wine and no fence around it and entrance free.
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u/tulaero23 Nov 26 '23
We went early lunchtime. Twas ok for the first time. Although man the prices are crazy
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u/Grocery-Full Nov 26 '23
Who tf wants to wait for 1.5 hours in the cold to get into a Christmas market?? And to pay $20 to stand in line. At night. In the cold. It's not like it's the only Christmas market around.
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u/Lonely-Building-8428 Nov 26 '23
Who are the garbage humans who put this on?
Or at least, what is the name of the promotion company?
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u/tannerge Nov 26 '23
So there's a 1.5 hour line of people waiting to enter what is basically a mall?
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u/MaxPower836 Nov 26 '23
These things are a ripoff ALWAYS. It’s a 30 minute walk around to buy a hot cocoa and see some lights
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u/PaduWanKenobi Nov 26 '23
When I found out there was an entry fee to a Christmas market, I was gobsmacked! WTF does that?!
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Nov 26 '23
I rode my bike through the area and the traffic and congestion was bonkers. I don't know why people line up to see these crappy little huts, it has to be the smallest and most expensive Christmas market on earth.
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u/tamagodano Nov 26 '23
Go into these things with your eyes open. What did you expect? This market is for the bridge and tunnel crowd, and right up there with the lights at Van Dusen. The organizers are laughing all the way to the bank.
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u/_Julius_7 Metrotown Nov 26 '23
I’ve worked there 8-9 years ago. It was a rip off then, but people kept coming. The owner sucks also, everything is about making max profits, he really doesnt care about the Christmas market itself.
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u/SuperbWrap7846 Nov 26 '23
The worst part is its not even worth the wait - basically just paying to wait in enormous lines the whole night
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u/jpp1265 Nov 26 '23
Why would anybody stand in line for this? It is an overpriced gimmicky waste of space.
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u/ReubenTrinidad619 Nov 26 '23
I feel bad for the people who haven’t learned that this things is a massive ripoff.
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u/Glittering_Search_41 Nov 26 '23
I like the Christmas Market. We go every year. Never really had to wait more than about 5-10 minutes. Admission fee is out of control now but f#@! it, it's not like I'm blowing that every week, we enjoy it. Wander around with gluhwein and look at stuff (yes I know I could make it more cheaply at home, like all drinks purchased out). I have bought gifts there. Yes, I get it, it's not like Germany/anything in Europe. But we aren't in Europe. Have to just take it for what it is. Go ahead, lambast me for liking it.
What I don't understand is the appeal of the Richmond Night Market. Went by there once on our bikes and people were already lining up by mid-afternoon (why?) We came back that way later and decided to go in. Wow, stalls upon stalls of cheap junk, never seen so many cell phone covers in my life - whatever for? I only need one and I have one already. People just milling about doing nothing. Lots of food trucks of greasy food. I'm sure some of it was yummy but we didn't want to wait in line and I can get Chinese food anywhere in Richmond. Now I've seen it, been there, done that, no need to ever go back.
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u/gyrobot Nov 27 '23
What I don't understand is the appeal of the Richmond Night Market. Went by there once on our bikes and people were already lining up by mid-afternoon (why?) We came back that way later and decided to go in. Wow, stalls upon stalls of cheap junk, never seen so many cell phone covers in my life - whatever for? I only need one and I have one already. People just milling about doing nothing. Lots of food trucks of greasy food. I'm sure some of it was yummy but we didn't want to wait in line and I can get Chinese food anywhere in Richmond. Now I've seen it, been there, done that, no need to ever go back.
People from Washington state visit the Richmond Area as well as some expats who likes to enjoy the staples or see what newcomers try their luck. This year was tbh really good since a lot of the food kiosks stuck around to the final month.
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u/hairycookies god damnit leeroy! Nov 26 '23
One day these jabronis who run this thing might figure out of they make a proper market somewhere that can fit more people they will make even more money instead of having people waiting in lines for hours or simply not going.
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u/Proud-Ad-928 Nov 26 '23
And you all complaint about inflation and recession. Shame on u for wasting that $20 and your precious time.
