This year's edition of the Gdańsk Christmas Market opened on Saturday with a spectacular parade. Residents took part in the colourful procession, Gdańsk locals in period medieval costumes, merchants and drummers among them. The festive stalls will be open to visitors until 23 December.
– The most beautiful time of the year is beginning, a time of wonderful festive scents, splendid dishes, beautiful decorations for the tree and for our homes. Crafts, which you can also buy here at this market. But above all, a time for meeting one another. It's a time for conversation, for looking one another in the eye, in which we can also forgive one another all the wrongs we've done each other. It's a beautiful time when we sit down together at a shared table, with our guests too – said Deputy Mayor of Gdańsk Piotr Grzelak at the grand opening of the Gdańsk Christmas Market.
The gingerbread parade, drawing on traditions linked to „Catherine's Day” customs, marched along the stalls set up at Targ Węglowy. All set against a unique, festive backdrop.
– This year will be a special time, because our guests from Ukraine will also be sitting at our tables. Let's welcome them warmly, let's welcome them very warmly, and let's create for them as much of a home as it's possible to create outside Ukraine. Let's also think of all those who are currently lacking that warmth of home. May the coming time bring peace to the world and peace to Ukraine – added the Deputy Mayor of Gdańsk.
Cuisines of the world at the Market
– I'm delighted that among the delicacies from around the world, and among the stalls you'll be able to visit here, more than 50% are stalls run by Gdańsk restaurateurs. I wish you all a beautiful time preparing for Christmas. Let's have fun, let's celebrate, and above all let's think of one another – said Deputy Mayor of Gdańsk Piotr Grzelak.
Besides classic festive treats, visitors with a taste for food will find dishes from cuisines all over the world. This year's offering will be especially rich, featuring as many as 20 countries, including Japanese, Thai and Crimean Tatar cuisine. You'll be able to try dishes from Lithuania, America, Germany, Hungary, Spain, Belgium, Greece, Ukraine, Italy, Turkey and Poland. Those seeking winter flavours can enjoy currywurst, churros, langos, kürtőskalács, chips, zapiekanki, festive pierogi and aromatic mulled wine.
Among the culinary novelties will be brioche with ice cream, crispy tofu, raclette, prawn skewers, tempura oscypek cheese, quesadillas, cinnamon rolls and vegan bigos.
Vote for Gdańsk in the competition for the best Christmas market in Europe!
This year the Gdańsk market has once again been nominated in the competition for the title of "European Best Christmas Market".
– The Gdańsk market is regarded as one of the most beautiful in Poland. It has already been recognised in the past. And this year, too, our Market has been nominated for the European "Best Christmas Market" competition. You can vote for our market from 25 November to 8 December. You can cast your vote on our website www.bożonarodzeniowy.pl – says Dorota Solochewicz, Fair and Event Organisation Manager, MTG SA
The competition includes the largest and most beautiful cities of the Old Continent. Competition is fierce – Basel, Vienna, Brussels, Edinburgh, Prague and Tallinn are just some of the entrants. Yet Gdańsk has proved time and again that nothing is impossible for its residents!
Let's all vote, and our wonderful city will surely find itself among the leaders!
"Let the Holidays Play!"
In keeping with this year's slogan "Let the Holidays Play!", the market stage will resound with different kinds of music. During the recurring "Jazz Carolling" concerts, well-known Tricity musicians will perform; during "Carolling in Voices" you'll be able to admire the extraordinary artistry of choirs performing Christmas songs and carols; during "Joyful Carolling" you'll be able to feel the power and energy of young performers, while "Carillon Carolling" will set a nostalgic mood.
The "Festive Freeze-Frames" market scenery is the perfect backdrop for capturing fleeting moments in keepsake photographs. Alongside last year's hugely popular illuminated throne of St Nicholas, new features will debut! An illuminated "Market" sign in its winter guise, angel wings for young and old, a sleigh with presents, a gazebo and a fountain. Posing for photos will be St Nicholas, giant candy canes, decorative baubles, and our mascots – the Nutcracker couple, the Market's own Grandfather and Grandmother Nutcracker.
The Moose Has a Voice
The undisputed star of the market is the much-loved talking moose, Lucek, who speaks in a human voice! He's been entertaining visitors to the Christmas Market for several years now, and his popularity keeps growing. He awaits his fans in the Moose Corner on Bogusławskiego Street, and guarantees traditional moose-style crackers.
Market at the Armoury from 2 December
After a break, the market is returning once again to the historic interiors of the Great Armoury of the Academy of Fine Arts, where the Artistic Corner has been created. There'll be plenty to choose from for anyone who values fine artistic craftsmanship. The offering will be rich, featuring unique artistic works and handicrafts such as: wooden nativity scenes, natural cosmetics, wooden puzzles, handmade Christmas cards, wooden models, handmade lanterns and paintings.
New at the Market!
This year we have a special debut, with the first-ever presentation of animated nutcrackers – "The Nutcracker Couple", whose distinctive costumes, modelled on the uniforms of soldiers of the Gdańsk Garrison, are designed in keeping with the market's visual style.
Another new feature at this year's market is the huge illuminated sign “MARKET”, which, positioned at the heart of Targ Węglowy, will be a great spot for commemorative photos. As will the remarkable angel wings in the Angel Corner on Tkacka Street.
A distinguishing feature of Gdańsk's Christmas Market is the calendar at the Advent Gate. Its secrets are revealed every day from 1 to 23 December by soldiers of the Gdańsk Garrison, to the delight of sweet-lovers. This year the Advent Calendar's partner is the Wedel company, which is providing the chocolatey, sweet contents of the windows.
Key information:
Christmas Market – 18 November–23 December
Christmas Market at Zbrojownia – 2–23 December
Location: Targ Węglowy, Bogusławskiego Street, Tkacka Street, Forum Courtyard
Stalls open to visitors:
Sunday – Thursday 12.00-20.00,
Friday – Saturday 12.00-21.00
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