Why are Easter markets in Greater Poland more than just shopping? Discover a journey to the heart of tradition

A real journey begins in the mind, and the closest trips are often the most revealing. When winter lets up and the smell of wet earth is in the air, and the long-awaited spring is awakening all around, the Easter markets in the Wielkopolska Province become the perfect excuse to leave the house.

When wondering where to go for an Easter market in Wielkopolska, it is important to remember that it is, above all, a wonderful escape from phone screens and the pre-holiday rush of large supermarkets.

Instead of running between shelves full of plastic, we can immerse ourselves in crafts, talk to the creators and feel the roughness of wicker under our fingers. A stroll among wooden stalls, with a cup of hot sour soup in your hand, is a celebration of the moment. I watch smiling people, listen to the dialect and see the Easter traditions of Greater Poland come to life, which we forget about in our fast-paced everyday world.

I invite you to discover places where time slows down for a moment and the true heart of Christmas preparations beats.

Where and when are the Easter fairs in Greater Poland? [2026 event calendar]

The most important outdoor events are concentrated around the weekends preceding the holidays, especially on the special day of Palm Sunday, which falls on 29 March in 2026. The following list will help you plan your spring trips by creating a coherent calendar of events and indicating the dates of Easter fairs in Greater Poland for the coming years. Although we still fondly remember the successful Wielkopolska 2024 Easter fair, we are already looking forward to seeing what surprises the Wielkopolska 2025 Easter fairs and those planned for the coming seasons will bring.

Location	Venue	Estimated/Confirmed date in 2026
Poznań	Plac Wolności	Date unconfirmed; in recent years, the fair has been cancelled or shortened to a few days on the weekend before Palm Sunday.
Szreniawa	National Museum of Agriculture	28-29 March (Saturday-Sunday on Palm Weekend)
Dziekanowice (Lednica)	Wielkopolska Ethnographic Park	22 March (Sunday before Palm Sunday)
Gniezno	Main Market Square	No regular Easter market; smaller, one-day fairs are sometimes organised.
Leszno	Town Square	Probably 21-22 March (the weekend before Palm Sunday)
Kalisz	Main Market Square	No information about the organisation of a regular Easter market

Where and when is the largest Easter market in Poznań held?

In recent years, the Christmas market in the capital of Greater Poland has been held at Plac Wolności. The Easter market in Poznań used to be a major event, but its form has become somewhat uncertain – last year it was even cancelled altogether. If it takes place soon, it is likely to be a short, weekend event just before Easter.

It is a central meeting point for the residents of Poznań. The smell of roasted meat mixes with the aroma of mulled wine, which still tastes delicious on cooler March evenings. I often drop by there aimlessly, just to sit on a bench in the heart of Poznań, soaking up the atmosphere and leaving my phone deep in my pocket.

When does the Easter fair take place at the open-air museum in Lednica (Museum of the First Piasts)?

The event at the Wielkopolska Ethnographic Park in Dziekanowice, a branch of the Museum of the First Piasts in Lednica, is traditionally organised on the Sunday before Palm Sunday. It is a one-day event with a unique historical atmosphere.

The open-air museum truly comes to life. Dozens of craftsmen set up their stalls between the old cottages. The cobblestones underfoot, the creaking windmills in the background and the absence of city noise make this my favourite place for a reflective walk. You feel as if you have gone back in time a hundred years.

What attractions has the Museum of Agriculture in Szreniawa prepared for this year’s Easter fair?

Every year, the National Museum of Agriculture in Szreniawa organises a craft and culinary fair combined with demonstrations of dying professions. The eagerly awaited Easter fair at the Museum of Agriculture in Szreniawa usually takes place on Palm Sunday weekend. The place is famous for its bread baked in traditional ovens, the aroma of which spreads throughout the area.

The programme is always bursting at the seams, and Szreniawa treats every Easter fair with great commitment. Here you will see demonstrations of blacksmithing, basket weaving and tissue paper decoration making.

You can enter the old manor buildings, see an exhibition of steam engines, and admire the work of potters outside. It is a treasure trove of unusual scenes, ideal for slow sightseeing without nervously glancing at your watch.

Is there an Easter market in the market square in Gniezno?

Unlike its popular winter counterpart, Gniezno does not have a tradition of a regular, several-day spring fair. Rather, smaller fairs are organised here, on a scale incomparable to the events in the provincial capital.

Wielkopolska celebrates such an Easter folk fair in a very intimate way, which I personally consider a big plus. Local producers display their preserves, honey and cold cuts. I have always enjoyed sitting on the edge of the fountain in Gniezno’s market square, eating a piece of fresh poppy seed cake and watching families with small children taking their time.

