Gdańsk has once again become the European capital of summer attractions! At noon on 26 July, Długi Targ turned into a colourful opening stage for one of the oldest, largest and most beautiful fairs in Europe. The traditional handover of the city gate key to the merchants and a colourful procession through the streets marked the start of three weeks of trade, flavours and cultural events. The Festival of Wonders will run until 17 August – let's meet in the very heart of Gdańsk.
During the Opening Ceremony we brought the past into the present, creating a spectacle the Fair had never seen before. On stage, history came alive to the rhythm of music and dance – acrobats, dancers and musical scenes wove together the old days with the modern spirit of Gdańsk. On the forecourt of the Artus Court, a specially composed song rang out, which – like a time machine – told the story of St Dominic's Fair in a new form. It was a tale of how one of Europe's most important cultural events has changed over the centuries.
After the artistic part came the time for the official part.
– Dear residents of Gdańsk, dear Guests – welcome to our beautiful, wonderful city! St Dominic's Fair is a celebration that has, for 765 years, brought together people curious about the world, open to trade, culture and learning from one another. It is a time for sharing joy, relationships and the beautiful energy that flows from Europe and the whole world to Gdańsk – said Monika Chabior, Deputy Mayor of Gdańsk. – Visit the stalls, talk to the artists, support social organisations – be part of this unique event. May this time be inspiring, colourful and simply wonderful for you – now and long after the Fair ends! – added the Deputy Mayor of Gdańsk.
The official inauguration was crowned with the symbolic handover of the key to the gates of Gdańsk – the Deputy Mayor presented it to Andrzej Bojanowski, President of the Gdańsk International Fair, the event's organiser. Moments later, the fair's fanfare rang out over Długi Targ – unique this year, composed of exactly 765 notes.
With the handover of the key, the symbolic transformation of the city began – exhibitors took over the Main City and Old Town. A colourful procession set off down Długa Street – led by Hermes himself, patron of trade, heading a parade full of fantastical figures, sounds and colours that swept the crowd into a joyful journey through time and tradition.
– Our medieval brothers showed remarkable courage and openness when they came up with the bold idea of asking the Pope for permission to hold a fair by the monastery in Gdańsk, to mark the feast of St Dominic. That gesture – so bold and so deeply rooted in care for the community – gave rise to a tradition that continues to this day. I wish you that this time at the Fair be an opportunity to experience what our brothers believed: that every person has something to share – and that every encounter with another person can enrich us. May this be a beautiful time for Gdańsk and for all of us – said Fr Michał Osek OP, Prior of the Order of St Dominic in Gdańsk.
The parade of colourful figures reached Przystanek Równość (Equality Stop), where another part of the Fair was symbolically opened – the one located on Heweliusza Square. On stage, the duo Kozyrska x Sieczak performed with their band. As in the previous year, each of the stops celebrated its opening in a unique way. Przystanek Smaków (Flavours Stop) came to life with the opening of the first fair cottages, from which the aromas of spices and local delicacies spread. Przystanek Przygoda (Adventure Stop) was kicked off by a parade of charming mascots, colourful and well-loved characters – among them animals from Gdańsk Zoo, the beloved AmberRyś and other friends of the Fair. Przystanek Retro (Retro Stop) took us back in time with a fashion show straight from the 1970s. In the heart of Uliczka Kolekcjonerów (Collectors' Lane), denim, fringes and glitter reigned supreme. The evening was capped off by the opening of Ołowianka in its new form at Przystanek Port Gdańsk pod Żaglami (Port Gdańsk Under Sail Stop), where Phao Sanato performed on stage.
– We meet – and this number is on everyone's lips today – for the seven hundred and sixty-fifth time at St Dominic's Fair. Allow me to warmly welcome you on behalf of Marshal Mieczysław Struk and myself. We are delighted to be part of this unique celebration – said the Member of the Board of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, Agnieszka Baranowska. – I would like to draw your particular attention to places that are very close to our hearts – such as Uliczka Pomorska on Szeroka Street, where our local entrepreneurs present themselves. I also warmly invite you to Świętopełka Wielkiego Square, to the Cities and Regions Zone – there you will find a true mosaic of cultures, colours, flavours and sounds from all over the world. I wish you wonderful experiences, an unforgettable atmosphere, and thank you for being with us today. All the best! – she added.
765 YEARS OF ST DOMINIC'S FAIR
This year's Fair features 745 stalls, with 662 exhibitors selling their wares, 275 of them from Pomerania, including 168 from Gdańsk. 18 world cuisines, handicrafts, various types of art, collectibles, antiques and fashion – all of this can be found among the fair stalls. The Fair also includes an artistic and cultural programme with over 200 entries
in the daily programme.
