December 2022 in Warsaw: ideas and tips for making the most of your winter in Warsaw

Our Partner of the Month

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.

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 Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Kościół pw. Narodzenia NMP), al. Solidarności 80 Street (city center), 10 pm. A Christmas Vigil Mass in ENGLISH. Facebook page in English. Website in English.

December 25, Christmas Day

Location: St. Paul’s English Speaking Catholic Parish of Warsaw, Church of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Kościół pw. Narodzenia NMP), al. Solidarności 80 Street (city center). Christmas Day Mass in ENGLISH at 12 pm. Facebook page in English. Website in English.

Location: Temple of Divine Providence (Świątynia Opatrzności Bożej), Prymasa Augusta Hlonda 1 Street (Wilanów). Christmas Mass in ENGLISH at 6 pm. For inquiries, you can email englishmassatwilanow@gmail.com. Facebook page in English.

Food halls in Warsaw open during Christmas

Hala Koszyki, Koszykowa 63 Street (city center). December 24: 9 am – 3 pm, December 25 – closed, December 26:  restaurants open 12 pm – 12 am (stores closed), December 31: restaurants open 9 am – 4 am (stores 9 am – 4 pm). Website in English. Facebook Page.

Elektrownia Powiśle, Dobra 42 Street (Powiśle). December 24 – closed, December 25 – closed, December 26: 12 pm – 10 pm, December 31: 12 pm – 10 pm. January 1: 12 pm – 10 pm. Website in English. Food Hall’s Facebook.

Fabryka PZO Food Hall, Grochowska 312 Street (Praga), December 24 – closed, December 25 – closed, December 26: 12 pm – 10 pm, December 31: 12 pm – 8 pm, January 1: 2 pm – 10 pm, January 6: 12 pm – 10 pm. Website in Polish. Facebook Page. Instagram.

Fabryka Norblina, Żelazna 51/53 Street (Wola), December 24 – closed, December 25 – closed, December 26: 1 pm – 10 pm, December 31: 9 am – 10 pm, January 1: 1 pm – 10 pm, January 6: 11 am – 10 pm. Website in Polish. Facebook Page.

Browary Warszawskie, Grzybowska 58 Street (Wola/city center), December 25 – closed, December 26: 12 pm – 10 pm, December 31: 12 pm – 10 pm, January 1: 12 pm – 12 am. Website in English. Food Hall’s Facebook.

Click here to read our post featuring 6 food halls in Warsaw.

Attractions in Warsaw open/available every day in the period of December 24-26, 2022

Outdoor Christmas Market in the Old Town
Location: Warsaw Old Town, the Warsaw Barbican area, opposite the Royal Castle. Opening hours on December 24 (only selected stalls will be open), 25, 25, 31, January 1: 11 am – 9.30 pm. Souvenirs, gifts, local crafts and food like pierogi, hot chocolate or… ice-cream. Facebook page in Polish.

Warsaw Zoo – open every day, including all public holidays
Location: Ratuszowa 1/3 Street (Praga), opening hours in December and January: 9 am – 4 pm (weekends and holidays), 9 am – 3.30 pm (Monday-Friday). Last admission is one hour before the Zoo closes. Online tickets. Website in English.

An indoor ice skating rink ‘Figlowisko’ in Ursynów, open 24/7
Location: Aleja Komisji Edukacji Narodowej 60 Street (Ursynów). Opening hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including bank holidays. Website, info about tickets, and Facebook page.

Outdoor ice rink in the town of Konstancin
Location: the town of Konstancin, Park Zdrojowy, next to the stage (Amfiteatr). Tickets: adults 8 PLN, children 5 PLN. December 24: 10 am – 4 pm, December 25, 26: 10 am – 10 pm, December 31: 10 am – 4 pm, January 1: 4 pm – 10 pm. Website. Facebook page.

Winter illuminations in the Łazienki Royal Garden
Location: Agrykola 1 Street (city center). The museums are closed, the park is open every day: 6 am – 8 pm, free entrance. 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 in Łazienki Królewskie are located in the part of the park called Aleja Chińska/Chinese Avenue (from the gate at Agrykola Street to the gate at Gagarina Street). The illumination includes several meters high, luminous figures in period costumes, located along the Aleja Chińska. Colorful lights also illuminate the gates at Agrykola Street and Gagarina Street. More about the Łazienki Park in our post.