When is the Easter fair in Leszno?

Traditionally, Leszno and its charming market square are filled with stalls, usually on the weekend before Palm Sunday. The event often starts on Friday afternoon and lasts until Sunday, attracting walkers from all over the area.

The locals focus on community integration. This is often accompanied by performances by preschoolers and local choirs, which gives the whole event a very neighbourly, friendly character. It is worth stopping by for a few hours to feel the joyful atmosphere of the coming spring.

Is there also an Easter market in one of the oldest cities in Poland, Kalisz?

Although Kalisz boasts the oldest records in Poland, it does not have a strong tradition of regular, extensive Easter fairs in the Main Market Square. It is a pity, because the historic surroundings of the town hall create a phenomenal, truly cinematic backdrop for such events.

Apart from occasional food and craft stalls, the city focuses more on workshops for residents. I had the opportunity to observe how master craftswomen patiently taught children how to decorate eggshells using the wax technique. It is a fantastic, creative return to the deepest roots.

When do the first spring fairs begin and do they take place on Palm Sunday?

The first preparations begin in mid-March, but the peak of the events falls on the aforementioned pre-holiday weekend. This is when the biggest events take place in open-air museums and smaller towns, allowing you to taste real Polish culture.

If you are wondering when to plan your trip to visit the best Easter fairs in Greater Poland, this particular time offers the widest choice. All the exhibitors are present, and the tables are laden with wonderful goods that will soon add variety to many a home Easter basket.

What is worth buying at the fair? Wielkopolska handicrafts and Christmas decorations

Discovering the talents of local craftsmen is, for me, the absolute essence of these events. Wielkopolska proudly promotes authentic, intricately crafted Easter handicrafts. You won’t find mass-produced items here, which is a luxury in itself these days, and such handicrafts make us appreciate human labour.

What unique handicrafts can you buy at the Wielkopolska fairs?

The stalls are dominated by carefully carved wooden products, hand-embroidered tablecloths, bobbin lace and dried flower arrangements. The hit products are turned walnut bowls, which look great with fruit in them. The beautiful Christmas decorations that can be found there will warm up any interior.

• Intricate Easter eggs decorated using the batik method (with wax) and openwork eggshells are a priceless element of Polish folk tradition.
• Tablecloths and napkins with snutka embroidery (known as snutka golińska), which is a classic tradition in the south of the region.
• Toys made of raw wood, carved with a chisel by craftsmen of the older generation.
• Hand-cast candles made of pure, wonderfully scented beeswax.

Each of these items has a hidden soul and the history of the hands that created it. By buying them, we gain unique details that will last for many years.

Where in Greater Poland can I buy traditional Easter palms made by folk artists?

The most beautiful Easter palms, created in accordance with the art, can be easily purchased at stands in the open-air museums in Szreniawa and Lednica. You will not see dyed, brightly coloured imported grasses there. Regional compositions are based on willow twigs, boxwood and dried herbs.

Sometimes, outdoor workshops on making Easter palms are organised, and Wielkopolska then welcomes enthusiasts to the stalls, where local folk artists show them how to arrange the plants properly. This process requires time and patience, but it teaches respect for the material.

Can you buy products made of Nowy Tomyśl wicker at fairs in the region?

Of course. The field of applied art, which is excellent wickerwork, and Nowy Tomyśl itself, which is famous for this craft throughout Europe, are strongly represented. The basket weavers from this region are true virtuosos and regulars at local fairs.

They offer not only classic Easter baskets, but also incredibly durable wood baskets, trays, garden furniture and Easter bunnies. The smell of freshly cut, moist twigs is one of the most characteristic and relaxing aromas of early spring.

Where to buy handmade decorations for the Easter table and artistic ceramics?

The widest selection of this type of assortment is offered by the capital of the region and stalls in the open-air museum in Dziekanowice. It is worth looking for local workshops where unique, kiln-fired ceramics delight with their natural forms.

There you can buy clay moulds for baking babkas, hand-glazed bowls and decorative chickens and hares. Once, a foreign friend of mine bought a carved wooden and ceramic lamp in the shape of a duck at such a stall and asked me with a smile, “welke plug heb ik nodig” (what plug do I need?), completely forgetting in his excitement that we have the same electrical sockets in Europe. These are solid items with minor imperfections, which only confirm that they were made by human hands.

Can I buy a ready-made Easter basket or elements for its decoration at the fair?

Definitely yes, and without the slightest problem. Beautiful wooden stalls offer literally everything, from neat weaving to essential, sophisticated details.

