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18th Kazimierz Christmas Fair

Sat

Dec 6

The XVIII Kazimierski Jarmark Świąteczny (18th Kazimierz Christmas Fair) will take place in Kazimierz Dolny on the second weekend of December 2025, specifically 6–7 December 2025. It is organized by the Kazimierski Ośrodek Kultury, Promocji i Turystyki (KOKPiT) in cooperation with the Urząd Miasta w Kazimierzu Dolnym. The historic Market Square (Rynek) of Kazimierz Dolny is transformed into a festive hub of lights, stalls, and seasonal activities.

Dates & Location

When: 6 December 2025 (Saturday) and 7 December 2025 (Sunday)
Where: Rynek (Market Square), Kazimierz Dolny
Organizers: Kazimierski Ośrodek Kultury, Promocji i Turystyki & Urząd Miasta w Kazimierzu Dolnym

Overview & Atmosphere
Kazimierz Dolny is renowned for its well-preserved Renaissance architecture and artistic heritage. Each December, the Market Square is transformed into a “winter wonderland,” featuring wooden chalets draped in fairy lights, traditional decorations, and evergreen garlands. The fair recreates the feel of an old-world Christmas market, inviting both locals and visitors to stroll among stalls offering handcrafted goods, regional delicacies, and holiday trinkets.

Stalls & Offerings

Handicrafts & Decorations: Artisans from around the Lublin region showcase handmade ornaments, wreaths, wooden toys, and embroidered textiles. Many items reflect local folk motifs—e.g., wycinanki (paper cutouts) and hand-carved nativity scenes.
Regional Food & Delicacies: Tuck into traditional Lublin-area specialties such as pierniki (gingerbread), sernik (cheesecake), and various dried fruit compotes. Look for natural preserves, honey from the Roztocze region, and smoked cheeses. Numerous stands also serve grilled kabanos sausages, oscypek cheese (smoked sheep cheese), and mushroom-based dishes reflecting Poland’s woodland foraging heritage.
Beverages: Hot mulled wine (grzaniec) spiced with cinnamon and cloves, along with local herbal teas and hot chocolate, are available to warm visitors as they wander the chilly square. Some stalls also offer Polish meads (miód pitny) and fruit-based brandies (nalewki).

Program Highlights
Although the definitive program will be posted closer to the event on kokpit.com.pl, past editions and regional guides suggest that the fair typically includes:

Opening Ceremony & Ribbon-Cutting: A festive inauguration often features the mayor and KOKPiT representatives, accompanied by carolers or a brass ensemble.
Visit from Saint Nicholas (Święty Mikołaj): In keeping with Polish tradition, “Mikołaj” arrives by sleigh to deliver small gifts to children, pose for photos, and distribute sweets.
Artistic Performances: Local school choirs, folk dance ensembles, and bands perform Christmas carols and regional folk tunes on a temporary stage set up at the Rynek. Typical lineups include children’s choirs from Kazimierz Dolny and surrounding villages, as well as traditional ensembles showcasing regional dances.
Ethnographic Workshops: Hands-on activities such as ornament-making (papierowe gwiazdy, wycinanki), candle dipping, and small-scale carpentry or pottery demonstrations. These workshops are often led by craftsmen from the Kazimierskie Towarzystwo Historyczne (Kazimierz Historical Society) and are designed to introduce participants to old-world Polish Christmas customs.
Film Screenings & Lectures: Afternoon screenings of the animated film “Kazimierz Dolny – Królewska Opowieść” at KOKPiT’s cinema room (ul. Lubelska 12). Short lectures on local Christmas traditions, led by folklorists from the Regional Museum, sometimes take place in the Municipal Library (ul. Lubelska 32/34).
Competitions & Prizes: The “Najładniejsze Stoisko” (Most Beautiful Stall) competition encourages vendors to adorn their booths with elaborate decorations; winners receive commemorative certificates and a small monetary award. Children’s drawing contests (“Moja Kartka Świąteczna”) are often organized by local schools, with prizes distributed during a closing ceremony.

Visitor Information

Admission: Free to the public. While all performances, workshops, and screenings are generally free, some specialty workshops (e.g., pottery or advanced crafting) may require a small participation fee (∼10–15 PLN) to cover materials.
Hours: Typically 10:00–18:00 on both days. On Saturday, the opening ceremony begins at 10:00, with Saint Nicholas’s visit scheduled around 12:30. Sunday’s program mirrors Saturday’s schedule, concluding with a communal carol-singing event around 17:00. Confirm exact times on KOKPiT’s website once the full schedule is published.
Accommodation & Transport: Kazimierz Dolny is approximately a 30-minute drive from Puławy and a one-hour drive from Lublin. Regular buses run from Lublin’s Regional Bus Station (Dworzec PKS) to Kazimierz Dolny; additional chartered shuttles often operate specifically for the Christmas Fair. Many visitors opt to stay in town-center pensjonaty (guesthouses) or small boutique hotels—book early, as rooms fill quickly over that weekend.
Parking: Limited street parking is available around the Market Square; free parking lots are located near ul. Lubelska. During fair days, expect road closures around the Rynek.

For Exhibitors & Vendors
KOKPiT invites local artisans, rural-area Housewives’ Associations (Koła Gospodyń Wiejskich), and small producers to apply by late October 2025. Application details (form, regulations, fees) will be available under “Aktualności” on kokpit.com.pl by September 2025. Typical requirements include:

Completed vendor application form (downloadable PDF).
Proof of artisanal or rural-producer registration (if marketing food/beverages).
Stall fee (∼100 PLN for a standard 3 × 3 m wooden chalet, plus electricity surcharge).
Compliance with Polish sanitary-inspection (Sanepid) standards for any food products.
After submitting the signed application by the deadline (usually end of October), vendors receive a confirmation email and further instructions regarding booth setup (scheduled on 5 December 2025, from 14:00 to 18:00).

Highlights to Look Forward To

Santa’s Grotto & Storytelling Corner: Youngsters can meet Santa Claus in a small wooden chalet set up behind the Town Hall, where he reads Christmas stories and gives out small gifts (candy canes, gingerbread).
Nativity Scene Exhibit: A life-size, hand-carved crèche is displayed near the Church of St. John the Baptist, depicting the Nativity with local interpretive elements—an annual highlight.
Local Choir Marathon: On Sunday afternoon (∼15:00–17:00), multiple choirs gather in the Town Square for a marathon singing session, performing both traditional carols and modern Christmas songs.
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides: For a nominal fee (∼20 PLN/person), visitors can take a short carriage tour around the Old Town, led by local horse breeders.

Additional Tips

Dress Warmly: Early December nights in Kazimierz Dolny can drop to near 0 °C. Layered clothing, gloves, and scarves are recommended.
Photography & Souvenirs: The Baroque facades and cobblestone streets are especially picturesque under festive lights. Official event photographers often sell prints and digital files on Sunday.

Nearby Attractions

Kazimierski Park Krajobrazowy: For winter hikes along the Vistula River gorges.
Ruins of Castle Góra Trzech Krzyży: Offering panoramic views of the town—accessible via a short uphill walk (approx. 20 minutes).
Local Galleries: Many art galleries remain open during the fair, showcasing local painters and sculptors; look for the “Galeria Artystyczna” on ul. Rynek 12.

For the most up-to-date program and any late changes (e.g., inclement-weather rescheduling), consult:

KOKPiT’s Official Website: https://kokpit.com.pl
Kazimierz Dolny Town Hall: https://www.kazimierz-dolny.pl
KOKPiT Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/kokpitkazimierz