Winter in Gdańsk took on a magical glow, and the city's heart beat in festive rhythm. The Friday opening of the 2024 Christmas Market began the period that residents and tourists have been waiting for. Targ Węglowy, Bogusławskiego and Tkacka streets, the Armory of Art and the Przedbramia Complex have turned into a colorful, joyful space where one of the most beautiful pre-Christmas traditions in Gdańsk takes place. On Saturday, November 23, the Fairy Tale Parade and Opening Ceremony officially inaugurated this unique event, inviting everyone to celebrate the magic of the upcoming holidays.
On Friday, November 22, Gdańsk gained a unique Christmas atmosphere thanks to the start of the 2024 Christmas Market. This event attracted residents and tourists from the very beginning, becoming one of the most important points in the city's pre-Christmas calendar. There were 196 colorful stands at Targ Węglowy, Bogusławskiego and Tkacka streets, as well as in the Armory of Art and the Przedbramia Complex, offering unique crafts, handicrafts and traditional Christmas products. Until December 23, food lovers can taste dishes from 20 different cuisines around the world, and children and entire families can take advantage of numerous attractions. The fair opened its doors for 32 days, providing entertainment and joy to all who came to feel the magic of the upcoming holidays.
Although the fair houses were opened for the first time on Friday, the official Opening Ceremony began on Saturday, November 23, at 3:45 p.m. The main event of the day was inaugurated by the Fairytale Opening Parade, which was an extraordinary beginning of a program full of attractions. The parade, full of colorful characters and magical elements, started from the Armory of Art at ul. Tkacka, walked through the Fairgrounds and then reached the stage where a mini performance - Intergenerational Story - took place. From the very first moments, viewers could feel like they were in a fairy tale, and the joyful atmosphere took everyone to the magical world of Christmas.
After the mini spectacle, it was time for the official opening of the 2024 Christmas Market in Gdańsk.
– Welcome to Gdańsk, we welcome residents and tourists visiting us. We consider our Gdańsk Christmas Market to be open. The fair has become a strong part of our Gdańsk tradition and we always look forward to this day. Today's celebration begins a beautiful period of preparation for the holidays, which in our tradition are a special time when we meet, when we get closer to each other, when we are good to each other. I think this is also a period when we should not only look at our close family, but also at other people and their needs, said Emilia Lodzińska , deputy mayor of Gdańsk.
– I wish you that we would look at each other with such kindness. Not only on holidays, but also every day, all year round - he adds.
Weekend of Tastes of Pomerania
From Friday to Sunday, the Armory of Art hosts an event organized with the Pomeranian Voivodeship Government - Tastes of Pomerania. There are 26 stands with traditional, regional and ecological Pomeranian products.
– The fair has officially opened, and now that it is open, I would like to invite you to the Armory on behalf of the Pomeranian Voivodeship government. There we have prepared a very interesting offer, related to the region, our Pomerania. There are 26 stands waiting for you, where you can taste, taste and buy regional products that come from our region - said Adam Gawrylik , member of the board of the Pomeranian Voivodeship.
At the Fair you can also find another stand with Pomeranian products of the National Center for Agricultural Support - the branch in Pruszcz Gdański, where the #BuyConsciously campaign is also promoted.
The event partner, the Energa Group, also contributed to the organization of the Christmas Market in Gdańsk. It is 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.
– On behalf of the Energa Group, I would like to express my great joy that we can be a partner of such a beautiful and extremely important event, which is of particular importance to the inhabitants of Gdańsk. In this unique place, Christmas energy floats in the air, combining tradition, joy and magic - let it warm us all throughout this magical time! The Christmas Market in Gdańsk is, in our opinion, the most beautiful market in Europe. That is why we encourage you to vote in the Best Christmas Markets competition to show the world how unique our city and region are - said Paweł Nowak , vice-president of the management board of Energa Obrót.
This year, the friend of the Christmas Market in Gdańsk is the Gdańsk Water and Sewage Infrastructure.
– On the occasion of our 20th anniversary, we decided to support this wonderful event that unites all Gdańsk residents and visitors and warms us on cold days. I wish you a pleasant pre-Christmas and holiday season - said Jacek Skarbek , president of GIWK.
Cultural program of the Fair
In between shopping in the shopping or gastronomic zones, it is worth stopping for a moment at the Christmas Market in Gdańsk and spending a nice time at one of the points of the rich cultural program. These include, among others: Rudolf's Christmas Challenges, i.e. unique animations. You will be able to solve riddles, spin the wheel of fortune, and face the challenge "What's that melody?" in a Christmas edition. There will be plenty of meetings with Santa Claus. Those interested can take part in Intergenerational Workshops: Decoupage Works or Christmas Karaoke. During meetings with the Gdańsk Museum, we will learn what Christmas was like in post-war Gdańsk. Children will go on the Travels of Santa Claus and the Snow Queen. And Friday evening will be crowned with the Winter Dance Party. These are selected program items for the next six days. The detailed program can be found at https://bozonarodzinowy.pl/program-dzienny/.
Best christmas markets in Europe 2025
We would like to remind you that voting in the Best Christmas Markets in Europe competition lasts until November 27. The only representative of Poland is the Christmas Market in Gdańsk. Internet users decide which fair will become the best in Europe. The link to the competition can be found on the website: https://jb24.gda.pl, which will redirect you to a place where all the best European fairs are listed. Every vote counts towards winning the competition and awarding the Gdańsk event with the title of the best in Europe. Let's vote for Gdańsk and win these holidays together!
Permanent fair attractions
The Christmas Travel Corner with AmberSky is one of the youngest's favorite places. In this special place there are attractions such as: VR simulator Saint's magic 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.
Stands available to visitors:
Sunday - Thursday 12.00-20.00
Friday - Saturday 12.00-21.00
Christmas Fair - November 22-December 23
, Targ Węglowy, Bogusławskiego Street, Tkacka Street, Wielka Zbrojownia, Przedbramia Complex
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