Christmas 2026
Christmas in Warsaw
The markets, the lights and the parties — and when each is worth it.
18 days to go16 Nov – 26 Dec · 21 ideas
- 14 for families
- 8 free
Don't miss
Warsaw Christmas Market at Plac Defilad (Jarmark Warszawski)
Old Town Christmas Market (Barbican)
Ice Rink at Palace of Culture and Science
Sunday 6 December
Shopping Sunday
One of the few Sundays in the year when most retail stores and shopping centers are open for business due to relaxed trading restrictions.
Tuesday 8 December
Królewski Balet Klasyczny - Dziadek do Orzechów
A classical ballet performance of The Nutcracker by the Royal Classical Ballet.
FamilySource: AleBilet
Sunday 13 December
Shopping Sunday
One of the few Sundays in the year when most retail stores and shopping centers are open for business due to relaxed trading restrictions.
Sunday 20 December
Królewski Balet Klasyczny - Dziadek do Orzechów
A classical ballet performance of The Nutcracker by the Royal Classical Ballet, set in Christmas realities, is a journey into the world of children's imagination.
Family
Balet Dziadek do Orzechów
A dance and ballet performance with elements of magic and audience interaction. Features a dance group and soloists in a ballet repertoire, enriched with modern dance techniques and artistic gymnastics performed by young artists.
Family
Shopping Sunday
One of the few Sundays in the year when most retail stores and shopping centers are open for business due to relaxed trading restrictions. This is the last shopping Sunday before Christmas.
Thursday 24 December
Muzeum Domków Lalek, Gier i Zabawek - Christmas Closure
The Museum of Dollhouses, Games and Toys will be closed during the Christmas period.
Christmas Eve (Wigilia) - Early Closures
Christmas Eve is not a statutory public holiday in Poland, but it is widely observed with early closures and reduced services across the country. Most shops, offices, and cultural institutions will close significantly earlier than usual to allow people to prepare for the traditional Wigilia dinner. Only a few small neighborhood shops, gas stations, and some franchised stores (like Żabka) may remain open.
Friday 25 December
Christmas Day (Boże Narodzenie) - Public Holiday
Christmas Day is a statutory public holiday in Poland. Absolutely everything is closed, and people spend time at home with family, enjoying traditional food and carols.
Saturday 26 December
St. Stephen's Day (Drugi Dzień Bożego Narodzenia) - Public Holiday
St. Stephen's Day, also known as the Second Day of Christmas, is a statutory public holiday in Poland. Many shops and offices remain closed, similar to Christmas Day, as people continue to celebrate with family.
All season
Warsaw Christmas Market at Plac Defilad (Jarmark Warszawski)
The second edition of Warsaw's largest Christmas market, featuring over 200 exhibitors, a Ferris wheel, labyrinth, Santa's House, and a weekend program for families. The gastronomic zone will also feature a new culinary concept. Normal opening hours are 11:00-22:00 daily. Special hours apply on holidays: Christmas Eve 11:00-18:00, Christmas Day 12:00-22:00, Boxing Day 12:00-22:00, New Year's Eve 11:00-18:00, New Year's Day 14:00-22:00.
FamilyFreeSource: Jarmark Warszawski
Christmas Lights Illumination in Łazienki Królewskie
The Royal Łazienki Museum sparkles with festive and New Year's lights. The Chinese Avenue, from the gate at ul. Agrykola to the gate at ul. Gagarina, is adorned with stylish light installations of several-meter-high luminous figures in period costumes.
FamilyFreeSource: Muzeum Łazienki Królewskie
City-wide Christmas Lights Display
Warsaw's Old Town, particularly Plac Zamkowy, Krakowskie Przedmieście, and Nowy Świat, is known for its extensive and magical Christmas lighting decorations, including a large Christmas tree at Castle Square. While a specific switch-on event for the main city lights is not yet announced, the illuminations will be active throughout the festive period.
FamilyFreeSource: WARSAW CHRISTMAS MARKETS 2026 | Poland's Magical Winter Wonderland
Old Town Christmas Market (Barbican)
A charming Christmas market located between Castle Square and the Barbican, offering decorations, ceramics, wooden objects, jewelry, and traditional Polish food and mulled wine. Often considered a part of the larger Warsaw Christmas Market experience. While specific 2026 dates for the Old Town section have been less explicitly stated as a separate entity compared to Plac Defilad, it is expected to be an active part of the city's Christmas offerings. Previous years' operating hours were typically Sunday to Thursday from 11:00 to 20:00, and Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00 to 21:30.
FamilyFreeSource: City of Warsaw Official Website
Ice Rink at Palace of Culture and Science
An outdoor ice rink located at the foot of the Palace of Culture and Science. Daily session times: 10:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00, 18:00-21:00.
FamilyFree
Ice Rink at Browary Warszawskie
An ice rink in a modern urban space. Opening hours: Monday-Friday 15:00-21:00; Saturday-Sunday 12:00-22:00. Specific start date for the 2026 season not explicitly stated but is expected to be open during this period based on previous years' operations.
Family
Christmas Market Mug Deposit System
Visitors to Christmas markets in Poland, including Warsaw, will encounter a deposit system for reusable ceramic mugs used for mulled wine and other hot beverages. A deposit (e.g., 15-30 PLN) is paid initially, which can be refunded upon return of the mug to designated collection points, or kept as a souvenir. Limited-edition collector's mugs are also often available for purchase.
Ice Rink at Plaża Wilanów
An outdoor ice rink for public skating. Open daily. During school holidays, hours may extend from 10:00.
FamilyFreeSource: Warszawa Nasze Miasto
Ice Rink at Ursynów
A covered outdoor ice rink, ideal for families and friends. Maintenance breaks at 12:30-13:00, 15:30-16:00, 18:30-19:00.
FamilyFree
Ice Rink at Park Bródnowski
An outdoor ice rink with specific session times: 10:30, 12:00, 13:30, 16:00, 17:30, 19:15, 20:45. Technical breaks from 14:45-16:00 and 18:45-19:15.
FamilyFree
Times and prices change, so check with the organiser before you go. Updated 28 Oct