Vancouver's Sweetest Festival Returns to Yaletown

The city's sweetest festival is returning to Yaletown this fall in anticipation of the coming holiday season.

Seasonal Revellers Can Satisfy Their Sweet Tooth at CandyTown on November 21st!

On Saturday, November 21, 2015, the fourth annual CandyTown festival will celebrate the season right in the heart of Yaletown. As downtown Vancouver's only free outdoor Christmas bash, the festival is once again expected to draw crowds of thousands of revellers - last year's visitor numbers exceeded 15,000.


The annual street celebration is hosted and produced by the generous merchants of Yaletown through the Yaletown Business Improvement Association, and numerous ways for visitors of all ages to catch the holiday spirit. With a sweet candy theme for this year's event, everyone can enjoy this free festival as this heritage neighbourhood is transformed into a winter wonderland.

Tiny tykes eager to see the man in red can sit on Santa's knee and visit the Ice Queen herself at the North Pole (more commonly known as Bill Curtis Square). Father Christmas will be on site for photo opportunities and the Ice Queen will be entertaining kiddies throughout the day. For a romantic roam around the area, take a horse-drawn carriage ride starting at Salsa and Agave and circulating Pacific, Davie and Hamilton streets for a magical, 15-minute cruise for a suggested donation of $2 to the BC Children's Hospital.

Kids can participate in a variety of craftmaking, face painting and balloon twisting happening at the Starlight Children's Foundation tent. Or visitors can simply go for a stroll to take in all the tempting treats, handmade gifts on offer and holiday-themed activities to delight and entertain guests. A live ice sculpture - always a big crowd pleaser - will be created on Helmcken St. from 1-5pm. Pick out the perfect tree from Yaletown Rotary Club's Christmas Tree Lot, or sate that sweet tooth with free candy making at the Candy Hut. Savour a piñata lunch from 12:30-1pm. on Helmcken, or pick a delectable dish from the smorgasbord of food trucks on site (including favourites like Big Red's Poutine, Cloud Nine Cotton Candy Co., Meet 2 Eat, Mollie's Minis and Beavertails). Other food vendors serving up seasonal treats at the Christmas Street Market include Bluebird Cakery, Damien's Belgian Waffles, Half Baked Cookie Co. and Ganong Chocolates.


"We're happy to see downtown Vancouver's only free Christmas festival return in its fourth year, with even more winter-themed fun for everyone," says Annette O'Shea, executive director of the Yaletown BIA. "It's a great way to kick off the holiday season, and support charities that really need our help around Christmas. Where else can you enjoy a CandyTown cocktail and a free horse-drawn carriage ride?"

Attendees are also encouraged to get in the giving spirit by bringing donations for the BC Children's Hospital and Starlight Children's Foundation (donations will be accepted prior to carriage rides and where visitors meet Santa and the Ice Queen).

CandyTown will take place on Saturday, November 21st, 2015 from 12-7pm. on Mainland Street in the heart of Yaletown. This outdoor Christmas festival is free, open to the public and promises to ignite the Christmas spirit in guests of all ages. Visit the YBIA website for a full schedule of activities.

ABOUT YALETOWN

Yaletown is Vancouver's trendy and upscale renovated warehouse district. This fresh urban neighbourhood is just an easy walk from the centre of downtown Vancouver or a quick ferry ride from Granville Island. Yaletown's converted heritage buildings are home to some of the city's top fashion and design shops, as well as cutting edge restaurants and bars. Old loading docks act as giant sidewalks and create a unique setting for wandering, shopping, or lounging at one of the many outdoor patios.


ABOUT YALETOWN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION

The Yaletown BIA is an independent non-profit association of commercial property owners and business tenants who join together to promote and improve the economic vitality of the Yaletown neighbourhood. Today the Yaletown BIA is an organization capable of handling top-tier international opportunities such as the 2010 Olympics, hosting well-heeled travel writers from around the world and producing outstanding public events that attract thousands of shoppers and diners annually. For more information visit: Yaletowninfo.com.