FAIR STOPS – THEMED ZONES FOR EVERYONE
A novelty of recent editions – also in this anniversary year – are special themed stops that open from the very first day of the Fair. Each offers unique attractions and a programme for every day:
Przystanek Smaków (Flavours Stop) on Świętopełka Square
From 10:00 am, a true oasis opens up on Świętopełka Square in the very heart of the fair's hustle and bustle. Surrounded by a wealth of flavours from around the world and the aroma of local specialities, it invites you to stop for a moment – without haste, without a plan, purely for pleasure! From time to time, Przystanek Smaków comes even more alive – thanks to special events that draw people in with taste, culture and inspiration. These include the Cities and Regions Zone – a colourful showcase of the most beautiful places from Poland and around the world – as well as Cicha Polana Smaków, the Fair's great culinary celebration! Live cooking shows, tastings and a competition among the best chefs for the Fair's Grand Prix.
Przystanek Port Gdańsk pod Żaglami (Port Gdańsk Under Sail Stop) on Ołowianka
On Gdańsk's Ołowianka, you'll find the perfect place to meet friends, where good music plays, good films are shown at the open-air cinema, light illumination shows can be admired, and much, much more. The stop underwent a transformation this year. It draws on Gdańsk's port and container atmosphere. It's a place where tradition meets modernity in a visible way – a place never seen before at St Dominic's Fair. Here you'll find the Chopin concerts "Jazz on the Island", an open-air cinema, the AmberSky observation wheel, and the chance to experience a VR paragliding flight. There's also a new green zone here – and not just because of the greenery. Four containers now feature photovoltaic panels from Energa Obrót.
Przystanek Równość (Equality Stop) on Heweliusza Square
This is a place where, in a relaxed summer atmosphere, you can talk about important things like tolerance, openness and freedom, and blur generational and cultural differences. People play, integrate and learn here. It's diverse – operetta mixes with karaoke, and workshops for children with activities for seniors.
Przystanek Przygoda z AmberSky (Adventure Stop with AmberSky) near Targ Rybny
Fun for the whole family! Here you'll find dance shows, science experiments and games with mascots. In the AmberSky zone you can find mazes, sensory cubes, String Art workshops, the Gdańsk Carousel, a VR rapid river rafting simulator, and two premieres. This year we have a new attraction here: "Gold Fever – Treasure Hunter". This is an offer for true treasure hunters, who, as in a gold rush, will sieve "precious stones" out of the sand in streams of water. Treasures can be identified, and you can find out where they occur in nature and in which parts of Poland – and, most importantly, take them home as a souvenir and perhaps begin a fascinating adventure with a new passion. The youngest visitors will also be able to enjoy a special boat-shaped bouncy castle.
Przystanek Retro (Retro Stop) on Długie Ogrody
What if we travelled back to the 1970s and 80s and got into the RETRO spirit? Within the stop's space you'll find: a 1970s-style photo spot, an exhibition of vintage cars, antique auctions, and advice and restoration tips on antiques. A musical concert zone, including a Vinyl concert
Przystanek u Dominikanów (Stop at the Dominicans)
This stop is another novelty at St Dominic's Fair. Here, in the shadow of the Gothic walls of St Nicholas's Basilica, beats the heart of the Fair's centuries-old tradition. Przystanek u Dominikanów is a space for reflection, calm and values that have endured for centuries – hospitality, equality, community.
The programme includes sacred music concerts, calligraphy and meditation workshops, meetings with the Dominicans, stories about the history of the order and its role in Gdańsk, as well as a performance marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, during which St Nicholas's Basilica survived as the only church in Gdańsk. Here, spiritual heritage meets modern sensibility, and everyone can find a moment for themselves – regardless of age, faith or beliefs.
– The history of Gdańsk and the whole of Pomerania is the history of craftsmen and merchants – working people who, over the centuries, helped build this city, shoulder to shoulder with the Dominican fathers. This year's, already 765th, edition of St Dominic's Fair takes place in a special year – the 80th anniversary of our Pomeranian Chamber of Crafts. To mark this occasion, we declared 2025 the Year of Pomeranian Craft. It is a great honour for us to be able, today, together with the leaders of Gdańsk and Pomerania, to open this extraordinary celebration. In just a few days – on 9 and 10 August – we invite you to Heweliusza Square, where craftsmen will present their workshops, their stories, their passions. It will be a space for storytelling, shared fun and pride in Pomeranian craft. This year, together with the Gdańsk International Fair, we have also put forward an initiative to have St Dominic's Fair entered on the national list of intangible cultural heritage – to better protect and develop this remarkable heritage. To all organisers, merchants, craftsmen, restaurateurs and guests, I wish a successful fair, much success and beautiful memories." – says the President of the Pomeranian Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprise Crafts, Zbigniew Stencel.
