Gdańsk Christmas Market 2026: A Local’s Guide

Last updated on October 15, 2026

It’s now been 13 years since I decided to move to this area, with the last 6.5 years spent living right here in Gdańsk. Over that time, I’ve only missed the Christmas market once or twice. I’ve tried loads of different dishes, found a few favourites I keep going back for, and learned to spot the occasional tourist trap. And since I wrote my last guide to the Gdańsk Christmas Market back in 2019, I figured it’s about time for an update to share everything I’ve picked up since then.

In 2024, the Gdańsk Christmas Market was voted the best Christmas market in Europe! Now, I’ve been to my fair share of Christmas markets in different countries, and I’ll admit Polish markets still have some catching up to do – particularly when it comes to food prices – but you can’t deny their charm.

Of course, the title comes from a public vote, so it doesn’t necessarily mean Gdańsk actually has the best Christmas market in Europe. These rankings are often more about marketing than anything else.

Still, I genuinely think Gdańsk has one of the best Christmas markets in Poland, and I find myself going back several times each year! If you’re looking for an alternative to some of Europe’s more famous Christmas markets, Gdańsk definitely deserves a spot on your list!

So, if you’re thinking about visiting Gdańsk at Christmas, here’s everything you need to know before you go – from where to find my favourite stalls and the foods you absolutely have to try to a few things you might want to skip.

When does the Gdańsk Christmas Market take place?

The Gdańsk Christmas Market will run from 20th November to 23rd December 2026. It will be open from 12 pm to 8 pm Sunday to Thursday, and on Fridays and Saturdays, it will stay open an extra hour until 9 pm.

If you can, I’d recommend skipping the weekends or going as early as possible. After 3 pm, it gets really busy – you’ll end up squeezing through crowds or struggling to get close enough to the stalls to check out what’s on offer.

And with Gdańsk having been voted the best Christmas market in Europe in 2024, it’s become even more popular, so it’s worth keeping that in mind!

Looking for more tips for your trip to Gdańsk? Here are the rest of my Gdańsk guides:
Best Things to Do in Gdańsk, Poland (A Local’s Guide)
Restaurants You Must Visit in Gdańsk (According to a Local)
Best Cafés in Gdańsk For Coffee Lovers (A Local’s Guide)
Top Places to Have Breakfast in Gdańsk (Chosen by a Local)
11 Best Places For Dessert in Gdańsk (By a Local Foodie)
12 Best Places For a Drink in Gdańsk, Poland (According to a Local)
How to Plan a Day Trip to Malbork Castle from Gdańsk (By a Local)

What is the best way to get to the Gdańsk Christmas Market?

Getting to the Gdańsk Christmas Market is super easy, no matter how you’re travelling, but I’d say the best way is by tram or the local SKM train.

If you’re taking the SKM train, hop off at Gdańsk Śródmieście station and walk straight through the Forum shopping mall. There are some market stalls set up in the courtyard of Forum as well, so you can start browsing straight away.

Once you step outside the mall, you’ll see an illuminated tunnel on your right. Walk through it, cross the street, and you’ll end up at the main part of the Christmas market on the Coal Market (Targ Węglowy).

If you’re going by tram, the closest stop is Brama Wyżynna. From there, it’s just a quick walk across the street to that same tunnel – on one side, it’ll take you into Forum, and on the other, it leads you straight to the Coal Market. Trams 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, and 9 will all get you there. A few minutes away, you’ve also got the Hucisko stop, served by trams 10 and 12.

This area can get very crowded during rush hour, so going by bus can be a bit hit-and-miss. But if that’s your best option, just hop off at either Brama Wyżynna or Hucisko and you’ll be within walking distance.

Where does the Gdańsk Christmas Market take place?

The Gdańsk Christmas Market stretches across several areas: the Foregate (Zespół Przedbramia), the Coal Market (Targ Węglowy), Bogusławskiego Street, the Great Armoury (Wielka Zbrojownia), Tkacka Street, and the courtyard of Forum Gdańsk.