A Christmas tree, festive illuminations, and decorations along Warsaw’s streets 
The lights are switched starting from dusk. The main attractions focus on the “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 in the 2022/2023 season.

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. The illuminations in Fountain Park are switched on every day after dark, and the multimedia shows are held on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 5 pm, 6 pm, 7 pm, 8 pm, and 9 pm. The show lasts about 15 minutes. More in English about the fountain park.

Saturday, December 24, 2022

Please note that Christmas Eve (December 24) is not a public holiday in Poland. However, most shops and businesses are usually open no longer than 2 pm.

An outdoor free ice skating rink in the Old Town
Location: Old Town Square, Rynek Starego Miasta (city center). Free entrance. December 24: 1 pm – 3 pm. December 25 – closed. December 26: 1 pm – 9 pm. December 31, 2021: 10 am – 1 pm. Website and Facebook page.

An outdoor ice skating rink in Wilanów
Location: Royal Wilanów, Klimczaka 1 Street. December 24: 11 am – 2 pm. December 25 – closed. December 26: 11 am – 6 pm. December 31 – closed. January 1: 12 pm – 6 pm, January 6: 11 am – 9 pm. Facebook in Polish.

An outdoor ice skating rink in Praga
Location: Plac Konesera, Centrum Praskie Koneser (Praga). Opening hours: 10.15 am – 10 pm (75 min-sessions and 15-min breaks, additional long 90-min break 2.30 pm – 4 pm). December 24: open until 2.30 pm, December 25 – closed, December 26: open from 10.15 am, December 31 – open until 2.30 pm, January 1: open from 4 pm. If you show a receipt for a minimum amount of PLN 20 (for shopping and restaurants at the Koneser Center on that day), entry to the ice rink and rental is free. Free entry for children up to 10 years of age accompanied by an adult, from 10.15 am to 2.30 pm. More in Polish and Koneser’s Facebook page.

Stegny outdoor ice rink in Mokotów
Location: Inspektowa 1 Street (Mokotów). December 24: 8.30 am – 2 pm. December 25 – closed. December 26: 12 pm – 2 pm, 3 pm – 5 pm, 6 pm – 8 pm. December 31: 12 pm – 2 pm, 3 pm – 5 pm. January 1: 3 pm – 5 pm, 6 pm – 8 pm. January 6: 12 pm – 2 pm, 3 pm – 5 pm, 6 pm – 8 pm. Website, info about tickets (to be purchased on the spot, at the ice rink ticket offices), and Facebook page.

An indoor ice skating rink in Targówek
Location: Łabiszyńska 20 Street (Targówek). December 24: 9 am – 2 pm. December 25 – closed. December 26 – closed. December 31: 9 am – 2 pm. January 1: closed. Ice skates and support penguins can be rented on-site. Website, Facebook page.

An outdoor ice skating rink in Targówek/Bródno
Location: Park Bródnowski (Targówek/Bródno). December 24: 10.30 am – 2 pm. December 25 – closed. December 26 – 10.30 am – 10 pm. December 31: 10.30 am – 4 pm. January 1: 4 pm – 10 pm. Ice skates and support penguins can be rented on-site. Website.

Saturday Forest School IN ENGLISH, dedicated to children aged 3-15
Location: Powsin Forest / Powsin Park (Kabaty area), meeting point on a map (a car park next to Park Kultury in Powsin), 10 am – 2 pm, 120 PLN per child (sibling discount available). Ages: children aged 3-15. Activities include preparing a ‘leave no trace’ site, hanging hammocks and tarps, basic survival and bushcraft skills, flora and fauna identification, how to start and maintain a fire safely, forest craft, animal tracking, and tool usage. More information: info@pinesforestschool.pl. More in English about the Pines Forest School.

Swimming in “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, December 31: 6.30 am – 2 pm, January 1 – closed, January 6: 6.30 am – 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 50-meter “Olympic” swimming pool with 10 lanes. Website in English. Facebook page.

Fun Park Digiloo – indoor playing area
Location: Fun Park Digiloo, Merliniego 2 Street (Mokotów). December 24: 9 am – 4 pm, December 25 – closed, December 26: 12 pm – 8 pm, December 31: 9 am – 4 pm, January 1: closed. Website in Polish & English.

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. December 31: 10 am – 3 pm. January 1: 10 am – 6 pm, January 6: 10 am – 6 pm. The Museum presents how people used to live during communist times in Poland. There are a few different sections where you can experience propaganda, lifestyle, politics or ordinary day from times. 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.

