Traditionally, just before Christmas Eve, another special edition of the Gdańsk Christmas Market came to an end. This year’s celebration proved that it is not only a place for shopping and festive flavours, but above all a space for meetings, creative exchange, and the integration of different generations and districts. It was family-friendly, joyful and, importantly, even more eco-friendly.
This year’s Gdańsk Christmas Market once again turned Targ Węglowy, ul. Bogusławskiego (this time, for the first time, all the way to the park on ul. Zbytki), ul. Tkacka, Zbrojownia and Katownia, as well as Dziedziniec Forum Gdańsk, into a truly magical Christmas land. Among the illuminated lanes and the scent of hot chocolate, residents and tourists could enjoy not only a wealth of flavours but also a special atmosphere that attracts whole families and groups of friends every year. Although the exact number of visitors will be known in about a month, it can already be said that it was comparable to last year’s: around 1.3 million.
Innovation and ecology – porcelain deposit cups
In 2025 the organisers of the Market opted for eco-friendly solutions and introduced a system of deposit cups. The porcelain cups, made especially for this edition by Zakład Porcelany Lubiana, underlined the regional character of the event. Everyone could drink a hot drink from a beautiful, durable vessel by paying a deposit of PLN 30 and deciding later whether to take the cup home or get the deposit back. The system ran as a trial, so buyers could choose between deposit cups and paper ones. The deposit cup initiative was received with enthusiasm: visitors kept more than 16,000 cups. The deposit cups also became popular on social media. A Facebook post about the cups reached more than 67,000 people, and a special TikTok video generated almost 177,000 views.
It is worth adding that almost 7000 collector’s mugs also found their way into the hands of the Market’s guests, and this year they came in four colours for the first time. Part of the income from the mugs went to the Fundacja Hospicyjna, more on which later in the text.
The success of the Market’s new features
The new features of the event became hits of the Market. Visitors were often to be found in the new Shakespeare’s Corner, where, besides a special gate, there was also the Romeo and Juliet bench, an Instagram spot whose photos often appeared on various social media. Visitors also posed with the new illuminations: the Teddy Bear in a Scarf, the Christmas tree dressed in Venetian masks, the 5-metre angels and the reindeer in the park on ul. Zbytki. From early December it was also possible to visit the Disney village, which came to the Gdańsk Christmas Market for the first time.
Flavours, scents and handicrafts – a wealth of stalls
Visitors could look forward to the unique flavours of 22 cuisines from around the world. The Market hits included Canadian waffles, Dubai strawberries, Italian calzone and spit-roasted pork. Among the handicraft stalls, the hits were those with amber jewellery, eco-friendly bags made of recycled leather, magical candles, plaster casts and handmade baubles. The biggest hit turned out to be products made of alpaca wool from a local farm: hats, scarves and blankets drew in Market guests longing for warmth. The Market also delighted with an offer for lovers of tradition: stalls with Kashubian ruchanki, hand-decorated ceramics and enamelled dishes.
Tastes of Pomerania took place on the first weekend of the Market, bringing together more than 20 stalls with regional and organic products, including organic żurek, cheeses, cured meats, fish, honeys and traditional cakes. The event again attracted great interest and will certainly not be missing from the Christmas Market next year.
Community and integration – Christmas for everyone
The Market is not only shopping and tastings, but above all a space for meeting and celebrating together. This year Santa Claus devoted nearly 105 hours to meeting children and families, and more than 50 artistic events took over the stage: concerts, performances, activities and parades, fully accessible thanks to a sign language interpreter. A total of 484 pupils and preschoolers from all over Gdańsk presented their talents, and each of them received a commemorative medal, while their teachers received thanks.
More than 130 cultural events took place in the Market area in total. It is worth adding that the programme could be delivered thanks to Energa from the Orlen Group, CSR Partner of the Christmas Market. One of the four largest energy groups in Poland. A socially responsible company that has supported events and institutions in Pomerania for many years.
Workshops were also an important part: as many as 14 creative and intergenerational events brought together almost 3,000 participants. Making decorations together, building a giant chain and carol singing with the Senior Citizens’ Council underlined the intergenerational and inclusive character of the Market. The celebrations of Migrants’ Day and Śródmieście Residents’ Day showed that the Gdańsk community is open to dialogue, diversity and experiencing Christmas together.
People were also brought together by the AmberSky Christmas Travel Corner, a special place with exceptional attractions for children and adults: Santa’s Magic Sleigh, the Gdańsk Carousel, and a spinning coaster – Spinning Barrels. In the pre-Christmas rush it was worth finding time for moments of joyful escape and fun with family and friends.
The Market’s international appeal
This year the Gdańsk Market boasted the title of Best Christmas Market 2025. The title, won a year ago, meant that many languages of the world could be heard in the Market’s lanes, among them English, German, Swedish, Norwegian and Spanish. The Market was also visited by journalists from, among others, Spain and Austria, and by influencers from, among others, Spain, Canada and the United States. The organisers of the Christmas market in the Finnish capital, Helsinki, also paid a visit. The international character of the event was also boosted by special flights launched for the duration of the Market in Gdańsk by the airline Jet2.com – from three English cities.
Helping has power – charity activities
The Market was also the setting for many social campaigns. Thanks to the GPEC stall (a Christmas Instagram spot at Targ Węglowy), Fundacja Hospicyjna (a collection on the Market grounds) and the Market organisers (collector’s mugs), more than PLN 63,000 was raised for the Foundation’s work helping those in need, and the “Teddies Save Lynxes” campaign supported Fundacja LYNX with PLN 8,500. During the DKMS drive, as many as 190 people registered as potential bone marrow donors. The joint efforts of residents, guests and organisers once again proved that Christmas time is also a time for sharing goodness.
And right after the Market, on 24 December, the traditional Christmas Eve dinner for homeless and poor people took place at Zbrojownia Sztuki, organised by Gdańsk restaurateurs, the academic chaplaincy “Górka” and scouts.
Social media hits – record reach and engagement
This year the Gdańsk Christmas Market was a real phenomenon on social media. The video summing up the first days of the Market reached almost 150,000 people on Facebook with more than 300,000 views, and as many as 2.3 million views on TikTok. Posts about the new corner at Forum Gdańsk reached 239,000 people and generated more than 500,000 views. Stories about the Instagram spots and posts presenting handicraft stalls or the special mugs also attracted huge interest. Instagram content regularly reached thousands of people, engaging the community and encouraging visits. The reactions, comments and photos shared by participants created a unique Christmas story about the Market, and every social platform lived on the magic of the event.
A Christmas summary and hopes for the future
Behind us lies a Christmas full of light, smiles and celebrating together. Thanks to the commitment of residents, exhibitors, partners and volunteers, the Gdańsk Christmas Market 2025 was not only a place for shopping, but above all a space for meeting, integration and sharing goodness. Eco-friendly innovations, a wealth of tradition and modern communication meant that the event stayed in the memory of thousands of participants. We thank you for every moment together and already invite you to the next edition, 20 November – 23 December 2026. May the magic of Christmas last all year round. See you soon!
