December in Warsaw: ideas and tips for making the most of your winter in Warsaw

Our Partner of the Month: International Women’s Group of Warsaw

The International Women’s Group of Warsaw (IWG), founded in 1982, is a group of women made up of different nationalities who meet regularly to create a sense of community in Warsaw and to offer support through social and cultural events. IWG organizes coffee meetings, walks, conversation groups in several languages, tours, and trips. They welcome new members throughout the year. Visit IWG’s website to learn more and send an email (iwg.warsaw@gmail.com) to join one of the IWG meetings.

Christmas markets and gift fairs in Warsaw

Festive illuminations, a Christmas tree, and lights on Warsaw’s streets in 2025/2026

The Christmas tree and festive illuminations on the streets of Warsaw are lit on the first weekend of December and remain on until mid-February. 

In 2025, the illuminations in the Old Town will be on from December 3.

Warsaw has new illuminations from the 2023/2024 season: retro-style illuminations inspired by the 1950s and 1960s in Poland. This will be the third and final season with retro-style decorations. Next year, the Christmas lights will be new.

A 27-meter Christmas tree, the largest in Warsaw (and in Poland), is lit on Castle Square (Plac Zamkowy) in Warsaw’s Old Town. The main attractions on Warsaw streets are focused on “The Royal Route”, from the Castle Square/Plac Zamkowy (including the Christmas tree), Krakowskie Przedmieście Street, Nowy Świat Street to the de Gaulle roundabout (Rondo de Gaulle’a). The Old Town is also decorated (including Piwna Street, Świętojańska Street, Old Town Square, Nowomiejska Street, Freta Street, New Town Square, Kościelna Street, to Podzamcze).

In Warsaw, there are three outdoor displays with paid entrance:

• “The Royal Garden of Light” – an illumination festival in Wilanów Palace Garden: October 18, 2025 – February 28, 2026.
• A light display in the Botanical Garden in Powsin (a few kilometers south of Warsaw). New decorations this season: “Beauty and the Beast,” October 24, 2025 – March 1, 2026.
• A light display in the Botanical Garden in the center of Warsaw: “Magical Botanical”: November 8, 2025 – February 15, 2026.

You will find detailed information about the Warsaw illumination festivals in the 2024/2025 season in our post: Light displays in Warsaw: festive illuminations, light festivals, and Christmas decorations in Warsaw during the 2025/2026 season.

Christmas illuminations in Warsaw’s Old Town:

Photo source: ZDM

Ideas for things to do in Warsaw in December

For more ideas for things to do indoors in Warsaw, please read our post with a list of fun (indoor!) activities for a bad-weather day in Warsaw: Indoor things to do in Warsaw.

Explore Warsaw with our list of museums and galleries in Warsaw by district – there’s one to suit every interest, and many of them are free to visit.

Christmas attractions & meeting with Santa at Smart Kids Planet – an edutainment center with playing zones dedicated to children aged 0-10
Until January 11. Location: Smart Kids Planet, Fabryka Norblina, level -1, Żelazna 51/53 Street (Wola/city center). Smart Kids Planet is open daily. Additional attractions are available on weekdays 5 pm – 7 pm and on weekends from 12 pm. You can meet Santa on Fridays at 5 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 4 pm. Special Christmas attractions: The “Hello, Santa?” Phone Booth – a one-of-a-kind attraction where kids can talk directly to Santa himself, thanks to the magic of Christmas; Daily Christmas workshops; Festive play zones like the Gift Wrapping Station and Smart Shopping Zone; Winter delights at Smart Cafe, featuring warming teas and holiday treats. Opening hours during holiday season: December 24 & 25: closed; December 26: open; January 1: open; January 6: open. It is recommended that you buy tickets online – Smart Kids Planet has entry limits per hour. Website in Polish, website in English.

Gingerbread Town at a new indoor attraction in Warsaw – a miniature model of Warsaw
Until February 28. Location: Kolejkowo, Warsaw Towers, Sienna 39 Street (city center). Open daily, including public holidays. The name Kolejkowo comes from the Polish word kolej, meaning rail. It’s an engaging attraction for both adults and children. Kolejkowo presents a unique small-scale model of selected places in Warsaw, featuring hundreds of models (railways, cars, buildings, bridges) and thousands of figures of people and animals. All models and figures are hand-made and mirror the originals. Christmas attraction: Warsaw’s Gingerbread Town made entirely of gingerbread, icing, and powdered sugar. Famous Warsaw buildings in gingerbread form, chocolate trains, powdered sugar snow, and fairy-tale characters created by a world cake decorating champion. Website in Polish and online tickets. Photos in Kids in the City’s post on Instagram (Kolejkowo). photos in Kids in the City’s posts on Instagram and Facebook (Gingerbread Town).

Festive illuminations on the observation deck on the 53rd floor of the tallest building in the European Union
Until January 30. Location: Highline Warsaw, Chmielna 69 Street, Varso Tower (city center). 360° panoramic terrace, at an altitude of 230 meters. For the Christmas season, there are festive lights, Instagram photo spots, Christmas delicacies and mulled wine, and magical decorations. Online tickets. Website in English.

Santa Claus House – 50-minute drive from Warsaw
Until December 21. Location: Odnaleziony Dom Świętego Mikołaja, Rezydencja Miętowe Wzgórza – Mansion House, Trębki Nowe 90, 05-170 Zakroczym. Location on Google Maps. Santa Claus House (Polish name of this attraction: Odnaleziony Dom Świętego Mikołaja) is northwest of Warsaw. Attractions include visiting the House of Santa Claus, Christmas scenery for taking magical photos, a visit to the Elves’ workshop (here you will be able to write your letters to Santa Claus and decorate them with Christmas decorations), Santa’s maze and slide, Santa Phone: Christmas phone booth, ponies, and alpacas. Entrance ticket for one person: PLN 64. Children up to 2 years old have free entrance. St. Nicholas Day Weekend (06-07.12): PLN 74/person. Food zone, additional fee: pizza, traditional Christmas dishes, bonfire with sausages, mulled wine, warming tea, and hot chocolate. Individual visitors: Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am – 6 pm. Kindergartens and schools: Monday-Friday, booking required. Facebook, Instagram, website.

A new attraction for children in Warsaw, available in Polish and English, VR 4D experience: “Fairy Tales – The City of Lost Stories”
Until December 31. Location: Fabryka Norblina, Art Box Metaverse, Art-Box Experience, Żelazna 51/53 Street (city center/Wola). Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 12 pm – 8 pm, Friday 12 pm – 9 pm, Saturday 10 am – 9 pm, Sunday 10 am – 8 pm. Groups from kindergartens and schools: 9 am – 12 pm (prior reservation required). It is a fairy-tale, immersive 4D VR adventure (multi-user, participants get VR headsets). During the show, participants will visit the underwater world of the Little Mermaid, float on Aladdin’s carpet, explore the interior of a whale with Pinocchio, meet Puss in Boots, and come face to face with a fire-breathing dragon. Recommended age for children: 6+. Duration: 30 minutes. The attraction is bilingual – Polish and English. Due to the limited number of participants (a maximum of 25 per slot), it is recommended to purchase tickets in advance online. More in English about the attraction and online tickets. Photos in our post on Facebook and on Instagram.

