Christmas Markets and Fairs with Attractions

This year, the Christmas Market at the Poznań International Fair has shifted its opening hours to 3pm-9pm Tuesday to Thursday, 11am-10pm Friday to Saturday; and 11am-9pm on Sundays. What has not changed is that it is still packed with activities for the whole family. According to the organisers, top attractions include a Ferris wheel, kiddie carousels, an ice rink, Santa's chair, a sleigh-flight simulator, and Marcin the Moose, entertaining visitors in the Poznań dialect. Feeling brave? Snag a ticket for the 40-metre booster - a hammer-style thrill ride! The Fairgrounds market runs until 21 December, with Mondays off. Admission is free.

In Plac Wolności and the Old Market Square, the markets will stay open a little longer, running until 6 January. Plac Wolności will host themed days, including Senior Mondays, Family Wednesdays, and Student Thursdays. The organisers are lining up concerts, including Dixie Company performing carols New-Orleans style, and performances such as A Christmas Dream. Over in the Old Market Square, the Poznań Ice Festival kicks off 12-14 December. As always, besides the main competition, there will be a mini sculpture competition and ice workshops for kids on 14 December from noon to 3pm. This year will also bring an expanded ice rink of over 400 square metres and a classic 19th-century Venetian carousel. The city's Christmas tree will be lit up on 6 December at 5pm. And there is much more. "On 18 December, we'll join students from around Europe to sing Silent Night in multiple languages. To mark the 107th anniversary of the Wielkopolska Uprising, a commemorative town will rise in Plac Wolności on 27 December. There will be a pre-New Year's Eve celebration for children and families, and on 2 January, Mezo will give a New Year concert," says Anna Dorna, who represents the Bethlehem Poznań team in Plac Wolności and the Old Market Square.

In addition, the Wilda Christmas Market returns for its tenth edition on 6 December, from 3pm to 10pm in Plac Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie, bringing sweets, artisan stalls, and loads of live music and theatre. The Jeżyce Variety Market will open in Rynek Jeżycki on 13 December, 4pm to 10pm. Concordia Design will stage the Variety Market - Christmas Edition (14 December), while the Pavilion features the Young Art Fair from 20 to 22 December, and Stary Browar hosts the Free Christmas Market from 12 to 14 December.

There are as many attractions as baubles on a Christmas tree! So, dive in and enjoy!

Monika Nawrocka-Leśnik 

translation: Krzysztof Kotkowski

© Wydawnictwo Miejskie Posnania 2025