Indoor “flying” – freefall simulators/tunnel flight and Boeing 737 simulator
Location: Flyspot, Wspólna Droga 1 Street, 05-850 Mory near Warsaw. December 24: open until 4 pm. Flyspot offers freefall simulators – vertical tunnels with a closed air circuit where high power fans  produce air flow at speed up to 310 km/h (which enables floating freely in the air). You can board the replica of the Boeing 737-800 passenger cockpit. With the help of instructors, you will see what the pilots of passenger planes face during the key stages of their flight. You can choose from 2,400 available airports and many flight scenarios. Facebook page. Website in English.

Special Christmas midnight mass (pasterka)
In every church in Poland, there is a special, very ceremonial Christmas Eve mass that usually starts at midnight. You will have a chance to listen to and/or sing Christmas carols during the mass. Check out the locations of churches in Warsaw with services in Polish: 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 (al. Solidarności 80 Street) offers service in English, including a Christmas Vigil Mass in ENGLISH. (Facebook page in English).

Sunday, December 25, 2022

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

The outdoor light display 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: 3 pm – 9 pm. December 26 – closed. December 31 – closed. January 1: 3 pm – 9 pm, January 6: 3 pm – 9 pm. Online tickets. Our tips in English on visiting the Garden. Find out more in our post on Warsaw’s illuminations in the 2022/2023 season.

A light display in the Botanical Garden in Powsin “Snow White”
Location: Botanical Garden in Powsin, Prawdziwka 2 Street, 02-973 Powsin (location on Google map). December 24 – closed, December 25, 26: 4 pm – 9 pm, December 31 – closed, January 1: 4 pm – 9 pm, January 6: 4 pm – 9 pm. Tickets are available online or at the ticket office. Our tips in English (opening hours, tickets, parking lots, etc.) on the illuminations festivals in Warsaw in the 2022/2023 season, including the light display in Powsin.

“The Royal Garden of Light” – the illuminations festival in the Wilanów Palace Garden
Location: Wilanów Garden, Stanisława Kostki Potockiego 10/16 Street, December 25, 26: 4 pm – 9 pm. The display is closed on December 24 and 31. January 1, 6: 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.). 

Chopin music piano recitals
Location: Fryderyk Concert Hall, Podwale 15 Street (the old town), December 25, 26, 31, January 1, 6: 5.30 pm and 7 pm, online tickets. The recitals feature Fryderyk Chopin’s most famous compositions. Facebook page in English and Polish. Website in English.

Visit churches in the Old Town – nativity scenes
Each church builds its own unique nativity scene (szopka) for the Christmas season. Sometimes they are modern and metaphorical, sometimes with lots of details that children will love, eg. animals, angels, different figures, ornaments. Churches in Poland are usually open during the day until the evening, with free entrance.

Monday, December 26, 2022

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

A new exhibition in Warsaw: BODY WORLDS – VITAL
Location: the Palace of Culture and Science (Pałac Kultury i Nauki), 4th floor, pl. Defilad 1, entrance from Marszałkowska Street (city center). Opening hours: 10 am – 8 pm. Duration of visiting the exhibition: approx. 2 hours. Before entering the exhibition (which is on level 4), you can use the free cloakroom on level 1 (elevator level). It’s the original anatomical exhibition of real human bodies (a process used for the Exhibition is designed to preserve the body for educational and instructional purposes, it’s called plastination). Featuring authentic human bodies, the exhibition shows the body in health, distress and disease and tells the story of how best to defeat and prevent some life-threatening diseases through informed choices and healthy lifestyle changes. December 24, 25 – closed. December 26: 10 am – 8 pm, December 31: 10 am – 3 pm, January 1: 12 pm – 8 pm, January 6: 10 am – 8 pm. Online tickets. Children up to 6 free entrance. The Exhibition’s website in Polish. More in English about the Exhibition. Facebook page in Polish. Instagram. Prior to visiting “BODY WORLDS” it is recommended that students and children review the guide, which is intended to help them become familiar with the exhibits and prepare them to gain the most from their learning experience (materials in English, materials in Polish).