Multimedia Fountain Park – illuminations and shows with music & lights
Location: Multimedia Fountain Park (Multimedialny Park Fontann), a fountain complex located in between the Old Town/New Town area and the Vistula River, location on Google map, free entrance. In winter, the area around the fountains is decorated with festive illuminations, such as a light labyrinth. During the wintertime, we can admire the multimedia winter fountain light shows (without water;) – fountains dancing to the rhythm of winter hits, sparkling with LED lights. In the 2025/2026 season, the illuminations and fountain light shows are on from December 3, 2025, until January 31, 2026, from dusk to 10 pm. Thousands of fabulously colored LED lights create a unique, magical atmosphere. It is the perfect place to take Instagram photos in beautiful Christmas scenery. A 15-minute multimedia show (music, lights) each Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and holidays (December 24, 25, 26, 31, January 1, and January 6) at 4 pm, 5 pm, 6 pm, 7 pm, and 8 pm. More in English about the fountain park.

An immersive multi-sensory exhibition: “Romantic Chopin“
Until January 31. Location: Fabryka Norblina, Art-Box Experience, Żelazna 51/53 Street (city center/Wola). Children under five years old have free entrance. The exhibition is bilingual – Polish and English. The exhibition combines modern technologies with classical music to take viewers on a sensory journey through Chopin’s sounds, emotions, and the artistic world he helped shape. More in Polish about the Exhibition and online tickets.

Christmas attractions (including Santa) at “Farma Iluzji” theme park, 95 km from Warsaw
December 1-28. Location: Farma Iluzji, ul. Mościska 9, 08-455 Trojanów. Monday–Friday is the time for group tours, on weekends it is open to individual visitors (11 am – 5 pm). Entry to the Park with a guide Elf takes place during the weekends at the following times: 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, 2 pm, and 3 pm. Over 40 winter attractions, a meeting with Santa Claus, a Nativity scene, and new features such as the Gingerbread Palace and Snowman Land. Website in Polish and online tickets.

Automotive Icons Exhibition – 100 rare and valuable cars and motorcycles
From December 11 until March 1. Location: PGE National Stadium, entrance from al. Zieleniecka Street, gate no. 1 (Praga), online tickets. Free outdoor parking is available in front of gate no. 1 from al. Zieleniecka Street (access via Targowa, Zamoyskiego, Sokola, and Siwca streets) and a paid underground car park. Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 11 am – 7 pm, Friday 11 am – 8 pm, weekends 10 am – 8 pm. Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Maserati, Bentley, Aston Martina, and other top brands’ models – from oldtimers to modern cars with the latest technologies. F1 cars, the world’s most expensive hypercars, and vehicles known from movies. 100 vehicles and additional attractions, including simulators, a remote-controlled car zone, and an interactive VR zone. Website, Facebook, Instagram.

The Great Elf Factory (Wielka Fabryka Elfów) – indoor Christmas playing areas for children aged 3-10
Until December 28. Location: PGE National Stadium, Ks. Jozefa Poniatowskiego 1 Street, entrance from Wybrzeże Szczecińskie Street – gate no. 5, a paid underground parking lot is available – gate no. 6 (Praga). Ten playing areas with attractions for kids (e.g., an inflatable playground) – children help elves; in the end, they meet Santa. The games and attractions take about 2 hours. Individual visitors: Monday-Friday 2.30 pm – 5.30 pm, weekends 9 am – 6 pm. Recommended age of children: 3-10 years old. Ticket prices depend on days and hours and start from 74 PLN. 1 ticket is admission for one child and one guardian. Visiting the Elf Factory for groups of children is possible in English – you must report such a request in advance (+48 583 502 600, warszawa@wielkafabrykaelfow.pl). Website in Polish. Facebook. Instagram.

LEGO exhibition: 130 mock-ups, thousands of models, 10 million LEGO bricks
Until April 27. Location: PGE National Stadium, al. Poniatowskiego 1 (Praga), level -1, entrance from al. Zieleniecka Street. Open daily: 10 am – 8 pm. The exhibition is new; none of the mock-ups have been presented in Warsaw before. The exhibition includes a Fun Zone where you can create your own models. Tickets can be purchased online and on-site at the box office. More in Polish.

An exhibition: “The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind“
Until January 11. Location: Soho Art Center, Mińska 63 Street (Praga), entrance to the free parking lot from Chodakowska Street (near the gas station). Open every day: 10 am – 8 pm. The exhibition is bilingual – Polish and English. The exhibition presents over 150 works by the artist (reproductions of Banksy’s works), tells the story of his masterpieces, and challenges the viewer to influence the world around them through art. In line with Banksy’s credo “Copyright is for losers”, the exhibition and the works presented therein are not authorized due to the anonymous status of the artist. The Exhibition’s website in English.

An exhibition: “Kosmopark” – an interactive space exhibition for the whole family
Until June 14. Location: Blue City shopping center, level 2, Aleje Jerozolimskie 179 Street (Ochota). Open daily: 10 am – 8 pm. Children under three years old have free entrance. Attractions include a planetarium – a journey through the starry sky and the farthest reaches of space; VR expeditions to Mars and the Moon – extraordinary experiences in virtual reality; black holes and dark matter – discover the most mysterious phenomena of the Universe; life in space – the challenges astronauts face; workshops for children; and the history of space – great discoveries and breakthroughs in the conquest of space. On site, you can try on a space suit and take a photo as a souvenir. The exhibits are presented primarily in Polish, but many—such as the “Black Hole” installation—operate mainly through a physical and sensory experience, regardless of language. Additionally, English-speaking animators can be on-site to guide you through the exhibition and discuss its most interesting elements. It’s best to contact the exhibition organizers by email or phone so they can confirm your visit and arrange an animator fluent in English. More in Polish about the Exhibition and online tickets.

Chocolate Factory Museum (guided tours in English available)
Location: Fabryka Czekolady E.Wedel, al. Emila Wedla 5 Street (Praga). This interactive museum tells the story of chocolate, where visitors can learn the secrets of chocolate production step by step. In addition to visiting the museum (individually or in groups), you can also sign up for workshops (individually or in groups) and organize a sweet birthday party there. This is a paradise for anyone who loves chocolate – not only will you be able to taste chocolate in the museum, but the tour takes place in unique chocolate aromas, which come to the museum from actual chocolate production lines that are part of the museum building! Is it worth visiting the Museum if I don’t speak Polish? Yes! The museum labels and captions are in both Polish and English. Website in Polish and English with online tickets.

A new bilingual (Polish & English) exhibition in Warsaw’s Railway Museum, dedicated to children aged 6-12, “How does the railway work?”
Location: Stacja Muzeum, Warsaw’s Wola district, Towarowa 3 Street. Regular ticket: 25 PLN, reduced ticket: 16 PLN, family ticket: 75 PLN. Free entrance every Monday and for children up to 7 years old. Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily. Thanks to multimedia devices, children can discover how steam engines, electric engines, combustion engines, and water towers work and even drive a train themselves. The museum is housed in the former railway station. In addition to the newly opened children’s exhibition hall, the Museum houses other railway exhibitions inside and outside trains and locomotives. Visiting the Museum with a guide in Polish (180 PLN), English, or Russian (250 PLN) is possible. The tour lasts about 60 minutes. In addition to the guide fee, entrance tickets to the museum are required. Booking with a 10-day notice: +48 22 620 04 80 ext. 106, kontakt@stacjamuzeum.pl. Museum’s website in English.

