The holiday season in Charlottetown promises an unforgettable experience with the 2023 Charlottetown Christmas Festival.
Organized by Discover Charlottetown in partnership with the City of Charlottetown, the festival offers a variety of enchanting events suitable for all ages, ensuring that the festive spirit is felt throughout the city.
Kicking off the celebrations is the Victorian Christmas Market, scheduled from November 24th to 26th. This market, a major part of the festival and now in its 9th year, is held in an open-air setting that mimics European Christmas Markets. It’s the largest of its kind in Atlantic Canada, featuring local artisans, food vendors, and crafters from across Prince Edward Island (PEI). The market’s atmosphere is further enhanced by Whoville-inspired decorations, carollers, horse & wagon rides, live music, and cozy fire pits, making it a perfect spot to pick up unique local goods and enjoy hot cocoa.
The Charlottetown Christmas Tree Lighting, will take place on November 24 at 6:15 p.m., starting with a candlelight promenade and followed by entertainment, treats and pyrotechnic display. Additionally, the PEI Craft Council’s Annual Christmas Craft Fair (Nov 24-26) offers unique gifts and opportunities to meet artisans.
The festival is enhanced by “Christmas Town: A Whoville-Inspired Village,” with over 50 handmade characters, and “Holiday Magic on the Plaza,” a nightly projection and music show. Yuletide Horse & Wagon Rides add to the holiday cheer, along with Christmas Carols at the Great George Hotel, Breakfast with Santa across various venues, and STEAM PEI’s Holiday Makers event. The Beaconsfield Historic House hosts a Victorian Christmas experience, rounding out the diverse and engaging holiday offerings of the festival.
Highlights – 2023 Charlottetown Christmas Festival
- Victorian Christmas Market (Nov 24-26): A major attraction of the festival, the Victorian Christmas Market, held at the Confederation Court Mall, brings together artisans, food vendors, and crafters from across PEI. This open-air market, reminiscent of European Christmas markets, features Whoville-inspired decor, carollers, horse and wagon rides, live music, and an array of shopping opportunities for local goods.
- Charlottetown Christmas Tree Lighting (Nov 24): An event that includes entertainment, treats, and a pyrotechnic display. The tree lighting ceremony is preceded by a candlelight promenade starting at Founder’s Hall and culminating at the Confederation Centre Plaza.
- The Mistletoe Market (Nov 24 – Dec 24): A new addition, this boutique open-air market located at the Confederation Centre Plaza, operates on weekends and offers a unique shopping experience with local artisans presenting their crafts in whimsical huts.
- PEI Craft Council Annual Christmas Craft Fair (Nov 24-26): Celebrating its 59th year, this craft fair at the Seaport features high-quality crafts made in PEI, providing an opportunity to find unique gifts and meet the makers.
- Christmas Town: A Whoville-Inspired Village (Nov 24 – Jan 2): Over 50 unique, handmade Whoville-inspired characters, created by local artists Julie Doneff and Becca Griffin, will be displayed along the Confederation Centre Plaza and Victoria Row.
- Holiday Magic on the Plaza (Nov 24 – Jan 2): An evening projection and music show that brings the north main façade at Confederation Centre of the Arts to life.
- Yuletide Horse & Wagon Rides (Nov 24 – Jan 2): Traditional horse and wagon rides are available throughout the historic streets of downtown Charlottetown, with rides every day during the Victorian Christmas Market and on select weekends during the festival.
- Christmas Carols at the Great George Hotel (Nov 24): The Spring Park Elementary School choir will perform Christmas tunes on the front steps of the Great George Hotel.
- Breakfast with Santa (Nov 25 – Dec 17): Santa will visit select restaurants, cafes, and other venues on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
- STEAM PEI’s Holiday Makers (Dec 2, 9, 16): A creative workshop where participants can craft holiday ornaments using 3D printers, laser cutters, and Cricut machines.
- A Victorian Christmas at Beaconsfield (Dec 1-10): An immersive Christmas experience at Beaconsfield Historic House featuring live music, treats, and craft making, evoking the holiday spirit of the 1870s.
When: November 24 – January 2, 2024
Where: Various Venues, Charlottetown
How Much: Free & Ticketed events.