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). December 24, 25 – closed. December 26: 9 am – 8 pm. December 31: 9 am – 4 pm, January 1: 12 pm – 8 pm, January 6: 9 am – 8 pm. It is recommended to buy tickets online – to avoid crowds, Smart Kids Planet has entry limits per hour. When you buy a ticket online, you can be sure that you will enter at the selected time. Workshops, birthday parties, trips for schools and kindergartens, cheerful and smart fun in 9 innovative and interactive zones for smart play. All in Polish and English. We are excited to be the media partner of this amazing place. Website in Polish, website in English, Facebook, Instagram.

An exhibition: TUTANKHAMUN – His Tomb And His Treasures 
Location: TUTANCHAMON – GROBOWIEC I SKARBY, Muzeum Nowa Praga, Jagiellońska 82A Street (Praga), location on Google map. December 24, 25 – closed. December 26: 9 am – 8 pm, last entrance is at 6 pm. December 31 – closed. January 1 – closed. Tickets are to be purchased on-site or online. Children up to 6 free entrance. The Exhibition’s website in Polish. Facebook page in Polish. Instagram. Audio guides are available in Polish, English, German, and French. The Exhibition presents the story of the discovery of the forgotten tomb of Egypt’s most famous Pharaoh, Tutankhamun as well as the cultural and spiritual world of ancient Egypt. Burial chambers and an extensive collection of the most important treasures of Tutankhamun have been recreated.

An outdoor ice skating rink in Wilanów
Location: Royal Wilanów, Klimczaka 1 Street. December 24: 11 am – 2 pm. December 25 – closed. December 26: 11 am – 6 pm. December 31 – closed. January 1: 12 pm – 6 pm, January 6: 11 am – 9 pm. Facebook in Polish.

Indoor ice rink at Wilanów Sports Center
Location: Centrum Sportu Wilanów (Wilanów Sports Center), Gubinowska 28/30 Street (Wilanów). December 24, 25 – closed. December 26: 2 pm – 9.30 pm. December 31: 8 am – 2 pm. January 1: 2 pm – 9.30 pm. January 6: 2 pm – 9.30 pm. Website.

An outdoor ice skating rink in Praga
Location: Plac Konesera, Centrum Praskie Koneser (Praga). Opening hours: 10.15 am – 10 pm (75 min-sessions and 15-min breaks, additional long 90-min break 2.30 pm – 4 pm). December 24: open until 2.30 pm, December 25 – closed, December 26: open from 10.15 am, December 31 – open until 2.30 pm, January 1: open from 4 pm. If you show a receipt for a minimum amount of PLN 20 (for shopping and restaurants at the Koneser Center on that day), entry to the ice rink and rental is free. Free entry for children up to 10 years of age accompanied by an adult, from 10.15 am to 2.30 pm. More in Polish and Koneser’s Facebook page.

An outdoor ice skating rink in Targówek/Bródno
Location: Park Bródnowski (Targówek/Bródno). December 24: 10.30 am – 2 pm. December 25 – closed. December 26 – 10.30 am – 10 pm. December 31: 10.30 am – 4 pm. January 1: 4 pm – 10 pm. Ice skates and support penguins can be rented on-site. Website.

Swimming in “Wodny Park Warszawianka” – 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, December 31: 6.30 am – 2 pm, January 1 – closed, January 6: 6.30 am – 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 50-meter “Olympic” swimming pool with 10 lanes. Website in English. Facebook page.

Fun Park Digiloo – indoor playing area
Location: Fun Park Digiloo, Merliniego 2 Street (Mokotów). December 24: 9 am – 4 pm, December 25 – closed, December 26: 12 pm – 8 pm, December 31: 9 am – 4 pm, January 1: closed. Website in Polish & English.

Chopin music piano recitals
Location: Fryderyk Concert Hall, Podwale 15 Street (the old town), December 25, 26, 31, January 1, 6: 5.30 pm and 7 pm, online tickets. The recitals feature Fryderyk Chopin’s most famous compositions. Facebook page in English and Polish. Website in English.

A light display in the Botanical Garden in Powsin “Snow White”
Location: Botanical Garden in Powsin, Prawdziwka 2 Street, 02-973 Powsin (location on Google map). December 26: 4 pm – 9 pm, December 31 – closed, January 1: 4 pm – 9 pm, January 6: 4 pm – 9 pm. Tickets are available online or at the ticket office. Our tips in English (opening hours, tickets, parking lots, etc.) on the illuminations festivals in Warsaw in the 2022/2023 season, including the light display in Powsin.

