6 Polish Christmas markets worth the train ride from Czechia

Boot-shaped mugs, seaside specialties, and even lucky elves: these are the holiday traditions you won’t find in Czechia, but will find during a quick trip across the border. Poland’s Christmas markets are an easy win for anyone who wants a winter getaway that feels special but still low-effort. A quick train ride carries you to new foods, new crafts, and a fresh holiday atmosphere, all without airport lines or complicated planning.

Once you’ve svařák’d your way through your Czech Christmas market list, check out these nearby additions. With over 18 cities filled with wintertime Polish traditions, you can easily switch up your seasonal routine and make the holiday spirit feel a little more exciting. Here are a few of the highlights.

To get into Wrocław’s Christmas market spirit, start with the city’s signature ceramic boot-shaped mug, redesigned each year for hot chocolate, mulled wine or Lower Silesian mead. From there, wander through more than 200 stalls filled with handmade gifts, decorations, and plenty to snack on, from pierogi and grilled dishes to pretzels, cheeses, pelmeni, and a long lineup of sweets. 

Families will find plenty to do, including the reindeer and tree carousels and the gift factory, where kids can watch Santa’s helpers at work. Keep an eye out for Wrocław’s bronze dwarves too. If you spot Prezentuś, tradition says three taps on his hat bring good luck.

Dates: Nov. 21 2025–Jan. 7 2026

Poznań hosts Christmas markets in three different locations, giving the city a lively, spread-out holiday atmosphere. The Old Market Square and nearby Freedom Square begin in late November and bring stalls filled with crafts, food and regional specialties.

The city’s largest market takes place at the Poznań International Fairgrounds. It features a wide mix of attractions, including an ice rink, a fifty-meter Ferris wheel, a Venetian carousel, light installations and plenty of spots for photos. Stalls serve roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and local dishes, and weekend programs add concerts, performances and workshops for children.

Dates: Nov. 15–Dec. 21 2025 (MTP); Nov. 21–Dec. 21 2025 (Plac Wolności); Nov. 22–Dec. 21 2025 (Old Market Square)

Katowice's modern vibe and kid-friendly attractions make it a fun winter stop. The Market Square transforms into a small holiday village with more than twenty glass houses filled with animated fairy-tale characters that spring to life at the push of a button. Over one hundred stalls offer handmade ornaments, glass decorations, regional crafts and plenty of gift ideas.

The market's Ferris wheel gives you panoramic views, and children can ride an electric holiday train or a Victorian-style carousel with Silesian motifs. When hunger hits, try the local “Silesian tiramisu,” a hearty baked mix of prejt, stewed cabbage and potatoes.

Dates: Nov. 21, 2025–Jan. 6, 2026

Kraków’s Christmas market has an international reputation, yet it still feels deeply tied to local tradition. Rynek Główny fills with stalls selling hand-painted ornaments, candles, ceramics, wooden toys, wool accessories, art glass, and regional leather goods. The food is just as diverse, featuring roasted nuts, gingerbread, pierogi, grilled dishes, and hot mulled wine, along with specialties from Lithuania, Ukraine, Slovakia, and Hungary that bring a wider range of Central European influences into the mix. Be sure to see Kraków’s szopki krakowskie, the city’s elaborate nativity scenes set against miniature versions of local landmarks. More than 200 entries are submitted each year to the long-running competition, now recognized on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

Dates: Nov. 28 2025–Jan. 1 2026

Warsaw shifts into full holiday mode once winter arrives. Long stretches of lights run through the city, and its historic and modern districts blend into one festive route. The main event is the Warsaw Fair, featuring stalls selling crafts, decorations, and locally made gifts, all set against a backdrop of a Ferris wheel that rises 25 meters above the square. Foodies will drool over choices like grilled oscypek with cranberries and classic or goose-filled pierogi, hearty bigos, and wild boar goulash. You will also find smoked meats, sausages, pâtés, breads, honey, and gingerbread to enjoy on the spot or take home. If you have extra time, the Old Town’s smaller market near the Barbican offers a quieter, more intimate stop.

Dates: About Nov. 21 2025–Jan. 6 2026, with the Old Town Market Square confirmed for Nov. 25–Jan. 6

Gdańsk has become a popular winter escape for people in the Czech Republic, thanks to the direct Baltic express that links Prague to the coast. The city gives you both a seaside break and one of Poland’s most atmospheric Christmas markets, spread across Targ Węglowy, the Great Armory, and the surrounding streets. About 200 stalls offer local crafts, regional dishes, gingerbread, hot chocolate, mulled wine, and even seafood. A themed program runs throughout the season, featuring live music on Fridays and larger weekend events, such as a workshop where you can create your own decorations or postcards. Be on the lookout for Santa, who also drops by regularly, adding to the light, playful atmosphere.

Dates: Nov. 21–Dec. 23 2025