Poznan Christmas Market Guide 2024- Dates, Tips, Events + Things to Do

The charming university city of Poznan hosts one of the most extravagant Christmas markets in Poland (of course, Wroclaw takes the cake on that one). As a city that is perhaps not typically on the top of many tourists’ radar, Poznan draws a large crowd come Christmas time. Poznan is consistently named one of the best Christmas Markets in Europe. After seeing this incredible Christmas market, it is easy to see why. The Poznan Christmas Market covers two locations in the Old Town. With Poznan’s beautiful architecture as the background of the Christmas Market, Christmas-themed rides and games, and festive decor, the Christmas Market in Poznan is undoubtedly worth visiting. If you time your visit just right, you may even see ice sculptures at the Christmas Market.

Poznan Christmas Market

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Before You Go
🏨 Book Hampton by Hilton Poznan Old Town. This hotel is conveniently located near the Christmas Market and includes breakfast. This is one of the most luxurious feeling Hamptons I’ve ever stayed at.
✨Best Tours: 
🚗 Book Your Train Tickets: Train tickets in Europe tend to increase the closer it gets to the departure date. Book your tickets now for the best deal!
 

Poznan Christmas Market Overview

How to Get to Poznan

Poznan is a great city to visit for the Christmas Markets in Poland due to its proximity to the German border. You can get from Berlin to Poznan in under three hours by train, making it easy to pop over to Poland if you are visiting the German Christmas Markets.

If you are traveling within Poland, train travel is one of the best options. It is easy to get around and visit Poznan and other cities in Poland. Compare train tickets directly on the PKP Intercity website. Make sure to pay attention to the duration of the trains. Unless you are on a tight budget, you will want to get the express train. 

There are non-stop flights to Poznan Airport from various destinations within Europe, making Poznan perfect for a weekend getaway. While Poznan is a beautiful city, it is pretty small, and you can see almost everything, including the Christmas Market, in one day. If you plan a weekend getaway, I would consider spending one night in Poznan and taking a train to nearby Wroclaw.

Where to Stay When Visiting Poznan’s Christmas Market

The Old Town of Poznan is highly walkable and has reasonably priced hotels, so I suggest staying there. However, if the tram system is easy to use, you can easily get to the Christmas Market no matter where you stay in Poznan.

Hampton by Hilton Poznan Old Town

I stayed at the Hampton by Hilton Poznan Old Town and cannot recommend it enough. It is ideally located near Old Town Square and directly off a tram route. The hotel was modern, had a great continental breakfast, and was affordable.

Find More Great Hotels Near the Poznan Christmas Market

Check out this Booking.com map to see what hotels are available during your visit. Keep in mind that Christmas is a busy time to visit Poznan, so be sure to secure your hotel by booking now.

Booking.com

 

Poznan Christmas Market

Poznan Christmas Market 2024 Dates

It is not officially confirmed yet, but many resources say the Poznan Christmas market 2024 dates are from November 19 to December 23, 2024. The official Poznan Christmas Market Dates are TDB.

In years past, the Poznan Christmas Market ran from November 17 to January 7.

Poznan Christmas Market Hours

10 am – 10 pm

Poznan Christmas Market Locations 

The Poznan Christmas Market is relatively large and spread out across two locations in the Old Town. The Christmas Market is located in Plac Wolności and Poznan’s Old Market Square, Stary Rynek. The two locations are less than a five-minute walk from each other, so it is easy to go back and forth between the two areas.

Plac Wolnosci- Freedom Square

The Christmas Market set up in Plac Wolności has a lively atmosphere. There is a massive Ferris wheel overlooking the Poznan Christmas Market, Christmas-themed rides, and various mulled wine stalls.

Poznan Christmas Market Poznan Christmas Market

The decor is exquisite, with wooden stalls painted green adorned with garland and vibrant wrapped presents. Christmas lights are strung over walkways between the stalls, creating a lovely ambiance for strolling through the market. 

Poznan Christmas Market Poznan Christmas Market Poznan Christmas Market

If you fancy a mulled wine or hot chocolate, stand-up bar tables are set up by the mulled wine stands. Additionally, the Poznan Christmas Market has limited editions mugs. As in other Christmas Markets in Europe, you pay a deposit to use the mug and can choose to keep it or return it for your money back.