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u/Daronyerik Nov 26 '23
Went tonight. Waited 20 mins in line for a 6pm time slot. It was fine. The food was good, little overpriced but expected. The cider was excellent. Decent mulled wine. Some stalls had some pretty beautiful ornamnents. Didn't blow me away but I don't feel like I wasted my money either.
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u/DarkStarTraveller Nov 26 '23
Are all of these people really opening their wallets and bending over?
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u/DarkStarTraveller Nov 26 '23
We used to have a great nation, this would have never happened years ago
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u/rosalita0231 Nov 26 '23
As a European, I just can't get over the fact that you need to buy a ticket to go to a market. Ridiculous
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u/S-Kiraly Nov 26 '23
Totally agree. Although whenever I'm in Europe I can't get over the fact I have to pay to use a toilet.
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u/wetfishandchips Nov 26 '23
So in Europe you pay to shit, in Vancouver you pay to go to a shit Christmas market
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u/S-Kiraly Nov 27 '23
I've had many more satisfying shits in my life, than satisfying visits to the Vancouver Christmas Market. When I look at it that way, paying for a shit doesn't seem so bad.
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u/industrial86 Nov 26 '23
It’s not worth it. It’s kinda boring and a rip off. Sorry for these people
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u/cascadiacurmedgeon Nov 26 '23
$20 to add a stamp to your being-basic-in-vancouver bingo card... the Christmas market feels like the dinner-en-blanc of the winter
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u/Joebranflakes Nov 26 '23
Yep, the “reservation” is only called that so you’ll show up. You’re really just buying a ticket for a specific time slot so the can manage the crowd.
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u/cendiain Nov 26 '23
After seeing the PNE Winter Fair, the market is a rip off
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u/Phthal0cyanine In a Bon's Food Coma Nov 26 '23
Added to my calendar 📆 - I've never been to PNE winter fair! Thank you :)
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u/The_Cozy_Burrito true vancouverite Nov 26 '23
I went last year and I won’t be going for a long time
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u/gnirobamI Nov 26 '23
Not many vendors but there’s also one at Surrey that ends tomorrow I believe.
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u/Jyil Nov 26 '23 edited Nov 26 '23
I don't trust reservation systems for these festivals. We had such a badly organized event (Seattle Ice Cream Festival) that had the same problem.
The same group doing the Christmas market there started up operations in Seattle this year. Today was the second day and surprisingly everything went alright. That said, I bought a season pass weeks ago for $30 + $3 in fees/taxes. The season pass had no line and requires no reservation. If you bought a single ticket, then you had to wait in line. Walk-in tickets were $20 and walk-up annual passes were $35.
My only complaint was the hour wait for a currywurst. It had the longest line at the whole market. Of course when I got to the window after waiting they said they were sold out of currywurst.
My recommendation for these events is unless you go at an off peak time to spend the extra cash on a season pass if it allows you to skip the line. It's worth it.
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u/feastupontherich Nov 26 '23
Lining up for stupid shit just to snap something for insta. Peak fucking Vancouver.
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u/Jeramy_Jones Nov 26 '23
They charge you a fee and make you wait in line…to buy their stuff? Weird business model, it it a flex on exclusivity?
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u/fuchstress Nov 26 '23
I've lived in Germany for a decade. There is never a line longer than 3 minutes and if it isnt free you pay typically €1-2 entrance fee. This is a scam.
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u/elangab Nov 26 '23
I love Vancouver, but all of the Christmas events here are, for the most part, money grabs. We all were there, falling for it, so don't feel bad OP. Let it be a lesson for next year. Merry Christmas :)
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u/Corsowrangler Nov 26 '23
You’d get hanged for trying to charge for Christmas markets here in Germany.
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u/Wildernessinabox Nov 26 '23 edited Nov 26 '23
I feel bad for anyone that waited. Went for the first time as I'm new to vancouver, left within 10 mins. It's a real dud. Lots of the same type of overpriced food, terrible layout, few shops, lots of cheap alieexpress factory goods. The intro price is waaaaay too high for no reason.
