Few weekends capture North Bay’s community spirit like its Winter Market — an event that’s grown from a local idea into a downtown mainstay, bringing artisans, entertainers, and families together to celebrate the holiday season.
The North Bay Winter Market returns this year over four weekends — Nov. 8, 15, 22, from 4 to 8 p.m, and a special Nov. 28 date that coincides with the Old-Fashioned Christmas Walk from 5 to 9:00 pm. The free events bring together artisan vendors, live music in English and French, cultural programming, holiday lighting, film screenings, and mini train rides.
Tanya Bédard, executive director of Tourism North Bay, said the city’s downtown core was a natural fit for the Market. Jack Burrows Parkette, in front of the North Bay Museum, has plenty of open space for programming, access to parking, and a proximity to restaurants and shops — creating a warm, lively, walkable environment for visitors.
“You can truly sense the holiday cheer when you are on the market grounds,” Bédard said. “The music, the laughter, the smiles — it’s a vibe, and it’s incredible.”
The Winter Market, now entering its second year, builds on the success of its 2024 season, which drew larger-than-expected crowds and positive feedback from locals and tourists. The event’s impact is drawing attention across the province – it was recently nominated as a finalist for “Tourism Event of the Year” by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario. This year’s series adds hot food vendors, make-and-take crafts, and a photo booth to capture some holiday snapshots. The Block Public House will also be offering a new Xmas Bar.
Visitors can also take part in a self-guided Christmas movie tour, explore the Christmas Windows Tour on Oak St W, and enjoy outdoor holiday film screenings.
Each weekend also features live entertainment – from the Restoration Jazz Band and CHAZZ to Chris Osbourne and the Constellation Theatre Co. on Nov. 28, when the market aligns with the Old-Fashioned Christmas Walk. Visitors will also enjoy Santa’s visit, mini train rides, and museum tours, featuring the North Bay and Quints museums.
“The goal was to create something that encourages people to travel, stay overnight, and explore what North Bay has to offer — all while supporting our local businesses,” Bédard said.
“Each weekend brings its own energy, and that excitement ripples throughout the downtown. You can feel the difference when the streets are full of people again.”
Tourism North Bay is also encouraging visitors to make a weekend of it by pairing the Winter Market with other downtown attractions like the North Bay Film Festival and the Farmer’s Market.
For local artist Brianna Lintner, owner of BRealStudios and founder of The Artisans Way, the Winter Market has become more than an event — it’s a community showcase of warmth and creativity.
She said the market gives artisans the visibility and audience they’ve long needed.
“The Winter Market doesn’t just fill space downtown — it builds connection, energy, and pride in our city,” Lintner said. “On a larger scale, it puts North Bay on the map in Northern Ontario as a hub for arts, culture, and creativity.”
Beyond its economic role in helping the city thrive, the market has cultivated an atmosphere that Lintner describes as “stepping into a world of childlike wonder.”
“Our goal is to bring a sense of magic and joy that transcends age, race, or gender — something that allows everyone to tap into that holiday sparkle and sense of community,” she said.
Last year’s event was a huge hit for the community — attendance surpassed everyone’s expectations, with vendors reporting record sales, long lineups for the mini-train rides, and steady crowds throughout the day. Bédard said those outcomes reinforced the event’s long-term value.
“Each week, the museums were flooded with guests, the vendors were reporting record sales, and the mini train lineup was nonstop,” she said. “The huge smiles and excitement of visitors on the grounds were so genuine, and everyone looked like they were having a really great time.”
For Lintner, the Winter Market’s greatest success isn’t measured in attendance, but in the connections it sparks.
“When I hear about vendors making new contacts, opening doors, or achieving personal goals because of an event like this, it makes every ounce of work worth it,” she said. “One of my vendors even told me that, thanks to the success of the summer and winter Artisans Way events, she was able to put a down payment on a house.”
Those stories, she said, speak to what makes North Bay’s creative scene so resilient — collaboration and heart.
“Being a vendor at a handmade market is both exhilarating and vulnerable,” Lintner said. “You spend countless hours creating something from a picture in your head. You took a risk buying the raw materials, and you have no idea if people are going to value it. When someone picks up something you made and says ‘Oh my God, you made this!?’ it instantly becomes all worth it.”
Both Bédard and Lintner said the Winter Market’s growing popularity shows how much people crave shared experiences in the colder months — and how North Bay’s creative community continues to rise to meet that demand.
“I hope families will look back on the memories they created together and children will grow up thinking of the Winter Market as a tradition — a staple of their holiday season in North Bay,” Lintner said. “If we can be part of building that sense of magic and memory, then we’ve done something truly special.”
The North Bay Winter Market runs Nov. 8, 15, 22 and 28 at Jack Burrows Parkette in front of the North Bay Museum.
Admission is free, and organizers invite everyone to come downtown, explore the vendors, enjoy the entertainment, and share in the city’s holiday spirit.
Visit www.tourismnorthbay.com to see the Winter Market’s full schedule.