Poznan Christmas Market Poznan Christmas Market

Old Market Square

The Old Market Square is a perfect spot for the Christmas Market in Poznan. This large square is in the center of the Old Town and has some beautiful architecture. The colorful merchant houses surrounding the square add a burst of color to this Christmas Market.

Poznan Christmas Market Poznan Christmas Market

The stalls in the Old Market Square are a bit more spread out than those in Plac Wolności, allowing you to stroll more leisurely through the market.

Poznan Christmas Market Poznan Christmas Market

The large Christmas tree in front of the impressive Renaissance Town Hall is one of the attractions at the Poznan Christmas Market. This tree is elegant and draws focus to this landmark in Poznan. The Christmas Market set up in Poznan’s Old Market Square is excellent as it doesn’t compete or take away from the setting. While I love an over-the-top Christmas Market that completely transforms a destination, it is great to be able to appreciate Poznan’s architecture without an extensive amount of decorations.

Poznan Christmas Market Poznan Christmas Market

There are a few religious Christmas elements at the Christmas market in Poznan including a nativity scene in the Old Market Square.

Nativity Scene Poznan Christmas Market

There are some beautiful light installations in the Old Market Square in the evening, which are very festive. There is nothing as magical as experiencing a Christmas market under the glitter of Christmas lights.

Christmas Lights Poznan Poznan Christmas Market at night

Poznan Christmas Market Events

Silent Disco

Every Thursday from 5-9 pm, there is a silent disco in Plac Wolności. The headphones are limited, so be sure to arrive early to get a pair if you want to participate. I am kicking myself for missing this during my visit because what sounds more fun than silently jamming out amid the Christmas Market? 

Poznan Ice Festival

Over three days during the Poznan Christmas Market, there is an icy experience like none other. The Poznan Ice Festival brings together ice sculptors from around the world to compete. The ice festival is located in the Old Market Square, alongside the Christmas Market.

The Poznan Ice Festival is from December 6 – December 8, 2024.

Poznan Ice Festival

What to Eat and Drink at the Poznan Christmas Market

The food options at the Poznan Christmas Market include traditional Polish food and typical Christmas market sweets, including plenty of gingerbread, chocolate-covered fruits, and chimney cakes.

There are a plethora of mulled wine stands at the Poznan Christmas Market. You can enjoy a warmed mulled wine in limited editions Poznan Christmas Market mugs. As in other Christmas Markets in Europe, you pay a deposit of around 15 PLN to use the mug and can choose to keep it or return it for your money back.

Poznan Christmas Market Poznan Christmas Market

Other Things to do in Poznan During Christmas

In addition to experiencing the Christmas Market in Poznan, there are a few other things to do in Poznan at Christmas.

Ride the Ferris Wheel

Be sure to ride the Ferris wheel at Plac Wolności for an incredible birds-eye view of the Poznan Christmas Market. The Ferris wheel also offers incredible views of Poznan’s Old Town. The Ferris wheel is only set up to ride during Christmas, so don’t miss it.

Christmas Lights on Cathedral Island

Cathedral Island is a must-visit while in Poznan. During the Christmas season, it is decorated with light installations depicting religious Christmas elements such as the Three Kings. 

Cathedral Island Poznan Christmas lights

See the Decorated Trams

Keep an eye out for the trams nearby the Old Town of Poznan. Many are decorated with Christmas Lights during the holidays. They are so fun and festive, and I almost yelled in glee when I saw one pass.

Decorated tram in Poznan at Christmas

Poznan Christmas Market: Wrap-up

Poznan was one of my favorite Christmas Markets in Poland. While the city’s tourist center is fairly small, I found that it was perfect for a Christmas Market. I was able to experience the Christmas Market in Poznan while exploring all the top sites in Poznan in one day. I spent an extra afternoon seeing the Poznan Ice Festival. I highly recommend visiting the Poznan Christmas Market, especially as it is easy to visit other Polish cities and Berlin.

For more travel inspiration, check out these posts:
🎄  The Best Christmas Markets in Poland
🧊 Poznan Ice Festival: Guide to Visiting Poland’s International Ice Festival
For more New York travel, check out my Poland section!  

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