It's never too early to start thinking about Christmas and, if you're planning to spend some time in Poland around this time of the year, then a visit to the Gdańsk Christmas Market should be in your calendar. 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!
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.
What's going on at the Gdańsk Christmas Markets in 2024?
What to eat at Gdańsk Christmas Markets?
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!For more on traditional Polish food that can be found at Gdańsk's Christmas markets, read our article 'Polish Food: 13 Dishes You Must Try'
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!For more on the wondrous Christmas and New Year season in Gdańsk and the surrounding area, read our article 'Things to Do in Winter In & Around Gdańsk!
Gdańsk Christmas Program 2024
MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON...