December is the time when Christmas holiday euphoria sweeps the entire world. In Europe, it is different! Europe lives every moment of December, from the day when the Christmas Market is set up, usually the end of November, until New Year’s Eve. It is the time when the spirit of Christmas brings people together. European Cities are characterised by finely illuminated lights, adorned streets, and shops with Christmas gifts. If there’s one place that defines festive magic in Poland, it’s the Christmas Market Wrocław, full of lights, smells, music, and snowy wonder.
Poland, a major Roman Catholic country in Europe, needs a special mention. Poles observe Wigilia, the traditional Christmas rituals, with the entire family. Major Polish cities flaunt their prolific and large Christmas markets, each unique and more picture-perfect than the other. After spending seven Christmases in Poland, I must say that the Wrocław Christmas Market should be a top consideration for anyone planning a trip to Poland in winter.
Christmas Market in Wrocław – General description
The month, all curled up in the snow and dark, has its charm. Less daylight makes people decorate their houses, porches, and outside spaces. As the mercury drops below the freezing point, the scent of fresh Christmas trees smelling of pine resin, powdery snow, cinnamon cookies, candles, and mulled wine prevails over every household, the market square region, and other public spaces.
Wrocław Christmas Market exemplifies everything you can think about a Christmas market, straight out of some fairytale. From the fanciest mulled wine cup cast as a sock to the wooden-structured shops bearing windmills and a Santa miniature atop them, from an extensive display of local produce to some authentic local winterwear, there’s nothing you can miss at the Christmas Market in Europe. Let’s find out more about it!
When to find the Christmas Market in Wrocław?
From November last week until January first week. More precisely from 19th November 2021 to 31st December 2021
Opening hours: 10 am to 09 pm
Attention: The market remains closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, i.e. on 24th & 25th Dec. Also, the shops in general and those in the Christmas Market close a bit earlier on New Year’s Eve, i.e. 31st December, the shops close around 5 pm.
Why Wrocław’s Christmas Market Stands Out
1. Mulled wine served at markets’ over-the-top wooden wine stands selling a myriad of mulled wine flavours
2. Immaculate lighting and decorations in and around the Rynek (Main Market Square) and streets leading to the Market Square
3. Food! Lots of food and beverages to try! For example, bread & lard, kielbasa, and Oscypek (regional cheese), beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). Shops selling local produce. A large selection of Polish desserts, sweets, candies, gummy candies, and chocolates to try from
4. Classy woollen shop structures
5. Plenty of props for photos
6. Joy rides for kids
Things to do during Christmas in Wrocław and winter
Keeping in mind that the entire Christmas Market is a major attraction, I have narrowed down the list to a few top interests here that you can experience. Some of the top Christmas Market Wrocław attractions are:
1. Try the lip-smacking Polish food, alcohol-based drinks, regional delicacies from the mountains, tasty soups, and delicious sausages. I have been talking about mulled wine relentlessly, so I am not even mentioning that. They have a multitude of flavours to try from.
Protip: If you want to try a cheaper and better-mulled wine version without bothering yourself much with the Google Maps navigation, head to Bistro 8 1/2 – włoska kuchnia w filmowym stylu, located in the Main Market Square. For the same price that you pay in the Christmas Market, you end up savouring at least twice as much wine. Hence, a better experience. Tipsy, tipsy!! 😉
Then comes Oscypek, a regional Polish Cheese worth a try. I recommend it to every tourist in Poland. The smoked cheese made from goat milk is salty and served with jams. It tastes best when served hot. A speciality from the Polish mountains, I recommend the one from the Christmas Market.
Pancakes and crepes are the other popular must-try dishes in Wrocław. Speaking of crepes, if you are in Wrocław for a day or two, make sure to stop by FC Naleśniki to try out some of the best versions of crepes and pancakes in Poland, salty as well as sweet. For more dessert options, shops selling Belgian waffles, Hungarian chimney cakes, churros, and paczek offer many other options.
What to Expect at the Wrocław Christmas Market?
1. A lot of traditional Polish food! Bigos, skewers, and plenty of fast food are worth a try at the Christmas Market. You won’t fall short of food variety options.
2. Head to Ostrow Tumski and feel the moody ambience of the oldest and most enchanting location in the entire Wrocław.
3. Don’t forget to catch the magical sight of a lamplighter in the hood lighting up the gas lamps across the Tumski.
4. Optionally, climb to the top of the Main Cathedral. The view from the top is unparalleled, as it offers stunning views of the city, bridges, and the Orda River.
The good thing is, winter sunsets happen around 3-4 pm. It means you can catch one of the majestic Wrocław sunsets while the viewing deck is still open. The price is 15 pln per head, and they offer a student’s discount.
5. Attend the Christmas Eve midnight mass at the Katedra. A perfect occasion for those looking to experience the authentic Christmas traditions in Poland. The priests, all dressed formally, sing and pray. Tumski Cathedral, a popular church in Wrocław one not just in Wrocław but also in the Lower Silesian region, attracts tourists and locals. Make sure that you are there at the stroke of midnight on 24th December.
6. Take photos with all the fancy decorations and props in the Christmas Market.
7. Ride on a horse-driven carriage in the Main Market Square. These are some of the experiences that make up the essentials of the Christmas Market in Wrocław.
8. Special fun rides and play areas for kids, which means they’ll have a great time riding different joy rides.
What makes the Christmas Market in Wrocław special?
Everything about the Wrocław Christmas Market is so fairytale-like. The light shows, decorations, fairy forest, gnomes, mulled wine stands, and the massive space and location make it the top Christmas Market in Europe. The spirit of Christmas fills the air, and the aroma of festivities quenches your soul! The best of the wintry night in Poland, basking in the glow of the main square, leaves you mesmerised.
There’s plenty more to explore and enjoy in Wrocław and nearby regions. Though some of the activities are season-specific, you can try out a bunch of activities from the recommendations here: Best Of 48 Hours In Wrocław – Venice Of Eastern Europe
Need more tailor-made suggestions and advice on a tour of Wrocław or a Poland trip? Get in touch through the contact forms. Thank you!
Thanks. Really nice article.
Stories by Kids for Kids https://littleauthors.in
Thank you for your words of appreciation!
I have read so many posts about the blogger lovers howeverthis post is really a good piece of writing, keep it up.