Voted the Best Christmas Markets in 2024 by Europe's Best Destinations, Gdańsk's Christmas Market should be an essential part of your winter travel itinerary in Poland. So what can you expect to find here?
The historic city's Christmas markets centre around Targ Węglowy (ENG: The Coal Market) in the picturesque historic centre of Gdańsk Old Town, which is turned into a quaint little Christmas village, offering decorations, treats, woollen scarves and socks, handmade jewellery, children's toys, mulled wine, hot cider and steaming portions of Polish food. Close to the Golden Gate, you can witness the bizarre novelty of Łoś Lucek (roughly translating as 'Luey the Moose'), a mechanical moose that tells exceptionally-dry jokes in Polish, English, and German. It doesn't end there!
The Main Stage on Targ Węglowy at the Gdańsk Christmas Market!
Passing through Brama Wyżynna and crossing the main road, the grounds around Forum Shopping Centre have scored this year's Christmas tree, as well as extra stalls and the all-important ice skating rink. In the other direction, through the Golden Gate and back down ul. Długa, you'll find another strip of crafts and food options on the next left - ul. Tkacka. The beautifully-imposing Great Armoury at the intersection of ul. Tkacka and ul. Piwna has become the 'Armoury of Arts & Crafts', hosting a number of stalls sporting artisanal goods, as well as Santa's Workshop, which has a bunch of creative arts & crafts sessions.
Mikołaj AKA Saint Nicholas AKA Santa Claus greeting the good folk of Gdańsk on the Main Stage on Targ Węglowy. Photo by Jarmark Bożonarodzeniowy Gdańsk.
What's going on at the Gdańsk Christmas Markets in 2025?
There are a whole bunch of events taking place at the Christmas Markets in Gdańsk. The centre of all these activities is the main stage is located at the north end of Targ Węglowy, the centre of all the action, with a themed program running throughout the week (see below).
On Nov 22th, the official opening ceremony kicks off 16:00 on the main stage. Then the "Winter Night's Dream" Parade will roll from the main stage into Targ Węglowy, down ul. Bogusławskiego via the advent calendar, before ending on ul. Tkacka. At 17:00, the Academic Choir of the University of Gdańsk will perform "Christmas is just around the corner..." back on the main stage. At the same time, there'll be a "Christmas Fever" dance party elsewhere on Targ Węglowy.
From December 1st, the gigantic Advent Calendar Gate on ul. Bogusławskiego will be opening a new window every evening at 18:00. The Great Armoury is hosting two fun spaces for kids and families: Firstly, the Christmas Factory, a workshop space where you can make your own decorations, cards, and wreaths, enjoy Christmas games and activities, and swap toys and books with other children. Secondly, the Festive Chamber features a fireplace and Santa's throne - another Christmassy Instaspot for the influencer-minded folks. The Old Town's Foregate Complex features Angel Corner, a space where "Winter Dances" DJ sets will be hosted on select dates, as well as the "Active Holidays" sessions featuring festive activities and karaoke !
MAIN STAGE EVENTS
INSTA MONDAYS
The main stage is a backdrop for selfi-liscous and reel-liscous photos and videos. Go on... you know you want to!
THEATRE TUESDAYS
At 16:30 every Tuesday, Christmas fairy tales and stories will be shared from the main stage for an audience of all ages. It's early enough so the kids can go out and share in some seasonal joy before their non-negotiable bedtimes.
GREAT TALENTS WEDNESDAY
15:00 on Wednesdays are reserved for locals schools, preschools, and community organisations to have their moment in the limelight. What to expect here? Choirs, nativity plays, dance performances, and musical performances by young and talented artists.
FAMILY THURSDAYS
Games, competitions, quizzes, and family-friendly entertainment are featured at various times between 16:00 and 18:00 every Thursday. Amongst the colourful cast, you'll find the Snow Queen, Santa Claus, and other flamoyant fairy-tale Christmas. There are also "Meet the Exhibitor" sessions, where you can learn the stories and flavors of the fair from the inside.
MUSICAL FRIDAYS
Singers, bands, dancers, and DJs take to the stage every Friday at various times between 16:00 and 19:00 to lay down a rhythm and get those wintery bones warmed up and groovin'!
WEEKEND SPECIAL EVENTS
On weekends, the stage resounds with concerts, carols, and performances from across Poland and the world!
From the range of traditional Polish cuisine that you'll find at the Christmas Markets, servings of Oscypki (ENG: Smoked Cheese), Pierogi and Grilled Meat from one of the BBQ stations are standard fixtures. On the latter, hardcore meat lovers may want to enquire about Kaszanka (ENG: Black Pudding / Blood Sausage). If you want something a little more balanced (fibre is important on evenings like this), try some Bigos (ENG: Hunter's Stew) which is actually not as wet as it sounds - shredded sour cabbage with chopped meat. Those searching for something more exotic will find a Tatar food stall, which offers foods from the Central Asian republic. Burgers, chipsticks and other Americanised standards can also be found. Each to their own... however, we'd love you to be adventurous!
Golonka (ENG: Pork Knuckle), another Polish Christmas market favourite!
On the sweeter end of the palate, Ginger Bread makes a big appearance at Christmas time, but you'll spot other standards like Gofry (ENG: Waffles) which come with a number of toppings. Another notable non-Polish indulgence are the Hungarian Kurtosze stalls that sell 'Chimney Cakes' - steamy, hollow dough-tubes, baked and covered in sugar and cinnamon or chocolate and nuts.
Hungarian Kurtosze (ENG: Chimney Cakes) are a popular sweet market food at Polish Chrismas markets!
What to drink at Gdańsk Christmas Markets?
Christmas is the season of heated alcohol! A pint of Hot Beer (PL: Grzane Piwno) sounds fairly self-explanatory, though it is curiously-spiced with artificial ginger syrup, clove, cinnamon and other mulling spices. For some an acquired taste, for others an early Christmas present and others still an utter profanity, but an invention necessary for everyone to try at least once. Similarly popular is Grzane Wino – or Sweet Mulled Wine – which you'll find is suddenly okay to drink in public places once the holidays come around and barrels of it dispensed on Poland's market squares. You can also order it at the bar and even buy it in the shop and heat it up at home - a popular brand is Grzaniec Galicyjski. If you're looking for something with a bit more kick, take note of Polish flavoured-vodkas like Nalewki, Krupniki and others here!
A Grzane Wino stall at Gdańsk Christmas Markets. Hot wine in Polish wintertime is a necessity for many!
