Nikiszowiec Christmas Market (Jarmark na Nikiszu)

Jarmark na Nikiszu is a December craft market on Plac Wyzwolenia in Nikiszowiec, a historic mining estate in Katowice. It has been held since 2008 on the first weekend after Barbórka, the miners' feast of St Barbara, and draws on that tradition. The stalls stand between red-brick workers' tenements and St Anne's Church, and the setting matters as much as what is on the counters.

What the market is like

It is organised by the Fabryka Inicjatyw Lokalnych association together with the City of Katowice. In 2024 the market lasted three days – from Friday 14:00 to Sunday 20:00 – and brought together 180 exhibitors, 125 of them showing handicrafts; all were selected by the organisers, and some were taking part for the first time. The food area was set up on the corner of Nałkowskiej Street and Plac Wyzwolenia. The programme included concerts on the steps of St Anne's Church, children's shows and an organ concert inside the church. A Viennese carousel traditionally turns, and visitors can pick up the free newspaper "Magiel. Niecodziennik Nikiszowiecki".

Nikiszowiec as a backdrop

Nikiszowiec is a so-called patronage estate, built by a coal mine for its workers. There are about 200 such estates in Upper Silesia, but this one stands out for its layout, its ambition and its almost entirely preserved original form. It was designed by Emil and Georg Zillmann of Charlottenburg, who also created nearby Giszowiec, and was built in 1908–1919, when Giszowiec had run out of housing for miners. The former laundry and mangle house now holds a branch of the Museum of Katowice History with the exhibition "U nos w doma na Nikiszu" on residents' everyday life.

Did you know?

The market is one of several Nikiszowiec celebrations. On Barbórka the Wieczorek Mine Brass Band marches through the estate at dawn, and in summer, on the last Sunday of July, the church patron's feast is accompanied by the secular "Odpust u Babci Anny" (Grandma Anne's Fair), also run by Fabryka Inicjatyw Lokalnych.

Tripto tips

The exact dates and programme are announced each year before Barbórka, so check the organiser's announcements. In 2024 free bus lines ran during the market: S1 from the underground bus station at Katowice railway station to the Janów Zamkowa Skwer stop, and S2 from the car park at the cemetery on Murckowska Street and from the Zawodzie interchange. Before dusk it is easier to explore the estate's courtyards, while after dark the market looks its best. Allow 2–3 hours and dress warmly, as the market is held outdoors on the cobbled square.