You will find handmade lace napkins, small lambs made of bread dough or wax, as well as fresh, natural boxwood. Putting together such a set of painstakingly crafted elements is a pure pleasure that will remain in your memory for a long time.

What to try? Regional products and traditional flavours of Easter in Greater Poland

Culinary journeys are an extremely important part of exploring the world around me. The local Easter table is very filling and largely based on the distinctive aromas of smoked meats, marjoram and garlic.

Can you taste traditional Wielkopolska sour rye soup at Easter markets?

Thick Wielkopolska sour rye soup, necessarily leavened with strong rye flour and cooked with lots of spices and meat, is an absolute must. I always buy at least a small bowl of this delicious soup.

It is incredibly thick and smells of smoke from the fire, which tastes absolutely amazing in the fresh air. Such a fair of regional products from Greater Poland is a great place to get to know outstanding regional products. Eating traditional soup at a wooden barrel serving as a table is an experience that no exclusive restaurant can replicate.

Which exhibitors offer certified Wielkopolska steamed white sausage?

Always look for small stands of local butchers and small butcheries from the region, associated in guilds. Only certified white steamed sausage from Wielkopolska manufacturers has a precisely selected composition and that unique, distinct smell of fresh garlic and marjoram rubbed in the hands.

Many outdoor events feature experienced butchers who sell their specialities straight from steaming cauldrons. Such a hot snack on a walk on a cooler day is worth the sin.

What types of traditional Easter cakes, such as mazurkas and babkas, are sold at fairs?

The sweet corner is undoubtedly the kingdom of the housewives from the Rural Housewives’ Clubs. These ladies are amazing guardians of taste, where you will find baked goods made strictly according to century-old, closely guarded recipes.

Among the sweets, mazurkas and Easter cakes made with excellent shortcrust or yeast dough definitely dominate. Interestingly, old recipes from this region are now travelling around the world – I once saw a food enthusiast fascinated by our tradition trying to recreate a sand cake on an Asian culinary forum, frantically asking other users 400gram berapa ons, trying to correctly convert the weight of Polish flour into his own measurements.

Are there free food tastings at the fairs?

Yes, the opportunity to try a delicacy before making a final purchase decision is a beautiful, unwritten rule at many stalls. The hosts are genuinely proud of the results of their hard work, which is why they are happy to organise spontaneous tastings and treat passers-by.

You can taste smoke-dried hams, various types of honey straight from the apiary, and smiling housewives will cut you a slice of delicious cake. Each bite is accompanied by a fascinating behind-the-scenes story about how the delicacy was created.

How to spend time at the fair? The best attractions and traditions for the whole family

By taking your loved ones to these magical places, you are giving them something that is most precious in today’s world: your undivided time and a great adventure together, away from the sofa at home.

Which Easter fair in Greater Poland is best for families with children?

The agricultural museum in Szreniawa remains the clear favourite when it comes to engaging Easter attractions for children in Greater Poland. It is a beautiful, very spacious area where the youngest can run freely in the bosom of nature.

The rich infrastructure and multitude of craft demonstrations make this place the most popular choice for families with children. Watching a skilled blacksmith striking red-hot iron with verve will mesmerise every little explorer, giving parents a moment of respite.

What attractions with the Easter Bunny have been prepared for children?

A famous tradition in Greater Poland is the exciting search for a nest hidden in the garden, which is traditionally left by the Easter Bunny, beloved by children. This joyful custom is often recreated in a very creative way during organised events.

Spacious open-air museums often designate safe zones where chocolate treats are carefully hidden among the fragrant hay. The sight of excited children combing through the bushes in search of such treasures is simply pure, contagious joy.

Are there any Easter egg painting workshops organised at fairs in Greater Poland?

An open tent, where egg decorating classes are held, is a fixed point in the schedule of events in almost every ethnographic museum. Experienced instructors introduce participants to the secrets of old dyeing techniques.

Younger and older generations learn together how to scratch fancy patterns on Easter eggs or dye them in onion skins. I recommend sitting there in concentration for at least fifteen minutes to completely calm your thoughts and immerse yourself in artistic work, forgetting about the whole world.

At which Easter fairs can you see a pen with live animals?

Adorable, live farm animals are definitely the domain of events organised in Szreniawa and Dziekanowice. In rural areas, there are large, well-kept farms that you can safely visit with your children.

For many city dwellers, this is often the only opportunity of the year to pet a lamb up close or watch cheerful goats. Such direct contact with rural fauna is a great way to teach children gentleness and respect for living creatures.

What folk band performances and concerts accompany the fairs in Greater Poland?

The musical setting of such events draws heavily on its roots, and the folk groups and experienced choirs invited to perform sing wonderful old folk spring melodies. With a bit of luck, you will see artists dressed in the stunning traditional costumes of the Poznań Bambers.