It’s still treated as one big market (rather than separate areas like in some other countries), and everything’s within easy walking distance.

What can you find at the Gdańsk Christmas Market?

The Gdańsk Christmas Market has grown quite a bit over the years. In 2025, it was the biggest edition yet, with 222 stalls, 38% of which were run by local businesses.

Unlike other markets, Gdańsk has a pretty decent balance between Polish dishes and international street food. You’ll find traditional Polish meals like pierogi and bigos, but also Venezuelan arepas, Brazilian coxinhas, Hungarian lángos, or even Tatar snacks.

If you’re after something handmade, there’s a whole section dedicated to handicrafts inside the Great Armoury (Wielka Zbrojownia).

And of course, it’s not all food and shopping. There’s a full schedule of entertainment throughout the season, including theatre performances, live music, Santa meet-and-greets, workshops, a carousel, spinning barrels, and all kinds of family-friendly activities.

Since 2025, you can also finally get your mulled wine in a ceramic mug instead of a paper cup, although some stalls were still serving drinks in paper cups last year. The mug comes with a 30 PLN deposit (around €6.85 or £5.80), which you can get back by returning it to one of the designated collection points rather than the stall where you bought your drink.

If you want a souvenir, there are also limited-edition collector’s mugs. Last year, they came in four different colours and cost 54.90 PLN (about €12.55 or £10.65). You could only buy them from one of the Gdańsk Tourist Organisation stalls, and they were non-returnable.

Here’s a breakdown of what each area of the market has to offer.

1. Forum courtyard

Just outside the Forum shopping mall, there’s a courtyard area that’s also part of the Christmas market. It’s not huge, but worth a quick look – especially if you’re coming from the SKM station or hopping off the tram nearby.

You’ll find a handful of food stalls, as well as a few stands selling amber jewellery, loose-leaf tea, Christmas decorations, and cosy winter accessories like hats and gloves.

If you’re heading there for food, I highly recommend grabbing a pizza fritta from Husak or one of the Crumbl-style cookies from MS Cookie. I’ve also got my eye on the Canadian-style waffles, but haven’t had the chance to try them yet!

2. The Foregate

The Foregate is the historic area between the Upland Gate and the Golden Gate, right next to the Coal Market. The Christmas market stalls wrap around the old Prison Tower, making it one of the most picturesque parts of the market.

Here, you’ll find a Christmas pyramid where you can grab some mulled wine and a cute spot for photos inside Santa’s sleigh. There are also stalls selling food, different types of honey, local fish products, liquors, and various artisanal products.

The mulled wine flavours are pretty unique – think raspberry, plum, or even chocolate! They also have non-alcoholic options if you’re not drinking. That being said, if you’re not too fussed about having it here, just a heads-up that quite a few stalls use the Grzaniec Galicyjski brand, which you can get much cheaper in supermarkets.

So, unless you specifically want to try it before buying the full bottle, it might not be the best value. However, there are also some stalls selling their own mulled wine.

Which stalls are worth visiting in this section of the market?

My favourite has to be the PerfumeCraft stall. They sell incredible nature-inspired perfumes made by a local perfumer who also happens to be a professor running Poland’s first scent creation degree.

Their most famous perfume uses natural moss, and they also have scents inspired by Gdańsk’s amber. They’re the most long-lasting perfumes I’ve ever owned, and honestly, worth every penny!

Earlier this year, at St. Dominic’s Fair, I treated myself to a bottle of their new Lavender Milk perfume, and when I tell you I’ve never received THIS many compliments on a perfume in my entire life, I mean it! Even my dad noticed, and he normally pays zero attention to these things. Needless to say, I’ll definitely be going back for another bottle (or two)!

Since 2025, you can also find a stall I was really excited to see, run by Gdańska Wytwórnia Historycznych Smaków. It’s a local business set up by a Gdańsk restaurateur and his wife, and they make some of my absolute favourite souvenirs from the city.

