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Cultural Events • Music Festivals
Shaughnessy
What travellers are saying
- Steve THockley, UK113 contributionsWe were staying in Vancouver when the last night of this event was happening. I have no idea what getting to and from the event from outside the city is like but I imagine it's not easy. We walked from our hotel on Burrard Street so even with the enormous crowds it was not too much hassle.
This was the first time the event had taken place for a few years due to Covid and it seemed like a real celebration. I don't know what the total attendance was but it was certainly hundreds of thousands.
If you go, get there early. The beach will be rammed all day and the bay will be full of people on all forms of floating transport. Big boats, little boats, inflatable kayaks and even water bicycles. We arrived an hour and a half before the start and found a spot on the grass bank behind the beach.
The fireworks were incredible. I have been to many displays over the years including Disney and the championships in Plymouth, England but this was definitely one of the best I have ever seen. The combination of the setting and the scale of the display was stunning.
If you are in the area when this is on, just go. It will be crowded and it might take a while to get home but just do it.Written August 30, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - PookyCakeVictoria, Canada13,177 contributionsThis would be another one of those Vancouver attractions where I was apparently out to lunch . . . or on another planet. Why? Well, the Vancouver Christmas Market has been running continuously – less 2020 – since 1990, yet I only became aware of it this year. Again, where the heck have I been? As someone who enjoys German cuisine, you’d think I’d be in the know . . . but no. Maybe I’m just too much of a Grinch and didn’t take notice? Yes, that must be it.
In any event, we attended the Christmas Market on a clear but cool Saturday. Our designated entry time was 4:30PM, so we dutifully lined up at Jack Poole Plaza and awaited our turn. Despite the rather lengthy line to get in, the whole process didn’t take very long – maybe 10 minutes? Because this is an outdoor event, the COVID protocols are fairly lax. Proof of double vaccination was required for entry, but masks and physical distancing weren’t required (we chose to keep masks on). As such, I’ll agree with most of the recent reviews: The space was a little crowded; there were long lines for vendors of trinkets and food; physically distancing was virtually non-existent; however, it did seem like most were wearing masks. Still, with omicron running rampant, this was probably a risky endeavour . . . albeit a delicious one!
With over 80 vendors offering authentic German eats and treasures, there’s definitely a little something for everyone. Most of the crafts on offer were a bit pricey for what they were, but we did buy a mini clay sculpting set featuring a little piggy wiggy. We also didn’t want to leave with empty stomachs. Haxen Haus was a calling. Who in their right mind could say no to a pork hock, roasted until it’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside? These were utterly divine and represented the clear highlight for us.
As we sat in the dining tent, enjoying our crispy pork goodness, we couldn’t help but admire what the Christmas Market was able to do: Despite a Greek alphabet letter running rampant, people were still able to enjoy one another’s company, eat delicious European food and share a wee bit of holiday cheer.
Please note that the Christmas Market typically runs for a period of 5 weeks between November and December (though it was extended an extra week this year – probably to make up for last year’s absence!).Written December 25, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Bob ELos Angeles, CA17 contributionsThis is an enjoyable summer experience for locals and visitors alike, similar to a US county or state fair. Not the biggest in terms of exhibits or event space but a good variety of food and not just deep-fried stuff (although plenty of that).
The real standout at this fair IMO is the entertainment. Several years now they have featured the Peking Acrobats whose antics have to be seen to be believed. There are also major-artists concerts every night but they tend to sell out fast; we saw Huey Lewis and the News there years ago and this year they were featuring Chicago and the Gipsy Kings. The dog show is super entertaining as well.
So glad I got to see the Dal Richards band there before his unfortunate passing in 2015.Written September 7, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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