Christmas Markets in Halifax

Last Updated on November 2, 2023

Christmas Markets in Halifax, Nova Scotia begin even before Halloween is over. Halifax and Nova Scotia as a whole is home to plenty of wonderful crafters and artists that fill these markets and many others year round with their wonderful creations for you to enjoy. During Christmas and the holidays however is when you will find an abundance of craft fairs, markets, shows and more happening every weekend. Whether you are looking for holiday decorations, presents for yourself or others, homemade goods, tasty treats, a sample of new local drinks and products then these markets are for you.

There are plenty of Christmas markets during the holiday season outside of Halifax as well, so be sure to scroll below for some of the best Christmas Markets in Nova Scotia too.

The Top Christmas Markets in Halifax

Christmas at the forum christmas market in Halifax

Christmas At the Forum

Christmas at the Forum in Halifax is without a doubt the biggest Christmas Market in Halifax and the province. Taking place over three days for the Big Show and now continuing on for two extra weekends for a smaller boutique show. The Christmas at the Forum Big Show takes places in five buildings and is one of the biggest craft shows in Canada and the longest running Christmas Craft show in Atlantic Canada. For Christmas 2023 there will be over 350+ vendors and 25,000+ people in attendance.

You can get everything imaginable from this show. There are great crafters who attend the show every year but you can also find new and unique creators as well. At this show there are tons of items of Christmas decor or presents for family and friends. You can buy tasty dip mixes, spices, and jams that are perfect for upcoming holiday parties. There are very Nova Scotian items perfect for a souvenir or to send to a loved one from away. Buy a handmade toque, mitts, or scarf, get a piece of driftwood folk art, handmade candles and soap, unique art and more. As part of this show there are also antiques for sale, and prizes to be won.

Tickets to Christmas at the Forum can be bought online and start at $10 that gets you in for the whole weekend. The Boutique Shows cost $5 each or if you wish to go to all three weekends you can buy a VIP pass for $12. Tickets are available at the door but are a couple dollars more. Give yourself at least a couple of hours to see the whole show.

Christmas at the Forum takes place November 3-5 for the 2023 season.

Halifax Crafters Society Winter Market

Halifax Crafters Society Winter Market

The Halifax Crafters Society Winter Market is the best market in the city to find some truly original, unique and creative art for the holidays. They are a volunteer based society and their mandate is to ” …encourage new artists and local art-making.” For 2023 their market will be taking place at the Lighthouse Arts Centre in downtown Halifax and will host roughly 95 vendors. Visit this market for handmade clothes, pottery, jewelry, paintings, graphic prints, hand carved wood bowls and cutting boards, unique textiles and ceramics, leatherworks, chocolates, treats and more. Basically this market is more of your hipster, trendy and unique crafters in the city.

In an effort to make the market accessible to the community admission to the market is free. The Halifax Crafters Society Winter Market takes place November 10-12, for the 2023 season.

The Curio Collective Vintage Christmas Market

The Curio Collective Vintage Christmas Market

The Curio Collective Vintage Christmas Market is one of the most unique Christmas markets in Halifax. Instead of being new and created items this market is all antique and vintage items. They actually hold about 4 of these markets each year. What is even more specifically great about the antique Christmas market is the unique antiques AND unique Christmas and holiday items you can find. Pieces that are no longer sold and remind you of your holidays from child hood, and items that are of better quality than things made today. Think colourful glass Christmas tree ornaments, Santa and candle blow molds for your lawn, unique holiday themed dish ware, vintage holiday table cloths, and so much more.

The Curio Collective Vintage Market is also a great spot to get presents like toys that people grew up with, fantastic pieces of jewelry, vintage clothes and hats. You can also always find unique and popular Corning Ware, Pyrex and Tupperware pieces, old world globes, tea cup sets, records and so much more. This is the perfect market for those wishing to be more socially conscious with their gift giving.

The Curio Collective Vintage Christmas market will have over 40 vintage sellers and will take place December 2-3, 2023. Tickets are $5. If you really want to get the best pick of the goods before everyone else you can also pay $25 for the “first dibs” event on the evening of December 1, 2023. That ticket gets you an adult beverage or $5 off any vendor, as well as $2 off your ticket if you wish to return Saturday or Sunday. This event will also be taking place at the Lighthouse Arts Centre in downtown Halifax at 1800 Argyle street.

dartmouth makers winter market christmas markets in Halifax

Dartmouth Makers Winter Market

The Dartmouth Markers Winter market is similar to the Halifax Crafters Society Winter market but in Dartmouth and perhaps a bit smaller. You will definitely see some of the same vendors at both or all of these markets. However you will also see new and different vendors AND it gives you a chance to buy more and support these awesome local crafters again and again.

