Christmas and a cauldron: Market moves to Jack Poole
No need to head to Duesseldorf or Dresden this December to see a giant Christmas pyramid in the public square.
The Vancouver Christmas Market will feature one standing seven metres tall at its new home: Jack Poole Plaza, by the Olympic cauldron at the convention centre.
Known in Germany as a weih-nachtspyramide, the pyramid will be a giant replica of the more common tabletop versions that spin from candle heat while angels circle above. It is a collaboration that included Jordan Kutev Architect Inc., Krahn Engineering and Lukas One Productions.
“It is the only Christmas pyramid in North America,” Christmas Market founder Malte Kluetz said. “It’s a huge, unique structure.”
Kluetz had missed the Christmas markets back in his hometown of Hamelin — of Pied Piper fame — since he left Germany in 1990.
“I thought everybody has Christmas markets,” he said. “It took me 20 years here to realize my dream. I’m pretty excited how things progressed over the years.”
The first Vancouver Christmas Market in 2010 drew 120,000 visitors. Kluetz expects 200,000 this year (the market runs from Nov. 26 to Dec. 30).
With 21 new vendors bringing the total to more than 70, the market has outgrown the plaza at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Jack Poole Plaza has 50,000 square feet of space, about 20,000 square feet more than the QE plaza.
“The good old traditional vendors are coming back and there are some exciting new ones,” Kluetz said.
About two-thirds of the vendors sell crafts and other merchandise from their wooden huts. The other third sells food and beverages.
Tickets start at $4 and more information can be found at vancouverchristmasmarket.com.
The market runs 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. except Christmas Eve (closing time is 6 p.m.) and Christmas Day (closed).
Besides the pyramid, there will be a new Alpine Haus — a huge heated tent with North Shore views — German and Austrian beers to sample, as well as mulled wine and rum punch, spaetzle, goulash and handbrot, and children’s entertainment.