St. Dominic's Fair

Overview

The Dominican Fair (Jarmark św. Dominika) is one of the oldest and largest open-air fairs in Europe, held annually for three weeks in late July and August. Established in 1260, the fair transforms Gdańsk's streets into a vast marketplace with over 1,000 stalls selling amber, antiques, crafts, art, and food from across Poland and beyond.

Highlights

• Scale: Over 1,000 vendors stretching across the Main Town's streets and squares.
• Amber Stalls: The largest concentration of Baltic amber vendors anywhere.
• Night Market: The fair continues into the evening with live music and street performances.

History

Granted as a market privilege by Pope Alexander IV in 1260 to the Dominican monastery, the fair has run almost continuously for over 760 years, making it one of Europe's oldest commercial events.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: The fair typically runs from late July to mid-August — check exact dates each year.
• Tip 2: Best visited on weekday mornings to avoid the largest crowds.
• Duration: 1–2 hours.