On Saturday, 22 November, Gdańsk began the celebrations: the Opening Ceremony officially launched the Christmas Market, named the best in Europe! The event was inaugurated by a colourful Winter Parade, the joint Oath of the Guardians of the Magic of Christmas and the symbolic opening of the Book of the Market, and the whole was crowned by performances by the Academic Choir of the University of Gdańsk and young people from the “Welcome Home” project.
For the first time, the Christmas Market Parade set off from ul. Bogusławskiego (in previous years it started on ul. Tkacka). The colourful procession gathered at the Advent Gate and from there made its way towards the stage at Targ Węglowy. This is how the Gdańsk Christmas Market 2025 began in festive style.
“We are delighted to open the Gdańsk Christmas Market, an event that last year won the title of the most beautiful Christmas market in Europe. I think we fully deserved this distinction and we proudly uphold this tradition,” said Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdańsk. “I encourage everyone to join in the fun, discover extraordinary flavours from different corners of the world and enjoy everything the Market has to offer. But let us also remember that the essence of Christmas is sharing kindness, so I ask you to support those who need that support most. A whole month of Christmas atmosphere lies ahead of us in our Gdańsk. I wish you a wonderful time,” the Mayor added.
This year’s Market stretches from the Wybrzeże Theatre all the way to the Gdańsk Shakespeare Theatre, also taking in Dziedziniec Forum Gdańsk and the courtyard of the City Culture Institute. As many as 222 stalls with handicrafts, gifts and festive treats from around the world await visitors, along with as many as 22 cuisines, from traditional pierogi and regional Pomeranian specialities to exotic dishes from Italy, Spain or Sri Lanka. New this year are the porcelain deposit cups, both eco-friendly and collectible, available with the purchase of mulled wine.
The new spaces include Shakespeare’s Corner with a theatrical gate, the balcony of Romeo and Juliet and a modern food and drink zone, as well as Santa’s Corner with an impressive Advent Gate and an armchair where the youngest can meet Santa. For families there is the AmberSky Christmas Travel Corner, with a magic sleigh, a carousel and the Spinning Barrels, and lovers of humour can visit the Moose Corner with the legendary Lucek the Moose. There is also the Angelic Corner, with fairytale wings and characters from “A Christmas Carol”, and at Dziedziniec Forum Gdańsk the Amber Corner awaits with a multimedia jewellery exhibition.
Almost every day the Market hosts concerts, workshops, fire shows, family performances, Christmas karaoke, dance parties and meetings with artists. The programme includes, among others, the recurring Theatre Tuesdays, Family Thursdays with performances including “The Journeys of the Snow Queen”, handicraft workshops and, from 1 December – the daily opening of the biggest Advent calendar in Gdańsk. The detailed schedule of events is available on the Market’s website.
Tastes of Pomerania and the partnership with Energa
This year’s Gdańsk Christmas Market is a real feast for the senses. The Pomeranian regional government invites visitors to the stalls under the banner “Tastes of Pomerania”, where you can try traditional, organic food and regional specialities. The stalls can be visited on 21–23 November and are marked with a special “Tastes of Pomerania” sign. It is not only an excellent opportunity to buy regional treats, but also a chance to discover the culinary riches of Pomerania, based on traditional and local recipes.
“In little more than a month we will be celebrating Christmas, and already today we can feel this special atmosphere. I am enormously glad that we can be here together and prepare together for the most beautiful celebration of the year,” said Mieczysław Struk, Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship. “We thank everyone who cast their votes for the Gdańsk Christmas Market, the best in Europe. I am especially pleased by the presence of numerous exhibitors from Pomerania, who present regional flavours and traditions. I wish you a joyful time and good preparations for Christmas,” the Marshal added.
This year’s Market could not have taken place without the support of partners. Special thanks go to Energa from the ORLEN Group, which acts as CSR Partner of the Christmas Market, supporting the development of Christmas traditions and activities for the local community.
“Although it is getting darker and darker, the Market around us is becoming brighter and more festive. There are moments in our lives that we remember for a long time, and today’s moment clearly shows that we are entering the extraordinary time of Christmas, important for all of us,” said Piotr Szymanek, Vice President of Energa S.A. “I am glad that Energa can be part of this celebration and will do its utmost to make the Market shine even more brightly this year. We want it to be a place of meetings, joy and experiencing the magic of Christmas together.”
The Gdańsk Christmas Market runs until 23 December. The organisers invite everyone to celebrate together, discover the magic of Christmas and share joy in the very heart of the city!
See you at the Market!