When the soothing sounds of old violins, accordions and small drums echo between the stalls, it makes you want to live. Such unexpected concerts on the cobblestones remind us emphatically that the market square has been the most important centre of social life for a given community for centuries.

Who are the local folk artists presenting their work at the fairs?

These extraordinary people are not ordinary, random traders with imported goods in cardboard boxes. They are real sculptors who have spent decades in their workshops smelling of wood shavings, or outstanding embroiderers focused on detail.

Thanks to their unwavering passion, Easter traditions in Greater Poland are still alive and well. A conversation with each exhibitor is usually a beautiful, multi-layered story about their personal calling. When we ask them how long it took to make a small masterpiece, we quickly realise how much patience true dedication to art requires.

How to plan your visit? Practical advice and answers to logistical questions

Smart, home logistics can effectively help you avoid stressful surprises on site. I have prepared a few valuable tips for your trip, which I have tested myself.

What are the opening hours of Easter markets in Greater Poland?

Colourful events in the market squares of large cities usually last the longest, and their standard opening hours often stretch from early morning, from 10:00, until the evening. They have a lot of incredible charm just after sunset.

On the other hand, rural and museum areas close their gates relatively early, usually around 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. The real key to success and finding craft gems at the stalls is to arrive early in the morning, before the crowds show up.

Is there an admission fee for Easter fairs in Greater Poland?

When strolling through the bustling markets located in the historic centres of the agglomeration, you do not incur any costs – admission is always 100% free and open from all sides.

The logistical situation is slightly different in the case of closed historical sites. If you want to experience the atmosphere there, you usually have to buy standard admission tickets to the museum area. The cost is not excessive, and for the same reasonable price, you can visit all the permanent exhibitions under one roof, which is a great educational bonus.

Where is the best place to park your car when going to the fair in Szreniawa or Poznań?

Drivers know very well that convenient parking during large, mass events requires iron angelic patience, but clever planning eliminates the hassle. The table below should dispel any doubts for the two busiest locations.

Location	Where to park?	What to watch out for?
Poznań (Plac Wolności / Rynek)	Underground car park under Plac Wolności, Parking Za Bramką, Paid Parking Zone	Underground car parks are paid 24/7. In the Downtown Paid Parking Zone, fees also apply on Saturdays (until 8:00 p.m.), and only parking on Sundays is free.
Szreniawa (Agricultural Museum)	Designated parking areas around the museum, organised by the fire brigade and the municipality.	The spaces are mostly grass/compacted earth. In case of spring rains, it gets very muddy. Bring appropriate footwear!

How to get to the fair in Szreniawa from Poznań by train (PKP) or public transport?

Convenient access provided by the urban agglomeration, local public transport and PKP trains heading to Szreniawa near Poznań is, in my opinion, the best alternative to crowded car parks, saving our frayed nerves.

Regular local rail buses depart directly from the Main Station towards the charming town of Wolsztyn. This comfortable journey takes less than twenty minutes, and you get off literally a few dozen metres from the large, impressive entrance gate to the museum itself.

Are Easter fairs held indoors or outdoors, and how should one prepare for the weather?

The vast majority of the incredible hustle and bustle and traditional trade takes place outside. Wooden huts with charming roofs provide a great, natural backdrop for such an outdoor event.

We all know how unstable and changeable the weather can be in March in our climate. Sometimes the sun smiles cheerfully from a cloudless sky, and the next moment we are pierced by an unpleasantly icy gust of wind from the north. Smart, layered clothing and sturdy, durable shoes are essential, without which it is better not to go out into the field.

Easter fairs in Greater Poland – my summary and invitation to experience spring

When I return tired from such a spring celebration with the extremely soothing smell of wood smoke on my favourite jacket, a fresh catkin branch in my hand and a jar of homemade horseradish at the bottom of my rucksack, I simply feel that my head has been incredibly rested from all worries.

We don’t have to go on an expensive trip to the proverbial other end of the world to finally experience something profound and painfully authentic. A leisurely Saturday stroll among the craftsmen in a small town is a fantastic way to clear your mind. Admiring the wonderful, demanding work of other people’s hands effectively teaches great humility towards the relentless passage of time, which we are constantly lacking in our daily pursuit of success.

Pack your smiling family into the car, prepare a scarf and a warm hat just in case, and most importantly, turn off those annoying notifications on your screens and simply soak up the life awakening around you. If the stories I have described have awakened in you a desire to rediscover your neighbourhood without rushing, be sure to let me know in your post or comment below.

I look forward to hearing your stories! Where exactly will your curiosity take you this season?