Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver Sparkles This Holiday Season with a New Christmas Market, Festive Music, Ceremonial Tree Lighting and More

City’s five-diamond hotel set to make memories with fresh traditions.

Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver adds a glistening array of new festive activities to the city’s holiday season starting on Sunday, 2 December 2012, with its debut Christmas Market followed by Santa Claus-inspired Afternoon Tea, and the hotel’s inaugural tree lighting ceremony.

Beginning at 9 a.m. on December 2nd, Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver in partnership with neighbouring Urban Fare, will showcase one-of-a-kind crafts, original jewelry and edible delicacies, including items to sample, on the patio of its renowned restaurant, Market by Jean-Georges.  While out on the city streets, the Shangri-La team will be handing out festive fortune cookies during the annual Rogers Santa Claus Parade.  Inside the hotel, the culinary brigade is working with sugar and spice and all things nice to stage a new holiday event – a Children’s Afternoon Tea in Xi Shi, the hotel’s lobby lounge, with a very special piano performance.  Additionally, Market by Jean-Georges will again participate in Brunch with Benefits in support of YouthCo AIDS.

The topping off, literally for December 2nd, is the hotel’s inaugural Christmas tree lighting ceremony.  At 1:00 p.m., as the Christmas tree lights are set to twinkle, six-year-old local piano virtuosa Shuqi Li will command the keys of the hotel’s Fazioli in Xi Shi Lounge, playing holiday classics.  A children’s choir will perform following Shuqi and guests are welcome to join in a Christmas carol sing-along.

Sunday, December 2
Christmas Market
Patio of Market by Jean-Georges 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Petkov Kiwi Production – kiwi fruit
The Jam Ladies – jam and preserves
Beaucoup Bakery – indulgent baking
Dohm – spreadable soft cheese
Rootables Chips – root vegetable chips
Waterworking Microgreens – microgreens
Blackberry Hill Bakery – traditional baking
Pasta Famiglia – handmade pasta

Children’s Afternoon High Tea
Xi Shi Lounge 11:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
$24 per Child
Created for the 12 and under set, this special High Tea includes macaroni and cheese in small pots, miniature beef burgers and sweet treats that include Chocolate Belgian Waffles and Valhrona Chocolate Pudding.  Specially-stirred Mimosa’s for the junior set will be made of orange juice and soda, plus each child will take home a “stuffie” for the holidays.

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Lobby  1:00 p.m.
The 15-foot custom tree will come to life with more than 4,000 lights and aromatic, hand-crafted ornaments made by local artisans using dried oranges, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Six-year-old piano prodigy, Shuqi Li of West Vancouver, who has played twice at New York’s prestigious Carnegie Hall, will perform on the Fazioli piano – Xi Shi Lounge.

Brunch with Benefits
Market by Jean-Georges 11:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
$45 per Person
Market by Jean-Georges is again supporting this special initiative which will see all brunch proceeds going to YouthCo AIDS Society in support of programs for young people.

The Christmas Market will take place again Sunday, December 16th with an expanded list of vendors as Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver puts a modern twist on the traditional European Christmas markets that have brought people together since the 14th century.

Sunday, December 16
Christmas Market
Patio of Market by Jean-Georges
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Sticky Spoon – jam and preserves
Take a Fancy – chocolates and truffles
French Made Baking – French baking
Jane’s Honey Bees – honey
Preserved BC Sunshine – jam and preserves
Dohm – spreadable soft cheese
Beaucoup Bakery – indulgent baking
Petkov Kiwi Production – kiwi fruit
Handmade by Claire – handmade paper and cards
The Other Eden – handmade soap
Ragged Design – handmade jewellery
Dundarave Olive Co – olive oil and vinegars
Rootables Chips – root vegetable chips
Waterworking Microgreens – microgreens
Momma Nellie’s Salsa – salsa
Blackberry Hill Bakery – traditional baking

About Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts
Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and/or manages 75 hotels under the Shangri-La, Kerry and Traders brands with a room inventory of over 30,000.  Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services.  Shangri-La hotels are located in Australia, Canada, mainland China, Fiji, France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Philippines, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.  The group has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in mainland China, India, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Turkey and United Kingdom. For more information and reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at www.shangri-la.com.