Christmas Market

Step back in time with Warsaw's traditional Christmas Market, back again this year at the Market Square of the Old Town. As usual there will be plenty of rustic food and folk crafts on sale as well as several special performances by groups from the Polish region of Kadzidlo, Lithuania, and Slovakia. A guaranteed fun time for kids and adults alike. For more info, stop by our news section.

when - 27th November - 23th December
where - Market Square, Old Town
more info - click here

Watch Docs Film Festival

This important festival was instigated in 2001 by the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights in Poland with the aim of promoting the rights of the individual through the showing of documentary films submitted to the selection committee by filmmakers from around the world. Screenings are set to place at the Contemporary Arts Centre in the Ujazdowski Castle. Stop by the festival's website (click "more info" below) for a full schedule for this year.

when - 4th - 13th December
where - Centre for Contemporary Art, Al. Ujazdowskie 6
more info - click here

The Nutcracker for Kids

Children 3 years of age and up are invited to this pair of special performances of E.T.A. Hoffmann's The Nutcracker, with music from the ballet by Tchaikovsky. Actresses Alina Wieckiewicz and Maria Reif will tell the Christmas story of young Clara and her magical nutcracker with the help of a unique set of 18th century marionettes. This might just be the perfect way to spend a Sunday morning with the kids. Basic knowledge of the Polish language is recommended. Starts at 11am.

when - 6th and 13th December
where - Royal Theatre at Wilanow Palace Museum, ul. Stanislawa Kostki Potockiego 10/16
more info - click here

Beethoven's Violin Sonatas

German violinist Isabelle Faust will be joined by pianist Alexander Melinkov in this three day marathon of Ludwig van Beethoven's violin sonatas. This won't be three days of identical programmes however - each day Faust and Melinkov will perform three to four different sonatas totalling in 10 different sonata performances over three days. Performances start at 7pm with tickets ranging from 25 to 65 zloty depending on seat location and any student/senior discounts.

when - 7-9th December
where - Warsaw Philharmonic, ul. Jasna 5
more info - click here

Concert: Gogol Bordello

Gogol Bordello is one of the most original musical acts to have emerged in the last few years, mashing together a array of genres to create what they call "gypsy punk". Led by frontman Eugene Hutz, this New York-based group is filled with men and women from all parts of the globe, but particularly Eastern Europe lending the group's rock and punk sound a bit of bohemian flair. The Sounds and Matt & Kim are supporting. Tickets from 85 to 95 zloty.

when - 8th December
where - Stodola, ul. Batorego 10
more info - click here

Exhibition: Bruce Nauman - No/Nie

The Contemporary Arts Centre is plowing into the new year with this big-name exhibition, sure to get even casual arts lovers into the museum's gorgeous castle locale. The exhibition in question is American contemporary artist Bruce Nauman's "No/Nie". The exhibition will feature several of Nauman's installations borrowed from the Astrup Fearnley Museum in Oslo and the Tate in London including the famous video installation entitled "Mapping the Studio II (Fat Chance John Cage)" from 2001.

when - 14th December - 31st January 2010
where - Centre for Contemporary Art, Al. Ujazdowskie 6
more info - click here

Ballet: The Nutcracker

No holiday season is complete without the Nutcracker ballet and the memorable tunes of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. This fairy tale, written by E.T.A. Hoffmann, follows the Christmas adventures of little Clara whose eccentric uncle presents her with a magical nutcracker. When the nutcracker transforms into a prince, the pair dance from adventure to adventure meeting plenty of special characters along the way (such as the Sugar Plum Fairy). A performance suitable for the whole family.

when - 17, 19, 22, 23, 27 December
where - Opera Club, Plac Teatralny 1
more info - click here

Concert: Handel's Messiah

The Warsaw Chamber Opera's Second George Frideric Handel Festival culminates at the end of this month with a performance of the epic Messiah oratorio with the Period Instruments Ensemble. The musical tale, popular during religious holidays such as Easter and Christmas, tells the story of the life of Jesus. The oratorio is filled with well-known melodies, but surely none can take the spotlight away from the famous rousing Hallelujah chorus. Starts at 7pm.

when - 19th December
where - Great Ballroom, Royal Castle, Plac Zamkowy
more info - click here

New Year's Eve in Warsaw

If you’re in Warsaw on the 31st December whatever you do don’t stay in! Just about every bar and restaurant in the city has their own party, although for some of the more popular venues you’d best grab a ticket in advance. One of the biggest bashes this year will take place inside the Palace of Culture where the BBC Big Band will be joined by Polish vocalists Edyta Górniak and Monika Dryl to perform the best in jazz and big band music from the 1930s until today. Two performances are scheduled - one at 7pm and one at 10:30pm, with the latter a little more pricey as it includes a break to welcome the New Year with drinks and food. If you’d rather experience a countdown to midnight with thousands of people and fireworks, the best place to be is the Plac Konstytucji, where there’s plenty in the way of live entertainment, all leading up to the final seconds of 2009 and a spectacular pyrotechnics show to greet 2010. Specific acts were not yet announced at our time of press, but all you need to know is the theme of this year's performances - Michael Jackson.

when - 31st December
where - throughout Warsaw
more info - click here