It’s a time when cities and small towns turn into little pockets of light, scent, and tradition—something you won’t quite find anywhere else. Polish Christmas markets, less famous than their German counterparts but often far more atmospheric, have become a hallmark of the season. This is where you can feel the vibe of an old-Europe Christmas: medieval streets, local legends, unique regional food, and family customs that go back hundreds of years.

Instead of spending all of December at home, many Poles head out to these holiday markets, held in almost every corner of the country. But one of them stands out above the rest — the Christmas Market in Wrocław. Anyone who’s been there usually says the same thing: this place really has the magic of Christmas.

Below is a ranking of the most popular and biggest Christmas markets in Poland — starting with the one that draws the largest crowds year after year.

Wrocław Christmas Market 2024

Wrocław’s market officially opens on November 21st and runs all the way until January 7th (with short breaks). During this time, the city’s Old Town transforms into the beating heart of winter magic — wooden stalls, mulled-wine aromas, lights, music, and flavors you won’t find anywhere else. Here you can try oscypek, a smoked cheese from the Polish mountains, along with many traditional regional dishes prepared for the holidays for generations.

Every year, the Christmas village attracts thousands of visitors from across Poland — and increasingly from abroad — all eager to experience a traditional European Christmas surrounded by Gothic townhouses and old city legends.

The market kicks off on November 21st with a lively parade by a brass orchestra — starting at 4:45 PM on the northern side of the square. The musicians will march across the market until they reach the statue of Aleksander Fredro, where the official opening begins at 5:00 PM. Shortly after, the band *Chillove Świątecznie* will perform a festive concert from the balcony of one of the wooden chalets.

November 21, 2025 (Friday):

• 4:45 PM – Brass orchestra parade
• 5:00 PM – Official opening
• 5:20 PM – “Chillove Świątecznie” concert

December 5, 2025 (Friday), 5:00 PM:

• Lighting of the Wrocław Christmas tree
• Welcoming Santa Claus (the Polish version of Santa)
• Concert by “Christmas Tree-O”

December 7, 2025 (Sunday), 5:00 PM:

• Colorful Christmas parade with Santa and fairy-tale characters

December 14, 2025 (Sunday), 5:00 PM:

• “The Magical Tale of the Elves” — a special stage show
• Evening concerts

January 3, 2026 (Saturday):

• 4:00 PM – Performances by singers from Oława
• 5:45 PM – Christmas concert by Natalia Pławiak
• 6:45 PM – Big Bike Orchestra parade

January 4, 2026 (Sunday):

• 4:00 PM – Children’s animations “Alutka”
• 5:00 PM – Majorettes “Mari Mar” performance
• 5:45 PM – Concert by M. Bieliński
• 7:00 PM – Concert by Magda Steczkowska

January 5, 2026 (Monday):

• 4:00 PM–8:00 PM – Artistic performances

The stage remains active until January 6th for the Epiphany procession, a holiday in Poland celebrated with colorful street parades. You can find more details here: https://www.jarmarkbozonarodzeniowy.com/jarmark.

Last year, the market welcomed 812,000 guests, who made over 1.6 million visits — a clear sign that this is one of the most important holiday events in the country.
The market is open daily from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with exceptions:

• December 24 (Christmas Eve) – closed
• December 25 (Christmas Day) – closed
• December 26 (Second Day of Christmas) – open from 1:00 PM
• December 31 (New Year’s Eve) – product stalls until 5:00 PM, food & drink until 2:00 AM
• January 1 (New Year’s Day) – closed

Gdańsk Christmas Market 2024

Now we head north to Gdańsk — part of the Tricity area — which offers a very different holiday atmosphere from the cities in the south. Coastal towns aren’t usually the first choice in winter, but Gdańsk transforms into one of the most enchanting places on Poland’s Christmas map: medieval walls, fragrant cinnamon, cozy stalls, and a slower, more “northern” holiday vibe.

The market opens on November 22nd and runs until December 23rd. Expect fairy-tale lights, regional treats, unique handmade gifts, and a peaceful charm that feels worlds away from the fast pace of larger European cities. Each day of the week has its own theme.

