Winter in Warsaw: attractions and things to do in Warsaw in the wintertime
Ice skating rinks in Warsaw
Warsaw has many rinks to explore. And it’s not just during Christmas that you can get your skates on, as there are plenty of ice skating rink options from the end of November until February/March.
The first ice rink in Warsaw (Torwar in the city center, an indoor rink) usually opens in September and is open until May! Most ice rinks in Warsaw are open from the beginning of December until February/March, weather permitting. Our post Ice skating rinks in Warsaw includes info about 20+ rinks in different districts of Warsaw, including free, outdoor, indoor, and… did you know that Ursynów has an indoor ice rink open 24/7?
Skate rentals are available at most ice rinks in Warsaw, so you don’t need your own equipment (there are also usually skate supports for skaters who need extra help).
You can read more about 20+ ice rinks in Warsaw (locations, opening hours, photos) in our post: Ice skating rinks in Warsaw.
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 in the vicinity of Warsaw. You can contact all the organizers in English.
Photo source: www.bryczki-kampinos.pl
Where to go sledding in Warsaw
When it starts to snow, we are often asked where a good place to go sledding in Warsaw is. Each district in Warsaw has several hills, large and small, where you can go sledding.
Most of these spots are in Warsaw parks (e.g., Park Górczewska in Bemowo, Las Bielański Park/forest in Bielany, Park Morskie Oko in Mokotów, Park Szczęśliwicki in Ochota, Park Skaryszewski in Praga Południe, Park Praski in Praga Północ, Las Bródnowski in Targówek, Park Sowińskiego in Wola).
Other hills, which are used for sledding in winter, were created after the completion of street construction and renovation or remained after the construction of the metro in Warsaw (e.g., Kopa Cwila and Górka Kazurka in Ursynów).
In our post Where to go sledding in Warsaw you will find a rundown of some popular places to go sledging in Warsaw by district.
Festive illuminations, a Christmas tree, and light displays in Warsaw
Traditionally, Christmas illuminations on the streets of Warsaw and a Christmas tree on Plac Zamkowy (Castle Square in the Old Town) are lit in the first week of December and are on until mid-February.
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 illumination 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, and Podzamcze).
Apart from the free illuminations you can admire in Warsaw’s Old Town, there are three outdoor illumination displays (with paid entrance).
- “Magical Botanical” is in Warsaw’s center, next to the famous Łazienki Park. Location: Botanical Garden of the Warsaw University (Ogród Botaniczny Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego), Aleje Ujazdowskie 4 Street (city center), location on Google Maps.
- Illumination exhibition referring to fairy tales and cartoons in the botanical garden in Powsin, on the southern outskirts of Warsaw. Location: Botanical Garden in Powsin, Prawdziwka 2 Street, 02-973 Powsin (location on Google Maps).
- “The Royal Garden of Light” in Wilanów, in the garden of the Palace/Museum. 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 Maps.
You will find detailed information (locations, tickets, opening hours, photos) about Warsaw illumination festivals in our post: Light displays in Warsaw: festive illuminations, lights festivals, and Christmas decorations in Warsaw.
The photos below show Christmas illuminations in Warsaw in previous seasons:
Photo source: Urząd Miasta Warszawa
Ideas for indoor things to do in Warsaw in winter
There’s no point beating around the bush – winter in Warsaw is when you spend a lot of time indoors. Fortunately, there are many options for both children and adults – restaurants with cuisines from all over the world in food courts, children’s playrooms, exhibitions and museums, bowling, swimming pools, an indoor ice rink, or escape rooms.
Our post Indoor Things to Do in Warsaw includes a list of ideas for indoor (fun!) activities in Warsaw.
Skiing in Warsaw
In the 2025/2026 winter season, the ski slope in Warsaw will be modernized and closed.
Yes, skiing in Warsaw is possible! You can enroll yourself or your children in a ski school or, for example, warm up before a more extended ski trip. The ski slope in Warsaw is located in the Ochota district and opens for skiing in October. The hill, called Górka Szczęśliwicka in Polish, is located in the center of the Park Szczęśliwicki. It’s the highest (152 m) hill in Warsaw. It’s an artificial ski slope. The height of the ski slope is 74.9 m, the run length is 227 m, and a plate lift and a chairlift are available. The ski season lasts from October, and once the first frost arrives, the slope is artificially snowed. A ski and snowboard equipment rental and a ski service are on site. Website and Facebook. The contact list of ski and snowboard schools working on the Górka Szczęśliwicka.
Photo source: Aktywna Warszawa
Ideas for those who want to enjoy the Christmas and holiday atmosphere in Warsaw
Below are some options and ideas for those who want to enjoy Warsaw’s Christmas and holiday atmosphere.
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.
Christmas folk concert and dance show by Mazowsze – the oldest and most significant Polish folk dancing and singing group
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.
Flavors of Polish Christmas – dumplings cooking class in English and dinner
Location: Pierogi & More cooking school, Stawki 3 Street (city center). 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Our monthly ‘What’s on in Warsaw’ posts with detailed info on events and things to do in Warsaw in December, January, and February
To help you plan and enjoy your time in Warsaw, we publish our ‘What’s on in Warsaw’ post every month. These posts list exciting events in Warsaw for a given month, e.g., concerts, fairs, exhibitions, festivals, or guided tours. You will also find new ideas for things to do in Warsaw, one-day trips around the city, and news and updates on life in the capital.
Please note that these posts are updated before the month starts to ensure that the information is as up-to-date as possible.
Subscribe to the Kids in the City’s weekly newsletter in English. The newsletter, called What’s on in Warsaw for Kids & Families, is emailed every Thursday and covers activities in Warsaw for children and family matters—information, tips, and resources in English.
