As Warsaw prepares to flick the switch on her Christmas lights, the Insider takes a retrospective look at the loudest, lairiest and utterly infantile illuminations to date. And boy, were they something…

Krakowskie Przedmiescie went for a fairytale Cinderella look that contrasted starkly to the Amsterdam lights of the strip club opposite.

Up in Old Town the Royal Castle found itself given a psychadelic overhaul entirely in keeping with the out-the-box spirit favored down town. 

But expectations of something crass and lurid up ahead didn’t materialize. 

Instead, visitors found a fairytale square that’s never looked better.

And while the traditional Grinch season market was missed, the ice rink and huts selling mulled wine proved a roaring hit…

Even our little mermaid got in on the festive spirit…

As did the local restaurants…

The magic extended to the side streets…

And through a corridor of light on Freta…

Before concluding with a bang with a talking bear in Rynek Nowego Miasto. Nasty! 

Back downtown, the Presidential Palace didn’t miss out…

While in Saska, a glow in the dark reindeer became the talk of the town…

For sheer utter pointlessness, then what about this mystery object on Pl. Three Crosses…

While our award for complete madness goes to the Labyrinth of Lights down in Wilanow – it’s actually open till mid-March, but c’mon, we couldn’t overlook it.

Till next time… Let the Christmas countdown begin.

(Words and Photos: Alex Webber)