Also a volunteer based society “…Our vision is to create a vibrant downtown Dartmouth Arts community by creating opportunities to showcase quality work and promote local talents…” To see a list of the great artists that will be in attendance visit their website here. One of my favourites is BardBardBard and his unique handmade greeting cards.

The Dartmouth Makers Winter market takes place November 24-25th in downtown Dartmouth at the Christ Church Parish Hall. Admission is free.

salt sky studio art Nova Scotia Art and Craft Show Society

Nova Scotia Art and Craft Show Society

The Nova Scotia Art and Craft Show Society takes place in the Clayton Park area of Halifax at the Cedar Event Centre. Now in it’s 12th year in 2023 it will be taking place the same time as Christmas at the Forum so make a day out of it and go market hopping. The society’s mandate is “…is to encourage, elevate, and promote the artisan and craft maker community in Nova Scotia and increase the public awareness and appreciation of handcrafted products and activities…”

At the Nova Scotia Art and Craft Show Society holiday show you will find all things being sold are handmade only. From beautiful knit and crotched products, to unique folk art, stained glass ornaments, holiday treats, and more.

The Nova Scotia Art and Craft Show Society Christmas market in Halifax is free to attend and will take place November 3 & 4th, 2023.

Dartmouth Handcrafters Holiday Craft Show

Dartmouth Handcrafters Holiday Craft Show

One of the first holiday markets of the season in Halifax. This market happened so early this year that I sadly missed it before I could publish this post. Taking place October 20-22, 2023. This market takes up the entire track at the Zatzman Sportsplex in Dartmouth as well as the rink floor. The crafters that attend this event are more of your homemade true Nova Scotian crafters and less of the hipster vibe compared to the Halifax Crafters Society show.

At the Dartmouth Handcrafters Holiday Craft Show you can find everything from glass art to textiles, natural soaps, holiday decor, signs and ornaments for home, jewelry, pet supplies and clothing, woodworkers, tasty treats, festive aprons, and much more. With 150 vendors you will be sure to find something for everyone.

Tickets for the Dartmouth Handcrafters Show are $6.00 at the door and cash only. One ticket gets you a bracelet which is good for all weekend. The Dartmouth Handcrafters Holiday Craft Show was Oct 20-22, 2023.

Last Minute Christmas Craft Show Halifax nova scotia

Last Minute Christmas Craft Show

2023 is the 9th year for the annual Last Minute Christmas Craft Show in Halifax. Taking place December 16-17, 2023 it is the perfect destination for unique last minute gift buying. Find that special something for that hard to buy for friend, or find that perfect item that you missed buying at one of the earlier craft shows. Find great creations from over 50 Nova Scotian creators and help support local.

evergreen festival in downtown Halifax image credit evergreen festival

Evergreen Festival

The Halifax Evergreen Festival is a bit of a different kind of Christmas and holiday event in the city. Taking place from November 24th to December 17th in downtown Halifax. The event consists of holiday light displays, an open air market on the waterfront in wooden chalets, and live music performances. You can also follow the hot cocao trail for the best hot chocolates in the city and find great hotel packages being offered to help you celebrate the holidays with a lovely getaway.

The Evergreen Festival is a great way to get outdoors and explore the city in the cooler months. Pair it with some of the other local Christmas Markets in Halifax and you can have a wonderful holiday shop and getaway weekend.

cailin at the ross farm christmas and holiday on the farm

Christmas Markets in Nova Scotia (outside of Halifax)

There are endless Christmas markets in Nova Scotia during the holidays. Here are just a select few that I have been able to enjoy and explore myself. If you have suggestions to add to the list please leave a comment!

christmas at the barn in hubbards nova scotia

Christmas At the Barn in Hubbards

Every summer from May to October local residents and visitors flock to Hubbards, Nova Scotia for the Hubbards Barn Farmers Market each Saturday morning. During the holidays the barn transforms for Christmas at the Barn and hosts three Saturday’s of Christmas markets. Christmas at the Barn vendors are some of their regular famers markets sellers as well as lots of great local crafters and artisans. Visit to get your Christmas wreaths, table centre pieces, handmade soaps, Christmas treats, Nova Scotian art, locally made sea salt and tea and so much more.