The Warsaw Royal Castle
Location: Zamek Królewski, Plac Zamkowy 4 / Castle Square 4, December 24, 25, 31, January 1, 6 – closed. 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 24, 25, 31 – closed. December 26: 12 pm – 6 pm. January 1: 12 pm – 6 pm, January 6: 10 am – 6 pm. Our tips in English about visiting the National Museum.

“The Royal Garden of Light” – the illuminations festival in the Wilanów Palace Garden
Location: Wilanów Garden, Stanisława Kostki Potockiego 10/16 Street, December 25, 26: 4 pm – 9 pm. The display is closed on December 24 and 31. January 1, 6: 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 Viewing Platform of the Palace of Culture and Science
Location: Plac Defilad 1 (city center). The platform is located on the 30th floor (114 m high) of the Palace of Culture and Science. Opening hours in December: 10 am – 8 pm. Online tickets. Our tips about visiting the platform. The Platform is closed on December 24 and 25. Opening hours on December 26: 12 pm – 8 pm, December 31: 10 am – 5 pm, January 1: 12 pm – 8 pm.

Be Happy Museum – Selfie Point 
Location: Atrium Reduta shopping center, al. Jerozolimskie 148 Street (Ochota), December 24, 25 – closed. December 26: 1 pm – 8 pm, December 31: 10 am – 4 pm, January 1 – closed, January 6: 1 pm – 7 pm. online tickets. Dozens of scenes to take photos and rooms with the illusion (e.g. a pool with Marshmallow foams, a banana swing, magical unicorns). More in English about the Museum.

The Museum “World of Illusion”
Location: Świat Iluzji, Rynek Starego Miasta 21 (the Old Town Market Square), December 24, 25 – closed. December 26: 12 pm – 8 pm, December 31: 10 am – 4 pm. online tickets. More in English about the Museum.

The POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews 
Location: Anielewicza 6 Street (Muranów), December 24, 25 – closed. December 26: 10 am – 6 pm, December 31: closed, January 1 – closed. Our tips in English on visiting the Museum. Our featured story on visiting the Museum with children.

Visit churches in the Old Town – nativity scenes
Each church builds its own unique nativity scene (szopka) for the Christmas season. Sometimes they are modern and metaphorical, sometimes with lots of details that children will love, eg. animals, angels, different figures, ornaments. Churches in Poland are usually open during the day until the evening, with free entrance.

Christmas markets and fairs in Warsaw

Festive illuminations, a Christmas tree, lights on Warsaw’s streets in 2022/2023

Traditionally, Christmas illuminations on the streets of Warsaw and a huge Christmas tree on Plac Zamkowy are lit in the first week of December and are on until mid-February (the exact date is announced usually on December 1).

The Christmas illuminations in 2022 in Warsaw will be launched on Saturday, December 3 and will stay on until February 5, 2023.

The largest Christmas tree in Warsaw is lit on Castle Square (Plac Zamkowy) in Warsaw’s Old Town. In 2022, the lights on Warsaw’s Christmas tree are on from December 3 (Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 7 pm).

In the event of an energy crisis, a decision was made to turn off the illuminations earlier – before midnight (except for the nights of December 24/25 and December 31/January 1). This has a symbolic dimension because the illumination has been based on energy-saving eco-LED diodes for many years, so the savings in electricity consumption will be small.

The area of illumination in Warsaw was significantly reduced in 2020 when a company for Christmas illumination was selected.

The main attractions on Warsaw streets focus on the “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). 

This year, there are three illuminations outdoor displays in Warsaw. “Magical Botanical” in the center of Warsaw. Location: Botanical Garden of the Warsaw University (Ogród Botaniczny Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego), Aleje Ujazdowskie 4 Street (city center), the garden on Google map. “Snow White” in Powsin. Location: Botanical Garden in Powsin, Prawdziwka 2 Street, 02-973 Powsin (location on Google map). “The Royal Garden of Light” in Wilanów. Location: the garden of the Museum of King Jan III’s Palace (Muzeum Pałacu Króla Jana III w Wilanowie), Stanisława Kostki Potockiego 10/16 Street, location on Google map. 

You will find detailed information about Warsaw illuminations festivals in the 2022/2023 season in our post: Light displays in Warsaw: festive illuminations, lights festivals, and Christmas decorations in Warsaw during the 2022/2023 season.

The photos below show current Christmas illuminations in Warsaw:

Photo source: Urząd Miasta Warszawa

Ideas for things to do in Warsaw in December

For things to do INDOOR in Warsaw, please read our post that includes the list of ideas for fun (indoor!) activities for a bad weather day in Warsaw: Indoor things to do in Warsaw.

