Poznan Christmas Markets 2024: Poland's Best Kept Secret!

Your Poznan Christmas Markets Adventure is About to Begin!

19th November to 23rd December 2024

It’s 2024, and that means that finally the years of construction are complete, and the Poznan Christmas Markets will be back in all their glory with the historic Old Market Square open and ready!

A row of connected buildings, all in bright colors and patterns with an ornate building with layers of arches and spires on top, with an intricate clock

An absolute hidden gem of Europe, Poznan has fewer crowds, but all the history and charm that goes with being Poland’s first capital city! And the newly refurbished town square is absolutely breathtaking with its vibrantly-colored buildings, statues, restaurants, cafés and shops. Now that it’s up and open for business again, expect to see Poznan’s Instagram-worthy presence in the spotlight as a must-visit and affordable European Christmas destination!

Location

The Poznan Christmas markets, known as ‘Poznań Bethlehem,’ (Betlejem Poznańskie) takes place at several locations, usually including the Old Market Square and Wolnosci Square.

In Poland, Christmas preparations are complete before the first star appears in the sky on Christmas Eve. The first star, which symbolizes the star of Bethlehem, is the sign that the holiday has begun, and this is followed by three days of celebration in which no work is done.

Food and Drink

Traditional Fare

The Poznań Christmas Markets offer the perfect opportunity to sample specialties of Polish cuisine! Polish food is the absolute essence of ‘comfort food’ featuring pierogi (filled dumplings), hunter’s stew, herring and other cold water fishes, and potatoes in every possible form. A Polish menu is pretty much made for wintertime! And the desserts… ohh my.

Sweet Treats

Don’t even get me started on Polish baked goods! Absolutely spectacular, including something you must seek out in Poznan called the St. Martin croissant. It’s HUGE and filled with nuts and butter and a hint of orange. I was obsessed with these – and they are actually so huge because they are meant to be shared. These and all manner of other magical Christmas treats are plentiful everywhere at the market.

A blonde woman in a blue hat looks at Christmas treats in a booth with her young son who wears a winter coat and a brown hat with a pom pom

Rows of cured meats in a case, with some hanging behind in a basket

Budget Bites

And nothing at the market will break the bank. Your dollar or Euro will stretch a long way here. One of my absolute favorite bites that I’ve been obsessing about since last Christmas was this simple but amazing raclette sandwich that only cost me about $4.50. You cannot beat that!

An open faced sandwich on toasted bread with tomato, melted raclette cheese, a huge slab of pickle, jalapeños, green onions and tomatoes

Decoration

With over 43,000 LED lights, and 20 specific Christmasy photo op spots, its heavy focus on decoration and backdrops are all about giving you opportunities to create frame-worthy memories.

An illuminated ferris wheel in pale blue in the background with dozens of strings of icicle lights, and a crowd of people in front

And on top of that the 52 foot-tall Christmas tree, the spinning Christmas pyramid, and the illuminated Ferris wheel add a certain air of Christmas magic all their own as they tower above the festivities.

Entertainment

The Poznan Christmas markets are full of things to do, and are particularly family-friendly!

A large squirrel decoration holding a huge ornament

A man standing with Santa Mouse and a reindeer

First, it has the largest ice rink of any Christmas market I’ve seen! Adults and kids were out taking advantage of the opportunity to skate. There are also rides including a Santa train, a great Ferris wheel, and even innertube tobogganing!

There are also some traditional fair-style games like throwing darts at balloons, and shooting out a target with bb’s. My husband became the proud owner of a Pikachu button for his marksmanship!

For three days during the market, you’ll be able to enjoy the international ice sculpture competition! This is a unique opportunity to watch live as masters of their craft create unique and beautiful sculptures out of ice! If you’ve never had an opportunity to see ice carving live, it will absolutely be a treat!

And throughout the market season there are free live performances, concerts, appearances by Santa, Christmas creatures wandering around, and activity and craft workshop areas for children.

Shopping

Jars of honey with polish labels on a Christmas tablecloth

A blue Christmas ornament that says Poznan with two white goats

The 70 different market stalls offer a wide variety of traditional and locally made Polish gifts and crafts; local foods like honey, smoked meat, wine, and sweets; Poznan souvenirs, jewelry and household decor, and gorgeous Christmas ornaments and decorations.

Christmas Market Pro-Tips

⏰ Timing

Make sure you experience the market both in the daytime and at night. It’s the same place, but a very different vibe. Daytime is for fewer people, scoping out gift buying opportunities, soaking in the vibrant colored buildings, and enjoying lunch while you explore all the booths. It’s also a little warmer.

A leafless tree made out of tiny white lights

A horse and rider made of tiny white lights

But as day turns to night and the lights come on, the transformation is breathtaking. You won’t want to miss the sea of twinkling lights, the nighttime Ferris wheel, and the general merriment that starts when the mulled wine begins to flow.

💵 Cash

You will definitely need to bring cash, since many booths are cash only. There is a money exchange right in the Old Market Square by the Tourist Information center. Protip: Don’t try doing this in the bank! Long lines, passport checks, and lots of questions. Here, the transaction is fast, quick, and the exchange rate is reasonable.

And remember, Poland does not use the Euro! You’ll need to exchange your currency for złotis, which you’ll see also written as PLN. One złoti is worth roughly 25 cents, so don’t have a heart attack when you look at prices! For US dollars, just divide by four. Of course this is a rough estimate and you should check what the exact current rate is when changing your money.

🧤What to wear

Hats, mittens or gloves, a warm coat, and a scarf is never out of place, and all are nice to have on chilly nights. You don’t want to be miserable because you get cold. Also, smartwool socks, and comfortable shoes or walking boots are a must! Check out this link for current weather conditions in Poznan. Be sure to check it before you plan your time at the market.

