Warsaw

Warsaw Christmas Market - everything to know before your visit

As the Christmas season approaches, Warsaw turns into one of the most atmospheric winter destinations in Central Europe. The Warsaw Christmas Market fills the Old Town with warm lights, decorated stalls and the unmistakable scent of festive treats. Instead of a single fairground, the whole historic district becomes a cosy holiday zone where visitors can browse handicrafts and sip hot drinks.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know before your trip: the Warsaw Christmas Market location, 2025 dates, opening times, food you can’t miss, and real visitor impressions. Whether you're traveling with friends, family, or a partner, this festive market is one of the most charming winter attractions Central Europe can offer you!

When does the Warsaw Christmas Market start?

The Warsaw Christmas Market 2025 begins in the second half of November, continuing through Christmas and often extending into the first days of January.

Warsaw Christmas Market 2025 dates

Based on previous editions, the estimated timeframe is:

  • Opening: 28 November 2025

  • Closing: 1st of January 2026

This applies to the main market located in the Old Town, though different festive zones may follow slightly varied schedules.

Warsaw christmas

Old Town Market vs. other Warsaw holiday fairs

Warsaw hosts several holiday attractions beyond the central market. Here’s what usually opens around the same period:

  • Old Town Market Square: The main Christmas Market with stalls, decorations and the skating rink.

  • Barbakan Square: Iconic Christmas tree and additional food & craft stalls.

  • Royal Route Light Festival: Stunning illuminations stretching from Krakowskie Przedmieście to Wilanów Palace.

  • Short theme fairs: Smaller markets with themed crafts and food that run for short periods. E.g.:

  • Winter Poster Market - 7th of December, Bracka 25 street Christmas Jewellery and Mineral Fair - 6-7 December, Hala OSiR, ul. Nowowiejska 37b

  • Oriental Christmas Bazaar - 6-7 December, Muzeum Azji i Pacyfiku, ul. Solec 24

  • Design at Koszyki - 6th of December, Hala Koszyki, ul. Koszykowa 63

  • SHOM International Charity Bazaar - 7th of December, al. Ks. J. Poniatowskiego 1

  • Unique Items Fair - 13-14 December, Hala Koszyki, ul. Koszykowa 6

Warsaw Christmas Market location and how to get there

The Warsaw Christmas Market is set in one of the most known areas of the Polish capital, the historic Old Town. The heart of the event stretches across three key locations: Castle Square (Plac Zamkowy) with its iconic giant Christmas tree, the Old Town Market Square, and the surrounding lanes filled with festive stalls, small workshops and illuminated decorations. This central placement makes it one of the most accessible holiday fairs in Poland.

Getting to the Warsaw Christmas Market location is simple, whether you're already in the city or arriving from elsewhere in Poland or abroad. The area is within easy walking distance from Warszawa Gdańska and Warszawa Centralna, and the nearby “Stare Miasto” stop on the city’s tram network offers quick connections from most districts. For travellers arriving by train, it’s best to head directly to Warszawa Centralna and take a short bus or tram ride toward the Old Town. The journey typically takes less than 15 minutes.

Because parking around the Old Town is limited, especially on December weekends, public transport is strongly recommended. Visitors staying in Śródmieście or Powiśle can easily walk to the market while enjoying the illuminated Royal Route along Krakowskie Przedmieście and Nowy Świat.

Warsaw christmas

Opening times and practical visitor information

The market opens in mid November and continues until New Years. Main Market Opening hours:

  • Monday - Thursday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

  • Friday - Saturday: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

  • Sunday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Special dates:

  • December 24, 2025: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

  • December 25 and 26, 2025: 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM

  • December 31, 2025: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

  • January 1, 2026: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Entry to the Warsaw Christmas Market is free, with no ticketed zones, except for optional attractions such as the ice rink or special workshops for children. Families should note that weekdays are quieter and easier for navigating prams, while weekends can become very busy around the Market Square and Castle Square.