Artificial ski slope in Ochota – Górka Szczęśliwicka
Location: Górka Szczęśliwicka, Park Szczęśliwicki, Drawska 22 Street (Ochota). The ski slope is open every day 10 am – 8 pm. The Górka Szczęśliwicka ski slope is located in the center of Park Szczęśliwicki – the biggest (30 ha) park in the Ochota district of Warsaw. Location on Google map. It’s the highest hill in Warsaw, a 152 m slope called in Polish Górka Szczęśliwicka. The biggest attraction of Górka Szczęśliwicka is the ski slope. The ski season lasts from October, and from the time of the first frost, the slope is artificially snowed. The height of the ski slope is 74.9 m, the length of the run is 227 m, and a plate lift and a chairlift are available. A two-hour pass costs PLN 50 (regular) and PLN 36 (reduced). There is a ski and snowboard equipment rental and a ski service on site. Website and Facebook page in Polish. The contact list of ski and snowboard schools working on the Górka Szczęśliwicka.

The Great Elf Factory (Wielka Fabryka Elfów) – indoor Christmas playing areas for children aged 3-10
Location: Fabryka Norblina, Żelazna 51/53 Street (Wola/city center), ‘Plater’ building, level +2. Playing areas with attractions for kids (eg. inflatable playground) – children help elves and in the end, they meet Santa. The games and attractions take about 2 hours. Recommended age of children: 3-10 years old. You can come with an older child, then they must have a ticket. Entrance without a ticket is possible for children under 1 year of age who accompany their parents and older siblings. Ticket prices depend on days and hours and start from 69 PLN. 1 ticket is admission for one child and one guardian. The ticket for the additional guardian is bought on the spot and costs half the ticket price for the child. Visiting the Elf Factory for groups of children is possible in English – you need to report such a request in advance (+48 583 501 638, warszawa@wielkafabrykaelfow.pl). The Great Elf Factory is open for individual visitors until December 22 and on December 27-30. School and kindergarten groups can visit it until January 13.  Online tickets. Website in Polish. Facebook page in Polish.

LEGO Christmas tram in Warsaw
Until December 4. A special LEGO Christmas tram runs along the streets of Warsaw. The LEGO tram ride is free of charge. It is a commercial tram that runs along the route with official LEGO stores in Warsaw. Inside, in addition to the LEGO Christmas decorations, the main attractions are a figure of Santa Claus made of LEGO bricks and Ninja Kai. Every Saturday and Sunday you can meet there LEGO Santa. Children will receive letters that they can send to Santa. In the tram, you will find people who will help people with disabilities to board the tram or those who want to board a pram. The LEGO tram line starts at the Ratuszowa – ZOO stop in Praga and ends in Mokotów. Please note that people who have used the tram so far say that it does not always run on time and sometimes it is crowded. More information on the Facebook of Warsaw Trams and Lego Facebook (including timelines).

Outdoor Christmas Market in the Old Town
Until January 6. Location: Warsaw Old Town, the Warsaw Barbican area, opposite the Royal Castle. Open every day, Sunday-Thursday: 11 am – 8 pm, Friday-Saturday: 11 am – 9.30, December 24: 11 am – 8 pm, December 25, 26, 31: 11 am – 9.30 pm, January 1: 11 am – 9.30 pm, free entrance. Souvenirs, gifts, local crafts and food like pierogi, hot chocolate or… ice-cream. 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). During this 3-course dinner, you will taste the most popular Christmas food. Moreover, you will learn how to make famous Polish dumplings. Taste herrings or beetroot soup with uszka – little dumplings, make pierogi with sauerkraut and indulge yourself in the festive poppy seed dessert. Facebook page in English. Website in English.

Ice skating 
The first ice rink in Warsaw (Torwar in the city center) opened for the new season in September! Since December, ice rinks have already 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 indoor and outdoor ice rinks in Warsaw (location, opening hours) in our post: Ice skating rinks in Warsaw.