Visiting escape rooms in Warsaw (available in English, too!)
An escape room is a locked, themed room that requires teams to work together to solve hidden puzzles, discover clues, and escape the room. Our post Escape Rooms in Warsaw presents escape rooms in different districts of Warsaw. They have rooms dedicated to adults, families, and children (from 3 years old!). All presented places offer rooms in English.

Planetarium in Copernicus Science Center
Location: the Planetarium building next to Copernicus Science Center, Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie 20 Street (Powiśle). The Warsaw Planetarium is one of the most modern planetariums in Europe (opened in 2011, renovated in 2025). It’s located in the center of Warsaw, on the Vistula River boulevard, next to the Copernicus Science Center. The Planetarium screens films for kids aged 3+, teenagers, and adults. It’s an unforgettable experience for adults and children! All screenings can be viewed in the English audio version with headphones (and some in Ukrainian or Russian). Click here to read our tips on visiting the Planetarium.

Dumplings cooking classes in English
Location: Pierogi & More cooking school, Stawki 3 Street (city center). During this experience, you will prepare pierogi with meat and/or vegetarian fillings. At first, you will learn how to knead the dough; then, you will learn various techniques for folding the dumplings and discover hacks that make them tasty. Lastly, at the end of the culinary workshop, you will enjoy a plate full of dumplings, so make sure you come to the class hungry. More in English and online booking.

An indoor roller skating rink
Location: Roller Disco Warsaw, CH Fort Wola Shopping Center, Połczyńska 4 Street (Wola). Open to children aged 5+ and adults. Roller skates, helmets, and protective gear can be rented on-site. You can hire an instructor to teach you how to roller skate (you can book a specific lesson time: +48 500 800 332). Website in Polish.

Indoor climbing in Warsaw
Indoor climbing is an excellent way for people of varied genders, heights, weights, and physical abilities to be active and have fun, regardless of the weather. Warsaw has excellent facilities for beginners, children, and advanced climbers. You can try climbing and see if you have fun at any time of the year – sign up for an orientation lesson with an instructor. The benefits of climbing – for body and mind – are endless! Read more in our post: Indoor climbing facilities in Warsaw by districts.

Ice skating
Since December, ice rinks have been operating in all districts of Warsaw. The ice rinks in Warsaw are usually open until February/March, weather permitting. You can read more about 20+ indoor and outdoor ice rinks in different districts of Warsaw (location, opening hours) in our post: Ice skating rinks in Warsaw.

Theatre performances from prestigious theatres from around the world in cinemas
Location: Multikino cinemas in Warsaw. Performances are screened in the original language with Polish subtitles. More in Polish.

A new Christmas Market this season in Warsaw’s city center
Until January 1. Location: the area next to the Palace of Culture and Science, Plac Defilad (city center). 160 houses with food, handicrafts, and gifts. More on Facebook and Instagram.

Outdoor Christmas Market in the Old Town
Until January 6. Location: Warsaw Old Town, the Warsaw Barbican area, opposite the Royal Castle. Sunday-Thursday: 11 am – 8 pm, Friday-Saturday: 11 am – 9.30 pm, free entrance. Souvenirs, gifts, local crafts, and food like pierogi and hot chocolate. Facebook page in Polish.

Flavors of Polish Christmas – dumplings cooking class in English and dinner
Location: Pierogi & More cooking school, Stawki 3 Street (city center). December 21, 23, and 26. During this four-course Christmas dumplings cooking class and dinner, you will taste the most popular Christmas food. Moreover, you will learn how to make the famous Polish dumplings. Taste beetroot soup with mushroom-stuffed dumplings, pierogi with sauerkraut, and last but not least, indulge yourself in the festive poppy seed dessert. More in English and online registration.

Gingerbread cookies baking and decorating class for all ages – cooking class in English
Location: Pierogi & More cooking school, Stawki 3 Street (city center). Book the gingerbread cookies baking class to learn how to bake, decorate, and store „pierniczki”. Then, you will learn how to make your gingerbread spice mix. Last but not least, you will discover how to turn gingerbread cookies into beautiful Christmas tree decorations or unforgettable presents for your loved ones. More in English and online registration.

Eating out in one of Warsaw’s indoor food halls
Are you going out for lunch with friends or family, but everyone wants something different? Sounds familiar? Food halls will settle restaurant selection fights. They offer a wide variety of ethnic cuisines and local restaurant concepts. An excellent solution for breakfast, lunch, or dinner in a group – everyone orders from a different restaurant and eats at a shared table. Click here to read our post featuring food halls in Warsaw.

A winter walk among the magic lights 
During winter, many parks in Warsaw transform after dark into a magical world of lights, allowing you to spend time outdoors walking through a winter festive landscape. Add to that a Christmas tree on Plac Zamkowy (Castle Square in the Old Town) and illuminated streets in the center of Warsaw! You will find detailed information about Warsaw’s illumination festivals and light displays in our post: Light displays in Warsaw: festive illuminations, light festivals, and decorations during the 2025/2026 season.

And if it snows, it’s time for a sled!
When it starts to snow in Warsaw, we are often asked where a good place to go sledding and build a snowman is. Here is a rundown of some popular areas in Warsaw by district: Sledging in Warsaw: best spots for sledding in Warsaw.

Indoor go-karting tracks in the Warsaw area
Four indoor karting tracks are open year-round in and around Warsaw. They offer go-karts for both adults and children. Click here to read our post featuring karting tracks in the Warsaw area.

Indoor playgrounds and soft play centers in Warsaw
Are you stuck for ideas on what to do with the kids in Warsaw on a rainy day? We’ve rounded up the best indoor and soft play areas in Warsaw in our quest to discover brilliant family attractions. Parents have been telling us their favorite play centers in Warsaw, from slides and climbing frames to ball pools, role-play games, and trampolines. Find the perfect places to go with your kids and get out on your next adventure! More in our post: Top indoor play spaces in Warsaw.

Indoor ice skating? Yes! On the “Torwar” indoor ice rink 
Location: Torwar, Łazienkowska 6A Street (city center). Opening hours: Tuesday 8 pm – 9.30 pm, Thursday 8 pm – 9.30 pm, Saturday 6.30 pm – 8 pm, Sunday 11 am – 12.30 pm (including a separate area for kids and people learning to skate) and 6.30 pm – 8 pm. In each slot, a rental and a sharpening room are available. Learning supports are available to rent. Website and online tickets. The Torwar ice rink is open until mid-May.

Chopin music piano recitals
Location: Fryderyk Concert Hall, Podwale 15 Street (Old Town), online tickets. The recitals feature Fryderyk Chopin’s most famous compositions. Website in English.

Guided tour IN ENGLISH in the Museum of Modern Art
Every Sunday in December. Location: Muzeum Sztuki Nowoczesnej, Marszałkowska 103 Street (city center), 12.30 pm. More in English and online tickets.

“The Nutcracker” ballet
December 5. Location: Scena Relax Theater, Złota 8 Street (city center). Online tickets and more in Polish.

25th International Film Festival – WATCH DOCS – Human Rights in Film
December 5-14. Location: Kino Muranów, Kinoteka. More in English.

Christmas pantomime performance
December 6. Location: American School of Warsaw, Warszawska 202 Street, 05-520 Konstancin Jeziorna, 6 pm. For tickets, please email britpanto@yahoo.com. All proceeds go to charity. Facebook event in English.

