Island Events

Come enjoy a day with family and friends at the Mary Winspear Center as First Last Chance Christmas Craft Shows celebrate their 33rd year! We are proud to present an array of unique inspirations from 80+ West Coast artists and artisans. With over twenty-five categories represented, you are sure to find creative solutions for every person on your list including you! First Last Chance hopes to help make your holidays special. You may be surprised with a $200 Daily Vendor Shopping Spree or an hourly give-a-way. Our café will once again be open, so make sure to take a bit of time to fill your bellies with Farm’s Gates glorious food while you listen to seasonal live music. When you step through our doors, you will find fashionable jewelry, luxurious body and spa products, ceramics, fiber art, glasswork, candles, wearable art, leather work, sculpture, metal crafts and woodwork. Local wines, spirits and all sorts of delectable food items will also be on display at this holiday event. Whether you are looking for a gift for someone special, stocking-stuffers, or wanting to inspire holiday spirit, we offer it all under one roof! First Last Chance Christmas Craft Shows are annual events of distinction, bringing our communities together. The shows provide customers with a unique opportunity to meet and purchase directly from the artists, artisans, makers and designers for a much more intimate transaction. So, get into the spirit of the season, put on your shopping shoes and we will see you there!

There is a brand-new craft show in Nanaimo this year! Join us as we celebrate the holiday season with an impressive array of creative inspirations from 70+ talented local West Coast artists, artisans, makers and designers. Art-a-fair will take place at the Beban Park Social Centre offering an impressive array of beautifully handcrafted gift solutions, daily $200 Vendor Shopping Sprees and hourly give-a-ways. Farm’s Gates Food Catering will be there with fabulous food to keep you energized while you listen to seasonal live music. Art-a-fair, November 18th – 20th, welcomes over 70 artists, artisans, makers and designers. With over 25 categories of artisans creations to choose from you are bound to find something for everyone on your Christmas shopping list! Start your shopping extravaganza by visiting and sampling local vineyards and distilleries delicious creations. There will also be sweet treats, chocolates, jams and preserves as well as savories: spices, jerky, soups, vinegars and more. Art-a-fair artisans will showcase jewelry, fused and stained glass, pottery, handcrafted bread boards and home accessories. You will be delighted by island designed and screen-printed clothing, leather works, hats, and hand dyed knit and woven pieces. There will also be children’s clothing and toys; stunning woodcraft, art, spa beauty products, candles and so much more. Come and be a part of Art-a-fair 2022, support our artists artisans and experience finely handcrafted items you simply won’t find anywhere else. With so many artisans’ works to choose from, you are sure to find a creative solution for each and every person on your Christmas list – perhaps even for you! Meet the artisans you are purchasing from and hear their stories – it makes for a much more intimate purchase. By purchasing locally made one-of-a-kind handcrafted items, you are supporting not only artists and artisans, but also small local Canadian businesses. So, mark your calendar and we will see you at Art-a-fair 2022!

Victorian Christmas Craft Fair is excited to be back as one of Victoria’s most beloved holiday markets. Get an early start on holiday shopping at this annual favourite, entering its 28th season, and find handcrafted décor and gifts for everyone on your list. We have an amazing community of over 70+ makers, artists, and small businesses committed to bringing you the very best in handmade. So come one, come all, it’s time to dust off your ugly sweaters and get your reusable bags out and experience the magic of the holiday season. Spend time with friends, hunt for gifts, and see what local vendors have been working on all year. With beautiful, playful, and unique pieces that will have a place in your home year-round, to local gourmet baking and treats for both you and your furry friends, the Victorian Christmas Craft Fair will get your jingle bells ringing just in time for the holiday season. Come catch the Holiday Spirit at the Victorian Christmas Craft Fair, we can’t wait to welcome you back and see our fabulous assortment!

Every year, Creative Craft Fairs offers a true extravaganza of outstanding arts, crafts, and demonstrations with their popular 3 day event at Victoria’s Pearkes Rec Centre. Attended by thousands of visitors each year, the fair offers over 125 exhibitors presenting crafts, gourmet food, fine art, photography, clothing, glass art, jewellery, bath and beauty products, woodwork, high quality imports and much more. This will be their 29th year at Pearkes Rec Centre – they hope to see you there!

The Owl Designer Fair is a fixture in the Victoria Christmas craft show scene and happens every November in the heart of Fernwood. A thoughtfully curated mix of favourite returning vendors and new up-and-coming makers, it is a one stop shop for the best locally handmade gifts. 16 years ago Emmy-Lou McMillan had a vision to bring unique makers together for a great market experience, and thus the Owl Fair began. In 2018, she passed the torch to Stephanie, the maker behind the clothing label Dottie Handmade. As a past vendor and Fernwood local Stephanie knows the Owl well. Stephanie has a passion to support and grow the handmade movement, and to connect the community with its local makers. She is excited to keep one of Victorias favourite handmade markets going strong! You might be wondering where the name Owl Fair came from! It would make sense that the fair should have something to do with Owls right? Well, besides the fact that some of the returning vendors have started making Owl themed products, it was actually just a catchy name that stuck. The ever-changing Owl icon has become a recognizable image associated with the fair. Handmade jewellery, local fashion, art cards, wooden toys, upcycled creations, leather goods, ceramics, kids clothing, apothecary and more! Come for the one of a kind vendors and stay for the live music, food truck and free craft workshops. Support your friends and neighbours by shopping locally!

Celebrating its 41st year in 2022, the Dickens Fair is one of Victoria’s oldest and best-loved Holiday Craft Fairs. Our carefully chosen Vancouver Island and Gulf Island artisans offer a great variety of handmade and homemade products at affordable prices. The Dickens Fair is getting ready to “Deck the Halls” so please mark your calendars and come join us on December 3rd from 10 am – 4:30 pm. With the great selection of vendors, there will be something for everyone! Enter a wonderland of treasures, from toys to jewelry, fashion, and food. Hosted by the James Bay Market Society, the Dickens Fair provides an opportunity to meet and support local artisans, hear their stories, and learn first-hand how they make, bake and craft their wares. You will recognize many of your favourite James Bay Community Market vendors in addition to many new-to-you vendors showcasing their work at the Dickens Fair for the first time. The variety and quality will impress the most discerning shoppers. The Dickens Café will have something for everyone from warm and cold drinks to soups, sandwiches, wraps and sweet treats