Most Vancouver Christmas markets lean German: gluhwein, gingerbread, wooden stalls. Feliz Natal goes somewhere warmer. Think churros and tamales in the same room as a piñata, a sing-along that has nothing to do with sleigh bells, and workshops where you learn how Colombians light candles on a December night. It is a one-day market in Gastown, and in 2025 it was free to walk into.
The market is presented by Latincouver, and the 2025 edition took place on Saturday, December 13 at the Latin Plaza Hub on Water Street. No 2026 date is public yet, so this guide covers how last year’s market worked and what to expect if it returns.
Feliz Natal Christmas Market: Quick Facts
| What it is | A one-day Latin American Christmas market with food, live music, workshops, artisan vendors and family activities |
| Presented by | Latincouver Cultural and Business Society |
| Where | Latin Plaza Hub, #301 – 68 Water Street, Gastown, Vancouver |
| 2025 date and time | Saturday, December 13, 2025, 11:30 AM to 7:30 PM |
| 2026 date | Not announced yet |
| Admission | Free in 2025, with optional donations |
| Best for | Families, food lovers, and anyone looking for a Christmas market with a different flavour |
| Event page | Feliz Natal event page (2025) |
What Is Feliz Natal?
“Feliz Natal” is Portuguese for “Merry Christmas,” and the market draws on holiday traditions from across Latin America and Brazil. It brings together performances, hands-on workshops, traditional holiday food, an artisan and flea market, and kid-friendly activities in a single full-day event.
It is a cultural celebration as much as a shopping event. The market is presented by Latincouver, and it is open to everyone, so you can come to share in those traditions: you can browse, eat, dance, make something, or just soak up the atmosphere.
When Is Feliz Natal in 2026?
As of mid-October 2026, no date has been announced. The 2025 event was a single-day market on a Saturday in mid-December, from 11:30 AM to 7:30 PM, and the ticketing page now shows the event as ended. If a 2026 edition goes ahead, expect the announcement on Latincouver’s channels and the event listing page, so keep an eye on them.
Weekdays shift from year to year, and December 13, 2026 falls on a Sunday, so do not assume the market will land on the same date. Confirm the date, time and location before you plan around it.
What to Expect: The 2025 Lineup
Live Music and Cultural Performances
The entertainment reflected the range of Latin America and Brazil. The 2025 programme included upbeat DJ sets, traditional Christmas music, a Posada and Novenas sing-along and a piñata finale to close the day. Performers named for 2025 were:
- Colectivo Yollotl
- Las Primas de Vancouver
- Meni
- Additional musical guests throughout the day
A Posada is a traditional Latin American Christmas procession and celebration, and a Novena is a series of prayers or gatherings leading up to Christmas. The sing-along gives visitors a way to take part, not just watch.
Holiday Workshops
Workshops were offered by donation, with all materials included. They focused on Christmas traditions from different parts of Latin America. The 2025 lineup included:
- Brazilian Christmas Arts and Crafts
- Quilling Christmas Card Workshop, a paper craft where you roll and shape thin strips into designs
- Colombian Christmas Traditions: Novenas and Dia de las Velitas, which marks the “Day of the Little Candles” in Colombia
- Ponche de Navidad Workshop and Tasting, with sponsor El Kiosko
These are a good fit for older kids and adults who want to leave with a handmade keepsake and a little more knowledge of the traditions behind it.
Latin American Christmas Food
Food vendors served seasonal favourites from several regions. The 2025 menu included:
- Churros
- Bunuelos
- Tamales, Colombian and Mexican
- Champurrado, a thick warm chocolate drink
- Arepas and empanadas
- Natilla, a Colombian Christmas custard dessert
- Hot chocolate
- Coxinhas, a Brazilian fried snack
- Canelazo, a warm cinnamon drink
- Other holiday specialties
Vendors and menus change from year to year, so treat this list as a guide to the kind of food you can expect, not a guarantee.
Artisan Market and Flea Market
The artisan and gift market featured handmade items, traditional crafts, holiday decor, unique gifts and flea-market finds. It is a useful stop if you want gifts that come from local makers and small businesses rather than a big-box store.
Family Activities and Photos
- Photos with Santa: 2:00 to 4:00 PM in 2025
- Photo booth: 3:00 to 6:00 PM in 2025, sponsored by Remitly
The organizers encouraged families to dress up in their holiday outfits for the photo moments.
Where It Is: The Latin Plaza Hub in Gastown
The market took place at the Latin Plaza Hub, Latincouver’s space at #301 – 68 Water Street, in the heart of Gastown. Water Street is the neighbourhood’s main historic strip, so it is easy to combine the market with a walk past the steam clock and the other shops and restaurants nearby.
- By transit: Waterfront Station, which serves the SkyTrain, SeaBus and West Coast Express, is the closest major transit hub, a walk away through Gastown.
- By car: parking in Gastown is limited, so a nearby parkade or transit is the simpler choice.
- On foot: Gastown has cobblestone streets in places, so wear sturdy, comfortable shoes.
The organizers’ event page does not list accessibility details. If you have specific needs, contact Latincouver before you go.
Tips for Visiting
- Come hungry. The food is half the reason to go, so plan to eat there instead of before.
- Bring a little cash. Workshops were by donation, and individual vendors may not all take cards.
- Check the schedule once it is posted. Santa photos, workshops and performances run at set times during the day.
- Plan around the workshops. Check the times once they are posted, and arrive a little early if one interests you.
- Bring kids in festive outfits. The photo moments were a feature of the day.
- Pair it with a Gastown walk. The neighbourhood is at its best in December, with lights and window displays along Water Street.
More Cultural Christmas Markets
If you like your Christmas market with a bit of somewhere else, there are two more confirmed for 2026:
- Julmarknad, the Swedish Christmas Market, November 21 and 22, with glögg and a Swedish café.
- The Ukrainian Christmas Fair on Ash Street, November 28, with perogies and home baking.
Feliz Natal was held in Gastown in 2025, where The Magic of Gastown brings lights and carollers all December. For every market this season, see our Christmas markets in Vancouver calendar.
Part of: Vancouver Christmas Guide 2026 › Christmas Markets in Vancouver 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Feliz Natal Christmas Market in 2026?
No 2026 date has been announced. The 2025 market took place on Saturday, December 13 from 11:30 AM to 7:30 PM.
Is Feliz Natal free?
Admission was free in 2025, with donations optional. Workshops were offered by donation.
Where is Feliz Natal held?
At the Latin Plaza Hub, #301 – 68 Water Street, in Gastown, Vancouver.
Who organizes it?
Latincouver Cultural and Business Society presents the market.
What kind of food is there?
Latin American holiday favourites such as churros, tamales, arepas, empanadas, buñuelos, coxinhas, hot chocolate and canelazo.
Is it good for kids?
Yes. The market is designed for families, with kid-friendly activities, Santa photos and a photo booth in 2025.
Is there entertainment?
Yes. In 2025 there were DJ sets, live performers, a Posada and Novenas sing-along and a piñata finale.
How will I find out if it returns in 2026?
Watch Latincouver’s channels and the event listing page for the announcement.