“BREL! Le Spectacle”
December 6. Location: Muzeum Historii Polski (Polish History Museum), Gwardii 1 Street,  Cytadela Warszawska (Żoliborz), 4 pm, 7 pm, more in Polish and online tickets.

Christmas folk concert and dance show by Mazowsze – the oldest and most significant Polish folk dancing and singing group
December 6, 7, 10, 11, 13. Location: Matecznik “Mazowsze“, Świerkowa 2 Street, 05-805 Otrębusy (a village about 25 km from the center of Warsaw), online tickets. More about the Mazowsze group in English.

Exhibition and fair of exotic animals and plants  
December 7. Location: Sports Center at Siennicka 40 Street (Praga), 10 am – 4 pm, online tickets. Snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, snails, insects, spiders, ants, fish, and plants from all over the world. Facebook event in Polish.

“Alice in Wonderland” Ice Show – a circus on ice
December 12. Location: Arena Ursynów, Pileckiego 122 Street (Ursynów), 12 pm and 5 pm. More in Polish and online tickets.

Guided tour IN ENGLISH at The National Museum: Olga Boznańska – a painter at the turn of the century
December 13. Location: The National Museum in Warsaw (Muzeum Narodowe), Aleje Jerozolimskie 3 Street (city center), 1 pm. The meeting point is in the Main Hall. The event is dedicated to teenagers and adults. More in English about the tour and online tickets.

“Let’s Talk About Art” – a guided tour IN ENGLISH for kids aged 14+ and adults
December 13. Location: Centrum Sztuki Współczesnej – Zamek Ujazdowski (Centre for Contemporary Art), Jazdów 2 Street (city center), 1 pm. Meeting in the main hall. A guided tour is included in the price of the exhibition ticket. Please note that entry to some exhibitions is restricted to persons over 14. More in Polish and English.

“Tween Talk” – event IN ENGLISH dedicated to children aged 9+
December 14. Location: 1 Prymasa Augusta Hlonda, my514, Wilanów – Next to Muzeum Jana Pawła II i Prymasa Wyszyńskiego, 2 pm. The event is by the Informed Perspective – a platform for creating a vibrant community where individuals can come together to explore, discuss, and learn from each other. Once a month, they organize an event (Tween Talk) dedicated to tweens aged nine and older. Perfect for children with a good command of English. More in English and online tickets.

Railway Modeling Fair (Giełda Modeli Kolejowych)
December 14. Location: Warsaw Railway Museum (Stacja Muzeum), Towarowa 3 Street (Wola), 10 am – 2 pm (the Museum is open 10 am – 6 pm). A chance to buy model railways and trains and meet railway modeling enthusiasts. During the event, reduced tickets for everyone (7 PLN, children up to 7 free entrance). The Museum website in English. Facebook event in Polish.

A concert of classical music by young artists at the Ballroom in the Palace on the Isle in Łazienki Royal Garden
December 14. Location: Łazienki Royal Garden, Pałac na Wyspie, Sala Balowa, Agrykola 1 Street (city center), 12 pm, tickets 10 PLN. Facebook event in Polish.

The Nutcracker Ballet
December 17-19. Location: Muzeum Historii Polski (Polish History Museum), Gwardii Street,  Cytadela Warszawska (Żoliborz). More in Polish and online tickets.

“The Nutcracker” ballet
December 21. Location: Scena Relax Theater, Złota 8 Street (city center). Online tickets and more in Polish.

Sunday Yoga in Łazienki Royal Garden
December 21. Location: Łazienki Royal Garden, 10 am, the meeting point on Google Maps. Families with children are welcome. There is no need to sign up. Facebook event in Polish and English.

Visiting the snowplow train interior
December 28. Location: Warsaw Railway Museum (Stacja Muzeum), Towarowa 3 Street (Wola), 9 am – 5 pm. Visiting the interior of this train is only allowed a few times a year. The Museum website in English.

“Cultural Polish for Beginners” – a walk around Warsaw guided in simple Polish (B1 level)
December 28. December edition: Christmas nativity scenes, 2 pm. More in Polish and online tickets (5 PLN). Guided walks once a month for new Warsaw residents and people learning Polish. Meetings are held in Polish at the B1 level. Guides (employees of the Warsaw Museum) will show you interesting places in Warsaw and tell extraordinary stories and legends. Participants will try to understand the city and its history together by looking at the everyday life of its inhabitants in the past and today. Tours will be an opportunity to get to know Warsaw, ask questions, and relax.

Where to buy a Christmas tree in Warsaw (including options to order online & home delivery) & tips for picking the right Christmas tree

In December, you can buy a Christmas tree in Warsaw on a street corner – pop-up tree lots appear overnight on street corners or in front of shops. There’s no standard pricing, so if you like, you can bargain a bit about the price;)

Major supermarkets and home improvement stores in Warsaw typically set up their live Christmas trees in the garden section or the parking lot. You can also buy a tree from your local garden center.

They will cut the stem of the tree you pick, net it, and help you secure it to the top of your car if needed. You can buy a cut tree, a potted tree (grown in a field, dug up, and placed in a pot), or if you know that the Christmas tree will later go to your garden, you can buy a “rooted” tree (choinka ukorzeniona) – a pot grown tree (which has been planted in a container as a seedling).

A glossary of terms that are useful when buying a Christmas tree: choinka – a Christmas tree, w doniczce – potted, obsadzanie – putting a real Christmas tree in the stand, stojak – stand, lampki – lights, bombki – Christmas baubles, utylizacja – the service of picking up the Christmas tree after the holidays.

Stores offering home delivery of Christmas trees in the Warsaw area

In addition to delivering the Christmas tree to your home, stores offer additional paid services, such as putting a Christmas tree in a stand (obsadzanie). This service covers adjusting the trunk of the tree to the stand and correctly positioning the tree (stable and straight) in the stand. Another service covers collection: after the holidays end, the store will pick up the Christmas tree from your home and deliver it to the appropriate point, where it will be converted into biomass.

The most popular real Christmas trees you can buy in Poland include: the Norway Spruce (świerk pospolity), the Blue Spruce or Colorado Spruce (świerk srebrny or świerk kłujący), the Caucasian Fir or Nordmann Fir (jodła kaukaska).

Sleigh and horse carriage rides in the vicinity of Warsaw

Horse-drawn sleigh rides are a unique winter attraction in Poland. Usually, they are associated with the mountains, but in the vicinity of Warsaw, we can also go for a sleigh ride! It is great fun and an opportunity to spend time with family or friends in nature. Of course, a tiny little detail – snow is needed. However, in most cases, when the weather changes and the snow melts, there is an option to ride a wheeled carriage.

In our post Sleigh and horse carriage rides near Warsaw, we present several options for organizing a sleigh ride near Warsaw. You can contact all the organizers in English.

Top indoor play spaces in Warsaw

Are you stuck for ideas on what to do with the kids in Warsaw on a cold day? We’ve rounded up the best indoor and soft play areas in Warsaw in our quest to discover brilliant family attractions.

Parents have been telling us their favorite play centers in Warsaw, from slides and climbing frames to ball pools, role-play games, and trampolines. Find the perfect places to go with your kids and get out on your next adventure!

Read more in our post: Best indoor playgrounds and soft play centers in Warsaw: family fun, birthday parties, workshops for kindergartens & schools.

