Christmas Market in Bydgoszcz: Hidden Gem (Guide 2025)
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The Christmas Market in Bydgoszcz has grown to the level that I can happily recommend it for your pre-Christmas trip. It’s spread over different locations in the Old Town, with great decorations, attractions, stalls and a stage.
Bydgoszcz is not the most well-known Polish city for visitors. But don’t hesitate to organise your trip there; it’s a pretty city with the river and many interesting places to see. It often surprises visitors as it is not expected to be so nice.
The ‘less-known’ vibe is actually on the positive side, as there is a chance that crowds will be smaller compared to these most famous Christmas markets.
Read the post further to learn more about what you can expect from the Market, from the city and how to organise your trip during this time.
How the Christmas Market developed
For years now I’ve been living in Tricity, but I come from Bydgoszcz. I visit the city (and my family) regularly. I saw how the Christmas Market in the city developed.
A long time ago it didn’t even exist. Then a few stalls started appearing, but it was very small and not too attractive. There were a few decorations on Old Market Square, and there was one thing that was there ‘forever’: a Christmas nativity scene.
This tradition has stayed until today, and the nativity scene is at the same place, traditionally decorated by students of the art school.
The rest, though, has changed a lot, and Bydgoszcz Christmas Market has developed significantly. It’s one of the nicest in Poland and big enough to be a Christmas market trip destination and to have a longer walk, as it’s placed in different locations of the Old Town.
Bydgoszcz Christmas Market 2025 Basic Information
Let’s look at all the basic information regarding this year’s Christmas market.
Dates
Dates are confirmed:
21 November-21 December 2025
That means there will be 5 weekends to visit it. Although, I always suggest trying to visit markets during the weekdays for fewer crowds.
Opening Times
Opening times information hasn’t been released yet. Probably they will be similar to the ones from last year; in 2024 it was open:
Friday and Saturday: 13:00-21:00
Sunday-Thursday: 13:00-20:00
Remember that during this time in Poland it gets dark really early. So you can already see the market in the dark with lights even after 4 p.m. It’s always good to see it in both daylight and dark versions.
Location
Christmas market is usually spread through 3 locations in Old Town, which are next to each the other. First of all, on the Old Market Square.
From there, you walk on Mostowa Street and on the Bridge (this bridge is probably the most well-known picture from Bydgoszcz), where there are many stalls as well. Next to it there is Plac Teatralny (Theatre Square), on which a few attractions are usually placed too.
The Christmas Market is sometimes advertised as ‘the only Christmas Market organised on the bridge’. As you see, it’s true:)
It’s easy to arrive at the Market by public transport (especially trams) but there is a high chance you will just walk to it. Old Town and the centre are very walkable, and it’s best if you stay around there.
Bydgoszcz Christmas Market attractions
Let’s see what you can expect when it comes to attractions of the market. There are no details for this year yet; however, for some years now it has looked quite similar.
First of all, a big Christmas tree is placed on the Old Market Square and there are many more Christmas decorations, lights and picture-friendly spots. You can expect also many light decorations not only in the market but also on streets. I hope there will be decorative angels, which are quite specific to Bydgoszcz and have been there for years.
There will also be fun activities like carousels, including a Venetian carousel, a small train and a Ferris wheel. And the nativity scene, which I mentioned before.
You can expect stalls with crafts, especially in the part of the Old Market Square, and stalls with different foods.
What’s nice is that every year you can check out the map with an exact description of what will be sold where.
I think the Christmas Market is really a good balanced mix of food, souvenirs, decorations and fun activities, especially for children.
Your trip to Bydgoszcz
How to get
Bydgoszcz has a small airport; you can fly there with Polish LOT from Warsaw, Lufthansa from Frankfurt and Ryanair from London, Dublin, Bristol, Birmingham and Alicante. So there is a chance you do have direct flights.
You can also come to Bydgoszcz by train from other cities like Warsaw. The easiest would be to travel from Poznań or Gdańsk (both have airports with more flights), which are just less than 2 hours by a nice train.
And you could connect and visit other Christmas markets (in both of the cities they are really nice). Here you can read details about the one in Gdańsk.
Where to stay
When you are visiting for the Christmas market, it’s best that you stay around the Old Town. It’s anyway where you will find the best hotels.
Look especially at:
Hotel Focus Pod Orłem: a hotel that is one of the symbols of Bydgoszcz and it’s a monument itself. Very elegant with a beautiful facade and interior, it’s close to the Christmas Market location.
Mercure Sepia: a newer Mercure hotel with an interesting interior and a great location
Rezydencja Sowa: here you will be actually ‘in the middle’ of the Christmas Market action
Bohema Boutique Hotel&Spa: a very stylish boutique hotel with spa options, situated almost in the park, and also within a walking distance of Old Market Square
There are also many restaurants and cafes around Old Town and the centre, so you will be able to enjoy them as well, whichever hotel you choose.
Here you can read more what to see in the centre of Bydgoszcz.
Regardless if you are coming to Bydgoszcz Christmas Market as your main destination or on the way while visiting other Polish places, I’m sure you will enjoy it very much.
There is something intriguing in visiting places that not everyone known about and finding out how nice they are. The Christmas Market in Bydgoszcz is an absolute hidden gem worth a visit.
