Vancouver BC Christmas Markets with Eva

Just after Eva celebrated her 90th birthday, we took her on a trip born from a dream she’d long held—one inspired by her grandchildren and their stories of holiday magic. She wanted to see the Vancouver Christmas Market, Vancouver’s authentic German village in the heart of downtown, a place where you can sip, savor, and celebrate. None of us quite knew how deeply the experience would settle into our hearts.

Our home for this adventure was the Fairmont Pacific Rim, and from the moment we arrived, it felt as though the hotel itself had been waiting for us. The valet greeted Eva, the bellman treated her like royalty, and the front desk welcomed us with warmth that felt genuine rather than practiced. Looking out from the lobby windows, we could already see the twinkling lights of the Christmas Market just across the street—a promise of what was to come.

The storm that had threatened all day politely held off, and we made the short walk to the market under calm skies. Holiday music drifted through the air, and the scene opened into a true winter wonderland. A carousel spun with delighted schoolchildren, laughter ringing out as the scent of warm food wrapped around us. We gravitated instinctively to the center of it all, sampling grilled cheese croissants, bratwurst piled high with sauerkraut, and soft German pretzels that tasted like comfort itself.

Shopping came next, and we took our time. Each booth felt thoughtfully curated, a small window into another part of the world. We admired gloves from Latvia, porcelain from Japan, and nesting dolls from Syria. Before long, we were all wearing new hats and gloves, with scarves tucked snugly around our necks. We wandered back toward the food vendors, tasting truffles, sipping mushroom soup, and sampling pickled fiddleheads. Our bags filled quickly with sweet and savory treasures destined for stockings back home.

Thirsty and happy, we debated our next indulgence and ultimately chose a local small-batch cider over the famous mulled wine. With treats in hand, we returned to the Fairmont, wandering through the hotel’s elegant interiors adorned with beautiful Christmas trees at every turn.

Dinner that evening was at Botanist, and Lindsey, our server, won us over instantly with her thoughtful descriptions of the chef’s craft and care. The table soon filled with dishes meant to be shared— oven roasted cauliflower, pan-seared scallops, and black-pepper-crusted salmon. When Lindsey learned of Eva’s recent milestone birthday, she surprised us with a golden candle and a complimentary dessert. Watching Eva’s smile in that moment is something I will never forget.

We slept deeply that night, the kind of rest that only comes after a perfect day. The next morning, fortified by breakfast and countless cups of coffee, and grateful for a late checkout, we returned once more to the Christmas Market for the items we couldn’t stop thinking about. Then it was back to the lobby, where the Fairmont team—now familiar and trusted—loaded us into our sleigh.