Gdańsk has grown one of the most popular Christmas markets in Europe, spread over the Coal Market by the Golden Gate and the lanes around it. The Main Town is a rebuilt Hanseatic showpiece of tall merchants’ houses, brick churches and a river quay, so there is plenty to do between the stalls. It suits couples and families who want a big, lively market and a handsome city to go with it.
Why go
The market goes well beyond a square of huts. Run by the Gdańsk International Fair (Międzynarodowe Targi Gdańskie) with the city, it spreads from Targ Węglowy along nearby streets and courtyards in themed corners. In 2025 the organiser counted more than 200 stalls and 22 kitchens, from pierogi and Pomeranian dishes to Italian, Spanish and Sri Lankan food.
There’s character too. Lucek the moose talks to children from his corner, an Advent calendar opens a new window every evening in December, and the stage puts on carols, theatre and family shows almost daily. Step through the Golden Gate and the Long Market leads you into one of Europe’s most photogenic old towns.
Gdańsk
Don’t miss
The places that make the trip, and why each one deserves your time.
Andrzej Otrębski / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Targ Węglowy Christmas market
The main market fills the old Coal Market beside the Golden Gate, with rows of wooden stalls, a carousel, a stage and the giant Advent calendar.
Come on a weekday afternoon to browse in peace.
MOs810 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Golden Gate
This early-17th-century gate, topped with statues of civic virtues, marks the start of the Royal Way into the Main Town, right at the market's edge.
Tomasz Sienicki [user: tsca, mail: tomasz.sienicki at gma… / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 Long Market
Gdańsk's grand main street runs from the Golden Gate to the Green Gate past tall, painted merchants' houses, lit up for Christmas.
krysi@ / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 Neptune's Fountain and Artus Court
The bronze sea god has stood on the Long Market since the 17th century, in front of Artus Court, where the city's merchants once met and feasted.
Schlaier / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0 Mariacka Street
The city's prettiest lane has stone terraces, gargoyle drainpipes and small amber workshops, ending at the vast brick bulk of St Mary's Church.
Shop for amber here rather than at the stalls.
Gyddanyzc / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 St Mary's Church
One of the largest brick churches in the world, with a tower you can climb for views over the Main Town roofs and the river.
Marek Mróz / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Motława waterfront and the Crane
The riverside quay runs past the medieval wooden crane, once the largest port crane in Europe, with the old granary island across the water.
Gdańsk Christmas market 2026 dates and what to expect
The 2026 market runs from Friday 20 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026, according to the City of Gdańsk and the organiser, AMBEREXPO. The layout stays close to last year’s, with ulica Garbary and part of ulica Ogarna (Plac Polaka) added this year. Daily hours for 2026 had not been published by late October; in past editions the market opened at noon every day, closing at 8pm from Sunday to Thursday and 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Based on the 2025 edition, expect:
- Where: Targ Węglowy, beside the Golden Gate and the Wybrzeże Theatre, with zones along ulica Bogusławskiego, ulica Tkacka, the Forum Gdańsk courtyard and towards the Shakespeare Theatre.
- What’s there: Craft and gift stalls, many run by local makers, a carousel, a stage programme and Santa’s meeting point.
- Advent calendar: A large Advent gate opens one window a day from 1 December.
- Mugs: Mulled wine comes in porcelain mugs on a deposit, so keep yours or hand it back.
The market closes before Christmas, so plan a trip for late November or the first three weeks of December.
The 48-hour route
Day 1
Morning: Walk the Royal Way from the Upland Gate through the Golden Gate and down the Long Market. Stop at Neptune’s Fountain and Artus Court, then follow the street to the Green Gate and the river.
Afternoon: Head back to Targ Węglowy as the market opens. Browse the stalls and the side streets while it’s still calm, and try pierogi and a mug of grzaniec.
Evening: Stay for the Advent calendar window and the stage. The Long Market is at its best after dark, with the façades lit up.
Tip: Friday and Saturday evenings draw big crowds. Shop on a weekday afternoon and save the weekend for an evening stroll and food.
Day 2
Morning: Walk along the Motława waterfront to the medieval Crane, then turn into Mariacka Street for amber workshops and stone terraces. Climb the tower of St Mary’s Church for the view.
Afternoon: Take the SKM commuter train to Sopot for a walk on its long wooden pier and the Baltic beach in winter light.
Evening: Return to the market for a last round of stalls and a glass of Goldwasser.
What to eat and drink
- Pierogi: Dumplings filled with meat, cabbage and mushroom, or potato and cheese, fried or boiled.
- Oscypek with cranberry: Smoked mountain cheese, grilled and served with cranberry sauce.
- Grzaniec: Polish mulled wine, often spiked with honey or cloves. Hot mead and hot chocolate are on offer too.
- Goldwasser: Gdańsk’s herbal liqueur with flakes of gold leaf, made here since the 16th century.
- Pierniki: Spiced gingerbread, often iced or filled with plum jam.
Where to stay
- Main Town (Główne Miasto): Around the Long Market, a few minutes from the stalls. Best for first-timers.
- Granary Island and the waterfront: Newer hotels on the river. Best for couples.
- Near Gdańsk Główny: Convenient for trains and a short walk to Targ Węglowy. Best for rail travellers.
- Sopot: A seaside resort 20-odd minutes away by train. Best for a calmer base.
Getting around
The Main Town is compact and mostly pedestrian; Targ Węglowy, the Long Market and the waterfront are all within a 15-minute walk. Gdańsk Główny, the main station, is a short walk from the market. SKM commuter trains run along the coast to Sopot and Gdynia, and the airport is linked to the city by train and bus.
Good to know
- Dates: 20 November to 23 December 2026. Our Christmas markets 2026 dates roundup tracks announcements.
- Weather: The Baltic wind can bite. Pack a hat, gloves and waterproof shoes.
- Amber: Buy from established workshops on Mariacka Street and ask for a certificate.
- More of Poland: Pair Gdańsk with the Kraków Christmas market or read our guide to Wrocław, home to another of Poland’s big markets.
- More ideas: See our best Christmas markets in Europe hub.
FAQ
When is the Gdańsk Christmas market 2026?
The Gdańsk Christmas market runs from 20 November to 23 December 2026, according to the City of Gdańsk and AMBEREXPO.
Where is the Gdańsk Christmas market?
The main market is on Targ Węglowy, the Coal Market, next to the Golden Gate at the top of the Long Market, with more stalls in the streets and courtyards nearby.
Is the Gdańsk Christmas market open after Christmas?
No. It has closed on 23 December in recent years, so plan your visit for late November or early to mid-December.
Is Gdańsk good for a Christmas weekend?
Yes. The market is big and lively, the Main Town is walkable, and Sopot’s seafront is a short train ride away for a change of scene.
