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Winter is almost here! That’s why we’ve compiled the latest information on Poland’s 2019 Christmas markets.
This article introduces three popular cities for sightseeing : Warsaw, Krakow, and Wroclaw.
Read this and you’ll know the dates, locations, and what happened last year at the Christmas Market!
Please refer to the article I wrote along with my impressions and notes from my actual visit to the Christmas market last year ^^.
Wroclaw’s 2019 Christmas Market Dates & Locations
The first one I would like to introduce is the Christmas Market in Wroclaw.
And being so close to Germany, the home of Christmas markets, it’s a rarity in Poland that they’re as gorgeous as they are in the real thing!
I will explain about such a Christmas market in Wroclaw!
2019 Dates
November 22 – December 31, 2019, 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
- 12/24 10:00~14:00
- 12/25 Close
- 12/26 14:00~21:00
- 12/31 Crafts and other stores until 17:00, restaurants until 2:00 midnight (until 02:00 on 1/1)
2019 Location
The following four events will be held.
- Old Town Square (Rynek)
- Świdnicka Street
- Olawska Street
- Plac Solny
Map of Old Town Square
How to get from Warsaw to Wroclaw
You can get from Warsaw to Wroclaw by train or plane.
- Train Approximately 3.5 hours by EIP (express train), 2 trains a day
- Airplane Approx. 1 hour, 6 flights per day
The night view of the Christmas market is a must-see, so if possible, stay overnight.
I stayed at a hotel right near the Christmas market site last year. It was very convenient to be able to go back to my room and take a rest right away when I got cold.
Thoughts & notes on visiting a Christmas market
Went to the Wroclaw Christmas Market in 2018!
The view at night was so beautiful!
I had heard from a friend who has lived in Poland for a long time that the Christmas market in Wroclaw was good, and I was impressed by how gorgeous it was, just as it was reputed to be.
The other thing I remember was that there were so many people (laughs).
I suggest you take your time browsing the stores and getting your shopping done while it’s still daytime when there are fewer people! At night, the narrow aisles get so crowded that it’s hard to move straight ahead.
It’s very cold, so stay warm! And don’t forget the body warmers for your feet! If your feet are warm, you will feel much warmer.
The Christmas market in Wroclaw also offers a wide variety of food. You will forget the cold if you eat with hot wine, a specialty of the Christmas market ^^.
If you can’t drink alcohol, hot chocolate is the way to go!
The design of the hot wine or hot chocolate cup changes each year. You can take it home with you! If you return it to the store, the deposit fee (mug fee) will be returned.
If you get tired of the crowds at the Christmas market, try walking the streets looking for dwarfs ^^.
Christmas Market Official HP and Facebook
The official website of the Christmas Market in Wroclaw is here↓.
Official HP http://www.jarmarkbozonarodzeniowy.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook .com/JarmarkBozonarodzeniowy
Warsaw’s 2019 Christmas Market Dates & Locations
Next on our list is the Warsaw Christmas Market!
It is only in the last few years that Warsaw’s Christmas markets have really taken off, and they are considerably smaller in scale than in Wroclaw or in Germany, the main city of Warsaw.
People who have been to many Christmas markets in Europe even say that Warsaw’s Christmas market is “dull,” but I rather like it. The quiet and calm atmosphere is very Christmas-like ^^.
2019 Dates
November 22, 2019 – January 6, 2020
Hours of operation vary slightly depending on the day of the week.
- Sunday – Thursday, 11:00 – 20:00
- Friday, Saturday 11:00 – 21:30
- 12/25, 26 12:00 – 21:30
- 12/31, 1/1 11:00-20:00
2019 Location
Along the walls of the Old Town of Warsaw
The entrance to the Christmas Market is near the Royal Palace Square.
There will also be several restaurants and a skating rink in the Old Town Square.
Skates are also available for rent, so you can experience skating at a World Heritage site.
By the way, I’ve never done it, it’s too cold (laughs).
Thoughts & notes on visiting a Christmas market
I visited the Warsaw Christmas Market in Warsaw, in a separate article, Warsaw Christmas Market 2018! Please see from the following page.
Many stores were still preparing in November.
The Christmas illumination (which we will introduce next) starts on December 7, so it is more beautiful if you go there after that.
Official FACEBOOK
The official Facebook page for the Warsaw Christmas Market is here.
https://www.facebook.com/jarmarkiwwarszawie/
Christmas Lights in Warsaw 2019
Warsaw has not only a Christmas market but also Christmas lights.
The whole city of Warsaw, not to mention the Old Town, will be lit up! I think it’s more powerful than the Christmas Market! If anything, I think it’s more focused than the Christmas Market ^^;
The big Christmas tree in front of the Royal Palace will also appear with the beginning of Christmas lights ^^.
2019 Dates
Lights begin on December 7, 2019.
The end date has not yet been announced; in 2018 the event ran through February 4.
2019 Location
All over Warsaw.
The big tree will be located in the Old Town in front of the Royal Palace. In the map, it is here ↓.
Thoughts on visiting the Christmas illumination
The illumination in the Old Town, where many tourists visit, and in Krakow’s suburban street (Krakowskie Przedmieście) was the most gorgeous and beautiful.
On the day the illumination started, there were many events going on. The dancing children dressed as Santa Claus were so cute that I thought they were angels (laugh).
Even after Christmas is over, the illumination will continue until the beginning of February. The big tree in front of the Royal Palace will remain up until the last day, so you can enjoy the Christmas spirit for a while.
Dates & Location of Krakow’s 2019 Christmas Market
Last but not least is the Christmas Market in Krakow, Poland’s ancient capital.
To tell the truth, I have yet to visit the Christmas Market in Krakow. Krakow’s medieval streets are so picturesque even on a normal day, so I guess it must be very beautiful during Christmas time ^^.
There are about 80 stores at the market, where visitors can buy Christmas goods as well as popular Polish tableware.
Click here to see last year’s Christmas Market ↓↓↓.
2019 Dates
November 29 – December 26, 2019
Hours have not yet been announced. Last year it was from 10 am to 8 pm.
In 2018, it was also open from December 27 to January 6, renamed New Year’s Market.
Although the official announcement has not yet been made, the market will probably continue until the end of this year as well.
2019 Location
Old Town Central Market Square
Official HP and Facebook
The official Facebook and website of Krakow Christmas Market are here.
Facebook https://www.facebook %C5%
Official website http://www.kiermasze.com.pl/ ( doesn’t seem to be updated much)
Let’s go to a Polish Christmas Market♪
How was the Christmas Market in Poland?
To be honest, it is quite common to choose Poland for your first visit to a European Christmas market (lol). Even I, who writes a Polish blog, think that it would be better to go to Germany or France first;
Polish Christmas markets are very Polish, for better or worse. (Especially Warsaw.)
It’s not flashy or businesslike. I like such a simple and calm atmosphere ^^.
If you happen to be planning to visit Poland in December, or if this is your second or third trip to a Christmas market, you should definitely visit ^^.
