Christmas In Kraków

With its historic Old Town, huge festive market in the main square, and horse-drawn carriages, Kraków was tailor-made for Christmas. And it doesn’t disappoint, putting on a fantastic show that rivals other European cities at this time of year. Here is our guide to getting the most out of Christmas in Kraków.

Christmas tree in front of St Mary’s Basilica

Along with Easter, Christmas is the most important festival of the Polish calendar, and a time of deep religious significance. Kraków is a must-see at any time of year but, as a Christmas destination, the city is up there with the best European cities. The short days and cold nights are the perfect excuse to warm up with mulled wine and indulge in some hearty Polish food, which you can find in abundance at the cosy Christmas market. With its castle skyline and beautiful cobbled streets, the Old Town becomes a living Christmas card, especially with a sprinkling of snow. And, unlike in many countries, Poland does not shut down over Christmas, so it makes a great escape from sitting at home in front of the TV.

Christmas In Kraków

More than 90% of Polish people self-identify as Catholic, so it’s no surprise that the birth of Christ is welcomed as a time of great joy. Christ’s Mass is taken as seriously in Kraków as it is in the rest of the country, and with it come all the traditional trappings of the season, including Christmas trees and lights, nativity scenes, and carols. But, for Poles, these symbols have a deep spiritual significance that is easily lost in more secular countries.

The whole city gets involved, with illuminations, decorations, and a huge tree in the main square. It looks stunning at night. In the traditional nativity contest, known as Szopki, local artisans create elaborate miniatures of historical Kraków buildings to illustrate scenes from the birth of Jesus. These inventive works of art are on display in shop windows.

There is music and carol singing around the Old Town and, just away from the Christmas market on Rynek Główny, there’s usually a stage with live performances throughout the season. You can take a coach and horse ride around the square for that full Cinderella treatment.

From the end of November, an ice rink is set up on the square adjacent to the main train station and Galeria Krakowska shopping mall.

Polish people celebrate Christmas on December 24, so shops and services tend to close for the day from 2pm. It’s a beautiful time to wander through the Old Town and enjoy the peace. However, the city centre will be buzzing again on Christmas Day – with even public transport up and running, so you can enjoy all the other usual Kraków attractions. The castle complex on Wawel Hill takes on a special magic with a sprinkling of snow.

Nativity model in the Ethnographic Museum

Things to Do at Christmas in Kraków

Kraków engages in a number of festive activities in addition to the Christmas markets (see below). The Old Town and Kazimerz markets both have a stage with Christmas-related performances throughout December, whilst the Galeria Krakowska site has a small ice rink.

One of Kraków’s most charming traditions are the so-called szopki krakowskie nativity scenes, which you’ll find displayed around the city throughout December. Rather than the humdrum crib and manger of most nativities, these are brightly coloured models based on the style of Kraków’s churches and cathedrals. They have a fascinating history, which you can learn more about at the Ethnographic Museum in Kazimierz.

The entrants to this annual competition first get to display their szopka around the Adam Mickiewicz monument at 10am on the first Thursday in December, before moving to an exhibition in the nearby Krzysztofory Palace for the rest of the season. The winners are added to a permanent collection held by the Kraków Museum.

New Year is one of the biggest dates on Kraków’s social calendar. There’s a huge choice of bars and clubs, as well as grand costume balls, and a free event in the main square. See our New Year’s In Kraków page for more details.

Finally, there’s a small cinema on Rynek Główny that runs an annual silent film festival. See our Events in Kraków page for details on this and other things to do.

The main Christmas market

Kraków Christmas Markets

When it comes to Christmas markets, Kraków is an old master. There is reckoned to have been a festive market on the main square since the early 14th century.

