Where to go for Christmas in Poland? For a white Christmas - head to the mountains: the Tatras, the Beskids or the Karkonosze. For city atmosphere - visit a Christmas market in Wrocław, Kraków or Gdańsk, ideally before 24 December, because on the holidays themselves the markets are closed or have already ended. For a quiet Christmas Eve away from home, hotels with a Christmas package, agritourism farms and Masuria work well.
Below you will find the 2026 holiday calendar, the dates of the biggest Christmas markets, ideas for New Year's Eve and practical tips for a Christmas road trip in Poland.
Christmas 2026 in Poland: key dates
In 2026, Christmas Eve (Wigilia) falls on a Thursday, and the first and second days of Christmas on Friday and Saturday. Since 2025, 24 December has been a public holiday in Poland, and in return the three Sundays before Christmas Eve are trading Sundays (gov.pl, in Polish). In practice this means:
- 24-26 December shops are closed - do your shopping by 23 December or on the trading Sundays of 6, 13 and 20 December.
- 23 December (Wednesday) is likely to be the busiest day on the roads out of big cities. If you can, leave a day earlier or in the morning.
- 27 December (Sunday) many people drive home - expect afternoon traffic on routes from the mountains and the coast.
- 31 December and 1 January - 1 January is a public holiday, shops are closed and many attractions have shorter hours.
Christmas markets in Poland 2026: when to go
Christmas markets are a great idea for a December weekend, but not for Christmas Eve itself. We checked the dates published by the organisers:
| City | Dates | 24-26 December |
|---|---|---|
| Wrocław | 20.11.2026-07.01.2027, daily 10:00-21:00 | closed on 24 and 25.12, opens at 13:00 on 26.12 |
| Gdańsk | 20.11-23.12.2026 | already over |
| Kraków | 27.11.2026-06.01.2027 (announced) | check holiday opening hours before you go |
Wrocław
The Wrocław market fills the Market Square, Plac Solny and the surrounding streets. It is a good choice for families with children. According to the organiser, the market is closed on 24 and 25 December and 1 January, and opens at 13:00 on 26 December (Wrocław Christmas Market, in Polish).
Gdańsk
The Gdańsk market on Targ Węglowy ends on 23 December (Gdańsk Christmas Market, in Polish). If you want to combine it with Christmas by the sea, arrive a few days earlier or plan a separate December weekend.
Kraków
The market on the Main Market Square is announced from 27 November to 6 January. In December, also see the exhibition of Kraków nativity scenes (szopki) - a tradition on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Atmospheric markets are also held in Poznań, Toruń and Warsaw. Check their 2026/2027 dates on the organisers' websites before you travel.
Where to spend Christmas in Poland away from home
The mountains: the best chance of snow
The Tatras, the Beskids and the Karkonosze give you the best chance of snow on Christmas Eve, although it is not guaranteed. Zakopane is the liveliest, while Kościelisko, Bukowina Tatrzańska and Murzasichle are quieter. Families with children often choose the Beskids and the Pieniny with gentler slopes. Ski destinations, driving times and winter driving rules are covered in our guide on where to go in Poland in winter.
A hotel with a Christmas package
Many hotels in the mountains, by the sea and in Masuria offer packages with Christmas Eve dinner, a festive breakfast and a spa. It is a convenient option if you do not want to organise anything yourself. Before booking, check exactly what the package includes (Christmas Eve dinner, midnight mass, a programme for children) and whether there is a minimum number of nights.
Agritourism farms and small villages
If you want a homely atmosphere, look for an agritourism farm in the Bieszczady, the Low Beskids, Kashubia or Podlasie. Hosts often invite guests to a shared Christmas Eve dinner. Such places are usually hard to reach by public transport on the holidays, so a car makes the trip much easier.
Masuria and the Baltic coast
In winter the coast and Masuria are quiet, and hotels with pools and spas offer a peaceful break. There is usually less snow than in the mountains, but the drive from Warsaw to Masuria takes only about 3 hours.
Where to spend New Year's Eve in Poland
- Mountains: Zakopane and Podhale attract the biggest crowds - book New Year's Eve accommodation well in advance.
- City: in Wrocław on 31 December the market's food and drink area stays open until 2:00, and craft stalls until 17:00. Big cities also hold New Year's Eve concerts - programmes are usually announced in December.
- Quiet: a spa hotel in Masuria or the Karkonosze with a New Year's Eve dinner on site.
If you are driving home after New Year's Eve, set off only when the driver is completely sober - including the next morning.
Driving in Poland at Christmas: practical tips
- Leave before 23 December or early in the morning - roads out of cities are busiest in the afternoon.
- Shop in advance - shops are closed on 24-26 December.
- Check your hotel's check-in hours on Christmas Eve - receptions often work shorter hours.
- Drive to the mountains on winter tyres and allow extra time for the last winding kilometres.
BLS hands over and takes back cars on the holidays and on New Year's Eve too. You can pick up a car in Warsaw, Kraków, Rzeszów, Lublin or Radom - in the winter season cars have winter tyres. Book Christmas dates early, as demand in December is high. See available cars: car rental in Warsaw, car hire in Kraków - close to the Tatras and the Beskids - or car rental in Rzeszów, the closest base for the Bieszczady.
Ready-made Christmas ideas
- With family: the Wrocław market on the weekend before Christmas, then a hotel with a Christmas package in the Karkonosze.
- With skiing: Białka Tatrzańska or Szczyrk - slopes by day, thermal baths in the evening.
- Without the commercial side: an agritourism farm in the Bieszczady and Christmas Eve dinner with the hosts.
- City Christmas: Gdańsk before 23 December and the holidays by the sea, or Kraków with its nativity scenes.
FAQ
Are Christmas markets open on Christmas Eve?
Usually not. The Wrocław market is closed on 24 and 25 December, and the Gdańsk market ends on 23 December. The best time to visit is a December weekend before Christmas.
Is 24 December a public holiday in Poland?
Yes, since 2025 Christmas Eve has been a public holiday and shops are closed. In 2026 the trading Sundays are 6, 13 and 20 December.
Where to spend Christmas in Poland for snow?
The best chance of snow is in the mountains - the Tatras, the Karkonosze and the Beskids. In the lowlands and by the sea, snow at Christmas is less common.
Can I rent a car at Christmas in Poland?
Yes, BLS hands over and takes back cars on 24-26 December as well as on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. It is worth booking early.
When should I book accommodation for Christmas and New Year?
The earlier, the better - Christmas packages and New Year's Eve accommodation in popular places sell out first.