Every season as November turns into December, the central squares in many Polish cities are transformed into cozy outdoor Christmas markets (Jarmak Bozonarodzeniowy). Dozens of vendors sell locally-made sausages, cheese, honey and crafts from behind wooden stalls, and Christmas trees taller than most of the surrounding buildings become the focal point of the squares.
Christmas markets originated in the Germanic-speaking regions of Europe during the Middle Ages; however, the tradition has been assimilated and adapted into Polish Christmas culture.
The markets are one of the best places to find the products and ingredients central to a traditional Polish Christmas dinner. Carp, bought fresh (and sometimes live) so the scales can be dried and kept for luck, is the main Christmas Eve dish in Poland. And oplatki, thin wafers which are broken and shared as a symbol of family and friendship, are sold alongside traditional Polish staples like kielbasa and pierogi.
The main market square in Warsaw hosts the biggest Christmas market in Poland. With a focus on regional products, the program also includes live musical performances throughout the month of December. Another major market is held in Krakow. Thousands of lights illuminate one of the only major medieval town squares in Poland that resisted destruction during the Second World War.
If you’re in southwest Poland in December, head over to Wroclaw; the market in the former German city includes an outdoor stage with live musical and dance performances. Or, head north to the Christmas market in Gdansk and spend the holiday on the coast. Smaller markets are held in the secondary cities of Torun and Lodz as well.
Mulled wine (grzaniec), the most popular element of Polish Christmas markets, can be found in the central stalls. The warm mugs, wafting scents of cloves and cinnamon, are a great way to thaw frozen hands on a chilly December evening.
Jenna Makowski is a freelance writer who seeks experiential and local travel. She blogs at http://jennagmakowski.com/
