Warsaw is the capital and biggest city in Poland. The metropolis sits on the River Vistula and is a major cultural, political, and economic hub. It offers a variety of performing art venues, cultural institutions, and terrific food.

The city is a great place to visit any time of year, but it really lights up during the holiday season. That’s when markets fill the streets with a sense of nostalgia and excitement. Here are some you will want to check out when you are in the area.

Christmas Craft Fairs in the Warsaw Old Town

The Barbicon Christmas Crafts Fair takes place from late November to early January. It is set up in the Barbicon defensive structure which served as a defense unit for the Old Town section in the 16th century. It includes about 60 wooden hut stalls.

Vendors from Poland and all over Europe sell a variety of goods including clothing, accessories, jewelry, Christmas decorations, and more. Shoppers can enjoy authentic food and beverages like mulled wine, hot chocolate, Turkish halva, Lithuanian cold cuts, Hungarian Kurt, and pancakes.

Children can participate in ceramic workshops and make their own gifts. They can watch traditional blacksmithing or write letters to Santa.

Christmas Market in Royal Wilanow

This market features quaint wooden huts that sell a variety of goods including toys, clothing, jewelry, home décor, arts and crafts, and food and drink. It takes place in front of the impressive Royal Wilanow which once served as a royal residence and is now a business center. It runs for the course of two weeks in the middle of December.

Christmas Market at Warsaw’s Royal Castle Square

Castle Square is a historic square in front of a royal castle that once served as the home of Polish monarchs. During the holidays, it lights up with a glittering tree and fairy lights making it the perfect destination for a Christmas market which is known to be among the most beautiful in Poland.

Vendors sell a wide range of goods including clothing, jewelry, housewares, decorations, and toys. Santa is on hand and available for visits and photos with children.

The market opens in late November and closes in early January.

Christmas Market in Front of the Palace of Culture and Science

The Palace of Culture and Science was originally a gift to Stalin from the Soviet people. The dedication to the leader has since been erased and the building remains a notable landmark looming over the city of Warsaw.

During the holiday season, a market takes place under the stately structure. A Ferris wheel is set up offering terrific views of the surrounding city. The market also offers vendor stalls selling gift items as well as authentic foods like pierogis of every kind, dim sum, Italian ravioli, Georgian chinkels, Indian samosas, Japanese gyosis, Turkish mantas, Spanish empanadas, and Vietnamese hacao.

It is a one-day event that happens in early December.

Christmas at Zoo Market

This market is so named because it sets up across the street from the Warsaw Zoo, but that’s where the relationship ends. There are no animals, animal products, or animal-related products sold at the market.

Rather, it is known as the ‘Fair of Fancy Things’ and offers about 50 stalls selling antiques, jewelry, vintage clothing, cosmetics, candles, books, decorations, and more. There is also a café on site that sells hot drinks and snacks.

The market is open for a weekend in mid-December.

Christmas Market at Zlote Tarasy

This market is located in the center of Warsaw in Zlote Tarasy, one of the most prestigious art galleries in the city. It features 28 wooden chalets that sell traditional German Christmas ornaments you are not likely to find elsewhere. It spans about a two-week period opening in early December and closing before Christmas.

Warsaw is a great city to visit and it’s especially exciting during the holiday season when festive markets fill the streets. Which of these will you be checking out when you’re in town?

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