Whilst the Christmas market is the main event, Kraków has much more to offer over the festive period. Here’s a few of the highlights.
At a glance
November 29th – 1st January 2025 – Christmas Market – Rynek Główny
November 30th – 1st December – Christmas Fair of unique things – Rynek Podgórski
December 5th 10am – 12noon – Nativity scene display & parade – Rynek Główny
December 6th, 5pm – Christmas tree lights switch on & concert – Rynek Główny
December 2nd-15th – Christmas Fair – Plac Wolnica
December 6th 5:30-8pm (to be confirmed) Christmas Tram
December 7th 11am – Santas on SUP’s – Zakrzówek Park, ul. Wyłom 1
December 8th 11am – Santa motorbike ride – EXPO Kraków, ul. Galicyjska 9
December 4th-26th 10:30pm Live nativity scene and concert – Franciscan church
CHRISTMAS MARKET
The magic of Christmas returns to Rynek, from 29th November to 1st January 2025.
The Kraków Christmas market was recently ranked as the best Christmas market in Europe, assessed on various criteria such as; number of days, city accommodation costs, social media mentions and google searches. We feel this is somewhat generous.
CNN Travel also considered Kraków’s market “one of the best in the world”, including it in their article ‘The best Christmas markets taking place around the world in 2023’. The Times (UK), placed it on their list of the 24 best Christmas markets in Europe
Stalls will open on 29th November, with the official opening at 12 noon on 30th November. The market will run until New Years day 2025.
The market is officially open from 10am until 8pm, but stall owners come and go as they please and food stalls continue to serve until at least 10pm.
The Christmas market consists of 105 trading and catering stalls, with merchants from all over Poland and across Central Europe, taking part.
As always, food, Christmas and general arts, crafts, decorations and toys will be available from Polish and international sellers, including guests from Lithuania, Ukraine and Hungary, offering a variety of regional cured meats, bread, croissants, langurs and kurtosze together with Polish favourites, and of course gallons of hot mulled wine to warm the soul.
Expensive Kielbasa Alert!
Be warned traditional Polish food outlets price and sell food, Kielbasa etc, by weight. This catches out tourists and locals alike. The prices are usually exorbitant, certainly much higher that elsewhere (Kazimierz Grill, Plac Nowy etc). The other food stalls are fairly priced, as you would expect for an event on the Rynek.
Accompanying Events
A number of events and performances will accompany the market to keep you entertained as you shop or enjoy a kielbasa and mulled wine.
The full programme is available here. (PDF)
PODGÓRZE CHRISTMAS FAIR OF UNIQUE THINGS
Podgórze Christmas fair, or to give it’s full title – Christmas Fair of Unique Things! (Świąteczne Targi Rzeczy Wyjątkowych w Podgórze), is the cute little brother of the main Christmas Market on the square.
The fair takes place on 30th November- 1st December between 11am and 8pm on Rynek Podgórski.
The fair takes place in Rynek Podgórski with the stunning backdrop of St.Josephs church. Stalls offer a selection of more arts and craft type hand made Christmassy things, including stained glass, clay angels, natural jewellery, clothing, artwork, food, sweets and more, mostly from local residents.
There will also be food and drink, workshops for kids and adults, and a rare hundred-year-old Victorian carousel.
82nd NATIVITY SCENE CONTEST Thur 5th December 10am – 12noon
Kraków’s UNESCO listed world famous nativity scene parade and contest dates back to the 19th century. People of all ages from across Poland make elaborate nativity scenes or (Szopki) cribs which are displayed on the Adam Mickiewicz monument, then at 1200 they are paraded around the Main Square to the stage, then to Krzysztofory Palace where they are judged.
The winning nativity scenes are exhibited at the Krzysztofory museum from 9th December to 29th January 2025.
CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS SWITCH ON 6th December 5pm concert – 5.30pm switch on
Once again this year, Kraków’s Christmas tree, will be decorated with 26,000 colour changing lights and 1000 baubles decorated in the style of the Wawel tapestries. The energy saving tree lights consume less power than an electric kettle.
Brass band Pozytyvni.pl will perform at 5pm on a stage next to the tree, before the official switch on of the lights at 5.30pm
FB Event
PLAC WOLNICA CHRISTMAS MARKET 2nd – 15th December
The Christmas Market at Wolnica Square promotes local producers and artists and supports local businesses. You will find unique works, such as hand-decorated Christmas tree decorations, ceramics, jewellery and ecological wood products.
There will also be space to taste regional flavours and Christmas specialties. Fans of Polish cuisine will enjoy warm wine, bigos, pierogi, potato pancakes, red borscht and traditional cheeses reflecting the richness of local cuisine
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SANTA ON THE CHRISTMAS TRAM – 6th December 4.30pm to 8pm (to be confirmed)
The Santa tram will return to the tracks this year. Santa will be riding on the specially decorated tram, and we’ll give a small present to any children who board the tram.
last year the tram left Nowa Huta at 5.30pm, then headed into the city where it operated on the ring road around the old town until 8pm.
Full details have not yet been published, the MPK spokesperson announced:-
“We cannot provide the hours at this time. We are currently at the stage of developing the plan. We can confirm that the MPK Christmas tram will hit the streets of Krakow on Friday, December 6. We will definitely also prepare gifts for the youngest. The tram will run on linear routes so that residents of every district of Krakow can see it,”
SANTAS ON SUP’s. 7th December 11am, Zakrzówek
Santa Clauses on SUP boards will once again take over Krakow to collect funds to support children in need for the sixth time. This year’s edition will take place in a new, picturesque location – Zakrzówek Park (ul. Wyłom 1, next to the Water Sports Centre). This unique event brings together water sports enthusiasts who, together, help to make children’s dreams come true.
SANTAS MOTORBIKE PARADE 8th December 10:30am
On 8th December, hundreds of Santas on motorbikes will take part in the traditional MotoMikołaje parade from EXPO Kraków to deliver present to the children’s hospital. Keep an eye out for Rudolph the red nosed Ducati. 😉
You can join the campaign at the Expo Kraków hall where there will be a collection point for board games and puzzles, as well as a piggy bank, on Galicyjska Street.
LIVE NATIVITY SCENE & CONCERT 24th – 26th December, Franciscan Church
At 10.30pm on Christmas eve, the live animal nativity scene and concerts opens with a small ceremony and carol singing. Then, on 25th and 26th December concerts will be held on the stage from 1.30pm to 7pm.
GALERIA KRAKOWSKA ICE SKATING
Price list
Regular ticket – PLN 20 Regular ticket with skate rental – PLN 32
Opening hours
Monday to Saturday – from 9:00 to 21:30
Sunday from 10:00 to 21:30
There are also Ice Rinks at park Jordana, Tauron Arena and Nowa Huta cultural centre.
CHRISTMAS CAROL SING ALONG – Details not yet published for 2024
Adding to the Christmas atmosphere, a choir will perform the most popular Christmas carols, as well as a Ukrainian New Year’s song and a Spanish carol from the 15th century. The audience are encouraged to join in and sing along.
OTHER EVENTS
A long standing Kraków tradition continues, whereby many of the city churches will have elaborate nativity scenes.
If you have any news, events or other stories you think we should feature, please do get in touch.
A Scot in Kraków. The founder and editor of Kraków Expats Directory, and our sister sites Kraków TV and Kraków Stories Podcast.
David fell in love with Kraków 25 years ago, making it his home in 2011.
In 2020 he was awarded the title of Kraków’s Ambassador of Multiculturalism, by the President of Kraków, and is also a member of the GlobalScot network, representing Scottish culture and business abroad.
We’re always looking for interesting stories, events, characters or groups to feature. Likewise, if you’d like to join us, as a contributor, please get in touch.
