I really used to look forward to this event every year but this year it left me kind of meh. Not so meh that I'd go two star, three feels right.
Busy doesn't begin to describe it but I expect it to be busy and I'm prepared for it so no loss of stars for busy. It's popular, deal with it. This year the folks directing parking could have done a better job. Somehow a typical suburban family hauling 4x4 needs to take up the space that 3 vehicles could have parked in, really? Take a page from the guys at the Stampede grounds and events at the Dome and I'm sure the parking would go much better.
While there are still a lot of fantastic vendors with some really unique crafts and Christmas items, there also seems to be a consistent creep of home based businesses using this as a venue. There was great representation of all the multi tier marketing outfits we have come to know and love to avoid at other venues. Also seemed to be a boat load of costume jewellery vendors this year. Not the handmade unique pieces you would expect but the home party variety. Not what I'm going to the Christmas Market for personally.
For families I would definitely recommend it for the petting zoo (baby goats!) and the chance for a photo op with the reindeer.