The most beautiful Christmas markets in Poland
The tradition of Christmas markets dates back to the Middle Ages. It was then that markets began to appear for the first time in town and city squares in the run-up to Christmas, selling foodstuffs, Christmas decorations, gifts and everyday items. Merchants from various regions flocked to such fairs and, encouraged by the shoppers' greater than usual willingness to spend money, offered sometimes very exclusive goods.
Christmas markets are strongly associated with German culture. One of the oldest and most famous is the 'Dresden Striezelmarkt', which dates back to 1434. Thus, today's popularity of these unique fairs is largely due to the Germans.
In Poland, the tradition of Christmas markets has a long history, too - the oldest references to them date back to the Middle Ages. The oldest Polish Christmas market is the so-called Christmas Market in Krakow. Initially it was a food fair, but over time it has also become a place to buy Christmas decorations, gifts and other Christmas-related items. The Krakow Christmas Market is one of the most famous and visited in Poland.
Today, Christmas markets are organised in many Polish cities and towns, attracting locals and tourists with their festive atmosphere, traditional products, handicrafts and accompanying cultural events.
So where is it worth going? Here is our subjective selection of the 5 most interesting Christmas markets.
Krakow's Christmas Market - the oldest in Poland
We begin our journey through the fairs with the one in Krakow, Poland's oldest Christmas market, which starts on Sunday 24 November and will last until 1 January 2024 on Krakow's Market Square. It is one of those events that have become a permanent fixture on the calendar of events around Christmas. Vendors not only from Poland, but also from Lithuania, Ukraine, Slovakia and Hungary will set up their stalls at the market.
The Christmas stalls will feature food products such as cold cuts, cheese, sausages and bread, as well as jewellery made of fabric and wood, handicrafts made of flax and wool, small gifts and ceramics. There will also be Christmas tree decorations - hand-painted baubles and reeds - art glass, souvenirs and regional products. The atmosphere will be rounded off with Christmas specialities - mulled wine, barbecued dishes, Christmas sweets and roast chestnuts, as well as numerous side events.
Gdańsk fair - winner of awards
The Gdansk fair is very highly rated by visitors and boasts second place in the European Best Christmas Market 2023 competition (only the Budapest market received more votes). This year, the Christmas market opens its doors on 24 November and will delight tourists and locals for the next four weeks.
As every year, the Gdańsk fair will take place on the Coal Market between the Golden Gate and the Wyżynna Gate. Stalls with handicrafts and crafts, regional delicacies and delicious food, numerous Christmas attractions for children and adults in Jarmark Zakątki, atmospheric illuminations and an interesting programme of accompanying live artistic events await visitors.
Wrocław Fair - a fairytale atmosphere
This year's Wrocław Fair will last an exceptionally long - from 24 November to 7 January. This is the 14th edition of this event, which has won the hearts of many Wroclaw residents and tourists for good. Known for its fairytale atmosphere, the fair attracts visitors with beautiful illuminations - including the famous windmill - and fits perfectly into the atmosphere of the Wrocław Market Square, where it is held.
And what attractions await this year? In addition to traditional Christmas decorations, handicrafts and regional dishes, visitors will be able to use the photodomes (thematically arranged wooden houses in which it will be possible to take souvenir photos), meet the Gift Dwarf, who appears only during Christmas and who brings luck to all who touch his hat three times, as well as enjoy many attractions prepared with all age groups in mind.
Fair in Katowice - truly Silesian
In the Upper Silesian capital of Katowice, the Christmas market lasts by far the longest, from the second weekend in November until 7 January 2024. One of this year's biggest attractions is the 33-metre-high Ferris wheel.
Thanks to a rich gastronomic offer, visitors to the fair will be able to feel the true Silesian Christmas atmosphere. There will be no shortage of Christmas tree decorations, gift inspirations, traditional sweets and even last years' hit, the Silesian tiramisu. Ice-skating enthusiasts will be delighted with a small ice rink, and the youngest visitors will enjoy houses with animated figures, a fairy-tale train and fairy-tale shows in an open-air cinema!
Warsaw Christmas market - the capital's attractions
The Warsaw Christmas Market invites visitors from Friday, 24 November to 7 January 2024. You can find it on the Piotr Biegański Mall, from the Sigismund's Column to Wąski Dunaj Street. Decorated Christmas stalls can also be found in the Old Town Square. The stalls sell, among other things, Polish baubles and ceramics and wooden products, Warsaw souvenirs, traditional cheese from the Tatra mountains (oscypki) and other products from the Podhale region, warm scarves and hats, and Ukrainian embroidered shirts.
Those hungry for a culinary experience will be able to taste traditional bread with lard, hot chestnuts, Hungarian kolaches, czuburak and waffles, and drink mulled wine or winter tea. This year's attractions will also include blacksmithing demonstrations, carols performed on a saxophone and Santa Claus, who will be on duty at noon on weekends and after 4 pm on weekdays.