Niagara-on-the-Lake Vintage Hotel is hosting its first ever annual Christmas Market this November. The three-day-long market will turn The Gardens at the Pillar and Post Hotel into “an enchanting woodland Christmas Village.”
The inaugural Vintage Hotels Christmas Market will take place over the Nov. 20 to 22 weekend, featuring live music, vendors, festive workshops, a visit from Santa and many more activities to get attendees in the holiday spirit.
The market showcases different experiences throughout the week, providing opportunities for Christmas lovers of any age to come and be among the first people to experience this new addition to Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Bringing together local artisans and businesses, offering visitors an opportunity to shop for unique holiday gifts while enjoying seasonal food, drinks and entertainment. Vendors will feature a range of products, including jewellery, fashion, home décor, bath and body products, gourmet treats and handcrafted gifts.
Beyond the shopping, Vintage Hotels has created ticketed activities throughout the weekend.
The celebrations will begin Friday, Nov. 20, with the ticketed exclusive Sip & Savour event, running from 5 to 9 p.m. The evening will feature live music, gourmet bites and food and beverage tastings from 14 Niagara businesses, including local wineries, breweries, distilleries and restaurants.
Tickets for this event are $59 plus tax, giving participants access to a Sip & Savour Passport, which includes access to the Gardens at Pillar and Post as well as four food vouchers and four beverage vouchers, allowing people to mix and match between vendors.
The outdoor Christmas market will open to the public on Saturday, Nov. 21, and Sunday, Nov. 22, running from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. Admission to the market is free, and visitors don’t need to purchase tickets to browse the vendors or enjoy the outdoor festivities.
Food and beverage offerings will include seasonal favourites such as mulled wine, cider, pretzels, crêpes and bratwurst. Saturday’s market will also feature a performance by St. Michael’s Choir.
For those looking for a hands-on seasonal activity, there are plenty of crafting experiences on both the 21 and 22.
On Saturday, Niagara College instructors will lead a Christmas wreath-making workshop from noon to 1:30 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to create their own wreath using fresh seasonal greenery and festive decorations.
Pastry chef Zoë Ellis will also host a chocolate Advent calendar workshop from 1 to 3 p.m. Attendees will create their own chocolate Advent calendar and decorate festive sugar cookies to take home.
Sunday’s workshop schedule will include a holiday centerpiece workshop hosted by Niagara College from noon to 1:30 p.m. The session will give participants the opportunity to create a seasonal arrangement using fresh greenery and holiday decorations.
Each workshop costs $75 per person, plus tax, and requires advance registration. Keep an eye out because events are beginning to sell out already.
For those whose Christmas benchmark experiences come in the form of their stomach and taste buds, don’t worry, the market didn’t leave you out.
The Vintage Holiday Tea will take place Saturday and Sunday in the Garden Barn. The experience begins with a sparkling reception at 2 p.m., followed by afternoon tea from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Guests will be served a selection of sandwiches, domestic cheeses, house-made scones and pastries, accompanied by live music.
Tickets are $85 per person, plus tax and gratuity, with a reduced price of $40 for children 10 and under.
The weekend will also feature the Victorian Nutcracker Feast at the Prince of Wales Hotel on Saturday evening. The ticketed dining experience will take place in the Victoria & Albert Ballroom, where guests can enjoy a holiday buffet prepared by chef JP Comte, accompanied by live Christmas music and seasonal decorations.
More information about the market, participating vendors and ticketed experiences is available through the Vintage Hotels website.