There are three main markets. The biggest is on the main Rynek Główny market square, with smaller affairs on plac Wolnica in Kazimerz and outside the Galeria Krakowska shopping mall. All are free to enter and offer a fantastic range of festive gifts and crafts for sale, as well as hearty food and mulled drinks. In addition to pierogi dumplings and traditional Polish soups, there are kiosks selling skewers of meat and delicious grilled sheep cheese. Vodkas, liqueurs, and spirits really take the edge off a winter’s night. For pudding, there are waffles, gingerbread biscuits, and Eastern European pastries.

Sweet treats

The markets are generally open throughout December until Boxing Day (December 26), although there is often an extension into early January. The markets are 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.

See our dedicated Kraków Christmas Markets pages for more information.

Christmas shopping in the Cloth Hall

Christmas Shopping In Kraków

Kraków is a great place for shopping at any time of the year and the Old Town is riddled with shops full of imaginative gifts. Poland is famous for its honey-coloured amber, but you can also find excellent handmade chocolates, arty Polish film posters, and vodka in a dizzying array of flavours. See the section on shopping in our four-day Kraków itinerary for suggestions.

Although Kraków shops tend to close from 2pm on Christmas Eve (December 24), many reopen on Boxing Day (December 26).

If things get nippy on the outside, Kraków’s indoor mall Galeria Krakowska has has everything you could want from a more modern shopping experience, including fashion and the latest tech, and is just next to the main train station, barely 10 minutes away from the Old Town.

Restauracja Tradycyja

Christmas Food And Drink In Kraków

If you’re ever celebrated Christmas with a Pole, you’ll know that Wigilia – the meal on Christmas Eve – is a real experience, loaded with spiritual significance. Amongst other customs, an empty place is set at the table and 12 different dishes are served over the course of the meal, which are largely vegetarian. Celebrations are supposed to start after the first star has been spotted in the night sky.

If you can find a restaurant serving food on December 24, you may be lucky enough to be included in this tradition. Pod Baranem Restauracja, close to the castle, and Pod Aniołami, on Ul. Grodzka, are both worth trying.

However, you should be prepared for many establishments to be shut and make sure you plan ahead for where you will eat. Lots of restaurants and bars open again on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Check out our Kraków Food And Drink page, if you’re new to the local cuisine, and our recommendations for restaurants in Kraków. A food tour is a great way to learn your way around a Polish menu.

Kraków Christmas illuminations

Where To Stay For Christmas In Kraków

Through Kraków is a reasonably-priced city, with accommodation to suit every budget, the costs will rise around Christmas. Our list of Kraków hotels is broken down into every price bracket, and our Where To Stay In Kraków guide describes each of the city’s main districts with hotel recommendations for each.

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Destination

Check-in date

Wed 19 Mar 2025

Check-out date

Thu 20 Mar 2025

There are many fantastic romantic hotels in Kraków. For a truly memorable Christmas vacation, we recommend the following:

• Hotel Copernicus: Gorgeous 5-star rooms and a unique rooftop view of the castle – view on Booking.com
• Hotel Wentzl: Plush rooms and possibly the best location in Kraków, directly on the main square – view on Booking.com
• Hotel Polski Pod Bialym Orlem: Tucked just inside St Florian’s Gate, Polski Pod Bialym Orlem’s atmospheric decoration is highly recommended – view on Booking.com
• The Bonerowski Palace: Befitting its name, The Bonerowski Palace is a regal establishment overlooking the main square – view on Booking.com
• Hotel Stary: A luxury boutique hotel in the Old Town, Stary has a lot of class and character – view on Booking.com

Snowy Pijarska

Christmas Weather In Kraków

It’s possible you’ll see some snow if you visit Kraków in December. With a night time temperature of -4°C, it’s certainly cold enough. But it’s equally likely you’ll get rain instead.

Either way, you should wrap up warm, with gloves, hat, and scarf, and make sure your boots and outer garments are waterproof. Our packing guide to Kraków has plenty of tips for what to take for a winter trip.

Visit our New Year’s In Kraków page for details on year-end festivities in the city.