A new exhibition: TUTANKHAMUN – His Tomb And His Treasures 
Location: TUTANCHAMON – GROBOWIEC I SKARBY, Muzeum Nowa Praga, Jagiellońska 82A Street (Praga), location on Google map. Open every day 9 am – 8 pm, last entrance is at 6 pm. Tickets are to be purchased on-site or online. Children up to 6 free entrance. The Exhibition’s website in Polish. Facebook page in Polish. Instagram. The Exhibition runs from October 26, 2022. Audio guides are available in Polish, English, German, and French. The Exhibition presents the story of the discovery of the forgotten tomb of Egypt’s most famous Pharaoh, Tutankhamun as well as the cultural and spiritual world of ancient Egypt. Burial chambers and an extensive collection of the most important treasures of Tutankhamun have been recreated.

Eating out in one of Warsaw’s indoor food halls
Are you going out for lunch with a group of 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. A great solution for breakfast, lunch or dinner in a group – everyone orders from a different restaurant and eats at a common table. Click here to read our post featuring 6 food halls in Warsaw (a new food hall, opened in June 2022 – Fabryka PZO Food Hall, Elektrownia Powiśle, Hala Gwardii, Hala Koszyki, Browary Warszawskie – Warsaw Breweries, Fabryka Norblina).

A winter walk among the magic lights 
During the winter season, many parks in Warsaw transform after dark into a magical world of lights, giving you the opportunity to spend time outdoors, walking in winter festive scenery. Add to that a Christmas tree on Plac Zamkowy and illuminated streets in the center of Warsaw! You will find detailed information about Warsaw illuminations festivals and lights displays in our post: Light displays in Warsaw: festive illuminations, lights festivals, and decorations in Warsaw during the 2022/2023 season.

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

Warsaw Zoo – open every day, including all public holidays
Location: Ratuszowa 1/3 Street (Praga), opening hours in December: 9 am – 4 pm (weekends and holidays), 9 am – 3.30 pm (Monday-Friday). The last admission is one hour before the Zoo closes. Online tickets. Website in English.

Mini zoo/petting zoo  
Location: Mini Zoo, Kolorowa 19 lok. 156 Street, poziom/level -1 (Ursus), Monday – Friday 11 am – 7 pm, Saturday – Sunday 10 am – 6 pm. At the Mini Zoo, you can feed and stroke the animals. The visits take place in the company of a Mini ZOO employee who will show and teach how to deal with animals. The Mini Zoo is located in the indoor heated room; tickets are available for purchase on-site, and no reservation is required. Facebook page. Website in Polish.

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. It is recommended to buy tickets online – to avoid crowds, Smart Kids Planet has entry limits per hour. When you buy a ticket online, you can be sure that you will enter at the selected time. In October 2022, a favorite place of many children reopened in a new location in the center of Warsaw – the Norblin Factory. Workshops, birthday parties, trips for schools and kindergartens, cheerful and smart fun in 9 innovative and interactive zones for smart play. All in Polish and English. We are excited to be the media partner of this amazing place and soon Kids in the City and Smart Kids Planet will invite parents and children to a meeting of Kids in the City readers, hosted by Smart Kids Planet! Website in Polish, website in English, Facebook, Instagram.

Chopin music piano recitals
Every day. Location: Fryderyk Concert Hall, Podwale 15 Street (the old town), every day at 7 pm, additional concerts on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 5.30 pm, online tickets. The recitals feature Fryderyk Chopin’s most famous compositions. Facebook page in English and Polish. Website in English.

Guided tour IN ENGLISH at The Museum of Modern Art
Every Saturday in December. Location: “Museum on the Vistula” Pavilion, Wybrzeże Kościuszkowskie 22 Street (on the Vistula bank), 2 pm. The tour is included in the ticket price (5/15 PLN). Facebook event in English. More about the exhibition in English.

“Strange World” – children’s movie in ENGLISH, without Polish subtitles 
December 2. Location: Cinema City, Sadyba Best Mall, Powsińska 31 Street (Sadyba/Mokotów), 5 pm. The screening is in English, without subtitles. Tickets are limited, to reserve your tickets please contact Brian Mason at brianmason79@gmail.com or 668 519 462 (the movie tickets cost 35 PLN for an adult and a child ticket is 25 PLN each).

22nd International Film Festival – WATCH DOCS – Human Rights in Film
December 2-11. Location: Kino Muranów, Kinoteka. Read more in English. Facebook event in Polish and English.

The Wilanów Board Games Club – playing together, an event for children aged 13+ and adults
Selected Saturdays in December. Location: Wilanów Cultural Center branch (Międzypokoleniowe Centrum Edukacji), Radosna 11 Street, 1.30 pm – 7 pm, free entrance. The event is free but you need to register. Facebook event in Polish. The event runs twice a month, on Saturdays: December 3, 17, January 7, 21, February 4, 18, March 4, 18, April 1, 15, May 6, 20, and June 3, 17.