Weather in Poland in December

In 2025, astronomical winter begins on December 21 with the winter solstice – the day with the fewest hours of sunlight in Poland all year. On a positive note, starting on December 21, the days in Poland will get longer and the nights shorter. The length of the day goes from 7 hours 42 min. on December 22 to 10 hours 50 min. at the end of February.

Winter in Poland is cold and usually snowy. To stay cozy in Poland’s cold weather, you will need a hat, coat, scarf, gloves, and winter boots. The lowest temperature is recorded in eastern and southern Poland. Remember that the temperature in Poland drops significantly at night in winter!

The weather in Poland differs during the winter. Usually, the temperature is around freezing or a few degrees below, but it can drop to -20 °C (-4 °F). In recent years, average winter temperatures have increased compared to previous years.

Because of Christmas and New Year’s Eve, December is a favorite month for many people in Poland. The name of the month – grudzień – comes from the Polish word gruda, meaning frozen ground. The average temperature in December in Poland drops below zero: -0,16°C / 32°F. The average rainfall level in December in Poland is 38 mm (similar to March and April). Sunset on December 1: 3.27 pm, December 31: 3.32 pm.

Read more about the weather in Poland in winter (December, January & February).

Shopping Sundays in Poland in December 2025

December 7, December 14, and December 21 are shopping Sundays in Poland – stores are open. The next shopping Sunday will be on January 25, 2026.

Click here to read our post about shopping Sundays in Poland in 2026. Read our post with the list of online stores in Poland delivering groceries to your home.

Public holidays and dates to remember in Poland in December 2025

St. Nicholas’ Day (Mikołajki)
The name Mikołajki comes from Mikołaj (Polish for Nicholas), meaning little Nicholas. On the night of December 5-6, small gifts are secretly given to children while they sleep (little treats—mostly toys, but also sweets). One tradition is to hide treats in shoes. Children should clean them the night before, and the next morning (on Mikołajki day), they will find a small surprise inside their shoes. Chocolate Santas are often gifts—they can be bought in Polish stores as early as the end of November. In Polish schools, on December 6, there is a custom of exchanging small gifts between students, a secret Santa. Children decide in advance how much they will spend on a gift and draw a classmate to receive it.

The beginning of astronomical winter
The shortest day of the year. Click here to learn about the weather in Poland in the wintertime (December, January, and February).

Christmas Eve (Wigilia)
A public holiday in Poland. Stores, malls, shopping centers, public institutions, and schools are CLOSED. Christmas Eve Dinner – kolacja wigilijna – is Poland’s most important Christmas celebration. Click here to learn more about Christmas traditions in Poland. The Christmas Eve traditions include waiting for a first star, the Christmas wafer (opłatek), 12 meat-free courses, an extra seat for an unexpected guest, hay under the tablecloth, and a special midnight mass (pasterka).

Christmas Day (Boże Narodzenie)
A public holiday in Poland. Stores, malls, shopping centers, public institutions, schools are CLOSED. People in Poland usually visit family and friends to celebrate together, go to church, sing carols (kolędy), and spend long hours at the table.

Second Day of Christmas (Drugi Dzień Świąt Bożego Narodzenia)
A public holiday in Poland. Stores, malls, shopping centers, public institutions, schools are CLOSED.

New Year’s Eve / St. Silvestre’s Day (Sylwester) 
It’s the start of the carnival season in Poland. People usually go out to parties and balls. Stores are typically open no longer than 5-6 pm.

Read more about public holidays and dates to remember in Poland in the wintertime.

Grocery ONLINE shopping: stores offering home delivery in the Warsaw area

Things to do in Warsaw during Christmas – what’s open (December 24-26)

Christmas Mass in English in Warsaw

December 24, Christmas Eve
Special Christmas mass (pasterka) in English
Location: St. Paul’s English Speaking Catholic Parish of Warsaw, Church of St. Theresa  (Kościół św. Teresy od Dzieciątka Jezus), Tamka 4A Street (Powiśle). A Christmas Mass in ENGLISH at 10 pm. Facebook page in English. Website in English.

December 25, Christmas Day

Location: St. Paul’s English Speaking Catholic Parish of Warsaw, Church of St. Theresa  (Kościół św. Teresy od Dzieciątka Jezus), Tamka 4A Street (Powiśle). Christmas Day Mass in ENGLISH at 1.30 pm and 7 pm. Facebook page in English. Website in English.

December 26, Christmas Day

Location: St. Paul’s English Speaking Catholic Parish of Warsaw, Church of St. Theresa  (Kościół św. Teresy od Dzieciątka Jezus), Tamka 4A Street (Powiśle). Christmas Day Mass in ENGLISH at 1.30 pm. Facebook page in English. Website in English.

Food halls in Warsaw during Christmas

Hala Koszyki, Koszykowa 63 Street (city center). December 24: closed, December 25: closed, December 26: 12 pm – 12 am (restaurants open, stores closed). Website in English.

Fabryka Norblina – Food Town, Żelazna 51/53 Street (Wola). December 24: closed, December 25: closed, December 26: open from 12 pm. Website in English.

Attractions in Warsaw open/available every day on December 24-26, 2025

Festive illuminations on the observation deck on the 53rd floor of the tallest building in the European Union
Location: Highline Warsaw, Chmielna 69 Street, Varso Tower (city center). 360° panoramic terrace, at an altitude of 230 meters. Open during all public holidays. For the Christmas season, there are festive lights, Instagram photo spots, Christmas delicacies and mulled wine, and magical decorations. Online tickets. Website in English.

New Outdoor Christmas Market
Location: the area next to the Palace of Culture and Science, Plac Defilad (city center). 160 houses with food, handicrafts, and gifts. The largest Ferris wheel in Poland. Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 11 am – 9 pm, Friday-Saturday 11 am – 10 pm, Sunday 11 am – 9 pm. December 24: 10 am – 4 pm, December 25, 26 12 pm – 9 pm, December 31 11 am – 5 pm, January 1 12 pm – 5 pm. More on Facebook and Instagram.

Gingerbread Town at a new indoor attraction in Warsaw – a miniature model of Warsaw
Location: Kolejkowo, Warsaw Towers, Sienna 39 Street (city center). Open daily, including public holidays. The name Kolejkowo comes from the Polish word kolej, meaning rail. It’s an engaging attraction for both adults and children. Kolejkowo presents a unique small-scale model of selected places in Warsaw, featuring hundreds of models (railways, cars, buildings, bridges) and thousands of figures of people and animals. All models and figures are hand-made and mirror the originals. Christmas attraction: Warsaw’s Gingerbread Town made entirely of gingerbread, icing, and powdered sugar. Famous Warsaw buildings in gingerbread form, chocolate trains, powdered sugar snow, and fairy-tale characters created by a world cake decorating champion. Website in Polish and online tickets. Photos in Kids in the City’s post on Instagram (Kolejkowo). photos in Kids in the City’s posts on Instagram and Facebook (Gingerbread Town).

Multimedia Fountain Park – illuminations and shows with music & lights
Location: Multimedia Fountain Park (Multimedialny Park Fontann), a fountain complex located between the Old Town/New Town area and the Vistula River, location on Google map, free entrance. In winter, the area around the fountains is decorated with festive illuminations, such as a light labyrinth. During the wintertime, we can admire the multimedia winter fountain light shows (without water;) – fountains dancing to the rhythm of winter hits, sparkling with LED lights. In the 2025/2026 season, the illuminations and fountain light shows are on from December 3, 2025, until January 31, 2026, from dusk to 10 pm. Thousands of fabulously colored LED lights create a unique, magical atmosphere. It is the perfect place to take Instagram photos in beautiful Christmas scenery. A 15-minute multimedia show (music, lights) each Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and holidays (December 24, 25, 26, 31, January 1, and January 6) at 4 pm, 5 pm, 6 pm, 7 pm, and 8 pm. More in English about the Fountain Park.

