Poznań's Christmas season gets underway tomorrow, Saturday 14th November, as the first Christmas market of the year opens at Międzynarodowe Targi Poznańskie (MTP). The opening evening will bring festive lights, live music, fairground attractions and seasonal food to the city, marking the start of several weeks of Christmas events across Poznań.
The celebrations begin at 17:00 with the ceremonial lighting of the Christmas tree. Live music will follow, with local band Ocupados taking to the stage for an evening of Latin-inspired rhythms.
The entertainment continues on Sunday, 15th November, when Poznań singer, songwriter and composer Roxana Tutaj performs at 17:00. She is known to Polish television audiences for appearances on talent shows including Must Be The Music and Idol.
Alongside the music, visitors can expect familiar fairground attractions, including the Ferris wheel, Booster, Autodrom and Mirror Cube. Food stalls will offer a selection of sweet treats and savoury specialities, adding to the traditional Christmas market atmosphere.
More Christmas markets to follow in November
The MTP opening is just the beginning of Poznań's festive calendar. The next major event will be the official opening of Betlejem Poznańskie (Poznań Bethlehem) at Plac Wolności on Friday, 20th November, at 18:00.
The Christmas market will subsequently open at Stary Rynek on Saturday, 21st November. Further programme details for the city-centre celebrations are expected to be announced at a later date.
December will also bring the 20th edition of the Poznań Ice Festival to Stary Rynek, continuing one of the city's established winter traditions.
Wielka Fabryka Elfów returns to MTP
The festive programme at MTP gets an early start with the return of Wielka Fabryka Elfów (The Great Elf Factory), which opens today, 13th November, in Pavilion 2 (Hall 3A).
Running until 21st December, the interactive attraction invites children into a Christmas-themed adventure in which they work alongside elf guides to solve puzzles and help find Santa's missing sleigh.
The approximately two-hour experience is designed primarily for children aged three to ten, although participants of all ages are welcome. Along the way, visitors take part in creative, physical and problem-solving activities, with teamwork playing an important part in the adventure.
Additional Christmas craft workshops are also available, where children can create their own festive decorations. These include Christmas tree candles, elf-themed stained-glass decorations and magical baubles. Workshops are charged separately.
With the MTP market opening this weekend and Betlejem Poznańskie following next week, Poznań's Christmas season is officially getting underway. The coming weeks will see the city's squares and exhibition grounds take on their familiar festive atmosphere, with more events and programme announcements still to come.
