From late November the Tricity lights up for Christmas. Poland counts down to Wigilia, the Christmas Eve supper, with markets and light trails, Mikołajki on December 6 when St. Nicholas brings small gifts, and Three Kings parades on January 6. Here's what we checked for families, from Santa's boat arrival in Gdańsk to a Kashubian Christmas at the Wdzydze open-air museum.
Gdańsk's big Christmas market fills the streets of the Main Town with stalls, a crafts zone and a program of live events, set among the city's Gdańsk Illuminations light displays. Kids can wander the stalls, catch a show and pick out a handmade gift.
It suits families happy with a slow walk and plenty of stops. Everything is outdoors in the Baltic winter, so dress warm and plan short loops.
Santa comes to Gdańsk by boat. Families line the Motława on Długie Pobrzeże to spot him sailing in, then his procession sets off from the Green Bridge toward the Neptune Fountain.
It ends on Długi Targ, where thousands of lights and colored baubles on the city's Christmas tree switch on and open the holiday season. It suits kids happy to stand outdoors on a winter evening.
Every winter Gdynia hangs lights along its main streets, squares and roundabouts, and in neighborhoods well beyond the center, all switched on together on St. Nicholas Day. The look leans nautical: sailboat-shaped trees, light sails and blue and white strings.
It's a walk, not a show: no stage or program, just an evening stroll that works with a stroller or a scooter.
Teatr Piasku Tetiany Galitsyny tells the story of bitter, stingy Scrooge and his change of heart, with actors performing in front of scenery that is drawn live in sand and light. Carols are played and sung on stage.
It suits kids who can follow a spoken story and enjoy watching pictures appear as they go. Younger or restless kids may find it long, since it runs straight through.
Poland's oldest open-air museum, founded in 1906, uses its old cottages and church to show how Kashubian families once celebrated Christmas. Kids follow an interactive tour built around holiday customs and join a Christmas in Kashubia workshop.
The cottages and church also get their traditional festive decoration, called Godë in Kashubian. It suits kids who like hands-on history and don't mind a long walk in the cold.
Every winter the square at the foot of Sopot's pier becomes a Christmas and New Year village, run by the city. Huts line the arcades with food and handmade gifts, and the concert shell by the pier hosts carols, kids' theater and circus acts.
It's a come-and-go outing: wander, eat, catch a show. It suits families with kids of any age who don't mind the Baltic cold.
Lumina Park is an open-air light trail through the parkland of Faktoria Cultural Park in Pruszcz Gdański, just south of Gdańsk. This season the glowing installations tell the story of Alice in Wonderland along a path of about 1.5 km.
Kids walk the route after dark, stopping at each scene for photos. It suits kids who can manage a long evening walk outdoors in the cold.
The Orszak Trzech Króli is Gdańsk's Epiphany procession. The Three Kings ride on horseback behind a star to a nativity stable, with children from local kindergartens and schools and people from across the city walking with them. At the manger the kings bow and lay down their gifts, and a carol concert follows.
It is a religious event, but the organizers welcome families of any faith or none.
Long Market (Długi Targ) is the old town's main square, a medieval market street running from the Main Town Hall to the Green Gate. Its centerpiece is Neptune's Fountain, a bronze statue of the sea god cast in 1615, in front of Artus Court.
The Gothic-Renaissance Town Hall houses a branch of the Museum of Gdańsk, and in summer its 80-meter tower opens for views over the city.
From late November the Tricity lights up for Christmas. Poland counts down to Wigilia, the Christmas Eve supper, with markets and light trails, Mikołajki on December 6 when St. Nicholas brings small gifts, and Three Kings parades on January 6. Here's what we checked for families, from Santa's boat arrival in Gdańsk to a Kashubian Christmas at the Wdzydze open-air museum.
Gdańsk's big Christmas market fills the streets of the Main Town with stalls, a crafts zone and a program of live events, set among the city's Gdańsk Illuminations light displays. Kids can wander the stalls, catch a show and pick out a handmade gift.
It suits families happy with a slow walk and plenty of stops. Everything is outdoors in the Baltic winter, so dress warm and plan short loops.
Santa comes to Gdańsk by boat. Families line the Motława on Długie Pobrzeże to spot him sailing in, then his procession sets off from the Green Bridge toward the Neptune Fountain.
It ends on Długi Targ, where thousands of lights and colored baubles on the city's Christmas tree switch on and open the holiday season. It suits kids happy to stand outdoors on a winter evening.
Every winter Gdynia hangs lights along its main streets, squares and roundabouts, and in neighborhoods well beyond the center, all switched on together on St. Nicholas Day. The look leans nautical: sailboat-shaped trees, light sails and blue and white strings.
It's a walk, not a show: no stage or program, just an evening stroll that works with a stroller or a scooter.
Teatr Piasku Tetiany Galitsyny tells the story of bitter, stingy Scrooge and his change of heart, with actors performing in front of scenery that is drawn live in sand and light. Carols are played and sung on stage.
It suits kids who can follow a spoken story and enjoy watching pictures appear as they go. Younger or restless kids may find it long, since it runs straight through.
Poland's oldest open-air museum, founded in 1906, uses its old cottages and church to show how Kashubian families once celebrated Christmas. Kids follow an interactive tour built around holiday customs and join a Christmas in Kashubia workshop.
The cottages and church also get their traditional festive decoration, called Godë in Kashubian. It suits kids who like hands-on history and don't mind a long walk in the cold.
Every winter the square at the foot of Sopot's pier becomes a Christmas and New Year village, run by the city. Huts line the arcades with food and handmade gifts, and the concert shell by the pier hosts carols, kids' theater and circus acts.
It's a come-and-go outing: wander, eat, catch a show. It suits families with kids of any age who don't mind the Baltic cold.
Lumina Park is an open-air light trail through the parkland of Faktoria Cultural Park in Pruszcz Gdański, just south of Gdańsk. This season the glowing installations tell the story of Alice in Wonderland along a path of about 1.5 km.
Kids walk the route after dark, stopping at each scene for photos. It suits kids who can manage a long evening walk outdoors in the cold.
The Orszak Trzech Króli is Gdańsk's Epiphany procession. The Three Kings ride on horseback behind a star to a nativity stable, with children from local kindergartens and schools and people from across the city walking with them. At the manger the kings bow and lay down their gifts, and a carol concert follows.
It is a religious event, but the organizers welcome families of any faith or none.
Long Market (Długi Targ) is the old town's main square, a medieval market street running from the Main Town Hall to the Green Gate. Its centerpiece is Neptune's Fountain, a bronze statue of the sea god cast in 1615, in front of Artus Court.
The Gothic-Renaissance Town Hall houses a branch of the Museum of Gdańsk, and in summer its 80-meter tower opens for views over the city.