Themed fair lanes
Strolling through the Fair, you'll discover unique lanes:
- Uliczka Pomorska (Pomeranian Lane) (Szeroka Street): Regional treats, natural products, Pomeranian craftsmen, handicrafts, and stalls run by organisations combining economics with social sensitivity. This is the place partnered by the Pomeranian Voivodeship Self-Government.
- Graphics and Poster Zone – Digital Art (Tkacka Street): A meeting place with digital art – computer-generated posters, graphics, stained glass, illusions and bold compositions for fans of modern design. This digital space brings the Fair's tradition into the world of fantasy and new technologies.
- Uliczka Polskich Projektantów Mody (Polish Fashion Designers' Lane) (Straganiarska Street): Unique designs, bold patterns and the latest trends in Polish fashion and accessories – perfect for those who want to express their individuality.
- Collectors' Zone (Przystanek Retro, Długie Ogrody Street): Here you'll meet traders from across Europe with antiques, curios, porcelain, glass, postcards, paintings, coins and other historical treasures.
- Uliczka Artystyczne Podwale (Artistic Podwale Lane) (Podwale Staromiejskie and Grobla IV Streets): Works by local artists, handicrafts, ceramics, amber, original accessories and works of art – classic and modern.
Treasures bought at St Dominic's Fair can be sent to loved ones or to your own home with a 40% discount! Thanks to cooperation with ORLEN Paczka, Fair visitors have this option. How does it work?
- Go to nadaj.orlenpaczka.pl
- Fill in the form and choose the pick-up point to which ORLEN Paczka will deliver the parcel
- Select the "Generate shipping code" option, choose the parcel size and use the code JARMARK
- Pay for the shipment with a 40% discount, and clearly write the shipping code you receive on the parcel
- Send the parcel via an ORLEN Paczka locker
Note! Treasures from the Fair can be packed free of charge at the ORLEN Paczka stand, and sent from the special fair parcel locker on Świętopełka Square.
FAIR CELEBRATIONS
Bread Day – a tradition that unites generations
Bread Day will take place on 27 July on Heweliusza Square. This jubilee, 30th edition will run from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Visitors can look forward to tastings of baked goods and confectionery, competitions with prizes, artistic performances (including sea shanties with the band Trzy Majtki), children's attractions led by Teatr Qfer, and a consultation zone with dietitians. It's also a chance to meet bakers and learn the secrets of healthy bread.
Cities and Regions Zone
A multicultural space for meetings, inspiration and experiences, where cities, regions and countries from across Europe present the best they have to offer – heritage, unique attractions and local products. This is a unique spot on the map of St Dominic's Fair, where every step is a journey through diverse cultures and traditions. Promotional stands of cities, regions and countries – inspiring new travel destinations. Here you can find local products from Poland and around the world – handicrafts, delicacies, natural goods. There will be tastings, shows and performances, as well as authentic encounters with culture and tradition – straight from its ambassadors. It's a space where people and stories meet, and diversity becomes a value you can experience and take with you. From 26 to 29 July, the zone will feature: the Łódź Voivodeship, the Pomeranian Voivodeship, the Pomeranian Regional Tourist Organisation with its members, Cyprus, the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Tourist Organisation, and Wrocław.
Pomeranian Social Economy Day
For the third time, Heweliusza Square will host a gathering as part of the largest event of the social economy sector in Pomerania, during St Dominic's Fair. The aim of Pomeranian Social Economy Day is to promote the broadly understood social economy, which, put simply, means running a business that combines economic goals (profit) with social ones (helping prevent exclusion). The event will be an excellent opportunity not only to learn about various organisations from the sector and get acquainted with their activities, but also to support them directly. Join us on 1 August.
St Dominic's Fair brings many celebrations and anniversaries, which the organisers will announce as they happen. All cultural information is available at https://jarmarkswdominika.pl/program/
AmberSky – daily entertainment for young and old
AmberSky is the title partner of Przystanek Przygoda z AmberSky near Targ Rybny. It provides a zone of permanent attractions for the whole family: mazes, games, a sensory cube, a carousel, a VR simulator, a relaxation zone, creative workshops, a dream wall and an adventurer's passport. On Ołowianka, the famous AmberSky observation wheel and the Wirujące Beczki spinning coaster await.
Fair opening hours
The Fair is open daily from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, food stalls stay open until 9:00 pm.
Detailed programme, news and attractions map at: jarmarkswdominika.pl.
See you at Gdańsk's biggest summer celebration!
The preparation of St Dominic's Fair would not have been possible without the Fair's Partner, Energa, part of the Orlen Group.