The concert of the DownTown Brass band and the spectacle of extreme aerial acrobatics performed by the Youth Theater from Gdańsk on the wall of Katownia were the main points of celebrating the victory of the Christmas Fair in Gdańsk in the competition for the best fair in Europe. On Tuesday, the Fair's Grand Prix and the Christmas Treasury of Ideas awards were also handed out, recognizing the best offers of exhibitors.
During the Christmas Fair in Gdańsk, for the second year in a row, prizes were awarded in the Grand Prix and Christmas Treasury of Ideas competitions. The first one concerned three categories: Good Idea, Good Taste and Good Taste, and its aim was to distinguish the best offers of exhibitors. The awards were presented by: councilor Piotr Dzik - chairman of the Fair Grand Prix committee, Sylwia Betlej - chairman of the Fair Committees and Andrzej Bojanowski, president of the Gdańsk International Fair.
Awarded in the Grand Prix of the Christmas Fair
In the Good Idea category, the Grand Prix was awarded to Just Candles from Malbork, for natural soy candles in unique gift arrangements. The distinctions went to:
• Cyryl Buczek from Gdańsk, for handmade gnomes
• Rafał Nachtygal from Kartuzy, for personalized carved wooden decorations
In the Good Delicacy category, the Grand Prix went to Art - Żywilla Okła, Ale Pierniki.pl, for intricately decorated gingerbreads in the form of a gingerbread house. The Jacek Placek Confectionery from Gdańsk was also awarded for its Christmas cakes and cookies.
In the new Good Taste category, dishes submitted to the gastronomic competition were assessed. The jury included: Piotr Dzik, Michał Stężalski - chef of the Tygle Gdańskie restaurant, Olga Borkowska - chef of the Masło Maślane restaurant and a representative of MTG Marcin Dajos.
The Grand Prix was awarded to Lobster House Gdańsk for its delicious brioche with shrimps, scallops and octopus. Honorable mentions went to:
• Sea Side Street Food from Mosty – for the seafood box
• Inpeks from Gdynia – for the traditional Cheburek
The Christmas Treasury of Ideas again enjoyed great interest among visitors who voted for the best gifts and gift inspirations in the exhibition case in the Armory. As a result of the voting, three distinctions and the main prize were awarded. The winners of distinctions were: Pat&Art for a woolen set with the addition of milk proteins (scarf and hat) and amethyst and amber bookmarks, Biały Kot for the "Kocia Kamienica" pillow, and Vericone for a wallet and a leather belt. The main prize for the mineral malachite, symbolizing success and abundance, was awarded to Anamir.
Celebrating the best fair in Europe
The award ceremony began on a beautiful Tuesday evening at the Christmas Market in Gdańsk, during which the victory in the Best Christmas Markets in Europe 2025 competition was celebrated. Let us remind you that the Gdańsk market won over 92,000. Internet users' votes, becoming the best in Europe.
Special events have been prepared for visitors on Tuesday: a concert and a show of extreme acrobatics on the walls of the Torture Room. The DownTown Brass band appeared on the fair stage, a project inspired by the activities of street bands that were formed in the first quarter of the last century in New Orleans, but also by the works of contemporary brass bands operating in various corners of the world. DownTown Brass was founded in 2019 and consists of musicians who studied at the Academy of Music in Gdańsk. On Tuesday, they presented Christmas songs and other positive sounds associated with celebration.
– We are glad that the Christmas Market in Gdańsk was recognized as the best in the Best Christams Markets 2025 plebiscite. We would like to thank everyone for voting for us. We collected over 92,000 of them, which is a record result in the history of the competition. I would like to thank especially the inhabitants of Gdańsk, who supported us very much. I wish you a pleasant celebration at the Fair until December 23, said the deputy mayor of Gdańsk, Monika Chabior, whose speech initiated the celebration of the victory in the Best Christmas Markets 2025 competition.
On the wall of the Torture Room we watched "Historie Wylatane". New "sculptures" were placed on the tower of the Foregate Complex, animated by the voice of contemporary Angels. The show took the audience on a journey - from the superficiality and unleavenness of Christmas, through the harsh truth, to an encounter with Love and another person. It was a theater of extreme aerial acrobatics combined with dance theater. All performed by the Youth Theater from Gdańsk. The partner of the event was Energa from the Orlen Group, one of the three largest electricity suppliers in Poland. A socially responsible company that has been supporting events and institutions in Pomerania for many years.
We invite you to the Christmas Market in Gdańsk
The Christmas Market in Gdańsk lasts until December 23, offering countless attractions, as well as the opportunity to purchase unique, handmade products and regional delicacies. Everyone who has not yet visited this unique event still has a chance to experience an unforgettable Christmas atmosphere.
During the fair, there is no shortage of magical Christmas Travel Corner with AmberSky. In this special place there are attractions dedicated to the youngest (and not only!): VR simulator Saint's Magical Sleigh. Nicholas, Gdańsk Carousel and spinning coaster - Wirowane Beczki. The area also includes the Observation Circle on Ołowianka.
At Targ Węglowy, visitors will also find the Amber Corner - a unique exhibition "Treasure Box of the Future / Capsule of the Future", which reveals to visitors a modern form of amber that can become a great Christmas gift.
In the heart of Targ Węglowy there is a giant gift where you can enter and create a unique family photo. The GPEC Group, together with the Hospice Foundation and AMBEREXPO, have prepared this magical place full of Christmas warmth to help those most in need. The photo can be personalized with a personal message to your loved ones, and the whole thing can be framed in a beautiful Christmas frame. The proceeds from this initiative will support the patients of the Hospice Foundation. Because this holiday is about the magic of helping.
It is worth recalling that, traditionally, the organizers of the Christmas Fair in Gdańsk will also provide support to the Hospice Foundation from part of the income from the sale of fair cups, which this year are available in two versions - traditional and modern.
