The tradition of St. Dominic's Fair dates to 1260, and the Fair was held annually for several centuries, becoming an important feast for the city. The practice was interrupted only by World War II. The Fair returned in 1972. In 2021, the St. Dominic's Fair will observe its 761 anniversary and take place from Saturday, July 24th to Sunday, August 15th.
Today, the Fair's official opening is announced by a specially written bugle call, to which one note is added every year. Accordingly, the bugle-call "ages" together with the Fair. This year it will have 761 notes. In such a historical spectacle President of the City gives merchants the key to Gdansk's gates.
Over 20 days, the visitors have a chance to participate in accompanying events and activities. With more than 1,000 stalls, shopping is the main theme of this traditional street fair. It is one of the most significant and popular summer events in Gdansk. It is the largest open-air, commercial, and cultural affair in Poland and one of the largest in Europe. The streets are filled with musicians, mimes, and street artists, while shopkeepers present their often unusual, rare, and odd wares. Food stalls show off a grand display of produce and provision such as pastries, cheeses, sausages, spices, coffee, tea, preserves, and tinctures. Musical concerts, cultural happenings, art performances, and a tall ship rally accompany the main event and provide even more entrainment.
Read more:
St. Dominic's Fair official travel portal