Instagram Mondays
The stage becomes a backdrop for photos: lights, reflections, and decorations that look like a Christmas card. It’s perfect for capturing good shots before weekend crowds arrive.

Theatrical Tuesdays
Actors, storytellers, and performers take over the stage — a mix of holiday tales, gentle humor, and family-friendly theater under the open sky.

Big Talent Wednesdays
Local schools, cultural centers, and young artists perform: choirs, nativity plays, dance, and music. The pure “holiday energy” often starts right here.

Family Thursdays
Fun, games, contests, quizzes, Santa visits — the ideal day for families looking to enjoy a cheerful, slightly chaotic evening.

Musical Fridays
The weekend opens with music. Singers, bands, and DJs bring a more energetic, urban atmosphere — still festive, but with a party vibe.


Visitors can also join workshops to make handmade Christmas ornaments — a great alternative to typical souvenirs. The food stalls serve traditional Polish holiday dishes and local treats you won’t find in tourist hotspots.

Shakespeare Corner
Inspired by the city’s theatrical history. After passing through the Shakespeare Gate, you enter a calm space with a Romeo and Juliet bench — perfect for photos or simply catching your breath. Subtle, atmospheric décor instead of flashy lights.

Santa’s Corner
The heart of the market — with Santa’s monumental throne and a stage filled with kids’ events. Nearby is a charity zone where one button lights up a whole installation. Simple but delightful, especially for children.

Artistic Corner
Inside the historic Great Armoury, this becomes a hub of local art during the market. You’ll find student artwork, handmade crafts, jewelry, and unique gifts. Kids can join creative art workshops.

Amber Corner
Gdańsk is famous for amber, so this special gallery is dedicated entirely to the “Baltic gold.” Inside, visitors can see modern interpretations of amber jewelry, meet local artists, and explore designs blending heritage with contemporary style.

More info about this market: https://bozonarodzeniowy.pl.

Poland’s Christmas season doesn’t end in Wrocław or Gdańsk. Many other cities build their own little pockets of winter magic — each with a different vibe, local flavor, and traditions you won’t find anywhere else. Here are some of the most charming ones.

Date: 15.11.2025 - 21.12.2025
Poznań turns Plac Wolności and the Old Town area into a lively winter festival filled with lights, music, and street food stalls. One of the highlights is the International Ice Sculpture Festival, where artists carve enormous blocks of ice into stunning figures right in front of the crowd. The atmosphere is more modern and urban compared to other cities, but still wonderfully festive — perfect for those who like a mix of tradition and a city-festival feel.

Date: 07.12.2025 - 06.01.2026
If you want a Christmas wrapped in mountain folklore, Zakopane is the place. Krupówki Street in December smells of grilled oscypek cheese, smoky highlander cuisine, and hot chocolate. Wooden stalls blend naturally with the wintery Tatra scenery, and the whole town feels like a Christmas village built in the mountains. It’s less “classic European market” and more “Polish highlander holiday experience” — and that’s exactly what makes it unforgettable.

Date: 28.11.2025 - 08.01.2026
The capital goes big — elegant lights, long alleys of wooden stalls, and a backdrop straight from a historical movie. The main market stretches along the Barbican and Old Town walls, which look almost unreal when covered in winter lights. You’ll find both traditional food stalls and modern food courts, and the whole city glows thanks to the famous Warsaw Illumination Route. It’s ideal for anyone who loves large cities, wide boulevards, and a touch of holiday extravagance.

Date: 21.11.2025 - 21.12.2025
Toruń looks like a Christmas card even without decorations — with its red-brick Gothic buildings and cobblestone streets. The market fills the Old Town Square and carries one unmistakable scent: gingerbread. Toruń is Poland’s gingerbread capital, so this market is perfect for anyone who wants a quieter, more atmospheric evening surrounded by medieval architecture and the smell of fresh baked treats.

Date: 28.11.2025 - 08.01.2026
Kraków’s Main Square in winter is pure magic. The market sits between the Cloth Hall and the Town Hall Tower, creating a postcard-perfect setting that draws visitors from all over Europe. You’ll find regional foods, handmade crafts, live music, and a romantic vibe that feels very “old Europe.” It’s one of those places where simply standing in the square with a cup of mulled wine feels like part of the experience.