Warsaw Zoo
Location: Ratuszowa 1/3 Street (Praga), opening hours: 9 am – 4 pm. The last admission is one hour before the Zoo closes. Online tickets. The Zoo is open every day, including all public holidays! Website in English.

A Christmas tree, festive illuminations, and decorations along Warsaw’s streets 
The lights are switched on starting from dusk. The main attractions focus on “The Royal Route”, from the Castle Square/Plac Zamkowy (including the Christmas tree), Krakowskie Przedmieście Street, Nowy Świat Street to the de Gaulle roundabout (Rondo de Gaulle’a). The Old Town is also decorated (including Piwna Street, Świętojańska Street, Old Town Square, Nowomiejska Street, Freta Street, New Town Square, Kościelna Street to Podzamcze). Find out more in our post on Warsaw’s illuminations.

Chopin music piano recitals 
Location: Fryderyk Concert Hall, Podwale 15 Street (the old town), December 24: 7 pm. December 25: 5 pm, 7 pm. December 26: 5 pm, 7 pm, online tickets. The recitals feature Fryderyk Chopin’s most famous compositions. Website in English.

Winter illuminations in the Łazienki Royal Garden
Location: Agrykola 1 Street (city center). The museums are closed, but the park is open daily from 6 am – 8 pm; admission is free. The festive lights in Łazienki Park are on every day from dusk until 8 pm (the gates at Agrykola Street and Gagarina Street close at 8.15 pm). Winter illuminations at Łazienki Królewskie are located along Aleja Chińska (Chinese Avenue), from the gate on Agrykola Street to the entrance on Gagarina Street. The lighting features several meters-high, luminous figures in period costumes along the Aleja Chińska. Colorful lights also illuminate the gates at Agrykola Street and Gagarina Street. More about the Łazienki Park in our post.

Tuesday, December 24, 2025

A bank/public holiday in Poland. Stores, malls, shopping centers, public institutions are CLOSED.

Special Christmas MIDNIGHT mass (pasterka)
Every church in Poland holds a special Christmas Eve Mass that usually begins at midnight. You will have a chance to listen to and/or sing Christmas carols during the mass. See the locations of churches in Warsaw with Polish-language services: Warsaw on the left bank of the Vistula (Mokotów, Ochota, Wola, Ursynów, etc.) and Warsaw on the right bank of the Vistula (Praga, Białołęka, etc.). If you prefer a Mass in English, St. Paul’s English-speaking Catholic Parish of Warsaw (Tamka 4A Street) offers service in English, including a Christmas Vigil Mass in ENGLISH. (Facebook page in English).

Free ice rink in Ursynów
Location: Kajakowa 12b Street (Ursynów), FREE entrance. Opening hours: 10 am – 9 pm. Technical breaks: 12.30 pm – 1 pm, 3 pm – 4 pm, 6.30 pm – 7 pm. December 24: 10 am – 12.30 pm, December 25: closed, December 26: 1 pm – 9 pm, December 31: 10 am – 3.30 pm, January 1: 3 pm – 9 pm. Ice skates and support penguins can be rented on-site. More in Polish. Facebook.

Outdoor ice rink in the town of Konstancin
Location: the town of Konstancin, Park Zdrojowy, next to the stage (Amfiteatr). Tickets: adults 15 PLN, children 10 PLN. Opening hours:  10 am – 9 pm, Saturday – Sunday 10 am – 9.30 pm (technical breaks during the day). December 24: 10 am – 4 pm. More in Polish.

“Wodny Park Warszawianka” – an indoor water park in Mokotów
Location: Wodny Park Warszawianka, Dominika Merliniego 4 Street, 02-511 Warszawa (location on Google map). 4 km from the city center (in the Mokotów district). December 24: 6.30 am – 2 pm. December 25: closed. December 26: 2 pm – 10 pm. The recreational part of the Water Park includes a recreational and swimming pool with a maximum depth of 1.40 m, a paddling pool for children with an elephant-shaped slide, an artificial river, pipe-shaped slides (45 and 72 meters long) with separate landing pads, an open slide inside the swimming pool hall (15 meters long), outdoor year-round heated pool, connected to the main pool hall. The sports part of the Water Park includes a 50-meter “Olympic” swimming pool with ten lanes. Website in English. 

LEGO exhibition: 130 mock-ups, thousands of models, 10 million LEGO bricks
Location: PGE National Stadium, al. Poniatowskiego 1 (Praga), level -1, entrance from al. Zieleniecka Street. December 24: 10 am – 3 pm, December 25: closed, December 26: 10 am – 8 pm. The exhibition is new; none of the mock-ups have been presented in Warsaw before. The exhibition includes a Fun Zone where you can create your own models. Tickets can be purchased online and on-site at the box office. More in Polish.

Outdoor ice rink next to the Palace of Culture and Science
Location: Świętokrzyska Street side (city center). Free entrance. December 24: 10 am – 1 pm, December 25: closed, December 26: 10 am – 9 pm. January 1: 3 pm – 9 pm, January 6: 10 am – 9 pm. Website. Facebook.

Museum of Life under Communism 
Location: Muzeum życia w PRL, Piękna 28/34 Street, next to Plac (Square) Konstytucji (city center). December 24: 10 am – 2 pm, December 25, 26: closed. The Museum presents how people lived during communist times in Poland. There are several sections where you can experience propaganda, lifestyle, politics, or an ordinary day from different eras. The exhibition has descriptions in Polish and English. There is also an audio guide available in English (to be downloaded on the phone). More in English about the Museum.

An outdoor ice skating rink in Praga
Location: Plac Konesera, Centrum Praskie Koneser (Praga). December 24: 10.15 am – 2.30 pm, December 25 – closed, December 26: 10.15 am – 10 pm, December 31: 10.15 am – 2.30 pm, January 1: 4 pm – 10 pm, January 6: 10.15 am – 10 pm. More in Polish and Koneser’s Facebook page.

Wednesday, December 25, 2025

A bank/public holiday in Poland. Stores, malls, shopping centers, public institutions are CLOSED.

Dumplings cooking classes in English
Location: Pierogi & More cooking school, Stawki 3 Street (city center). December 25: 12.30 pm. During this experience, you will prepare pierogi with meat and/or vegetarian fillings. First, you will learn how to knead the dough; then, you will learn various techniques for folding the dumplings and discover tips that make them tasty. Lastly, at the end of the culinary workshop, you will enjoy a plate full of dumplings, so make sure you come to the class hungry. More in English and online booking.

Suntago, Europe’s largest indoor water park, 30 minutes from Warsaw
Location: Suntago, Nowy Świat 1, 96-300 Wręcza (location on Google map). December 24 – closed, December 25: 12 pm – 9 pm, December 26: 10 am – 10 pm, January 1: 12 pm – 9 pm, January 6: 10 am – 9 pm. Website in English and online tickets. 

