Christmas Without a Market? Impossible! It is like Christmas without Kevin (from Home Alone)! Regular attendees of the two largest events of this type know it all too well. The Poznań Bethlehem is being celebrated in three venues.
In Plac Wolności, you can feel like you've stepped into a fairy tale. A charming Venetian carousel, a Ferris wheel offering breathtaking views, Santa's train, and exhibitors where you can stock up on delicious festive treats are just some of the attractions. The programme also includes workshops, performances, concerts, and even a silent disco. This celebration will last the longest, until 6 January.
At the Christmas Market on MTP (Poznań International Fair) grounds, look out for a spectacular Christmas tree and find the stage where artists will present their rich repertoires. From 6 to 8 December, the Gift Festival will take place here, alongside themed weekend events and workshops for children. Still not enough? In addition to getting another chance to admire Poznań's panorama from the Ferris wheel, there's also an ice rink and Santa's House. It's worth checking if he's received your letters! The market will continue until 6 January. In the meantime, MTP will host the city's New Year's Eve celebrations.
As part of Poznań Bethlehem, you should also visit the Old Market Square, where the Poznań Ice Festival will be held. The programme includes a small sculpture competition (6 December), Speed Ice Carving - a race to forge a requested design in ice as quickly as possible (7 December), and the Main Competition, an all-day contest where two-person teams will sculpt any shape from frozen blocks (8 December).
In addition to the two largest markets, the festive schedule includes one- and two-day fairs, ideal for hunting down gifts. The Christmas Bazaar at Wyspiańskiego 26 invites you on the weekend of 30 November-1 December from 11 am to 6 pm for a charity craft fair. Expect eco-products, candles, and books, with proceeds going to support Sabina, who is battling Crouzon syndrome, an incurable condition. The organisers also invite you to workshops of decorating Christmas gingerbread, making tree ornaments, and stone painting. Though the latter might seem modest, it has become a heartwarming internet sensation, with painted stones finding their way to various places worldwide, spreading good energy and smiles.
On Saint Nicholas Day (6 December), enjoy a timeless holiday tradition. The Royal Classical Ballet invites you to The Nutcracker at 7:30 pm in Earth Hall.
The following day (7 December, at 12 noon, 3 pm, and 6 pm), Santa's Elf Orchestra will visit the Rialto Cinema, bringing a magical musical spectacle for children. Special guests Shrek, Moana, and Elsa will join the fun, offering a rich repertoire, instrument demonstrations, and plenty of fun and games and surprises. Santa himself has hinted he would be delighted if his young guests came dressed as elves!
To round off the first week of December (8 December), immerse yourself in the Christmas Time concert in Earth Hall at 8 pm. Top stars of the Polish music scene - Justyna Steczkowska, Beata Kozidrak, Natalia Kukulska, Michał Szpak, Andrzej Piaseczny, and Kuba Badach - will perform alongside the Royal Symphony Orchestra.
The Poznań Philharmonic shows that Friday the 13th doesn't have to be unlucky. Classical music lovers will enjoy the Wieniawski Before Christmas concert at 7 pm, featuring violinist Agata Szymczewska and the Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Wojciech Michniewski. The programme includes Arcangelo Corelli's Concerto Grosso in G minor Op. 6 No. 8 (Christmas Concerto), Henryk Wieniawski's Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor Op. 22, and César Franck's Symphony in D minor.
Still searching for gifts? Two more market events await: from 13 to 15 December during the Old Brewery's opening hours, the Free Christmas Market will be held on the chessboard, while on Sunday, 15 December, Concordia Design will host the Targi Rozmaitości fair featuring Polish brands specialising in art, crafts, and design.
On 15 December at 5 pm, Adam Mickiewicz University of Poznań Auditorium will present the Christmas Music Gala, described as "an evening full of smiles, emotions, and warm festive feelings." Performers include Duo Performance (Monika Biederman-Pers and Piotr Karzełek), Aleksander Martinez, Yulia Ponomar, and the Dream Winter Orchestra, conducted by Mateusz Dudek. In addition to carols, expect international holiday hits like White Christmas, Jingle Bells and Mary Did You Know. All this seems quite nice!
On 16 and 19 December at Aula Artis at ul. Kutrzeby, Tetiana Galitsyna's Sand Theatre presents A Christmas Carol and a Christmas Carol Concert.
On Friday, 20 December, the Earth Hall will host the Magic Christmas Concert at 6 pm and 8:45 pm. Nearly 60 performers will grace the stage, including Kasia Moś, Kasia Cerekwicka, Ewelina Lisowska, and Mietek Szcześniak performing some Christmas time favourites. They'll be joined by the energetic and charismatic Sound and Grace choir and the CoOperate Symphony Orchestra conducted by maestro Adam Domurat. The event will be moderated by the actress and TV presenter Barbara Kurdej-Szatan.
Also in Earth Hall, on 22 December at 5 pm and 8 pm, the renowned American jazz vocalist Kurt Elling will perform with a jazz band led by the Duke Ellington orchestra soloist and two-time Grammy-winning saxophonist Mark Gross. Additionally, the stage will feature an orchestra and a children's choir performing the most beloved and well-known Christmas songs together. Kurt Elling's voice is the very embodiment of magic - this is a unique opportunity to experience it in person!
Poland's most famous and funniest string quartet, Grupa MoCarta, will perform in Poznań on Friday, 27 December, with shows at 5:15 pm and 8 pm at Apollo Cinema. Their Bauble Concert promises a blend of carols, pastorals, and their signature four performer comedic-classical style. Special guests Santa Claus and Snowflake will deliver greetings from Gwiazdka z Nieba (Star from the Sky) and make appearances, along with a mysterious wandering traveller, rumoured to bring a delightful surprise.
Finally, on 29 December at 6 pm, Adam Mickiewicz University of Poznań Auditorium will host the traditional Songbirds' Carols concert by the Poznań Nightingales, celebrating their 85th anniversary with a repertoire of the most beautiful Polish carols that can not only be heard but also sung along.
The penultimate evening of the year, 30 December, offers an enchanting event. At 7 pm in Aula Artis, Winter Songs of Frank Sinatra will transport attendees to 1940s New York, with Natalia Świerczyńska delivering swing arrangements of classic American holiday standards. Accompanying her will be a talented ensemble, including Dawid Kostka (guitar), Michał Baranowski (piano), Wojciech Judkowiak (double bass), Sebastian Skrzypek (drums), Dawid Tokłowicz (alto saxophone), Karol Wieczorek (tenor saxophone), and Piotr Banyś (trombone).
The final event of the year we have to offer is Carols of the World, performed by an operatic-pop duet with piano accompaniment. The event will also take place on Monday, 30 December, at 8 pm at the Church of the Holy Cross on ul. Częstochowska.
Let Christmas last all year round!
author: Marta Szostak
translation: Krzysztof Kotkowski
© Wydawnictwo Miejskie Posnania 2024