Exhibition and fair of exotic animals and plants  
December 4. Location: Sports Center at Siennicka 40 Street (Praga), 10 am – 4 pm, regular tickets 20 PLN, family (2+2) tickets 70 PLN, children up to 6 free (online tickets). Snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, snails, insects, spiders, ants, fish, and plants from all over the world. Facebook event in Polish.

Christmas folk concert and dance show by Mazowsze – the oldest and biggest Polish folk dancing and singing group
December 9, 10, 11, 16, 17. Location: Matecznik “Mazowsze“, Świerkowa 2 Street, 05-805 Otrębusy (a village about 25 km from the center of Warsaw), online tickets. Facebook page in Polish. More about the Mazowsze group.

Visiting the snow plow train interior
December 18. 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. Facebook event in Polish.

Railway Modeling Fair (Giełda Modeli Kolejowych)
December 18. 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 every one (7 PLN, children up to 7 free entrance). The Museum website in English. Facebook event in Polish.

Sunday Yoga in Łazienki Royal Garden
December 18. Location: Łazienki Royal Garden, 10 am, click here to check the meeting point (the area next to the Palace on the Isle). Families with children are welcome. There is no need to sign up. Facebook event in Polish and English.

A winter walk in the center of Warsaw: Krakowskie Przedmieście and Nowy Świat Streets a car-free zone 
December 3-4, 10,11, 17-18, December 24 – January 1, and January 6-8. Nowy Świat and Krakowskie Przedmieście streets (from rondo gen. Ch. de Gaulle’a to Miodowa Street) change into a car-free zone, accessible only to pedestrians and cyclists. It is part of the so-called Royal Route, a historic part of Warsaw, leading from Rondo de Gaulle’a (the famous traffic circle with a palm tree) to Castle Square with Sigismund’s Column and the Royal Castle. It is worth going for a walk there, especially after dark, when the Christmas illuminations are already on!

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 either in the garden section or in 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 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 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: the service of putting a Christmas tree in a stand (obsadzanie) – this service covers adjusting the trunk of the tree to the stand as well as adjusting the tree properly (stable and straight) in the tree stand. Another service covers the utilization – after the end of the holidays, the store will take the Christmas tree from your home and take 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).

Weather in Poland in December

In 2022, astronomical winter begins on December 21 with the winter solstice – it’s the day with the fewest hours of sunlight in Poland in the whole year. On a positive note – starting from December 22, the days in Poland 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 the cold weather in Poland, 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 the wintertime in Poland drops significantly at night!

The weather during the winter in Poland differs. Usually, the temperature is around freezing or a few degrees below, but it happens that the temperature drops below -20 °C (-4 °F). Recent years have seen an increase in average winter temperatures compared to previous years. Trends also indicate that we can start getting used to relatively warmer December in Poland and winter shifting for the period from January to March.

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 level 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 2022

In December 2022, there are two shopping Sundays in Poland: December 11 and December 18. You can learn more about the Sunday trade ban in Poland in our post: shopping Sundays in Poland in 2022 and 2023. Since our readers are asking about online stores offering home deliveries we have prepared a post with a list of online stores in Poland delivering groceries to homes.

Public holidays and dates to remember in Poland in December 2022

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 are sleeping (little treats – toys but most of all sweets). One of the traditions is to hide treats in shoes. Children should clean them the night before and the next morning (on Mikołajki day) they would find inside their shoes a small surprise. Chocolate Santas are most often such a gift – they can be bought in Polish stores already at the end of November. In Polish schools on December 6, there is a custom of exchanging small gifts between students. Children decide in advance the amount for which they will buy a gift and draw a person from the class to be given a gift.

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)
Christmas Eve is not a public holiday in Poland. However, most shops and businesses are open no longer than 2 pm. Christmas Eve Dinner – kolacja wigilijna – is the most important Christmas celebration in Poland. Click here to learn more about Christmas traditions and celebrations 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, 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, they go to church, sing carols (kolędy), 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) 
Start of the carnival season in Poland. People usually go out to parties and balls. At midnight or even before, fireworks shows start, arranged by the city authorities but also outside of apartments, in parks, playgrounds, etc. Stores are usually 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

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