In the Baltic city of Gdansk, amid the medieval buildings of this stunning Polish city, is the Gdansk Christmas Market. Arguably one of Poland’s most beautiful and best cities, the Christmas Market is another of many great reasons to visit Gdansk. The Gdansk Christmas Market is brimming with holiday cheer. The setting is cozy and atmospheric; the market’s brick buildings cut the sometimes bitter wind from the nearby Baltic Sea. Not only are there stalls selling decor and food, but there are also features that make this Christmas Market incredibly unique.
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Gdansk Christmas Market Overview
How to Get to Gdansk
Gdansk is a great city to visit in Poland as there are nonstop flights from many major cities in Europe and connecting flights from elsewhere.
If you are traveling within Poland, train travel is one of the best options. You can get from Warsaw and Poznan to Gdansk in a relatively quick ride. However, if you are coming from Krakow, the train journey can be pretty long, so you may want to consider stopping in another city before heading to Gdansk or flying. Compare train tickets directly on the PKP Intercity website. Make sure to pay attention to the duration of the trains. Unless you are on a tight budget, you will want to get the express train.
Where to Stay When Visiting Gdansk’s Christmas Market
Gdansk is a relatively small city and is highly walkable. The only time you will need to use public transportation is when visiting the Christmas Markets in the Tri-Cities of Sopot and Gdynia. So anywhere you stay in Gdansk should be okay. However, here are a few recommendations that are close to the Targ Węglowy.
Find More Great Hotels Near the Gdansk Christmas Market
Check out this Booking.com map to see what hotels are available during your visit. Keep in mind that Christmas is a busy time to visit Gdansk, so be sure to secure your hotel by booking now.
Booking.com
Gdansk Christmas Market 2022 Dates
The official Gdansk Christmas Market 2023 dates are from November 17 to December 23.
Gdansk Christmas Market Hours
10 am – 10 pm
Gdansk Christmas Market Locations
Targ Weglowy
The Gdansk Christmas Market is located in Targ Węglowy, a cobbled square in Gdansk. This square is set behind the Great Armory. Targ Węglowy is quite spacious, leaving ample room for stalls and entertainment at the Gdansk Christmas Market.
Upon entering the Gdansk Christmas Market, you will notice the massive advent calendar. Each day of advent, at 5:00 pm, a new window is opened to showcase a Christmas surprise. This advent calendar has multiple purposes. It serves as the gate to the Gdansk Christmas Market, is a great photo opp, and serves as a viewpoint. There is a staircase on the sides of the advent calendar, leading to a view of Targ Węglowy.
One of the things that set the Gdansk Christmas Market apart is its unique attractions. Some are simple photo opts, such as the lover’s lane, an area to kiss under the mistletoe. And the Christmas windmill with the three kings circling it. This windmill is, of course, an area to buy mulled wine. Who doesn’t love an over-the-top mulled wine stand?
There is a spot to take photos with Santa and go on a sleigh ride simulator! I am still kicking myself for not trying out the sleigh ride simulator. Perhaps it is more geared to children, but it still sounds so cool.
In the center of it all is a beautiful Venetian carousel. It is so beautiful, especially in the evening when it is lit up. Riding the carousel is both incredibly fun and nostalgic and a great way to enjoy the atmosphere of the Christmas Market while on the ride.
If it’s not snowing during your visit to Gdansk, have no worries. You can experience snow at the igloo at the Gdansk Christmas Market. There is a blow-up igloo next to the carousel that you can go inside. While this activity seemed to draw children mostly, it is truly a fun activity for all ages. While in the igloo, fans blow around fake snow for a very magical and fun experience. I could not stop laughing and smiling while in the igloo. P.S. visiting the igloo is free!
Don’t miss the talking moose, which is one of the star attractions at the Gdansk Christmas Market. It is located above one of the food stands and says several phrases.
Other Streets: Tkacka and Boguslawskiego
This year, the Gdansk Christmas market has been extended. Now the shopping stalls span through Tkacka and Boguslawskiego streets. This allows more room for stalls and disperses the people who are visiting the Gdansk Christmas Market. Keep in mind these streets are only shopping, and some snack stalls; most of the major attractions are found at Targ Węglowy.
Gdansk Christmas Market Events
Elf Parade
Every day a parade of elves makes their way through the Gdansk Christmas Market. It is the most adorable and entertaining thing, and it’s such a great way to start the Christmas cheer every day. Even if you are not in Targ Węglowy, you will hear this Elf Parade from blocks away. Yet, don’t miss it! It is so sweet and wholesome.
Events at the Stage
Enjoy events daily at the stage located in Targ Węglowy. These events include concerts, Christmas carols, and theatrical performances, including the story of Scrooge. There is a complete list of events at the Gdansk Christmas Market here.
What to Eat and Drink at the Gdansk Christmas Market
The Gdansk Christmas Market has a wide array of food stalls, from Polish to International stands. I found the Gdansk Christmas Market offerings to be the most diverse among all the Christmas Markets in Poland. There is truly something for everyone to eat here, whether you prefer Polish, Greek or Italian fare.
What to buy at the Christmas Market in Gdansk
There are various stalls at the Christmas Market in Gdansk for shopping. Here you can buy some of the top items at Polish Christmas Markets, including woolen clothing, wood toys, and chocolates in the shapes of tools. Yet these are a few items that particularly stand out at the Gdansk Christmas Market:
Baltic Amber
Baltic Amber is one of the main things to buy in Gdansk, and thus there are plenty of stands selling jewelry in Baltic amber at the Gdansk Christmas Market, and it is relatively cheap and makes a great gift.
Other Things to do in Gdansk During Christmas
Gdansk is wonderful to visit at Christmas time. While there are not a lot of specific Christmas activities aside from the Gdansk Christmas Market, it is genuinely atmospheric during the holidays. Christmas trees and sparkling light displays dot the city of Gdansk. Here are the best things to do in Gdansk at Christmas.
See the Tree in the Long Market
The Christmas Tree in Gdansk is located in the Long Market, a square surrounded by many ornate, notable buildings. Long Market is a famous square for tourists to visit and the perfect setting for this 17-meter-high Christmas tree.
View the Christmas Illuminations in Gdansk
There are various spots to see Christmas illuminations throughout Gdansk. If you wander around the tourist spots in Gdansk, you will undoubtedly run across most of them. Yet, if you want to see them all, this is the list of locations for 2022.
- Oliwa Park
- Kobzdej Square
- Green Bridge
- Orunski Park
- Reagan’s Park
- Coal Market Square
- Stagiewna street
- Tkacka street
Visit the Tri-City Christmas Markets in Gdynia and Sopot
Gdansk makes up the tri-cities of Poland, including nearby Sopot and Gdynia. Both of these nearby cities have small Christmas Markets of their own. You can easily reach these cities by train, wander around town and check out their Christmas markets. The Christmas markets in these cities do not run for as long as the Christmas Market in Gdansk.
Gdansk Christmas Market: Wrap-up
This wraps up the guide to visiting the Christmas Market in Gdansk, Poland. Gdansk is a small city, yet the Christmas Market is truly spectacular. While Gdansk is a bit away from the other Christmas Markets in Poland, it is well worth going out of your way to visit. Gdansk is one of the best cities to visit in Poland.
