Katowice is one of those cities I probably wouldn’t have thought to visit for its Christmas market. But, since my boyfriend’s work took us down south in December, I figured it’d be rude not to check out the Katowice Christmas market while we were there.
When I started looking it up, I realised there wasn’t as much information online as I’m used to finding for the more popular markets. I came across a few pictures here and there, but no vendor directory or detailed guide—so there was a bit of mystery when we arrived.
I wasn’t expecting much, to be honest, but I was really surprised by how much I ended up enjoying it. Sure, it’s not the biggest market for artisanal goods or fancy treats, but there’s just something about the atmosphere that makes you want to stick around.
Honestly, it’s one of the most underrated Christmas markets I’ve ever visited. So, if you’re in the area during the festive season, I hope this blog post inspires you to give the Katowice Christmas market a chance!
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Where to stay in Katowice
Katowice is one of the most affordable cities I’ve ever visited, and there’s something to suit every budget.
The Christmas market in Katowice takes place in the main square, or Rynek, just a short walk from the main train station.
If you’re after a bit of luxury, you’ve got options like the Courtyard by Marriott Katowice City Center* hotel with its cocktail bar on the 27th floor, Hotel Monopol*, or Hotel Diament Plaza Katowice* —all within walking distance of the market.
For mid- or lower-budget stays, there are plenty of choices as well. We opted for Apartio Rooms Katowice*, which struck the perfect balance between price and location. The moment we stepped outside, we were right on the square, and we could even catch a glimpse of the market from our bedroom window. For two nights, it cost us just under 389 PLN (around €91 or £76).
You can check availability and prices for your dates below:
When does the Katowice Christmas market open?
The opening dates for 2025 haven’t been announced yet, but I’ll update this post as soon as they are. In 2024, the market ran from 22nd November to 5th January, opening from 10 am to 8 pm on weekdays and staying open until 9 pm on Fridays and weekends. Food stalls were open until 10 pm, with some even serving until midnight.
If you can, I’d highly recommend timing your visit with the Christmas market in the historic district of Nikiszowiec, which only runs for one weekend. In 2024, it took place from 6th to 8th December. Unfortunately, we had to leave the day before, but Nikiszowiec is one of my favourite spots in Katowice year-round, so I’m sure the market is just as magical!
Alternatively, consider visiting on 4th December, which is what we did. That day marks the feast of Saint Barbara, the patron saint of miners, and it’s a big occasion in Katowice. Celebrations kick off with an early-morning parade in Nikiszowiec, complete with an orchestra that wakes up the neighbourhood. It’s one of the most unique experiences we’ve had. If you’re planning to go, I’d suggest getting to the square outside Cafe Byfyj around 6:30 am to soak up the atmosphere before the main parade begins around 7!
What can you expect from the Katowice Christmas market?
The Katowice Christmas market is definitely one of the smallest I’ve ever visited. It took us about an hour to see everything, and we made sure to stop at nearly every stall to check out the offerings and snap some pictures for the blog.
There aren’t as many handicrafts as you might find at other markets, but you’ll still come across some classics like soaps (identical to those at the Gdańsk Christmas market, by the way), woollen socks, Christmas ornaments, and candles.
What I loved most about the Katowice Christmas market was just how fun it felt. Scattered around the market are glass display cases featuring cartoon characters, animals, and dolls. Press a button, and the displays light up and come to life—some dolls move, others sing or play music. It’s all completely free, and I honestly felt like a little kid again, wandering around to discover displays I hadn’t seen yet.
There’s also plenty to keep you entertained: an ice rink (free if you bring your own skates!), a carousel, two Ferris wheels—one regular and one smaller—and a miniature train that winds through the market. On 4th December, we even caught a live orchestra performance on the stage.
If you’re looking to warm up, there’s a large igloo in the middle of the market with standing tables where you can enjoy your food and drinks. It’s such a nice change from those trendy igloo restaurants where you have to scramble for a reservation just to dine inside one. The relaxed vibe and lack of big crowds make this market a place you’ll want to stick around and enjoy for a while!
What food should you try at the Katowice Christmas market?
When it comes to food, the selection was fairly limited. So, if you’re planning to show up hungry and eat your way around the Katowice Christmas market, it might not be the best idea. That said, you’ll still find plenty of Christmas market staples, like chocolate-covered fruits, all sorts of gingerbread, and traditional Polish cheeses. There were also some international treats, like churros and Flammkuchen.
If you fancy trying some regional dishes, there was a stall dedicated to just that. They offered classics like sausages, sourdough bread with lard, bigos (hunter’s stew with cabbage and sausage), żurek (a traditional sour rye soup), kwaśnica (sauerkraut and meat soup), krupniok (Polish blood sausage with buckwheat and spices), smażonka (a Silesian dish of fried pork and onions), and more.
I nearly fell for the most intriguing-sounding option: Silesian tiramisu. I was expecting a Polish twist on the Italian dessert, but if you’ve got a sweet tooth like me, brace yourself—it’s actually a mix of cabbage, potatoes, and black pudding!
Another thing that really surprised me was the variety of drinks on offer. The people of Katowice clearly know how to party! In addition to the usual mulled wine in both red and white varieties (plus non-alcoholic options), there was the largest selection of hard liquors I’ve ever seen at a Christmas market.
You can check out the photographic evidence below—and that’s not even everything they had at just this one stall!
All drinks were served in paper cups, so there’s no deposit system. However, if you’d like a keepsake, you can easily buy a ceramic mug to take home.
Would you add the Katowice Christmas market to your list? And, most importantly, would you try the Silesian tiramisu? 😉