I go into more detail about their story in my guide to the best things to do in Gdańsk, but the short version is that he recreated historical Gdańsk liqueurs based on old recipes he found in the archives, and now makes them in small batches.

Many people have heard of Goldwasser, but he also wants more people to discover Gdańsk’s lesser-known liqueurs. If you’re looking for a unique gift or souvenir, I’d definitely stop by!

3. Bogusławskiego Street

The stalls on Bogusławskiego Street start between the old Prison Tower and the National Bank of Poland building, loop around it, and stretch all the way to the Advent Calendar gate.

Near the NBP building, you’ll find stalls selling artisanal goods, including jewellery, leather goods, wreaths and garlands made from dried fruit, souvenirs from the Kashubia region, and a few food stalls as well.

As you’re about to turn the corner, make sure to look up and spot the star of the market – Lucky the Moose. He wakes up at regular intervals to greet visitors and tell some a-moose-ing dad jokes (sorry, I had to).

As you continue, there are two more rows of stalls, selling food, gingerbread, mead, honey products, natural oils, and more.

As you head towards the Shakespeare Theatre, this is where the newest section of the Gdańsk Christmas Market begins.

You’ll see a little photo op spot with a Romeo and Juliet bench first – a fun way to mark the start of this part of the market.

Just parallel to the theatre, there’s a row of food stalls, plus a stand where you can try out a bit of VR. It’s not a huge section, but what I really liked is that there were plenty of tables and places to stop and eat. It’s a brilliant way to spread the crowds out a bit.

At the very end of the street, you’ll also find the entrance gate shaped like a giant Advent Calendar.

4. The Coal Market

The Coal Market is the heart of the Gdańsk Christmas Market and home to most of the food stalls. You won’t find many artisan stands here, but it’s the perfect spot for grabbing a bite or something to drink.

If you fancy a change from the usual mulled wine, try the mulled cherry liqueur from Wiśniewski, mulled wine with a splash of Soplica vodka, or the most indulgent hot chocolate from Wedel.

For coffee lovers, don’t miss the local coffee roastery stand (number 44). You can enjoy a freshly brewed cup or pick up some beans to take home. Their packaging is gorgeous, with seaside city designs that make them a brilliant gift.

For something sweet to go with your coffee, head to Cynamonka Bakery (number 40) for their amazing buns filled with pistachio, cinnamon, or rosehip jam – you can even ask them to warm it up for you.

Another favourite of mine is Piernikowa Chatka (number 32), where you can get a traditional Polish treat called “nuts,” filled with creamy fudge.

If you’re hunting for souvenirs, the huge Visit Gdańsk stand has an almost overwhelming selection of gifts. You can even pick up one of the ceramic mugs here. Right next to it, you’ll find a photo spot with a nutcracker dressed in a uniform inspired by XVIII-century Gdańsk city soldiers.

And if you need a break from eating and shopping, there’s plenty of entertainment too. You’ll find a merry-go-round, a rollercoaster with spinning barrels, and a sleigh flight simulator complete with a talking mailbox for dropping off letters to Santa.

There’s also a stage where all the performances and side attractions happen, and you can take a photo on Santa’s throne.

5. The Great Armoury

If you’re looking for high-quality handicrafts, the Great Armoury is the place to be. I’d recommend heading there after you’ve explored the stalls in the Coal Market square – it has entrances on both sides, so it’s easy to pop through and continue your visit on Tkacka Street.

Inside, you’ll find over 50 stalls selling all sorts of artisanal goods, from clothing and leather products to candles, ceramics, jewellery, home decor, souvenirs, and handmade ornaments.

I always enjoy browsing here because the craftsmanship is on a completely different level. If your budget allows, I’d say amber jewellery makes one of the best souvenirs you can take home from Gdańsk – it’s unique, natural, and beautifully local.

There’s also a little café where you can take a breather away from the crowds, a spot to play board games, and another corner where you can snap a photo on Santa’s throne (just follow the arch made of teddy bears to find it).

