Quick Facts
| Dates | Typically the last weekend of November — 2026 dates not yet announced as of mid-October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Location | Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, 22 Bluenose Drive, Lunenburg (some years along King Street) |
| Region | South Shore |
| Category | Community |
| Tickets | Light Up Lunenburg — market details |
| GPS | 44.3771, -64.3145 |
About Christmas by the Sea Market
Christmas by the Sea is Lunenburg's handmade holiday market — the shopping heart of the town's Light Up Lunenburg weekend on the South Shore. Local craft, art, and food vendors set up on the waterfront at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, with some editions stretching along King Street in the heart of the UNESCO Old Town. The market rides along with the town's late-November switch-on of the holiday season, and it has become the anchor of a Lunenburg Christmas weekend the way the Christkindlmarket anchors Dartmouth's — one weekend, done properly, by the sea.
The format the town has settled on pairs an evening with a full market day. Friday brings the Lighting of the Trees and the Lighting of the Vessels at the Fisheries Museum wharf, choir singing at the Rotary Stage, live music, marshmallow roasting, and visits from Santa — with the Grinch working the crowd in recent years — while market stalls run into the evening. Saturday opens the market proper through the afternoon, with twenty-plus vendors of local artisans, holiday gifts, and seasonal treats. Warming stations and hot cocoa are part of the plan, which tells you honestly what a late-November evening on the Lunenburg waterfront feels like: bring the good coat.
Planning ahead matters here. The market runs alongside the rest of the Light Up Lunenburg program — the Santa parade, the community singalongs, the lights along Bluenose Drive — and Old Town accommodation fills early for that weekend, so booking ahead in Lunenburg, Mahone Bay, or Riverport is the move. For the confirmed 2026 date, vendor list, and hours, watch the Town of Lunenburg's Light Up Lunenburg announcement and the Christmas by the Sea social channels closer to the season. Pair the trip with our Christmas in Nova Scotia guide and the wider winter festivals calendar to build the full holiday weekend.
Make the most of your time in South Shore - pair Christmas by the Sea Market with our South Shore guide, Family Travel Guide, and Lunenburg UNESCO guide. They're each packed with itinerary ideas, local tips, and everything you need to extend your stay.
🎟️ Tickets & Admission
Free-to-browse community market. The most recent edition ran Friday 5–9 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic during Light Up Lunenburg; 2026 dates follow the usual last-weekend-of-November pattern and are announced closer to the season.
Tickets available through the official event website. Prices and availability subject to change.
📍 Location & Getting There
Venue: Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, 22 Bluenose Drive, Lunenburg (some years along King Street)
Region: South Shore
Plan Your Visit
How long you'll need
Christmas by the Sea Market is timed for November — confirm the exact dates on the official listing before you book travel.
What it costs
Admission details are on the official ticketing page. Buy through the official link in the Tickets & Admission section above.
Getting there & parking
South Shore towns — Lunenburg, Mahone Bay, Shelburne — are compact and walkable once you arrive; the drive itself along the Lighthouse Route is the real time cost. Street parking is the norm and summer weekends fill early, so build extra time into arrival day.
Nearby dining & things to do
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- South Shore Nova Scotia
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- Nova Scotia Beaches
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- Winter Dining in Nova Scotia
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Christmas by the Sea Market FAQ
Where is Christmas by the Sea Market held?
Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, 22 Bluenose Drive, Lunenburg (some years along King Street), South Shore. Coordinates: 44.3771, -64.3145.
How much are tickets and where do I buy them?
Free-to-browse community market. The most recent edition ran Friday 5–9 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic during Light Up Lunenburg; 2026 dates follow the usual last-weekend-of-November pattern and are announced closer to the season. Tickets: https://lunenburgns.com/news-source/christmas-by-the-sea-market
Where can I stay nearby?
Recommended areas to stay: Lunenburg Old Town, Mahone Bay, Riverport.
🌊 Explore South Shore
While you're in South Shore for Christmas by the Sea Market, take time to discover the incredible attractions, dining, and scenery this region has to offer.
🗓️ Plan Around These
Stack your trip with more festivals and events across the province.