What’s On in Krakow in August 2026: Events, Festivals & Things to Do
We all hate missing the great events which take place throughout the year in Kraków, so here’s the August edition of our monthly guides to events and what’s on across the city this month.
At a glance
Sat 1st August – Warsaw Uprising “Powstanie Warszawskie” Commemoration
Sat 1st August – Historic Tram
Sat 1st – Sun 2nd August – Ironman 70.3
Sun 2nd August – Kayak National Kraków – Kolna
Fri 21st – 30th August – Festival Smaku & Tradycji
We’re starting with this weekend’s events, the article will be updated with any other events which we discover.
Warsaw Uprising “Powstanie Warszawskie” Commemoration
Saturday 1st August 5pm
Krakow remembers the Warsaw Uprising. Mass, Remembrance Appeal and Patriotic Tram
This year we celebrate the 82nd anniversary of the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising and the „Burza” (“Storm”) campaign.
Today, Saturday, 1st August at 5 p.m. at “W hour”, sirens will sound throughout Poland, including Krakow. (A crowd usually gather on the main square). Across Poland, city’s & towns come to a halt as cars, buses and people stop to remember.
I took this video a few years ago
Kraków Remembers the Warsaw Uprising
Also at ‘W’ hour, 5pm, the Muzeum Armii Krajowej – MAK – Home Army Museum invites you to a concert of songs from the Warsaw Uprising performed by the highlander band “Dziewięćsił” from Czarna Góra near Bukowina Tatrzańska. The band, which consists of about a hundred people – children, youth and adults, will perform the most famous songs from the uprising.
Each participant of the concert will receive a commemorative pin with the symbol of Fighting Poland. Admission is free.
5pm St. Mary’s Basilica on main square people will commemorate the anniversary of the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising with a minutes silence, after which they will go to the church , where mass will be celebrated. In previous years, an army band and uniformed services marched fromt he square to Plac Majteki, following the mass. (as shown in the video)
At 6.30pm, celebrations with the participation of the Polish Army will begin in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Matejki Square.
Read More – Krakow.pl
Read More – ipn.gov.pl
Historic Tram
Saturday 1st August
6pm-11pm
Tram Route 61
The Kraków Museum Line (Krakowska Linia Muzealna) is a series of events, with vintage, historic trams and buses operating on weekends over the Summer.
On Saturday 1st August, the historic tram will operate between 6pm and 11pm, on tram route 61 – “Salwator” – Kościuszki – Zwierzyniecka – Franciszkańska – Westerplatte – Lubicz – Rakowicka – “Rakowicki Cemetery”.
Read More – Krakowska Linia Muzealna
The prestigious Ironman contest, takes place in and around Kraków this weekend. Thousands of athletes from across the world will descend on Kraków for the competition and associated events. The main competition starts at Zakrzówek, with the finishing line on Rynek. Plac Szczepanski will be a hub for the organisers with presentations, talks and an Ironman shop.
There will be major disruptions in the city, and between Kraków and Bochnia, as well as restrictions on access to Zakrzówek. Between 5am ad 12 noon the piers, pontoons and swimming. basins will be closed. There may also be some restrictions on Saturday as the area is prepared for the competition on Sunday.
The full schedule is linked to below, the key events will be;
Saturday 1st August – 9.30pm – An Ironman drone show will take place over the river by Wawel Castle.
Sunday 2nd August – 1130am – Estimated winner finishing time.
Sunday 2nd August – 5.25pm – Estimated last runners finishing time.
Ironman 70.3 Schedule
Road & Travel changes & difficulties for Ironman 70.3
Kayak National Kraków 2026 (Kajakowy Narodowy Kraków)
Sunday 2nd August
11am-5pm
Kolna
Kayak National Kraków, is a a unique sports and recreational event featuring Olympic silver medalist Klaudia Zwolińska. The event will be open and free to all residents of Krakow, the Małopolska region, and tourists visiting the city.
National Kajakowy Kraków 2026 is a family-friendly water sports event aimed at promoting an active lifestyle and introducing residents to kayaking – both Olympic and recreational. Participants will have the opportunity to try their hand at kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, watch sports demonstrations, enjoy activity zones, and meet one of the biggest stars of Polish sport.
Festival of Flavour and Tradition in Kraków (Festival Smaku & Tradycji)
Friday 22nd- 30th August
10am-10pm
Mały Rynek
The Festival of Flavour and Tradition in Kraków is a unique celebration of flavours, folklore and regional traditions!
From 21st to 30th August, Kraków’s Small Market Square (Mały Rynek) will be filled with the aromas of regional delicacies, handicrafts, cuisines from around the world and colourful folklore, including a pierogi festival, a real bread festival, performances by a highlander band, free workshops and activities for the whole family.
Read More – Programme of events
Facebook Event
Events & What’s On resources
We are currently developing a guide to help you to find out what’s on in Kraków, which we will publish and link to here.
You’re welcome to like, follow and subscribe to Kraków Expats Directory and Kraków TV.
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 in 1999, 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.
