A wide array of local artisans will be at the Cedar Farmers Market on Sunday for their annual holiday-themed event. (Cedar Farmers Market)

By Alex Rawnsley

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NANAIMO — Organizers are hoping they can pull off something special for the final outdoor market of the year.

The Cedar Farmers Market will host their annual Christmas-themed event on Sunday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on the field behind the former Woodbank elementary on Woobank Rd., with the goal of making it the Island’a largest outdoor Christmas market.

Executive director Kate Poirier said staying outdoors is more necessity over choice.

“Most of the markets on the Island or anywhere really, by November and December…most of them have moved indoors. We do not have access to an indoor facility, and we’ve been doing this since 2020 so we are prepared. We will be outside rain or shine or frost.”

Around 120 vendors are expected around the field, an increase on the normal 100-110 for the regular Sunday market, which wrapped its season with a Halloween-themed event on Oct. 26.

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Poirier told NanaimoNewsNOW the focus for the Christmas market is to lead people into the holiday shopping season, with a decidedly local flare.

“We do bring in a lot more artists than our regular market. We usually only have maybe 20 per cent of our artists at any time, but for the Christmas market, we go closer to 50/50 food-farm versus artists, and people are really there to shop for unique local gifts that are handmade.”

Poirier also confirmed Santa will be in attendance as well.

“He’s going to fly in right in time. He does like to start at our market, he gets very busy through November and December.”

A full list of vendors is available on the Cedar Farmers Market website.

The Cedar Farmers Market enjoyed a banner 2025 season where between 1,500 and 2,500 people visited and shopped at the market each week.

Opening day in May set a new record with around 3,500 people coming through.

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