Best Christmas Events and Locations 2025

Christmas markets are only one part of the winter magic waiting for you in Poland this year. Across the country, you’ll find truly special holiday spaces: a magical shop inspired by Harry Potter’s winter ball, Santa’s villages, ice-sculpting shows, intimate gourmet evenings in castles, an outdoor winter cinema, and everything that creates that unique December mood — cosy, bright and full of anticipation.

Warsaw Kraków & Katowice Wrocław Poznań Gdańsk

Warsaw

Flora Point has once again become a place you visit not for shopping, but for the feeling. The store has turned into a Christmas installation inspired by winter scenes from the Harry Potter films: shelves decorated with twinkling garlands resemble Diagon Alley window displays, the soft rustling of snowy owls seems to float in the air, and magical books, “elixir” bottles and golden pinecones create the sense that you’ve stepped into a Hogwarts winter ball. It’s the perfect spot for anyone looking for holiday inspiration or gifts that feel a little different.

The new market under the Palace of Culture is the main event of the season, created for the first time on the scale of a true European capital. This year it will take place from 28 November to 1 January. Visitors will find wooden stalls with crafts, gingerbread aromas and hot dishes glowing under strings of lights, while a 55-metre Ferris wheel — the highest in Poland — rises above the square. Nearby, a Venetian carousel and Santa’s house will complete the scenery.

The capital also brings a new kind of festive mood with “Kino pod Choinką” — Poland’s first open-air Christmas cinema, running from 29 November to 30 December. The square will be filled with comfortable deckchairs covered with blankets and faux-fur throws, snow crunching underfoot, warm drinks in hand and popcorn ready for the show. Every Tuesday and Saturday, the screen will feature films ranging from Paddington to Green Book in original versions with subtitles. If the weather turns bad, screenings will simply move indoors to Kinoteka — so not a single session will be cancelled. Find the full schedule here.

Just forty kilometres from Warsaw, Dwórzno Winery invites guests on 6 December to a warm, intimate celebration of St. Nicholas Day — ideal for anyone wanting to swap the city noise for firelight and winter vineyards. Guests will be welcomed with mulled wine, taken through the vineyard and winery, offered a tasting of five wines, and then invited to gather by the fire — to warm up, talk, and slip into a hot outdoor barrel with a view of snowy vines. There will also be winter dipping, a sauna, food-truck dishes and a convenient bus from the Palace of Culture that takes you there and back. Places are limited — get your ticket early.

Kraków & Katowice

This winter, Energylandia once again turns into a small Christmas fairy tale. Half-timbered houses, twinkling garlands and warm golden lights create the atmosphere of a winter Strasbourg, filled with the scent of waffles and hot chocolate. Visitors can expect winter attractions, an ice rink, elf workshops, Santa’s house and plenty of warm, family-friendly moments.

But the main event of the season is the first-ever Santa’s Village in Kraków, opening on 29 November at 11:00 on Bulwarowa 39 and running until 13 December. It’s something the city has never had before: a large area transformed into a full Christmas land with a spruce forest, Santa’s wooden house, a postal station for children’s letters, and real Elf workshops making toys, decorations and gingerbread creations. Weekends bring parades; weekdays offer workshops, meetings with fairy-tale characters and evening walks among thousands of lights. Cosy photo spots, holiday animals and hot drinks create that truly magical December atmosphere. More details here.

Another beloved tradition is the two-day fair at Rynek Podgórski (29–30 November) — a small, warm event where local artisans present jewellery, ceramics, wooden crafts and natural leather goods. But the true symbol of this fair is the century-old carousel, where a ride feels like stepping into an old Christmas postcard. In Kraków — a city with fewer holiday attractions — this fair is a must-see.

The main Kraków market is also expanding this year: for the first time, it will cover both Rynek Główny and Mały Rynek (28.11–01.01). Expect the classics: dozens of wooden stalls with hot food, handmade decorations, sweets and gifts, lights and music filling the city centre. But if you want the full European Christmas experience, with scale, energy and big-city holiday spirit, take a one-hour train ride to Katowice — home to one of the best Christmas markets in Poland.

Katowice begins celebrating early: from 21 November to 6 January, the city turns into a huge festive installation, with the main square glowing with lights, the smell of baked treats and the sound of live music. A 33-metre Ferris wheel rises above the market, children can enjoy various attractions and a Victorian-style carousel with regional motifs, and dozens of stalls offer glass ornaments, handmade toys, artisan goods and local delicacies. Every weekend brings concerts, dance performances, Santa visits and a festive parade. This market grows stronger every year and has long surpassed Kraków’s — dynamic, bright and festive down to the last lantern.