If you do need to warm up, there are indoor “atmospheric areas” like transparent tents where you can sit and eat, and relax.

🎡Check out the Ferris wheel

This is a good rule at Christmas markets in general. Many markets, including the one in Poznan have enclosed seating so you can warm up as you take in all the sights of the market below and the city around you. I particularly liked Poznan’s Ferris wheel for its relatively short line, comfortable seating, and pretty views.

☕Get the mug!

When you buy a cup of mulled wine it will come in a glass mug and the cost of the mug (usually a couple dollars) will be included in your charge. If you want to return the mug when you’re done, you’ll be refunded the cost that you paid. Or you can keep the mug as a souvenir if you like! I have an ever growing collection of market mugs, and every time I use one it brings a smile and all the memories come flooding back. Guaranteed mood elevator!

Nearby Sights to Explore

The Market Square/Town Hall Museum

A large ornate building with rows of arches, towers, a clock, and a spire

Two goats head butting each other over an ornate clock face

The Old Market Square is chock full of history on its own. Here you’ll find the stunning Town Hall and Poznan’s most adorable icon – the goat clock, in which two white billygoats butt heads every day at noon. Check out this post about its history and the legend of the goat clock.

The Town Hall itself is the site of a very well-curated museum which brings you through the history of the building itself, and the city from the Middle Ages through the modern day.

Archaeological Museum

An obelisk inside an atrium with a large skylight

A man in sneakers wearing a coat of chain mail and a helmet holding a sword and shield

You’re also a few steps away from the Archaeological Museum which is an absolutely fascinating and eclectic mix of local and regional history from the stone age through the Renaissance, and an impressive collection of Egyptian and African artifacts as well.

Faro Church

A cobblestone street with a baroque style red building at the end

Inside an ornate church, looking down the center aisle at the altar, with red marble columns on either side

Peek down a side road from the square and you’ll see the Faro church at the end. Do not miss it! If you’re thinking “seen one church, seen ’em all” have I got a surprise for you on this one! If I had to pick a favorite church in Europe, the Faro church wins. It may not be a cathedral, but its architectural style, the incredible variety of marble, the twisted columns, the rich dim lighting… it’s absolutely dreamy.

Wielkopolska Military Museum

Right behind Town Hall is the Wielkopolska Military Museum which houses an interesting and impressive collection of armor, weaponry, uniforms and from the 10th to the 21st century. There are also several dioramas of famous campaigns.

The museum is closed on Monday, free on Tuesday, and a regular adult ticket is about $5., and kids are $.25.

Croissant Museum & Potato Museum

A huge potato sitting on a Celtic style wooden throne with a red velvet cloth and a crown

A man in a chef coat and hat weighing a large croissant on a balance scale

These two foodie experiential museums are a load of fun, and allow you to participate in baking a unique Poznan specialty – the St. Martin croissant; or bake your own potato while learning about the fascinating history of potatos in the country that consumes more than any other!

Why Poznan Christmas Markets?

A Christmas pyramid illuminated and a crowd of people below

✨As much as you’ve seen here about the Poznan Christmas markets, there really is no way to convey the true spirit of Christmas you’ll experience in Poznan. Polish people are among the friendliest you’ll ever meet, and the mood as you walk through the frosty air with your warm mug, smelling the sizzling meats and cheeses, the roasting chestnuts, and the sweet spice of mulled wine under thousands of twinkling lights is just something you have to experience. You feel like you’ve stepped into another world. And it’s something you will carry with you always.

In addition to all the magical reasons to visit Poznan, there are practical ones as well!

🎄 Poznan Christmas markets are the perfect size! You won’t be walking for miles, you won’t be overwhelmed, and there are no crushing crowds to dampen the mood.

👧 Many people in Poznan speak English really well! You’ll find that especially younger people who have taken English in school as part of their curriculum are almost fluent. Learning hello, and thank you in Polish is enough to generate smiles, and most people will continue in English as soon as they figure out that is your primary language.

💵 Poznan Christmas markets, and all of Poland in general, is incredibly affordable. You’ll find you can discover good accommodations, beautiful sites, and delicious food for well below what you’d pay in other European destinations.

🐾 The Poznan Christmas markets are dog-friendly! Just be sure your little buddy is on a leash and behaves well around people and activity. No, my dog did not qualify to go to the markets!

🧑‍🦽The markets are also easily accessible to most. The beautiful new pavers in the Old Market Square are even, and everything is fairly flat.

Accommodations and Tours

Every time we go to Poznan, we stay at the Poznan Sheraton which is about a 15 minute walk from the Old Market Square. They have lovely rooms, are dog-friendly, and have a killer breakfast buffet. You can read my review of the Sheraton Poznan, and book your accommodations.

And while you’re in this gem of a city, book your tours and activities in Poznan to make sure you get the most out of your trip. The rich and dynamic history of Poznan is truly incredible, and having a knowledgeable tour guide will be absolutely worth it or you’ll miss so much.

How to Get to Poznan

Halfway between Warsaw and Berlin, and with its own airport, Poznan is easily accessible by air, train, and car.

Getting to Poznan Old Town from Poznan Airport ✈️

🚖 11 minutes by taxi

🚌 17 minutes by bus

🚶‍♀️1 hour 30 minutes walking

Getting to Poznan From Berlin:

🚗 2 hours 41 minutes by car

🚉 5 hours by train

🚌 3 hours 35 minutes by bus

Getting to Poznan From Warsaw:

🚗 2 hours 45 minutes by car

🚉 2 hours 30 minutes by train