Colliers International has examined the selection of Christmas markets in selected Polish and European cities. Experts have visited several Christmas markets, comparing the range of products offered, the number of stalls and the price to lease them, as well as the most interesting attractions waiting for the visitors. The collected data was published in a report entitled "Christmas markets".
According to Colliers International, the largest Christmas markets organised in Central and Eastern Europe are located in Berlin, Prague, Dresden, Budapest and Riga. In Poland, they take place in Wrocław, Gdańsk, Kraków, Łódź, Poznań and Warsaw.
Typical products offered there are: food products, regional dishes, cured meat, baked goods and lots of sweets, as well as Christmas decorations and all kinds of handicrafts. Moreover, cultural and entertainment events add to the festivities as well as other seasonal attractions such as nativity scenes, children’s theatres, ice rinks, carousels and the chance to meet Santa Claus.
In Poland, Christmas markets are visited by 8.5 million people each year, who spend a total of PLN400m (€93.4m). Customers at Christmas markets are mainly tourists and local residents who take advantage of additional attractions such as the Winter Village in the National Stadium (Warsaw), the Fairy-tale Forest for children (Wrocław), the Christmas Light Show (Gdańsk) and carols and nativity scenes (Kraków). Christmas markets are also a good occasion to organise charity campaigns, such as the parade of Santa Clauses on motorbikes organised in Łódź.
Christmas markets are usually organised in the centre of a city. One exception is Warsaw where the events take place on the right-bank of the city, near the National Stadium. In most major cities, apart from the main market there are also smaller fairs, Christmas markets and seasonal bazaars. For example in Warsaw – there is the Christmas Fair in the Old Town (Barbakan), a Christmas market on Wilson Square and a fish market on Powstańców Warszawy Square.
Christmas markets in major Polish cities last for approximately one month. They usually begin at the end of November or at the beginning of December and finish during the first days of January. This year, the longest market is in Wrocław (38 days) and the shortest one is in Łódź (18 days).
Among the markets visited, the largest one are in Wrocław with its 150 stalls and Gdańsk (approximately 80 stalls). The smallest one this year (about 35 stalls) is in Warsaw.
Stall rental prices vary, ranging between PLN 150 and 350 daily. They vary due to the attractiveness of the market for potential tenants, which depends on factors including the marketing and advertising of the event. In this respect, the Christmas markets in Wrocław and Gdańsk are in first position. They are promoting themselves intensively – all necessary information is available in both the local media and online as well. Both markets feature a wide range of attractions and additional events.
European Christmas markets are becoming increasingly popular among Polish tourists. Due to easy access to Berlin by train, fairs in Germany are the most popular but those in Budapest and Prague are also often visited. Many travel agencies organise trips to Christmas markets for those who are interested.
