Whether you just want to have a beer and meet Santa, looking for that perfect gift for someone special (while having a beer), or even just wanting to find a way to help others, BC’s craft breweries around the province are here to help.
Holiday Markets
Holiday Markets are a great place to visit for inspiration and artisan shopping while supporting your local community. Below are just some of the breweries that are opening their doors and patios to help you out this year. And the best thing about visiting a market held at a brewery? You can enjoy a beer or sometimes even a mulled cider in the process!
Christmas Market at Moody Ales: Starts December 9 – 23
Mark your calendars for the Moody Ales Christmas Market! The Market will be taking place in the taproom every Thursday from 6-9 PM in December starting December 2nd. Come by for local vendors, arts and crafts, and drinks on December 9, 16, and 23! Every week, there will be different vendors. And don’t forget to grab some four-packs for yourself on the way out!
Winterbrew Market at Patina: December 11 & 18
At Patina Brewing, on Saturdays from December 4th to the 18th (from noon to 4 pm), you can bring your dog and have a beer while you shop! There will be different vendors each week so you can visit weekly! Patina will also be raising money for the Tricity Transition House.
Other markets worth noting:
- Mountainview Brewing, Hope, Dec 15
Looking for a venue to rent for a party?
Some breweries are offering their brewery or taproom space up for holiday party venue rentals, but better book now as these spaces will go fast!
House of Funk: North Vancouver
Want to have a brewery all to yourself? House of Funk is now taking booking for holiday parties (or any party). For details on what to expect and how to book, head HERE.
Dine in the Cellar at Old Yale Brewing: Dec 11 & 18
Sip on Old Yale Brewing beers and enjoy their delicious Campfire Kitchen menu in one of the four cozy private tables while you take in the views of the beautiful state-of-the-art 11,000 sq ft Brewery. Tables are available for up to 6 people per booking with a 2-hour timeslot. These Brewery tables will have their own dedicated servers.Available from 2:00pm – 9:00pm. Get more info HERE.
Farm Country Brewing: Langley
Farm Country Brewing is happy to host you, your friends, family, or co-workers into their spacious, yet cozy taproom! They offer different options for groups of 20-60 people, 7 days a week. Anything from birthday parties, anniversaries, reunions, work events, holiday parties, and more! Delicious food options are available through catering with Ritz Grill. Click HERE for more details and how to book.
Container Brewing: Vancouver
Container Brewing can provide you and up to 39 of your friends and/or colleagues as long as you’d like in your own private room! They have a wide variety of options such as table service with food from their pals Eat Burdy or self serve beer only. Email them at events@cbrew.ca to book your event. Pricing starts as low as $10/person.
The Office: Kelowna
A newcomer to Kelowna, The Office Brewery is opening its mezzanine for private events this holiday season. Get in touch with them to book their space while the space is still available!
Want to meet “Santa”?
Santa Visits at Camp Beer Co: December 10th
Santa arrives at Camp Beer Co. on December 5th to bring cheer for your furry friend! Bring your camera and get that perfect Christmas card snapshot while Camp Beer Co provides treats for your pet and a warm seat for owners (to enjoy an ice-cold beer in of course). Available December 5 from 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm.
On December 10th, come join the celebration and make sure to wear your ugliest holiday sweater, elf attire, or Santa suit. Local musician, Josh Peterson will be hitting the stage playing festive tunes while you do some shopping at Camp Outfitters (fully stocked for all your stocking stuffing needs), sip on some delicious seasonal beer, and maybe even get a warm snack from the cookhouse.
Cannery Brewing: December 5 – 24
Cannery Brewing is bringing back its annual tradition of photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus while also supporting a local charity. This year they have two options. Like last year, they have a photo station set up and you can drop in anytime between opening hours Dec 5 – 24 and take photos. Or, if you want the real deal, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there on Dec 5 and Dec 12 from noon – 2 pm. Bring your family and your camera for either option, but sadly pets are not allowed.
Casks, Toy Drives, Holiday Movies, Trivia, and More…
24 casks of Christmas: Kelowna Beer Institute Nov 25 – Dec 18
The 7th Annual Advent Cask Challenge at Kelowna Beer Institute has started, and will be continuing until December 18th with a different cask every day! If you are lucky enough to get a passport, you are eligible for prizes at the wrap-up party on the 18th.
Holiday Movies at Farm Country Brewing: December 1 – 29
Holiday movie nights are back for the month of December at Farm Country Brewing. Starting December 1, every Wednesday and a special Sunday, they will be showing family-friendly, holiday-themed movies! There will be a discount on beer and the menu after 5:00 PM, and the movies start at 6:00 PM. Check out the poster above for the holiday movie schedule!
