Christmas Craft Fair on Rynok Square, Lviv

The Christmas fair is one of Lviv's best-loved winter traditions. Before the war, wooden stalls filled Svobody Avenue and Rynok Square and the fair ran for over a month. After the full-scale invasion began, the city went without it for several seasons, and in winter 2025/26 the fair returned — for the first time since 2022, but in a restrained, intimate format. That is exactly what makes it interesting for travellers looking for craft: it is no longer about mass festivities but about buying directly from the people who make things.

The 2025/26 fair

According to Lviv City Council, the fair ran from 22 December 2025 to 4 January 2026, daily from 11:00 to 22:00. Only 20 wooden stalls were set up on the north side of Rynok Square by the Town Hall — far fewer than before the war. The key selection rule: only producers or authors of goods may sell, with no middlemen. Participants included farmers, craftspeople, local brands and veteran-owned businesses. The city stressed that the fair is not about mass celebration but about supporting small businesses — for some participants the winter fair is almost their only chance to earn during the season.

What to taste and buy

• Craft cheeses from small dairies and farms;
• homemade pampushky (doughnuts) and other festive pastries;
• hot drinks, including mulled wine;
• handmade goods — Christmas decorations, toys, textiles, embroidered items and gifts by local makers.

The range depends on each year's participants, so check the city's announcements closer to the opening for the list of stalls.

A fair that supports the army

Part of the money raised at the fair goes to the Defence Forces of Ukraine. Stalls display QR codes for donations, and some sellers raise funds for specific military needs such as drones or electronic-warfare systems. So when you buy a piece of cheese or a doughnut, you support both a local producer and the front line.

Atmosphere and tips

The city's Christmas nativity scene is traditionally set up on Rynok Square next to the fair, and carol singers and vertep (nativity play) groups walk the old-town streets, so a visit to the stalls fits easily into Lviv's Christmas programme. The fair is busiest in the evening after 17:00 and on Christmas and New Year; come during the day if you want a quiet chat with the makers. Carry a card and some cash, as payment options vary. During an air-raid alert trading may pause — follow instructions and head to the nearest shelter.

A little history

Before the full-scale war, the Christmas fair was a true symbol of winter Lviv: it ran from mid-December to mid-January, accompanied by an International Christmas Festival, an ice-sculpture contest and children's workshops. Today's format is much more modest, but it has gained something that was missing before — a clear "makers only" rule. The fair has become a showcase of Lviv craft rather than just festive scenery.

Practical information

Location: Rynok Square, north side of the Town Hall, Lviv (2025/26 season; the location may change). When: every year from late December to early January; dates and format for the next season are announced by Lviv City Council (city-adm.lviv.ua) and local media. Hours: in 2025/26, daily 11:00–22:00. Entry is free.

Getting there: Rynok Square is the centre of old Lviv, a 5-minute walk from Svobody Avenue; trams run from the railway station to the city centre. If you drive, leave the car in a paid car park outside the pedestrian zone — the centre gets very busy during the holidays.

At a glance

• Address: Lviv
• Opening hours: 2025/26 season: daily 11:00–22:00
• Season: Seasonal, late December to early January (2025/26: 22 December 2025 – 4 January 2026); next season's dates are announced by Lviv City Council
• Prices: Free entry

Website and social media: city-adm.lviv.ua

Photos: media.dyvys.info; i.ytimg.com.