From mid-October to mid-February, Wrocław's dark evenings fill with light. There's a glowing garden in a castle park, Christmas markets with carousels, and the Old Town square where the crowd counts down to the tree lighting. Most of it is outdoors after dark, so bring warm layers and a thermos. Here's what we checked, from Lumina Park at Topacz Castle to the tree on the Rynek.
Lumina Park is a winter light trail in the wooded grounds of Topacz Castle, just south of Wrocław. This season's theme is a journey through time: a 1.5 km forest path with more than 200 light installations, guided by a character called the Magical Courier of the Ages. Kids walk it after dark, spotting scenes from different eras. It suits families happy with an evening walk outdoors in the cold.
Once a year, the Multimedia Fountain at the Pergola beside Centennial Hall closes its season by playing its whole program back to back: water jets up to 40 meters high, colored lights, music from Wagner to pop, and films projected onto a screen of spray.
It is the largest fountain of its kind in Poland, set in Szczytnicki Park, and it suits any kid who stays happy outdoors after dark.
Wrocław's big winter market fills the Rynek, the old market square, and the streets around it with wooden stalls, lights and a giant Christmas tree. For kids, the pull is the Bajkowy Lasek (Fairy-Tale Forest) and a carousel shaped like a Christmas tree. Parents browse gifts and warm up at the food and drink huts.
More than a million people came last season, so expect crowds.
Wrocław switches on its Christmas tree in the Rynek, between the Old Town Hall and Plac Solny. The crowd counts down, then the 24-meter tree lights up with 120,000 LEDs and 3,000 silver and gold baubles. A parade of Santas and music fill the square around it.
It suits kids who enjoy a countdown; a toddler who hates crowds may do better on a quieter evening at the market.
Kraina Koni is a Christmas market built around the horses that live at the Partynice racetrack. Between wooden stalls of crafts, decorations and hot drinks, kids can ride ponies, tour the leisure stable to see how the horses are looked after, and ride a Ferris wheel over the lit-up grounds after dark.
There is also a family play zone, live music, and an open stage for young musicians.
From mid-October to mid-February, Wrocław's dark evenings fill with light. There's a glowing garden in a castle park, Christmas markets with carousels, and the Old Town square where the crowd counts down to the tree lighting. Most of it is outdoors after dark, so bring warm layers and a thermos. Here's what we checked, from Lumina Park at Topacz Castle to the tree on the Rynek.
Lumina Park is a winter light trail in the wooded grounds of Topacz Castle, just south of Wrocław. This season's theme is a journey through time: a 1.5 km forest path with more than 200 light installations, guided by a character called the Magical Courier of the Ages. Kids walk it after dark, spotting scenes from different eras. It suits families happy with an evening walk outdoors in the cold.
Once a year, the Multimedia Fountain at the Pergola beside Centennial Hall closes its season by playing its whole program back to back: water jets up to 40 meters high, colored lights, music from Wagner to pop, and films projected onto a screen of spray.
It is the largest fountain of its kind in Poland, set in Szczytnicki Park, and it suits any kid who stays happy outdoors after dark.
Wrocław's big winter market fills the Rynek, the old market square, and the streets around it with wooden stalls, lights and a giant Christmas tree. For kids, the pull is the Bajkowy Lasek (Fairy-Tale Forest) and a carousel shaped like a Christmas tree. Parents browse gifts and warm up at the food and drink huts.
More than a million people came last season, so expect crowds.
Wrocław switches on its Christmas tree in the Rynek, between the Old Town Hall and Plac Solny. The crowd counts down, then the 24-meter tree lights up with 120,000 LEDs and 3,000 silver and gold baubles. A parade of Santas and music fill the square around it.
It suits kids who enjoy a countdown; a toddler who hates crowds may do better on a quieter evening at the market.
Kraina Koni is a Christmas market built around the horses that live at the Partynice racetrack. Between wooden stalls of crafts, decorations and hot drinks, kids can ride ponies, tour the leisure stable to see how the horses are looked after, and ride a Ferris wheel over the lit-up grounds after dark.
There is also a family play zone, live music, and an open stage for young musicians.
