Although we’re in the middle of the summer, preparing for our August culinary and cultural trip to Malopolska region with stays in Krakow and Zakopane – which we schedule around the annual Pierogi Festival in Krakow – we’re also thinking and getting very excited about our December 2018 “The Magic of Christmas Markets in Poland” – 9 Nights/10 Days, five cities adventure!

Christmas Market in Wroclaw, Poland

We’ve written at length about the day-by-day itinerary for “The Magic of Christmas Markets in Poland” trip on this blog last year but wanted to update the information and also encourage readers to extend their stay, if they can of course, and celebrate “Sylwester” – New Year’s Eve in Poland!

Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2018 – Sylwester 2018 – in Poland

New Year’s Eve celebrations and parties across the entire country are super fun and festive, lasting until early morning hours, with live concerts and fireworks in market squares, and interestingly in Poland, New Year’s Eve, even has it’s own short name – “Sylwester”. Zakopane, in the Polish Tatra mountains is the most popular and recommended city to celebrate Sylwester in Poland however, early reservations are a must because hotel rooms and parties sell out quickly.

Sylwester celebrations in Zakopane, Poland

Warsaw, Poland at Christmas

Here are updated locations and 2018 dates for each of the Christmas Markets in the cities we’ll be visiting – the Christmas Markets are scheduled at about the same time each year with some date changes possible for special festivities and events:

WARSAW

Where: Christmas Market in Old Town & Royal Castle Square*
When: November 24 – January 6

*Warsaw has more than 10 Christmas Markets scattered throughout the entire city so one can easily spend an entire week exploring those markets just in Poland’s beautiful capital alone!

POZNAN

Where: Poznan’s Bethlehem in Old Town & Freedom Place
When: November 17 – December 21

International Ice Carving Festival in Poznan
December 8 – 9

WROCLAW

Where: Christmas Market on Old Town Market Square
When: November 24 – December 22

KRAKOW

Where: Christmas Market on the UNESCO Old Town Market Square
When: November 24 – December 26

ZAKOPANE

Where: Market by Gubalowka & Krupowki Street
When: Opened every day, morning till evening hours

Ice Carving Festival in Poznan, Poland.

Plan a getaway to POLAND with FAMILY & FRIENDS this December 6 – 15, 2018 on “The Magic of Christmas Markets in Poland” tour with Poland Culinary Vacations or December 5 – 14, 2019 (our 2018 Christmas Market tour is SOLD OUT but please email us at info@polandculinary.com if you’d like to be added to a waiting list in case of any cancellations) or to celebrate New Year’s Eve – Sylwester. Again, our 9 Nights/10 Days Christmas Markets adventure in Poland starts in Warsaw and ends in Krakow/Zakopane with stops in Poznan and Wroclaw along the way! All of those cities offer spectacular Christmas Markets with plenty of additional holiday festivities.

Merry Christmas! – Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia!

Happy New Year! – Szczesliwego Nowego Roku! i Zabawy Sylwestrowej!

Malgorzata (Sarna) Rose, is a native of Poland. Poland Culinary Vacations grew out of her love and passion for travel and everything Polish, including fine Polish cuisine, eventually blossoming into a first-class culinary travel company. While growing up in Poland, she experienced the great joy of cooking with family and friends. Using her grandmothers' recipes and fresh ingredients from their gardens, they prepared food for weddings, parties, and traditional holidays. Now, through Poland Culinary Vacations, she wants to share that experience with you, and show you the best of everyday Polish living: the special people and their hospitality, and the heritage and traditions unique to each region. Only a native can help you discover and fully experience the authentic Poland! Slow Travel Tours is an affiliation of small-group tour operators who offer personalized trips in Italy, France and other European countries.