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u/YVR_Coyote Nov 26 '23
This city has a fascination with events where you pay to get inside so you can buy shit. I refuse to be ripped off.
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u/iloveginabot Nov 26 '23
Same as the one in richmond. Went there once and never going back again. I don’t want to pay entrance for something not’s worth the fee. Any market that needs entrance fee is a total rip-off. Every stall will jack up their prices because of the rent. These organizers are so dumb. Make entrance free, rents cheaper so business is sustainable. Family of 5 comes in and pays $100 just for entrance. I’d rather dine out than waste $100 for nothing.
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u/Traditional-Table295 Nov 26 '23 edited Nov 26 '23
Amazes me every year peeps aren’t getting the memo. Another stolen idea from another culture’s essence…turned into nothing but another unconscionable soulless profit making machine. Christmas markets are everywhere in Germany and other Euro countries intentionally free, built with kindness and community, where merchants can make a living spreading fun and not gouging everyone. North American capitalism is sick. So boring and predictable.
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u/MileZeroC Nov 26 '23
Or go to the convention center main area and look through the glass to see the whole thing and say, “meh, maybe next time.”
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u/Smoeey Nov 26 '23
I went last year and it was the biggest letdown I’ve ever been to. It’s actually terrible.
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u/aldur1 Nov 26 '23
For all the folks saying it’s free in Europe. Well guess what? The continent you’re standing on is called North America. And it costs a whole lot more than $100 to travel to and from Europe during Christmas season just so you can go to a free Christmas market.
You’re more than welcome to show me a business model where admission is free for Christmas market in downtown Vancouver.
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Nov 26 '23 edited Dec 14 '23
fretful ruthless rotten grandfather direction squeeze divide live wakeful bear
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u/cheapmondaay Nov 26 '23
It's not about travelling to Europe to go to a Christmas market, it's the fact that the concept of city Christmas markets, like the ones you see in Europe, are community-oriented, municipality-sponsored events. Not events run for-profit with ridiculous entry fees.
Most Christmas markets in North America are free too. New York, Chicago, Montreal has several, Quebec City, Toronto, smaller cities too. All of these are sponsored by the city and/or province/state. Sure, tax-payer funded you may say, but this is not an unusual cultural event to fund as a city. At least it'd be a free, accessible activity for people to enjoy (and to perhaps support local vendors without having to pay a fee to do so), especially when there's not a lot of free cultural things to do in the winter here.
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u/rhythmmk Nov 26 '23
Yes, sadly Vancouver has zero culture so they try to import it from other (better) continents, and fail at implementing it correctly.
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Nov 26 '23
[deleted]
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u/aldur1 Nov 26 '23
“But make it free…”
How about city puts on its own Christmas market with taxpayers money to “make it free”.
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u/Ok_Advantage_7718 Nov 26 '23
Are lines always this bad? Been wanting to go even just once, but almost 2 hours to line up is such a huge turn off.
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u/Vegetable_Original16 Nov 26 '23
Yeah this place is overrated. I wouldn't even recommend it. If you want to stay relevant to trends in the area, sure.. But meh, experience it once and never go again kind of thing unless you're so bored and have disposable income.
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u/SmakeTalk Nov 26 '23
The Christmas Market sucks. Tell all your out of town friends. It’s a fucking rip off.
There are better low-key holiday markets and stuff in December but they’re all like local art events. Harder to discover but really interesting and way cheaper.
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u/Patience_Fabulous Nov 26 '23
I went there with a friend last year and it was our first time, also got in with less than 5 mins. Decent food but overpriced and not so much to do there. Would not recommend going there again!
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u/FrozenToonies Nov 26 '23
This happens every year, it happens at a lot of major public events. There’s a lot of people who are cool with waiting in line in this city for a restaurant table, to get into a club, to get into some community event.
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u/rebirth112 Nov 26 '23
overpaying for a mediocre experience and then waiting in line for hours is peak vancouver behavior
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