Close X
11 Ways to Embrace Holiday Magic in Charlottetown
November 3, 2021
There’s no doubt the last year and a half has been challenging on many levels. So we’re kicking things up a notch in Charlottetown and doing a five-week run of the Charlottetown Christmas Festival Nov 12 – Dec 19. That’s right! We’ll have the return of the Victorian Christmas Market in its traditional open-air format (after a two-year hiatus) on the weekend of Nov 26-28, as well as bringing back Christmas Town – A Whoville-inspired Village, plus the all-new Peake’s Wharf Christmas Village, Holiday Projection on the Plaza, LIVE @ the Centre Holiday Programming, Deck the Halls Music Series at Founders’ Food Hall, and so much more!
In addition to some AMAZING Christmas festival hotel rates and packages, you can also expect horse & wagon rides each weekend, carollers and live music, wine tastings, breakfasts with Santa, Christmas movies, and more! Don’t miss your chance to embrace all the Christmas magic in Charlottetown this holiday season. Read on for 11 reasons to attend the Charlottetown Christmas Festival Nov 12 – Dec 19.
1. Step into a Storybook at the Victorian Christmas Market Nov 26-28
Atlantic Canada’s largest open-air winter market is back and bigger than ever over the Nov 26-28 weekend! Inspired by European Christmas markets, Queen Street in the heart of Charlottetown will be shut down to make room for more than 60 local vendors during the Victorian Christmas Market. Discover local artisan wares, tasty foods, Christmas crafts and more while enjoying the market’s festive ambiance created by warm fire pits, sparkling lights, hot cocoa, and plenty of Christmas decor.
2. Visit with Santa and Mrs Claus
Santa loves a big Christmas celebration and he’ll be around over the Victorian Christmas Market weekend Nov 26-28, plus each weekend at the Peake’s Wharf Christmas Village from Nov 12 – Dec 19. Be sure to have your kiddies save up their wishlist to share with him!
Want to treat the kids to an extra special experience?
Water’s Edge, Phinley’s Diner, the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel, The Gallery Coffee House & Bistro, the Holman Grand Hotel, and Quality Inn on the Hill will be hosting very special “Breakfast with Santa”. Stay tuned for dates and times.
3. Cozy up in a Nearby Hotel
Treat yourself to a Charlottetown Christmas Festival getaway and enjoy exceptional rates and special holiday-inspired packages at some of Charlottetown’s most welcoming accommodations. Available exclusively during the Festival (Nov 12 – Dec 19), nightly rates with participating hotels/inns start at $99.
4. Shop Under the Twinkle Lights at Peake’s Wharf Christmas Village
While Charlottetown will be draped in twinkle lights throughout the downtown core, the all-new Peake’s Wharf Christmas Village will be especially decked with lights for your shopping pleasure over the weekends from Nov 12 – Dec 19. Expect all things festive: Christmas shopping, toasty beverages by the fire, letters to Santa, carolling, and much more! Your favourite merchants down at the Wharf will open up every weekend from Nov 12 – Dec 19 (Fri 12-8pm, Sat 12-8pm, and Sunday 12-5pm) to support all of your Christmas shopping wants and needs.
5. Let Christmas Town – A Whoville Inspired Village Enchant You
Get ready for an extra dose of holiday magic this season as Discover Charlottetown presents “Whoville” as part of the 2021 Charlottetown Christmas Festival Nov. 12 – Dec. 19th. Clustered along the Confederation Centre Plaza and Victoria Row, festive-goers will be greeted by over 50 unique, handmade Whoville-inspired characters and fantastical Christmas decor. These characters have been lovingly created by two key local artists, Julie Doneff and Becca Griffin, with added creative support from Becka Viau. We hope you enjoy checking them out as much as they enjoyed making them!
6. Shop & Enjoy Live Music the Founders’ Food Hall & Market
Founders’ Food Hall & Market will be joining the Festival fun, with an array of activities and special offers for shoppers, as well as live music each Saturday from 3-5pm (Nov 27 – Dec 18). Located on the waterfront, this special historic space is now home to over 20 local food and artisan vendors, so you’ll be sure to find something to suit every taste, from hot vegan eats to German marzipan treats to bespoke gifts and so much more.
7. Hop on a Horse & Wagon Ride Through Town
The City of Charlottetown and Discover Charlottetown are bringing back a crowd favourite: horse-drawn wagon rides! Families can experience this timeless winter tradition and enjoy the beauty of historic downtown Charlottetown the way it’s meant to be viewed throughout the festival Nov 12 – Dec 19. Find the starting point at the Peake’s Wharf Christmas Village Fridays 5-8pm, Saturdays 2-6pm, and Sundays 1-5pm.
PRO TIP: line-ups for this attraction can get long during peak times but early birds are likely to luck out with short waits.
8. Carol Until Your Heart’s Content
It’s not a Christmas celebration until the sounds of classic carols fill the streets. You can look forward to sing-alongs, traditional caroling and even a brass quartet throughout the five weeks during the Charlottetown Christmas Festival. Schedules may vary each weekend. Please consult the schedule of events before heading out!
During the Victorian Christmas Market weekend Nov 26-28, you can catch live music at the Market stage on Queen St. and the Mall at select times throughout the Festival.
9. Watch Live Ice Sculpting in Action
It’s always such a joy to watch live ice sculpting in action during the Victorian Christmas Market weekend Nov 26-28. Watch various festive characters take shape and then decorate the streets during the weekend!
10. Relive Your Childhood Holidays With Classic Christmas Movies
The Charlottetown Christmas Festival will be serving up a selection of your favourite classic Christmas movies to enjoy throughout the festival at City Cinema. Grab a mug of hot chocolate and treats from the many nearby local shops, then settle in for a healthy dose of holiday nostalgia.
11. Find Special Gifts at Various Local Craft Fairs & Markets
It wouldn’t be the holidays in Charlottetown without a slew of Christmas Craft Fairs & Markets on the go! While many had to be postponed or adapted in 2020, this year’s are back in full force. Don’t miss the following:
- Nov 19 – 20 | Christmas Craft Fair at the Charlottetown Firefighters Club
- Nov 26 – 28 | 57th Annual PEICC Christmas Craft Fair at Delta Hotels by Marriot Prince Edward
- Nov 27 | Indigenous Artisan Christmas Market at Confederation Centre of the Arts
- Dec 4 – 5 | Etsy Team PEI Holiday Market at Murphy’s Community Centre
There you have it – 11 reasons you’ll want to mark your calendar and join the fun at the Charlottetown Christmas Festival from November 12th to December 19th. For more details and a full schedule of events click here.