Weather in December can be cold and windy, especially near the Vistula, so dress warmly, wear comfortable shoes and bring gloves for holding hot drinks while exploring. Payments at stalls are a mix of card and cash. Card machines are common, but smaller craft vendors may prefer cash, so carrying a small amount is helpful.

Warsaw christmas

What to eat and drink at the Warsaw Christmas Market?

As always, one of the biggest highlights of the Warsaw Christmas Market is its food, a warm, fragrant mix of Polish classics, regional winter dishes and international street-food favourites. When you get closer to the market, you can be sure the aromas alone will pull you in.

Here are the must-try flavours of the season:

Traditional Polish dishes

  • Pierogi: especially festive varieties with cabbage and mushrooms, spinach, or smoked cheese fillings

  • Kiełbasa z rusztu: grilled Polish sausage served with bread and mustard, perfect on a cold evening

  • Bigos: a hearty, slow-cooked stew of cabbage, mushrooms and meat, often served steaming hot

  • Oscypek: smoked sheep’s cheese from the Tatra Mountains, grilled and topped with cranberry jam

Sweet Christmas treats

  • Pierniki (gingerbread): beautifully decorated, sometimes filled with plum jam or dipped in chocolate

  • Warm apple strudel: a staple of many Warsaw winter events, served with vanilla sauce

  • Churros, nut pastries and roasted nuts: a favourite for families and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser

Drinks to warm you up

  • Grzaniec galicyjski (mulled wine): the market’s signature drink, available in red, white, or spiced cherry versions

  • Hot chocolate: rich and thick, often topped with whipped cream

  • Hot zero alcohol cider, herbal teas and mead: for those seeking non-alcoholic or alternative flavours

The Warsaw Christmas Market food zone also has its global touch. You’ll find Hungarian lángos, German bratwurst, Czech trdelník, and even Mediterranean snacks. This international selection makes the market appealing to families with children, couples, and food-loving travellers alike.

With such a diverse spread, it’s easy to plan an entire festive dinner just by strolling from stall to stall: tasting, sipping and enjoying the warm glow of Old Town lights.

Warsaw christmas

Warsaw Christmas Market reviews and visitor opinions

Visitors describe the Warsaw Christmas Market as atmospheric, beautifully decorated and especially charming thanks to its Old Town setting. Here’s what visitors usually highlight:

What people love

  • The location: the reconstructed Old Town, Castle Square and Royal Route lights create one of the most charming sceneries in Poland

  • Food & drinks: many reviews mention the variety of mulled wine, local snacks and international street food

  • Family-friendly atmosphere: skating rinks, small attractions for kids and cosy lighting make it welcoming for all ages

  • Evening vibes: visitors say the market feels especially magical after sunset when the illuminations are at their brightest

What visitors often note as drawbacks

  • Crowds on weekends: Warsaw is a major tourist hub, so evenings in December can get busy

  • Weather: December in the capital can be windy and very cold, so reviewers recommend warm layers

  • Size: some travellers expecting a huge, multi-zone fair comment that Warsaw’s market is more intimate compared to the Europe’s biggest capital ones

The definite pro is also that it's easy to reach by train from anywhere in Poland. You can check tickets via PolishTrains, which offers a fast way to compare connections and get tickets straight to Warszawa Centralna, within walking distance of the market.

Is the Warsaw Christmas Market worth visiting?

Absolutely. The Warsaw Christmas Market is a very enjoyable experience, especially if you appreciate festive lights, historic surroundings and great food.

It’s a perfect winter activity for:

  • first-time visitors, who want a cosy introduction to Poland’s Christmas traditions

  • families, thanks to ice rinks, sweets, Christmas music and safe pedestrian streets

  • couples, who enjoy evening strolls under the illuminations

  • young adults, thanks to lively bars, street food and atmospheric night views

So get your backpack, dress up in warm layers, and prepare for an unforgettable Polish Christmas trip!