Miracle On Main Street: Toy Drive December 1 – 12
From December 1 to 12th, Main Street Brewing will be accepted unwrapped toys, games, sports equipment, or gift cards with a minimum value of $10. In exchange, you will be treated to a complimentary flight of its ‘core four’ beers — Naked Fox IPA, Main St. Pilsner, Fruit Bomb Sour, and Kingpin Pale Ale — as well as an entry into a series of ‘even-day’ draws with prizing from Main Street-area merchants taking place December 2 to 24.
Draw winners will receive a six-pack of Main St. beer and a $50 gift card to local merchants in the Mount Pleasant area. Every entrant over the age of 19 will also be entered into the grand prize of one flat of Main St. beer a month for a year to be drawn on Christmas Eve. All items collected at the brewery will be delivered in time for Christmas to the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau, which has been putting smiles on children’s faces throughout the local community since 1930. A win-win for all concerned.
Christmas Trivia Night at Townsite Brewing
Blind Justice VIRTUAL Tasting, The Holiday Beers Edition: December 18th
Everyone has their favourite beers, but how much of that is the look of a label, or the name, or even just the brand? In this class, Matt Poirier of Matter of Beer will go over some holiday beer styles and try four unique options without knowing what they are. Registration includes Four Craft Brewed Holiday beers, readily available in the Victoria area, with the labels blacked out. It also includes access to the class session, where they’ll discuss the styles, try the beers and rate them. At the end of the class, they’ll reveal the true beers for what they are. Tickets are available HERE.
Hawaiian Christmas at Tapworks Brewing Co: December 23
If you are over on the Sunshine Coast, head over to Tapworks Brewing Co dressed in your best Hawaiian gear for 10% off Tapworks flagship beers, and try out their Hawaiian-themed menu for one night only! From 6:00pm – 10:00pm.
Food Bank Donations?
Check your local brewery. Many of them will be collecting unwrapped toys and non-perishable food over the holiday season.
Freddy’s Brewpub: December 19th
McCurdy Bowling Centre and Freddy’s Brewpub is hosting an ALL DAY fundraiser for the Central Okanagan Food Bank. $1 will be donated from every beer sold with a list of great activities to enjoy all day long, starting off with brunch, and continuing the day with happy hour pricing, music, and bowling! Food and money donations will be accepted all day on behalf of the Central Okanagan Food Bank.
CELEBRATING NYE IN STYLE???
When the Christmas festivities are done, it’s time to think of how to say goodbye to 2021. Thankfully there are some great brewery choices!
Smugglers Trail Caskworks New Years’ Eve Party: December 31, 7:00 pm – late.
Smugglers Trail Caskworks is offering you two options to enjoy the night.No matter what you choose, live music from SIX GUN ROMEO will keep this night hopping!
Option 1 is a three-course meal with champagne, party favours and live music. Seating between 7 and 9 pm. $100 tickets. Option 2 – Entry only (no dinner etc) after 7pm. Entry to the party + live music. $25 tickets.
For menu details and to purchase your tickets, check the Eventbrite link.
NYE at SLACKWATER PENTICTON 5:30 pm – 12:00AM
Train Wreck Comedy and Slackwater Brewing will be ringing in 2022 with a three-course dinner, a comedy show with John Beuhler, and an awesome party! Every ticket includes one of Slackwater Brewings beers to welcome you to the event, dinner, comedy show and party for just $90 per person (includes tax & fee).
Tickets are available HERE.
Doors open at 5:30 pm for welcome beers and a three-course dinner. Comedy starts at 7:30 pm with one of the countries top stand-up comedians, John Beuhler. Following dinner and the comedy show, there will be the after-party, where others from the general public will join in the festivities to ring in 2022.
Vaporwave New Years Karaoke Party: Dec 31
Come ring in the New Year at Tapworks Brewing with the brightest colours you can wear while The Wolfman Karaoke Experience takes over the Taproom for their first-ever Karaoke New Years Party! Dress up in bright colours and get 10% off all their core beers. Get your $10 tickets HERE.
New Years Inc: December 31
Everyone’s a CEO on December 31st at the “New Years Inc” Corporate Social, cutting the losses of 2021 and appraising our holdings in 2022. Dress Code: “Suits & Skirts.” DJ Mad Honey will chair the boardroom, so forget your liabilities and plan to shake your assets. RSVP HERE.
New Year’s Party: December 31
Other Events of Note:
- Mountainview NYE from 7:00 pm – 1:00 am. Give them a call for more details.
FINAL NOTE:
All places will have COVID regulations in place. They will be following all PHO and will be checking vaccine passports and asking for photo ID. Proof of full vaccination is required for all guests and vendors. Masks must be worn by everyone over the age of 12 when not seated.
Also, with coastal and southwestern BC facing heavy rainfall while recovering from severe flooding, the province is extending the temporary measure to prioritize fuel for essential vehicles and the provincial state of emergency until the end of the day on December 14, 2021. Be safe and stay local.
