The Great Christmas Illumination

Central Warsaw will transform into a winter wonderland this weekend with the "Great Illumination". Every year, downtown Warsaw, particularly the Old Town, Krakowksie Przedmiescie and Nowy Swiat streets, are decorated with bright white decorations for the winter season. The lights are switched on during a special ceremony on the first weekend of December.

This year, the Great Illumination will be accompanied by a free concert on Plac Zamkowy in the Old Town featuring performances by Polish stars including K.A.S.A., Urszula, Patrycja Markowska, Andrzej Piasek Piaseczny, as well as the Sienna Gospel Choir. Along with performing their hits, traditional Christmas carols will also be sung.

The decorations, along with the huge Christmas tree (27 metres tall), will be illuminated at 4pm on Saturday 4 December 2010 and will remain alight through January 2011.