Third + Bird Christmas Market: Get in the Spirit of Supporting Local
Location Hudson's Bay Downtown (450 Portage Ave.)
Ticket Price $5
Back in 2008, Chandra Kremski and Charla Smeall hosted a humble craft sale in the basement of a North End church. Nine years and a few moves later, the Third + Bird Christmas Market has become one of our city’s most popular holiday traditions.
On Nov. 25 and 26, the 2017 edition will once again take over the massive basement of the historic Hudson’s Bay building in downtown Winnipeg.
With more than 130 local makers and thousands of products on hand, the market will help you put a serious dent in your Christmas list – and score some serious brownie points from the people on it. From that hard-to-shop-for sibling to the person who has everything, the diverse collection of vendors has you covered.
We’re talking everything from art to decor to clothing to accessories to jewelry to toys to pottery to skincare products to gourmet foodstuffs. And then some.
While local success stories like Cree Ryan, Jenna Rae Cakes, and Coal and Canary will be there, part of the fun is exploring the aisles, meeting the various makers and discovering unique new products.
Over the years, Manitoba entrepreneurs have taken creativity and ingenuity to a whole new level, serving up everything from hand-crafted bath bombs and rescentable wood air fresheners to beard oils and small-batch bitters.
But even more impressive than the lineup of products made by locals is the insane selection of stuff made for locals. We’re talking things like these Manitoba-inspired cookies from Scientific Sweets.
And these beautiful prints from Dimi Gallery.
Not to mention this incredible artwork from Huron Woodwork.
And these pieces by Silver Birch Designs.
Or how about this pro-local gear from Friendly MB Clothing?
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
But even with its endless parade of gift possibilities, Third + Bird isn’t so much a market as it is a movement. Chandra and Charla, who also organize an annual Spring market and a series of pop-up events, are passionate about showcasing our local artisans and connecting them with an audience eager to know where their products are coming from. And they’re all about keeping things fun.
From the food and the wine to the live music and the art installations, Third + Bird breaks from tradition for a vibe that’s fresh, authentic and community-oriented. They’re also huge believers in giving back and donate a portion of proceeds to the Nepali Women’s Co-op.
And by relocating to a central urban setting, the market’s accessibility makes for a diverse crowd of people with a common goal: to shop small, support local and build community. Scoring the best Christmas gifts in the city is just a bonus.
For more information about the Third + Bird Christmas Market, visit the event page on Facebook.
