The historic Kamloops Courthouse Gallery transforms to offer goods from local artisans.

Image Credit: FACEBOOK / Kamloops Courthouse Gallery

In case you missed the decorations in every store and the lights on your neighbours gutters, it’s the holidays.

We didn’t want you to feel ill-prepared, so here are some of the best holiday markets going on around Kamloops and the Okanagan so you can pick up unique, locally made gifts for all your friends and family, or just yourself.

KELOWNA

Earth to Table - A Very Merry Vegan Christmas

Who knows, maybe Santa likes almond milk.

Get vegan everything at this eco-conscious holiday market. You can find body care products, gifts for your pets, and tonnes of vegan treats and dishes.
Get your green gifting on at Laurel Packing House 1304 Ellis Street , on Nov. 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

HomeGrown Markets

This travelling market focuses on the local artisans, and this year there are four HomeGrown markets happening in Kelowna, which kicks off with a night market.

Check out the night market on Dec. 6 from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. at the Kelowna Innovation Centre at 460 Doyle Ave. The next day, the HomeGrown market will be set up in the same space, welcoming shoppers from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The following Saturday, Dec. 14, you can check out the market at Canoe Coffee Roasters at 984 Laurel Ave. from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. On Dec. 21, shop local and visit the HomeGrown Market at Upside Cider at 2555 Gale Road from 11 a.m. to 4 pm.

Heartfelt Christmas Market

Bring non-perishable food items or cash donation for a raffle draw ticket. Food donations go to Mamas for Mamas Karma Market, which provides support for families. Cash donations will help sponsor a bountiful holiday for some sponsored families. Make sure to brush the kids' hair and wear something nice, as there is a photographer on hand who can take a photo worthy of your holiday card.

Check it out on the second floor of the Canadian German Harmonie Club at 1696 Cary Road on Nov. 24 at 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Children's Christmas Faire

This one is for the hardcore holiday families. This is more than a market and offers plenty of activities for the kids. There’s live music, crafting, candle dipping, a puppet show, and a maple syrup taffy station, complete with snow.

For the big kids, there’s a barbeque, hearty soups, hot beverages, and tonnes of treats. The event is held on Nov. 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lakeside Elementary School at 429 Collett Road.

Craft Culture Holiday Market at Prospera Place

For those who like sleeping in on the weekends, the market at Prospera Place has you covered. For two days, Dec. 7 and 8, you can check out local artists, crafters, and creatives at 1223 Water Street. On Dec. 7 the event runs from 10:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m., and the following day, doors will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Craft Culture sets up markets throughout the year and has a couple holiday events that incorporate wine with shopping.

Craft Culture Sandhill Holiday Market

Check out this award winning Kelowna winery on Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Nov. 24 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. to shop from local artisans and bakers and enjoy live music as well. Admission is by donation to the Friends of the Okanagan Rail Trail. The winery is located at 1125 Richter Street.

Sandhill Winery is one of the spots to check out if you want to sip award-winning wines and buy some holiday gifts.

Image Credit: FACEBOOK / Sandhill Wines

WEST KELOWNA

Craft Culture Grizzli Winery Holiday Market

Check out Grizzli Winery at 2550 Boucherie Road for wine tastings, holiday shopping, a food truck and live music. 

This event takes place on Nov. 30 from noon until 6 p.m. and then again on Dec. 1 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is by donation to Kelowna Community Resources, specifically to help sponsor a family for Christmas.

KAMLOOPS

The Kamloops Wine Trail is putting together three wine-focused holiday markets which will include bonfires, photo booths, mulled wine, hot apple cider, and lots of stocking stuffers at the free events.

Check out Privato Vineyard and Winery and Woodward Cider Co. - Spirit of Christmas on Dec. 6 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 5505 Westsyde Road.

Visit Monte Creek at 2420 Miner's Bluff Road on Nov. 23 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. for their Holiday Open House.

Harpers Trail offers two days of holiday shopping. Pop by the winery at 2761 Shuswap Road between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Nov. 23 and 24 for their own Holiday Open House.

Heritage House Christmas Tea and Artisan Sale

Check out this heritage building for locally made pottery, art, weaving, sculptures, jewellery and handmade cards. There’s by-donation treats and warm beverages, too. Visit on Nov. 30 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at 100 Lorne Street.

Merry-Mart Craft and Vendor Fair 

Sahali Markets is hosting a holiday market with more than 80 vendors, so you’re sure to find something for everyone on the list. Stop by the market at the Sahali Mall on Nov. 23  from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Christmas Craft market

Here, there's no multi-level marketing, strictly handmade goods. Admission is free and there will be door prizes from some of the vendors.

This fair is at at Mastermind Studios, 954F Laval Crescent. Check it out Nov. 29 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Nov. 30 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Dec. 1 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Kamloops & District B.C. SPCA Christmas Craft Fair

Get your gifts and feel good about doing it.

Thompson Rivers University is hosting a craft market which benefits animal shelters in the area, and will feature 50/50 draws.

Kids under five get in for free, and it’s $2 for anyone else. Check it out on Nov. 24 from 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Thompson Rivers University Campus Activity Centre at 1055 University Drive.

Kamloops Courthouse Gallery Christmas Market

Check out the historic Kamloops Courthouse Gallery at 7 Seymour Street West to shop and snack on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, with the sale starting at 10 a.m. both days.

VERNON

Holiday Market at Ellison Elementary School

Ellison Elementary is hosting a free Christmas Market which will include local vendors and some bigger company names. There will be a silent auction and a concession stand, so you don’t need to eat the treats you buy for family and friends.

The market takes place on Nov. 28 from 4:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Ellison Elementary, 2400 Fulton Road.

Pre-Christmas Vinyl Record Fair

If you want to get groovy gifts for the holidays, check out Record City.

Record vendors from around the region will be coming to sell thousands of classic rock, R&B, funk, punk, heavy metal, jazz and blues vinyl, so you’re sure to spot some great finds. Admissions is $2 or a non-perishable food item.

Doors open at 9 a.m. and you can check it out at 3127 - 30th Avenue.

PENTICTON

Parkway Holiday Market 

This holiday market goes towards supporting Parkway's kitchen programs. Shop from over 20 local artisans, grab some goodies at the bake sale, and get some face painting done for the kids. 
On Dec. 6, visit Parkway Elementary School at 225 Kinney Avenue from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

LAKE COUNTRY

Armstrong Cellars Holiday Market

On Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, you can get your gifting on early, and getting a little warm and fuzzy inside too.

Nearly 30 creators are setting up shop in this award-winning winery, with no admission fee. They ask that you take part in the tradition of giving back with non-perishable food items or a cash donation. The winery will offer mulled wine, complimentary tastings, and launch a new wine.

Pop by the winery between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at 1574 Camp Road, Lake Country.

SUN PEAKS

Sun Peaks Holiday Artisan Market

Check out Sun Peaks for some skiing and shopping during their two-weekend holiday market. Get apparel, crafts, and treats at the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel and Conference Centre on Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. through to 4 p.m.
The following weekend, the market runs on Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. and the next day from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

ARMSTRONG 

Farmstrong Cider Company Holiday Market

Get your hot apple cider fill while browsing some of the local Okanagan creatives at Farmstrong Cider Company. This market focuses on independent creators who sell homemade chocolates, candies, soaps, pet goodies, apparel and home goods. Check it out on Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at 4300 Maw Road.

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