6. Tkacka Street

The last area with Christmas market stalls is Tkacka Street. It’s the smallest section of the market, and most of the stalls here sell food.

My absolute must-visit spot at the Gdańsk Christmas Market is the Hungarian lángos stall. There’s another one over in the Coal Market square, but it’s more expensive and run by Polish vendors. If you want the real deal, Tkacka Street is where you need to go!

You’ll also find a stall from the local Umam bakery here, which is perfect if you’re craving some delicious croissants or pastries. Other gems include a stall selling mead and honey products, one offering wild boar meat (a local specialty!), and another with preserves, pickles, sourdough bread, and various cheeses.

For handicrafts, there are stalls with handmade soaps, artisanal handbags, Christmas ornaments, and more amber jewellery.

What food should you try at the Gdańsk Christmas Market (and what to avoid)?

This might be a bit controversial, but I’ve got to say it: the Gdańsk Christmas Market isn’t the best place to try authentic Polish food. There, I said it.

The main issue is the high cost of running a stall, which pushes up the prices. In past years, the biggest tourist traps were the grill stands offering different types of grilled meats and sausages. The tricky part was that the prices were listed per 100 grams, so you could end up paying a small fortune for a mediocre piece of meat.

This year, things are looking slightly better. There are fewer of those overpriced grill stands, and I noticed a lot more dishes with clear pricing, which is definitely a move in the right direction. Even so, it’s always a good idea to check the prices carefully, so you don’t end up with an unpleasant surprise.

But don’t let that put you off! If you know where to look, there are still plenty of gems. Here are my top picks for both Polish and international food options you shouldn’t miss at the Gdańsk Christmas market.

Polish food

• Sourdough bread with lard: “Pig jam,” as it’s jokingly called in Poland, might not sound appealing, but don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. Where to find it: the Coal Market.
• Mead and honey products: Mead is a big part of Polish tradition. I personally hate it, but it’s one of those things you have to try when you’re here. Where to find it: Bogusławskiego and Tkacka Streets.
• Rosehip jam buns: In Poland, you’ll traditionally find rosehip jam in donuts eaten on Fat Thursday, but here you’ll find it in a bun form. Make sure to leave room for the other flavours! Where to find them: Coal Market, stand number 40.
• Nuts with fudge: This Polish dessert dates back to Communist times. The name comes from their nut-like shape, and they can have different fillings. Making them is a bit of a process – often one day to prepare the dough, another to stuff them – so not many people make them at home anymore. Where to find them: Coal Market, stand number 31.
• Gdańskie Brukowce: A special type of gingerbread with a hard, glossy glaze on the outside and a soft, chewy centre. Their name comes from their resemblance to cobblestones. Where to find them: the Visit Gdańsk stall or the Cynamonka Bakery stall.
• Liqueurs: Poland does fruit liqueurs like no other, and you can find just about any flavour – cherry, plum, blackcurrant, you name it. Many recipes have been perfected over generations. Warm cherry liqueur from the Wiśniewski stand is a personal favourite!
  Where to find it: The Foregate complex or Wiśniewski stand on the Coal Market square.

International food

• Lángos: If I could only visit one stall at the market, this would be it. No trip feels complete without grabbing one. Head to Tkacka Street for the real deal – it’s run by Hungarians. Skip the one on the Coal Market Square; it’s more expensive and not as authentic. Where to find it: Tkacka Street, stall number 208.
• Raclette: These baguettes with melted cheese are dangerously good. Watching the cheese being melted and scraped onto the bread is almost as satisfying as eating it. Where to find it: Bogusławskiego Street, stall number 92.
• Currywurst: Whenever I’m craving the vibe of a German Christmas market, I head here. They use proper, high-quality sausages – not the store-bought kind – and you can choose between mild or spicy. Where to find it: Coal Market, stand number 18.

What are you most excited to try at the Gdańsk Christmas Market?