Wrocław

The Wrocław Christmas Market returns this year to the Main Square in the beloved version everyone knows: twinkling lights, the scent of cinnamon, wooden stalls and attractions that make the city feel genuinely festive. From 21 November to 7 January, a full Christmas town will fill the centre, where you can warm up with hot wine served in signature boot-shaped mugs, try traditional pastries, browse artisan stalls or simply stand under the tall Christmas tree as the city slowly slips into winter magic.

The true novelty of the season is the market at Kraina Koni in Partynice, taking place from 6 to 21 December. It’s a quieter, more local event with stalls offering handmade decorations, candles, natural cosmetics, honey, gingerbread and regional baked goods. Organisers highlight that markets like this one bring December to life in European cities: neighbourhood spaces filled with light, street-food aromas and a warm, home-like winter atmosphere — without the crowds.

For something truly spectacular, head outside the city to Książ Castle, which throughout December (1–31) will shine in its Royal Christmas edition. Expect palace-level decor: corridors and chambers filled with floral arrangements created by international teams of artists; tree decorations combining gold, green, ruby tones and delicate plant silhouettes glowing like winter sunlight. Walking through the halls feels like visiting a 19th-century royal residence, where candlelight reflected in gilded details turned winter into a grand celebration. On 20 December, the castle will also host a three-course Christmas tasting dinner, inspired by the traditions of the Hochberg family. Buy tickets here.

And if you want a quieter December escape, visit Mojęcice Palace — a hotel where Christmas aesthetics meet high-quality gastronomy. The palace is decorated with warm seasonal accents; the dining room serves local slow-food dishes made from regional winter ingredients; and after dinner, you can relax by the fireplace with a glass of wine and cheeses from the palace’s own farm. The New Year’s Eve dinner on 31 December promises to be especially charming — a calm, elegant evening without a loud ball, but with the perfect mood for starting the new year. Guests will enjoy sparkling wine, a five-course tasting menu, a finger-food buffet, live music until midnight and a quiet festive toast in historic interiors. Booking in advance is recommended.

Poznań

Poznań’s central square comes alive again with the Betlejem Poznańskie Christmas Market, running from 21 November 2025 to 6 January 2026. Throughout December, the air is filled with the aroma of gingerbread, roasted nuts, hot wine served in ceramic mugs and, of course, Poznań’s famous St. Martin croissants. Visitors can also enjoy a Ferris wheel, winter attractions and carousels, and ice rink on the Old Market Square.

From 12 to 14 December, Poznań will host its annual Ice Sculpture Festival. The city centre will be filled with shimmering ice art. On Friday, 12 December, from 16:00 to 18:30, artists will carve small sculptures live according to a set theme, and winners will be announced at 19:00. On Saturday, 13 December, from 12:00 to 18:30, the speed-carving competition will take place: blocks of ice will turn into shapes, wings, patterns and fantasy figures that will remain on display for days. It’s one of the most unique winter events in Poland and absolutely unmissable — a moment when frost becomes art and December sunlight becomes part of the exhibition.

The second Christmas destination in the city is the market at the Poznań Fairgrounds, open from 15 November to 21 December 2025. It’s quieter and more spacious than the central market, making it perfect for those who enjoy browsing crafts, designer gifts, handmade goods, local food and seasonal drinks in a calmer, more relaxed setting.

Gdańsk

The Gdańsk Christmas Market has been among Europe’s most beautiful for years — and in 2024 it was officially named the best, surpassing famous locations from Budapest to Strasbourg. That’s why this season, from 21 November to 23 December, the Baltic coast is one of the must-see Christmas destinations. Wintertime Gdańsk turns into a huge festive town: wooden stalls line the historic streets, arches of lights stretch above the walkways, and a glowing carousel casts warm reflections onto the cobblestones. This year, the market is even larger, offering attractions, installations, children’s zones, photo spots and — most of all — impressive winter food. Alongside traditional dishes, there are stands with seafood, regional specialities, street-food options and sweets.

For those who love music and special December evenings, on 16 December at 7:30pm, the Baltic Philharmonic will host “Świąteczny Rock” — a concert that mixes classic Christmas songs with rock arrangements. In the gentle candlelight, you’ll hear Last Christmas, Let It Snow and other holiday favourites in new, energetic versions performed with guitars, piano, a string quartet and strong vocals. Get your tickets here.

If you want to experience a more local side of the Baltic region, head to Elbląg. From 5 to 7 December, the old town will once again become a Christmas village, glowing with lights, music and the scent of fresh fish. Regional artisans gather here to sell handmade goods, offer tastings of Baltic dishes, host carolling, performances, charity events and family activities. The Elbląg Christmas Market always feels especially warm and home-like — a perfect addition to a festive trip to Gdańsk.