Warsaw Christmas Market 2024: Old Town and Praga

As Poland’s vibrant capital, it’s not surprising that there are several Christmas markets in Warsaw. The traditional event is in the Old Town Market Square, and contemporary markets are in Praga, Warsaw’s alternative neighbourhood.

Warsaw is a fantastic tourist destination all year round. The city is exciting and dynamic, with an eclectic mix of old and new, a complex history, classical music, interesting museums and cool cafes.

Read on for market dates and details for planning your visit.

Warsaw Christmas Market 2024

Dates – Unconfirmed

Warsaw Christmas Market dates: 25th November 2024 to 6th January 2025 (unconfirmed).

Note: I found that the market doesn’t fully open until the first week of December. Visit after the first week of December for the best experience.

Expected Update: Last year’s dates were announced in October. Want to know when dates are confirmed? Sign up for our newsletter to get notified as soon as they become available.

Source: Dates are obtained directly from the event organiser’s website, available here.

Plan Your Visit

Location and Times

Location: Old Town Market Square and Praga.
Opening times:
Sunday to Thursday: 11am to 8pm.
Friday and Saturday: 11am to 9:30pm.
Christmas Day: Open.

Travel and Accommodation

Tours: Warsaw has a couple of interesting city and food tours. I suggest this city tour if it’s your first time in Warsaw and a Polish food tour is a great way to sample a diverse range of dishes.
Public transport: Take the metro to get around.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion.
Travel tip: The markets don’t really get going until mid-December. Book your trip for then.
Warsaw weather in winter: Temperatures average 2°C / -4°C (high / low) in December.
Where to stay: Spichlerz II is a 7-minute walk to Warsaw Old Town.

Amenities and Attractions

Admission: Free.
Santa: No.
Ice skating: No, but you can skate in front of the Palace of Culture and Science.
Reason to visit: Poland’s capital is fun with great nightlife, a fantastic foodie scene and fascinating WWII and Cold War history. Watch the video below to get some ideas.

Dietary Options

Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Limited. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Polish specialties: Sweet fruit-based vodka, alternative market stalls in Praga, vegetarian pierogies and decorated doors.

Accessibility

Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, dogs are allowed on a lead.

Convenient Hotels

Warsaw’s Old Town is known as Stare Miasto, and this is the best area to stay for a short visit.

If you want to stay in a trendy neighbourhood with plenty of bars and nightlife, you could also stay in Praga, on the other side of the river.

Spichlerz II is a 7-minute walk to Warsaw Old Town and is a great spot for sightseeing and eating out.

That is an apartment, so if you’d prefer a full-service hotel, I recommend the H15 Boutique, located in the former Soviet Embassy near the Palace of Culture.

Don’t worry too much about where to stay as Warsaw has an excellent, modern metro transport system.

If those hotels aren’t right for you, click through to my list of favourite hotels in Warsaw.

Recommended Tours

I suggest this city tour if it’s your first time in Warsaw and a Polish food tour is a great way to sample a diverse range of dishes while also learning about the city.

On the city tour, you’ll visit some of Warsaw’s most iconic landmarks and attractions, including the Royal Castle, Lazienki Park, and the Palace of Culture and Science.

While Warsaw is a great winter destination, there are plenty of other Polish cities worth visiting. Plan your trip with my Polish Christmas Markets List. Discover where to go, things to do and the best ways to experience Polish food, history and culture.

Location Map

Captured a moment that embodies the holiday season? Tag your photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets — we can’t wait to see your festive finds!

Christmas in Warsaw

A few years ago, I visited Warsaw and took this video to show what it’s like in winter. It includes footage of the small market in Praga.

Local Specialities

Warsaw’s markets are smaller than their counterparts in Munich and Vienna, but they still have a bit of everything on show.

There is traditional Polish food like pierogies, fried fish, sweets, hearty soups and grilled meat, and international food like langos, goulash, dried fruit, and chocolate.

You can’t go wrong with a cup of mulled wine or a shot of sweet fruit vodka (try the raspberry or peach).

Things to Do in Winter

I was fortunate to spend a couple of months in Warsaw. I always felt that it was a mini version of Berlin. It has a counter-culture lifestyle, vibrant nightlife, great vodka bars, and craft beer breweries, but I would say it’s better in many ways.

There is a delicious, dynamic foodie scene, World War II and Cold War history, cool architecture and an entrepreneurial spirit.

This list provides a starting point for things to do and see in Warsaw in December and a couple of recommended day trips.

• Old Town – Restored after the destruction of WWII, the Old Town and New Town (also old and rebuilt) are pretty areas to walk around and are also home to the Royal Castle.
• Visit the viewing platform at St Anne’s Church for the best views of Warsaw’s old town.
• The Royal Route – Start at the Royal Castle, walk down the medieval Nowy Swiat and continue past historic royal landmarks towards Wilanow Palace.
• The Soviet-era Palace of Culture and Science in Central Warsaw – An art deco-inspired skyscraper and the tallest building in Poland. In winter, there is an ice skating rink in front of the building.
• Warsaw Uprising Museum – One of Central Europe’s most fascinating yet sombre museums depicting life in the Warsaw Ghetto, the resistance and the aftermath of the uprising in 1944.
• Warsaw Ghetto – Approximately 400,000 Jews were forced to live in the sealed-off ghetto. In one small area, you can see the remains of the ghetto walls.
• Lazienki Park – The largest park in Warsaw and home to Lazienki Palace on the water and the Chopin monument. The park is part of the Royal Route linking the Royal Palace and Wilanow Summer Palace.
• Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – The last remaining part of the Saxon Palace that was destroyed during WWII and never rebuilt.
• Wilanow Palace – One of the few buildings in its original state, the renovated baroque palace is now an art gallery, museum and pretty garden. It’s the last stop on the Royal Route.
• Lublin – If you have time, take a day trip to nearby Lublin, an adorable small city with pastel-coloured buildings and pretty facades.

Travel Information

Discover Warsaw has a comprehensive list of things to do in Warsaw and information on museums, castles, palaces, and other noteworthy attractions.

Sustainable Travel Tips

• Shop mindfully. Only purchase what you really need.
• Walk, cycle and use public transport to get around.
• Stay in a sustainable hotel powered by renewable energy.
• Stay in hotels. Short-stay apartment accommodation can lead to a lack of affordable housing for locals.
• Avoid using plastic or buying items made or packaged with plastic.
• Try to eat locally sourced organic food where possible.
• Limit your consumption of meat and dairy.
• Be open to diverse cultures and experiences.
• Explore more than just the main tourist areas.
• Support the arts and attend local events.
• Visit fewer places but stay longer at each destination.

If you have visited Warsaw in winter or would like to review the Xmas market, leave your thoughts and tips below.

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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.