Santa's Workshop Comes Alive: Interactive Experiences for Children at Christmas Markets

‘Tis the season of magic, wonder, and joy, where streets come alive with twinkling lights, festive melodies fill the air, and the aroma of cinnamon and spiced cider wafts through the chilly breeze. Yes, the holiday season is upon us, and that means people from all walks of life are going to be gathering at Christmas markets to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year!

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It’s also the perfect time of the year to forge emotional connections by creating unforgettable moments between your brand and its audience. And what better occasion to captivate hearts and minds than during the enchanting holiday season?

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If you’re looking for inspiration for your next holiday campaign, keep reading. We’ve compiled a list of our favourite festive marketing initiatives at Christmas markets across the country. These events have mastered marketing to children through experiential marketing in Vancouver, Abbotsford, Victoria, and Longueuil and spread a whole lot of holiday cheer in the process.

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So, if magical Christmas marketing ideas are on your wish list for this holiday season, then the good news is we’re here to deliver!

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1. Vancouver Christmas Market

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Image source: Instagram

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‍Located at Jack Poole Plaza (just outside the Vancouver Convention Centre), the Vancouver Christmas Market is one of the city’s most family-friendly events this time of year. It perfectly shines a light on how brilliant Christmas marketing ideas can be brought to life.

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With over 90 artisan huts offering handcrafted gifts, Christmas decorations, diverse food selections, and seasonal entertainment for all ages, the Vancouver Christmas Market attracts thousands of visitors each year for good reason!

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Their Hands-On Activities & Interactive Experiences

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Christmas Carousel

There’s no denying that walking through Christmas markets can get a bit tiresome for children. What better place to take a break than on a carousel? This takes hands-on activities to the next level while getting kids off their little feet.

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Christmas Mascots

Mascots are great for festive marketing; they humanize brands and pave the way for emotional connections that kids will remember for years to come. That’s why mascots Holly and Jolly are always ready to keep kids entertained at this Christmas market!

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Scavenger Hunts

Scavenger hunts are interactive experiences that are fun for kids while also helping hone their critical thinking skills. The one at the Vancouver Christmas Market involves puzzles and challenges spread throughout the venue, ushering little ones on a merry quest to find specific items that’ll win them a holiday-inspired prize.

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St. Nicholas Pictures

Sitting on Santa’s knee is a quintessential part of the Christmas experience. At the Vancouver Christmas market, the whole family can meet Santa Claus at the Alpen Haus and snap a picture using their convenient photo booth that enables instant prints and download options.

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2. The Owl Designer Fair

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Image source: Instagram

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‍The Owl Designer Fair is a staple Christmas market in the Fernwood neighbourhood of Victoria, British Columbia.

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As one of the area’s top family-friendly events, it features holiday shopping opportunities for handmade finds, as well as food trucks and local musicians. It’s also dedicated to giving back to the community through fundraisers for local non-profits. Jolly seasonal entertainment with a heart—isn’t that the Christmas spirit in a nutshell?

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Follow their lead to take your holiday marketing campaigns to the next level!

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Their Hands-On Activities & Interactive Experiences

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Workshops

Their workshop events cater to all ages and feature everything from hanging art to freestyle embroidery, painting, sewing, ceramics and more. They’re all examples of fun and interactive Christmas marketing ideas done right!

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Live Music

There’s no way around it—children love live music. Especially Christmas music they can sing along to! Consider letting the little ones join in on stage to “freestyle” and add it to the list of interactive experiences their families can get videos and photos of.

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Food Trucks

Another staple of The Owl Designer Fair is the food trucks. These are fun for everyone, especially children, as they provide a new and more interactive eating experience. They can go up, order, and see the food being prepared!

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3. Marché de Noël et des traditions de Longueuil

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Image source: Instagram

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‍Marché de Noël et des traditions—which is held in Longueuil, Montréal—masters festive marketing in all aspects. All the Christmas marketing ideas in your head have probably been brought to life here in some way, shape, or form.

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At this event, families can discover the exceptional craftsmanship of Québec’s artisans, indulge in the delicious pretzels, salted caramels, and hot chocolate, and of course, walk up to Santa Claus and tell him what they’d like for Christmas.

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Their Hands-On Activities & Interactive Experiences

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Wooden Train

Which kid (or adult!) wouldn’t enjoy a scenic ride through a festive winter wonderland? Marché de Noël et des traditions offers a wooden train service that trundles through snowdrifts and goes between the garlanded stalls, perfect for tired toddlers or parents who need a break.

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Musicians and Folk Dancers

Kids love a great show—and that's exactly what's waiting for them at this Christmas market. Taking festive entertainment to the next level, the whole family will find performances from musicians and folk dancers at this event.

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Elevate Your Holiday Marketing Efforts with XM

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The holidays are an unparalleled opportunity to create lasting connections with families and make your brand a cherished memory in the hearts of children. From Christmas shopping to seasonal entertainment and hands-on activities, there’s no one-size-fits-all way to spread holiday cheer.

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Join us on a journey through the art of creating immersive, heartwarming, and enchanting experiences that will not only draw families to your brand but also make your presence at Christmas markets the talk of the town. It's time to infuse your holiday marketing efforts with a touch of that undeniable Christmas magic.

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‍The Concierge Club can bring these kinds of interactive experiences to life while aligning them with your brand’s values. Sprinkling magic into every event we curate is how we’ve earned our place as a leader in the experiential marketing world. Whether you’re marketing to children or adults, we’ve got you covered this holiday season.

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‍Reach out to us today to level up your next Christmas marketing campaign!