Christmas 2026
Gdańsk Christmas market 2026: dates, opening hours and highlights
Between the Gothic gates and the Hanseatic merchants' houses of Gdańsk's Old Town, the Coal Market turns into a Christmas village every winter – with a talking moose, a craft fair in a Renaissance armoury and the smell of hot spiced beer drifting down the Royal Route.
Gdańsk's Christmas market is smaller and cosier than Wrocław's and less crowded than Kraków's, and its setting is hard to beat: the Coal Market (Targ Węglowy) sits right at the entrance to the Royal Route, between the Upland Gate, the Golden Gate and the great brick bulk of the Armoury. In 2026 the market also spreads into new corners of the Old Town, with a food “train” and a theatre-themed corner.
Gdańsk Christmas market 2026 at a glance
| Dates | 20 November – 23 December 2026 |
| Opening hours | Daily, around 12:00–21:00 |
| Official opening | 21 November, 16:00, on the main stage |
| Where | Coal Market (Targ Węglowy), the Great Armoury, around Długa and Tkacka streets and the Forum shopping centre |
| Entry | Free |
Unlike Wrocław's and Kraków's markets, Gdańsk's closes before Christmas, on 23 December.
What to see
- Łoś Lucek – a mechanical moose near the Golden Gate that tells (very dry) jokes in Polish, English and German. A Gdańsk Christmas institution.
- Craft fair in the Great Armoury – artisan stalls with decorations, natural cosmetics, ceramics and amber, plus Santa's workshop sessions for children.
- The main stage with concerts, carols and visits from Santa.
- Ice rink and Christmas tree near the Forum shopping centre.
- New in 2026: a “Magic Train” food area on Bogusławskiego Street and a theatre corner on Plac Tadeusza Polaka.
What to eat and drink
- Hot spiced beer (grzane piwo) and mulled wine.
- Oscypek with cranberry, pierogi, bigos, kaszanka (black pudding) and pork knuckle.
- Gingerbread, waffles and chimney cakes.
For a cheap, hearty meal away from the stalls, try one of Gdańsk's traditional milk bars.
Shopping tip: amber
Gdańsk is Poland's amber capital. Mariacka Street, a few minutes from the market, is lined with amber galleries – a better place to buy than street stalls. See our guide to souvenirs from Poland.
Tips for visiting
- Weekday evenings are the most pleasant time; weekends are busy.
- Dress for the Baltic: damp, windy and around freezing in December. See weather in Poland.
- Combine with Sopot and Gdynia, a short train ride away.
- From the airport: trains and buses run to the centre; see taxis and airport transfers.
More Christmas markets: Wrocław, Kraków and our overview of Poland's best Christmas markets.
Sources
- In Your Pocket Gdańsk: Gdańsk Christmas Market 2026 – dates, hours, location, attractions, food
- Super Express Trójmiasto: Gdańsk prepares for the Christmas market (October 2026) – new locations in 2026
Prices and opening hours change – we re-check them regularly. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.