Crowds at the Kamloops Christmas Market in the Heritage House parking lot. (Image Credit: Kamloops Christmas Market/Facebook)

By Aaron Schulze

Events and Festivals Excellence Award

Kamloops Christmas Market wins award for community connection, cultural vibrancy

May 1, 2026 | 10:57 AM

KAMLOOPS — The inaugural Kamloops Christmas Market received recognition at the BC Recreation and Parks Association awards of excellence ceremony.

The City of Kamloops announced it received the Events and Festivals Excellence Award for the 10-day German Christmas Market in late November 2025. The city says the award presented during a ceremony in Vancouver on Thursday (April 30) celebrates event planning and delivery that strengthens community connection, cultural vibrancy and inclusion.

The Kamloops Sports Council said there were more than 23,000 attendees at the Kamloops Christmas Market, resulting in an estimated economic impact of $2.6 million. The market featured local artisans, family-friendly activities and holiday aesthetic.

“Receiving this award is an incredible honour for the Kamloops Christmas Market,” Sports Council executive director Duncan Olthuis said. “It reflects the strength of our partners, volunteers, vendors, performers, and attendees, and what is possible when [we] work together.”

The city notes there were numerous partners in organizing the Kamloops Christmas Market, including the Kamloops Sports Council, Tourism Kamloops, Tk’emlups te Secwepemc, Downtown Kamloops and Scwenwen Economic Development Corporation.

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“The Kamloops Christmas Market is a wonderful example of how events can bring people together in meaningful and inclusive ways,” Katie Fenn, BC Recreation and Parks Association CEO says in a news release issued Friday (May 1). “Through strong partnerships and thoughtful programming, the City of Kamloops has created a vibrant celebration that reflects community spirit, cultural diversity and a shared sense of belonging during the holiday season.”

The city aims to grow the Kamloops Christmas Market as an annual tradition. In January, Olthuis said planning for 2026 market was underway, with hopes to add more entertainment, children’s programming and vendors.

“Hopefully, we can use the entire Heritage House parking lot,” he said. “We want to increase the number of vendors per day from 22 to possibly 50. That means more chalets built but I think with the success of what the vendors had this year, we won’t have a problem filling those spots.”

“This was a proof-of-concept year and it showed that Kamloops can support and sustain an event like this.”

by Aaron Schulze

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Kamloops Christmas Market wins award for community connection, cultural vibrancy

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