The new Warsaw Christmas Market by the Palace of Culture and Science drew massive crowds on its opening weekend, from 28 November to 1 January.
Event Overview
The Warsaw Christmas Market on Defilads Square is the first large‑scale holiday event organized directly in front of the Palace of Culture and Science. It runs from 28 November to 1 January 2025/2026, transforming the space into an expansive winter village with wooden cottages, a food zone, illuminations, and outdoor attractions.
Unprecedented Crowds
From its opening weekend, the new location has attracted huge numbers of visitors. In the afternoons and evenings, crowds of Warsaw residents and people from the surrounding area flow into the market. Narrow alleys between stalls often become a single lane of traffic, making passage time‑consuming. Long queues form for popular food stalls and attraction ticket booths, extending waiting times.
Attractions and Layout
The centerpiece is a tall cornice‑style mill with heated gondolas that offer views of the city’s lit‑up center and the Palace façade. Nearby, carousel rides and other fairground equipment operate alongside a large area occupied by retail and food stalls. Wooden cottages sell festive decorations, crafts, regional products, hot dishes and traditional drinks.
Security Measures
Organizers, together with municipal services, installed additional safety measures for the high visitor numbers. Fencing blocks unauthorized vehicle access, the area is monitored, and patrols by order‑keeping and security staff are present. The market operates daily, including late evening hours on weekdays and weekends, and admission is free, with only attractions and exhibitor offers charging.
Transport
Located in the heart of Warsaw, adjacent to metro, tram and bus stops and the Central Station, the market has become a key point on the city’s winter map. Visitors should anticipate heavy traffic, especially on weekend afternoons and evenings, and expect more time to move between stalls and attractions.
