Kamloops Christmas Market ‘a resounding success’ as organizers eye expansions in future years

“I hope they came for just the Christmas Market, but you never know,” Olthuis joked, noting that information was collected via online ticket sales if people opted to say where they were from.

The 46 vendors at the Kamloops Christmas Market were put up in one of 22 booths that were specially built — some were in standalone chalets while others were shared between two vendors.

Olthuis told Kamloops City Council that the majority of vendors surveyed after the event rated the attendance levels and the event’s layout at a four, with five being the maximum possible.

“Sales were high, majority were sold out,” Olthuis said, noting one vendor ran out and had to make more product to sell. “All the vendors we spoke to were extremely happy with the how the sales went. We did ask if they wanted to attend next year and the majority said yes, they would.”

Aerial view of the Kamloops Christmas Market in the Heritage House parking lot. (Image Credit: Kamloops Christmas Market)

There were some mixed reactions to the event’s entry fee – $5 online/$7 at the door/$15 full pass – over the course of the Kamloops Christmas Market, and organizers later clarified that the proceeds would benefit KidSport Kamloops and the Kamloops Sports Council.

“We did get that out but we should have had more on that sooner,” Olthuis said.

“That’s one of our biggest goals with marketing in 2026 is making sure we can get information out earlier and as much information as possible,” added Chloe Pasemko, a destination events specialist at Tourism Kamloops. “There’s never too much to share.”

In August, organizers also dropped a planned 10 per cent commission that would have been charged to vendors, some of whom were unsure how busy they would be going into the inaugural Christmas Market.

“We understand that the commission is a barrier for some of our local vendors as you have little time to plan for this commission and that you don’t know how busy the market will be this year,” a statement released via social media said.

“We may add the commission back in the future as this is an important tool for the festival to be able to put on a large European Christmas Market. However, for this year it is important to us that we create a market that will benefit vendors and help grow their businesses.”

Planning for 2026 underway

While he didn’t provide a lot of details, Olthuis also told council that planning for the next Christmas Market is already underway. He said organizers hope to increase the market’s footprint by adding more vendors, entertainment and kids’ programming.

“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.”

Councillor Stephen Karpuk said he hopes the new outdoor rink at Riverside Park could be tied into future Christmas Markets, giving people another attraction. Councillor Nancy Bepple also said she hopes to see a Ferris wheel added, similar to the BrewLoops festival on McArthur Island in October.

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

by Victor Kaisar

Kamloops Christmas Market ‘a resounding success’ as organizers eye expansions in future years

Planning for 2026 underway

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