The outdoor festive lights exhibition: “Garden of Lights”
Location: Botanical Garden in Powsin, Prawdziwka 2 Street, 02-973 Powsin (location on Google map). December 24 – closed, December 25: 4 pm – 9 pm, December 26: 4 pm – 9 pm< January 1: 4 pm – 9 pm, January 6: 4 pm – 9 pm. It’s the fifth season with an outdoor exhibition of illumination in the Botanical Garden in Powsin, a few kilometers south of Warsaw. The central theme of the fairy-tale light display in the 2025/2026 season is “Beauty and the Beast”. More in Polish and online tickets. Find out more in our post on Warsaw’s illuminations.

“The Royal Garden of Light” – the illumination festival in the Wilanów Palace Garden
Location: Wilanów Garden, Stanisława Kostki Potockiego 10/16 Street, December 25, December 26: 4 pm – 9 pm. Click here to read Kids in the City tips in English about the illuminations festival (opening hours, tickets, parking lots, etc.). 

The outdoor light display in the city center at the Botanical Garden of the Warsaw University
Location: Ogród Botaniczny Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego, Aleje Ujazdowskie 4 Street (city center), the garden on Google map. The Garden is located next to the Łazienki Royal Park (in 1818, the Botanical Garden was separated from the Łazienki). December 24 – closed. December 25 and 26: 4 pm – 9 pm. December 31 – closed. January 1: 4 pm – 9 pm, January 6: 4 pm – 9 pm. Online tickets. Find out more in our post on Warsaw’s illuminations.

An ice rin in Wilanów
Location: Plaża Wilanów, the area between Aleja Wilanowska Street and Przyczółkowa Street (Wilanów), free entrance. Opening hours: Monday-Friday 11 am – 9 pm (11.00 – 13.45, 14.00 – 15.00, 15.30 – 16.30, 16.45 – 17.45, 18.00 – 19.00, 19.15 – 21.00), weekends 10 am – 9 pm (10.00 – 11.45, 12.00 – 13.45, 14.00 – 15.00, 15.30 – 16.30, 16.45 – 17.45, 18.00 – 19.00, 19.15 – 21.00). December 24 – closed. December 25-30, 10 am – 9 pm. December 31, 10 am – 6 pm. More in Polish.

Visit churches in the Old Town – nativity scenes
Each church builds its unique nativity scene (szopka) for Christmas. Sometimes they are modern and metaphorical; other times, they include many details that children will love, such as animals, angels, various figures, and ornaments. Churches in Poland are usually open during the day until evening and offer free admission.

Thursday, December 26, 2025

A bank/public holiday in Poland. Stores, malls, shopping centers, and public institutions are CLOSED.

An immersive multi-sensory exhibition: “Romantic Chopin“
Until January 31. Location: Fabryka Norblina, Art-Box Experience, Żelazna 51/53 Street (city center/Wola). December 26: 11 am – 8 pm. Children under five years old have free entrance. The exhibition is bilingual – Polish and English. The exhibition combines modern technologies with classical music to take viewers on a sensory journey through Chopin’s sounds, emotions, and the artistic world he helped shape. More in Polish about the Exhibition and online tickets.

A new attraction for children in Warsaw, available in Polish and English, VR 4D experience: “Fairy Tales – The City of Lost Stories”
Location: Fabryka Norblina, Art Box Metaverse, Art-Box Experience, Żelazna 51/53 Street (city center/Wola). December 26: 12 pm – 8 pm. It is a fairy-tale, immersive 4D VR adventure (multi-user, participants get VR headsets). During the show, participants will visit the underwater world of the Little Mermaid, float on Aladdin’s carpet, explore the interior of a whale with Pinocchio, meet Puss in Boots, and come face to face with a fire-breathing dragon. Recommended age for children: 6+. Duration: 30 minutes. The attraction is bilingual – Polish and English. Due to the limited number of participants (a maximum of 25 per slot), it is recommended to purchase tickets in advance online. More in English about the attraction and online tickets. Photos in our post on Facebook and on Instagram.

Suntago, Europe’s largest indoor water park, 30 minutes from Warsaw
Location: Suntago, Nowy Świat 1, 96-300 Wręcza (location on Google map). December 24 – closed, December 25: 12 pm – 9 pm, December 26: 10 am – 10 pm, January 1: 12 pm – 9 pm, January 6: 10 am – 9 pm. Website in English and online tickets. 

“Black Cat” escape rooms (available in English, too!)
Location: Black Cat Escape Room, Warsaw, Grochowska 23/31 Street (location on Google Maps). Open on December 26. Five rooms: “Warsaw Uprising” Room for participants aged 13+, “Murderer’s House” Room for participants aged 16+, “Cursed Painting” Room for participants aged 13+, “Nazi Gold” Room for participants aged 13+, “Sex Room” for participants aged 18+. Website in Polish. Website in English. Facebook. Instagram.

An exhibition: “The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind“
Location: Soho Art Center, Mińska 63 Street (Praga), entrance to the free parking lot from Chodakowska Street (near the gas station). December 26: 10 am – 6 pm. The exhibition is bilingual – Polish and English. The exhibition presents over 150 works by the artist (reproductions of Banksy’s works), tells the story of his masterpieces, and challenges the viewer to influence the world around them through art. In line with Banksy’s credo “Copyright is for losers”, the exhibition and the works presented therein are not authorized due to the anonymous status of the artist. The Exhibition’s website in English.

An indoor roller skating rink
Location: Roller Disco Warsaw, CH Fort Wola Shopping Center, Połczyńska 4 Street (Wola). Open on December 26. Open to children aged 5+ and adults. Roller skates, helmets, and protective gear can be rented on-site. You can hire an instructor to teach you how to roller skate (you can book a specific lesson time: +48 500 800 332). Website in Polish.

Flavors of Polish Christmas – dumplings cooking class in English and dinner
Location: Pierogi & More cooking school, Stawki 3 Street (city center). December 26: 5.30 pm. During this four-course Christmas dumplings cooking class and dinner, you will taste the most popular Christmas food. Moreover, you will learn how to make the famous Polish dumplings. Taste beetroot soup with mushroom-stuffed dumplings, pierogi with sauerkraut, and last but not least, indulge yourself in the festive poppy seed dessert. More in English and online registration.

Automotive Icons Exhibition – 100 rare and valuable cars and motorcycles
Location: PGE National Stadium, entrance from al. Zieleniecka Street, gate no. 1 (Praga), online tickets. Free outdoor parking is available in front of gate no. 1 from al. Zieleniecka Street (access via Targowa, Zamoyskiego, Sokola, and Siwca streets) and a paid underground car park. Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 11 am – 7 pm, Friday 11 am – 8 pm, weekends 10 am – 8 pm. Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Maserati, Bentley, Aston Martina, and other top brands’ models – from oldtimers to modern cars with the latest technologies. F1 cars, the world’s most expensive hypercars, and vehicles known from movies. 100 vehicles and additional attractions, including simulators, a remote-controlled car zone, and an interactive VR zone. Website, Facebook, Instagram. December 24, 25: closed, December 26: 12 pm – 6 pm. January 1: 1 pm – 6 pm. January 6: 11 am – 6 pm.

LEGO exhibition: 130 mock-ups, thousands of models, 10 million LEGO bricks
Location: PGE National Stadium, al. Poniatowskiego 1 (Praga), level -1, entrance from al. Zieleniecka Street. December 24: 10 am – 3 pm, December 25: closed, December 26: 10 am – 8 pm. The exhibition is new; none of the mock-ups have been presented in Warsaw before. The exhibition includes a Fun Zone where you can create your own models. Tickets can be purchased online and on-site at the box office. More in Polish.