Christmas at the Barn in Hubbards takes place November 18th, 25th, and December 2nd, 2023 from 9am to 1pm. Admission is free.

Artists of White Point Show and Sell christmas market in nova scotia

Artists of White Point Show and Sell

For 2023 the White Point Beach Resort is holding its 11th annual Artists of White Point Show and Sell. Held in the main lodge the event attracts vendors, creators, and artisans from all over the South Shore of Nova Scotia and beyond. This is one of the best spots to find adorable handmade knitted lobster toques, cute ornaments, lobster rope mats and baskets, locally made dog treats, hand carved wooden kitchen utensils, fancy sea salts, tasty jams and more.

Come early and enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet or stay after for lunch. Even better spend the night for a lovely getaway on the south shore at White Point. I definitely recommend staying in the Oceanfront Treehouses or Lakeside Glamping Glomes.

The Artists of White Point Show and Sell takes place on November 18th, 2023 from 10am to 5pm. Admission is free.

Christmas by the sea market in Lunenburg

Christmas by the Sea Lunenburg

Christmas By the Sea Lunenburg is a great outdoor Christmas market in the streets of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia during the Light Up Lunenburg festival. Typically taking place on King Street where vendors line the street in festive booths selling lots of local arts, crafts, food and more. A fun thing about this market is that it also takes place on the same day as the Santa Claus parade which passes right through the market. Fun holiday shopping, tasty treats and seeing Santa, what else could you want?

Other events taking place during the Light Up Lunenburg festival include live music, a holiday lights tour bus, lighting of the vessels, a community tree lighting by the bandstand, a free holiday skate and more!

Christmas By the Sea Lunenburg takes place on November 25th, 2023 from 10am to 5pm.

lunenburg christmas craft festival

Lunenburg Christmas Craft Festival

The Lunenburg Christmas Craft Festival is the BIG craft festival of the holiday season in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. The show takes place across three buildings in Lunenburg: the curling club, the Bluenose Academy and the Lunenburg Community Centre. There will be people selling everything from local pottery to wood carvings, wreaths, unique Christmas ornaments, tasty fudge, dips and preserves, rugs, jewellery, driftwood art and so much more.

The Lunenburg Christmas Craft Festival takes place on December 2 & 3rd, 2023. Admission is $5 at the door and that gets you in for both days.

acadia christmas craft expo christmas market in nova scotia

Acadia Christmas Craft Expo

The Acadia Students’ Union Christmas Craft Expo is held every year at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. The show will have 160+ local crafters and makers in attendance and is one of the longest running Christmas Craft Fairs in the province. The show is very family friendly and welcoming and features locally made soap vendors, candle makers, tasty treats, many local distilleries and breweries, seaglass creations, rug hooking, rum cakes, hot sauces, honey, Christmas decor, art, and so much more.

The Acadia Christmas Craft Expo takes place November 17-19, 2023. Admission is $7.

A Locally-Made Holiday Pop-Up Market at Luckett Winery

Luckett Vineyards Holiday Pop-Up Market

Another fun event taking place in the valley area this year is “A Locally-Made Holiday Pop-Up Market” at Luckett Winery in Wallbrook just outside of Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Grab your favourite glass of wine and shop away! There will be 30+ local vendors and admission is free with a suggested donation for a local charity.

The Locally-Made Holiday Pop_Up Market is taking place Sunday November 26th, 2023 from 11am to 5pm.

Martins Point Night Market for the holidays

Martins Point Night Market

The Martins Point Night Market is a fun, small holiday market that takes place not too far from the Oak Island Resort. Visit and enjoy a mug of hot cocoa and warm yourself by the fire, listen to live music and then shop for tasty treats, and locally made art and creations from over 40 vendors. This market is put on by Nor’easter Apparel

The Martins Point Night Market takes place December 2, 2023 from 4pm-8pm, with a rain date of December 9th. Admission is free, donations are accepted for the Chester Food Bank.


Where is your favourite Christmas / Holiday market in Nova Scotia? Let us know in the comments below!

Like this post? Pin it and save it for later!

christmas markets in Halifax pin