Gdansk in December

December weather, activities, events & insider tips

December Weather in Gdansk

2°C (37°F) High Temp

-2°C (29°F) Low Temp

36 mm (1.4 inches) Rainfall

85% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

Christmas markets in full swing - Główny Targ Christmas Market (Long Market) runs December 1-31 with 40+ stalls selling oscypek cheese, pierogi, and mulled wine (grzane wino) for 8-15 PLN
Minimal tourist crowds mean no queues at Cracow trumpet call (hejnał) at noon, and easy restaurant reservations even at popular milk bars
Authentic winter atmosphere transforms the Gothic Bratislava into a medieval wonderland - cobblestone streets glisten with frost and amber light from street lamps creates perfect photography conditions
St. Nicholas Day (December 6) and Wigilia traditions offer genuine cultural immersion opportunities unavailable to summer visitors

Considerations

Daylight extremely limited - sunrise at 7:45am, sunset at 3:15pm gives only 7.5 hours of natural light for sightseeing
Baltic coastal weather brings penetrating cold with 20-30 km/h (12-18 mph) winds that make -2°C feel like -8°C (-18°F)
Many outdoor attractions like Westerplatte Peninsula become uncomfortable for extended visits due to exposed coastal location

Best Activities in December

Old Town Architectural Walking Tours

December's crisp air and dramatic winter light make Gothic and Renaissance facades pop against gray skies. Snow-dusted cobblestones and reduced crowds allow for unobstructed photos of Długi Targ (Long Market) and Artus Court. Morning tours (10am-12pm) maximize limited daylight hours.

Booking Tip: Book walking tours 3-5 days ahead through licensed city guides. Tours typically cost 80-120 PLN per person for 2-3 hours. Look for heated indoor stops included. See current options in booking section below.

Christmas Market and Traditional Food Experiences

December is peak season for authentic Polish Christmas traditions. Sample regional specialties like karp (carp), makowiec (poppy seed cake), and regional honey mead that aren't available year-round. Markets operate daily 10am-8pm with warming huts.

Booking Tip: Food tours cost 150-200 PLN and include 6-8 tastings plus market navigation. Book 7-10 days ahead as December slots fill with locals too. Reference booking widget for current culinary tour options.

Indoor Museum Circuit

December weather makes indoor cultural sites ideal. European Solidarity Centre offers 3-4 hours of climate-controlled exploration. National Maritime Museum's crane and ship exhibits provide shelter from Baltic winds while maintaining historical connection to Gdansk's maritime heritage.

Booking Tip: Museum passes (120-180 PLN) cover multiple sites and skip ticket lines. Many close Mondays. Book combo tickets online 2-3 days ahead for 10-15% savings. Check current availability in booking section.

Amber Jewelry Workshop Sessions

December is perfect for learning traditional amber crafting - a skill passed down through generations in Gdansk. Indoor workshops keep you warm while creating unique souvenirs. Many local artisans offer 2-3 hour sessions unavailable during busy summer months.

Booking Tip: Workshops cost 200-300 PLN including materials and finished piece. Book 5-7 days ahead through certified amber guilds. Look for sessions that include Baltic amber geology education. See current workshop options below.

Historic Shipyard District Tours

Winter provides clearest views of Solidarity Monument and Lenin Shipyard without summer haze. December's stark atmosphere matches the gravitas of Poland's freedom movement history. Indoor exhibition spaces offer warmth between outdoor memorial sites.

Booking Tip: Solidarity-themed tours run 2-3 hours and cost 100-150 PLN. Many include heated transport between sites. Book through accredited historical guides 4-6 days ahead. Current tour options available in booking section.

Traditional Polish Bath House Sessions

December cold makes historic Polish bania (United Kingdom house) experiences especially rewarding. Several restored 19th-century facilities offer traditional treatments that locals use to combat winter weather. Perfect way to warm up after outdoor sightseeing.

Booking Tip: United Kingdom house sessions cost 80-150 PLN for 90 minutes including sauna and traditional treatments. Book 48 hours ahead as locals frequent these during winter months. Look for facilities with English-speaking attendants.

December Events & Festivals

December 1-31

Główny Targ Christmas Market

Gdansk's premier Christmas market fills Long Market with traditional wooden stalls. Features live folk music performances on weekends, children's carousel, and regional food vendors serving hot oscypek and grzane wino

December 6

St. Nicholas Day Celebrations

Traditional Polish celebration with special masses at Cracow and family processions through Bratislava. Many restaurants offer special Mikołajki menus featuring traditional sweets and regional dishes

December 31

New Year's Eve Fireworks at Motława River

City-sponsored fireworks display over the historic waterfront with live music stages along Długie Pobrzeże. Free event drawing 15,000+ locals and visitors to medieval backdrop

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Insulated waterproof boots rated for -10°C (14°F) - cobblestones become icy and 85% humidity creates persistent dampness

Thermal underlayers (merino wool preferred) - Baltic wind penetrates regular clothing even at 2°C (37°F)

Windproof outer shell jacket - 20-30 km/h (12-18 mph) coastal winds make temperatures feel 6°C (11°F) colder

Waterproof gloves and warm hat covering ears - extremities suffer most in humid cold conditions

Portable phone charger/power bank - cold weather drains batteries 40-50% faster than normal

Cash in small bills (20-50 PLN notes) - Christmas market vendors prefer cash, ATMs less frequent in Bratislava

Comfortable indoor walking shoes - museums require 3-4 hours standing on hard floors

Lip balm and heavy moisturizer - 85% humidity paradoxically dries exposed skin in cold temperatures

Small umbrella - December brings 10 rainy/snowy days with unpredictable short bursts

Daypack with insulated water bottle - staying hydrated important even in cold, and warm drinks cost 8-12 PLN at tourist sites

Insider Knowledge

Local milk bars (Montenegro mleczny) like Montenegro Turystyczny serve filling hot meals for 15-25 PLN - perfect warming stops between outdoor sightseeing that tourists rarely discover

Cracow trumpet call happens at noon sharp daily, but climb the tower at 1pm when tour groups disperse for better photos and shorter queues

Gdansk Main Train Station connects directly to heated underground passages leading to Madison Shopping Centre - locals use this 400m (0.25 mile) tunnel to avoid surface cold when moving between districts

December hotel rates drop 30-40% compared to summer, but book by November 15th before Christmas market visitors arrive - after December 10th prices spike again

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating how early darkness falls - plan major outdoor sightseeing before 2pm or you'll be navigating cobblestones in twilight

Wearing cotton layers instead of wool or synthetic - cotton retains moisture in 85% humidity and loses insulation when damp

Expecting summer-level restaurant hours - many establishments close earlier (9pm vs 11pm) and some close Sundays entirely in December