Free ice rink in Wesoła
Location: Armii Krajowej 72 Street (Wesoła). Opening hours: Monday-Friday 4 pm – 9 pm (technical break 6 pm – 6.30 pm), Saturday-Sunday 10 am – 9.30 pm (technical breaks 12 pm – 12.30 pm, 2 pm – 3 pm, 5.30 pm – 6.30 pm. December 24, 25, January 1 – closed. December 26: 12 pm – 9 pm. December 31, January 6: 10 am – 9 pm. Free entrance. Website.

Free ice rink in Ursynów
Location: Kajakowa 12b Street (Ursynów), FREE entrance. Opening hours: 10 am – 9 pm. Technical breaks: 12.30 pm – 1 pm, 3 pm – 4 pm, 6.30 pm – 7 pm. December 24: 10 am – 12.30 pm, December 25: closed, December 26: 1 pm – 9 pm, December 31: 10 am – 3.30 pm, January 1: 3 pm – 9 pm. Ice skates and support penguins can be rented on-site. More in Polish. Facebook.

The Warsaw Rising Museum 
Location: Muzeum Powstania Warszawskiego, Grzybowska 79 Street (city center/Wola). December 26: 10 am – 6 pm. More in English about the Museum.

Indoor ice rink at Wilanów Sports Center
Location: Centrum Sportu Wilanów (Wilanów Sports Center), Gubinowska 28/30 Street (Wilanów). December 26, January 1, January 6: 2 pm – 9.30 pm. Website.

The Warsaw Royal Castle
Location: Zamek Królewski, Plac Zamkowy 4 / Castle Square 4, December 26: 10 am – 5 pm. Our tips in English on visiting the Castle.

The National Museum 
Location: The National Museum in Warsaw (Muzeum Narodowe), Aleje Jerozolimskie 3 Street (city center), December 26: 12 pm – 6 pm. Website in English.

The Museum “World of Illusion”
Location: Świat Iluzji, Rynek Starego Miasta 21 (the Old Town Market Square), December 26: 12 pm – 7 pm. online tickets. More in English about the Museum.

“Wodny Park Warszawianka” – an indoor water park in Mokotów
Location: Wodny Park Warszawianka, Dominika Merliniego 4 Street, 02-511 Warszawa (location on Google map). 4 km from the city center (in the Mokotów district). December 24: 6.30 am – 2 pm. December 25: closed. December 26: 2 pm – 10 pm. The recreational part of the Water Park includes a recreational and swimming pool with a maximum depth of 1.40 m, a paddling pool for children with an elephant-shaped slide, an artificial river, pipe-shaped slides (45 and 72 meters long) with separate landing pads, an open slide inside the swimming pool hall (15 meters long), outdoor year-round heated pool, connected to the main pool hall. The sports part of the Water Park includes a 50-meter “Olympic” swimming pool with ten lanes. Website in English. 

The outdoor festive lights exhibition: “Garden of Lights”
Location: Botanical Garden in Powsin, Prawdziwka 2 Street, 02-973 Powsin (location on Google map). December 24 – closed, December 25: 4 pm – 9 pm, December 26: 4 pm – 9 pm, January 1: 4 pm – 9 pm, January 6: 4 pm – 9 pm. It’s the fifth season with an outdoor exhibition of illumination in the Botanical Garden in Powsin, a few kilometers south of Warsaw. The central theme of the fairy-tale light display in the 2025/2026 season is “Beauty and the Beast”. More in Polish and online tickets. Find out more in our post on Warsaw’s illuminations.

The outdoor light display in the city center at the Botanical Garden of the Warsaw University
Location: Ogród Botaniczny Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego, Aleje Ujazdowskie 4 Street (city center), the garden on Google map. The Garden is located next to the Łazienki Royal Park (in 1818, the Botanical Garden was separated from the Łazienki). December 24 – closed. December 25 and 26: 4 pm – 9 pm. December 31 – closed. January 1: 4 pm – 9 pm, January 6: 4 pm – 9 pm. Online tickets. Find out more in our post on Warsaw’s illuminations.

“The Royal Garden of Light” – the illumination festival in the Wilanów Palace Garden
Location: Wilanów Garden, Stanisława Kostki Potockiego 10/16 Street, December 25, December 26: 4 pm – 9 pm. Click here to read Kids in the City tips in English about the illuminations festival (opening hours, tickets, parking lots, etc.). 

Christmas attractions & meeting with Santa at Smart Kids Planet – an edutainment center with playing zones dedicated to children aged 0-10
Location: Smart Kids Planet, Fabryka Norblina, level -1, Żelazna 51/53 Street (Wola/city center). Smart Kids Planet is open daily. Additional attractions are available on weekdays 5 pm – 7 pm and on weekends from 12 pm. You can meet Santa on Fridays at 5 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 4 pm. Special Christmas attractions: The “Hello, Santa?” Phone Booth – a one-of-a-kind attraction where kids can talk directly to Santa himself, thanks to the magic of Christmas; Daily Christmas workshops; Festive play zones like the Gift Wrapping Station and Smart Shopping Zone; Winter delights at Smart Cafe, featuring warming teas and holiday treats. Opening hours during holiday season: December 24 & 25: closed; December 26: open; January 1: open; January 6: open. It is recommended that you purchase tickets online, as Smart Kids Planet has hourly entry limits. Website in Polish, website in English.

An outdoor ice skating rink in Praga
Location: Plac Konesera, Centrum Praskie Koneser (Praga). December 24: 10.15 am – 2.30 pm, December 25 – closed, December 26: 10.15 am – 10 pm, December 31: 10.15 am – 2.30 pm, January 1: 4 pm – 10 pm, January 6: 10.15 am – 10 pm. More in Polish and Koneser’s Facebook page.

An indoor ice rink in Włochy
Location: an ice rink next to the primary school (Szkoła Podstawowa nr 87), Malownicza 31 Street (Włochy). FREE entrance. Open daily, 9 am – 9 pm. Maintenance breaks: 2.30 pm – 3 pm, 6 pm – 6.30 pm. December 26: 3 pm – 9 pm, December 31: 9 am – 4 pm, January 1: 3 pm – 9 pm, January 6: 3 pm – 9 pm. Website.

Visit churches in the Old Town – nativity scenes
Each church builds its unique nativity scene (szopka) for Christmas. Sometimes they are modern and metaphorical; other times, they include many details that children will love, such as animals, angels, various figures, and ornaments. Churches in Poland are usually open during the day until evening and offer free admission.

An indoor ice skating rink in Wesoła
Location: Armii Krajowej 72 Street (Wesoła). Free entrance. Website. December 24: closed December 25 – closed. December 26: 12 pm – 9 pm. December 31: 10 am – 4 pm.

Outdoor ice rink next to the Palace of Culture and Science
Location: Świętokrzyska Street side (city center). Free entrance. December 24: 10 am – 1 pm, December 25: closed, December 26: 10 am – 9 pm. January 1: 3 pm – 9 pm, January 6: 10 am – 9 pm. Website. Facebook.

The POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews 
Location: Anielewicza 6 Street (Muranów), December 26: 10 am – 4 pm. Our tips in English on visiting the Museum. Our featured story on visiting the Museum with children.

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