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Kraków Weather In December

Although the heart of winter, December is one of Kraków’s busiest months. Yes, it’s cold and the days are very short, but there is plenty of festive cheer to go around!

The huge illuminated Christmas tree in fron of St Mary’s Basilica on a snowy night in Rynek Główny, Kraków
Christmas tree in front of St Mary’s Basilica

In recent years, Kraków has increasingly become a Christmas and New Year destination for travellers looking for a break. As such, December is a busy month, with the excellent Christmas markets being particularly popular. It can be a romantic alternative to staying home for the festive period.

Temperatures drop to somewhere around freezing and it gets dark pretty early. There’s a chance of snow, so make sure you pack to stay warm. On the plus side, there’s relatively little rain at this time of year.

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December temperatures in Kraków:
  • Average high: 2°C / 36°F
  • Average low: -3°C / 27°F
Average December rainfall in Kraków:
  • 27 mm / 14 days
Average December daily sunshine in Kraków:
  • 1 hour

Kraków Festivals And Events In December

  • Szopki Krakowskie Nativity Scenes – You’ll find Kraków’s distinctive nativity scenes displayed around the city throughout December. Entrants to this annual competition first get to display their work 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. See Christmas in Kraków for more details.
  • Silent Film Festival – Every December, Kino Pod Baranami – a cute art cinema tucked into a palace on the main market square – organises a festival of silent films, accompanied by live music.
  • December 24 – Christmas Eve: Though not a public holiday, Christmas Eve (or Wigilia) is one of the most significant dates on the Polish calendar. Most shops and businesses will close around 2pm. This is a great time to visit – see our Christmas in Kraków guide for more details.
  • December 25 – First Day of Christmas: Although the main Christmas meal takes place on December 24 in Poland, the following two days are public holidays when banks, malls, and larger shops are shut. Many restaurants, bars, and convenience stores will open, however, and public transport will run on a reduced service. Museums and galleries will be shut on December 25.
  • December 26 – Second Day of Christmas: As with December 25, banks, malls, and larger shops will be closed today. But plenty of restaurants, bars, and convenience stores will be open, as well as most museums and galleries.
  • December 31 – New Year’s Eve: Sylwester is not an official public holiday, however most businesses and stores will close around 5pm. We also have a guide to New Year’s In Kraków.

Other Considerations

  • You will moving between the cold outdoor air and heated indoor areas. Dress in layers, so you can moderate your temperature depending on your location. Staying warm is especially important. See our full Kraków packing list for more advice on what to take.
  • As with Easter, this is a time to book early. Otherwise you may be find yourself priced out of flight and good accommodation. Start checking early in the year and keep your eye on where costs are headed.
  • Bring an appetite. The markets are great for Christmas shopping but the delicious smells of food will be the real treat. There’s nothing like a boozy hot drink and some hearty Polish cooking to drive away the cold!

Kraków Weather Month By Month

  • Kraków Climate – When Is Best To Go To Kraków?
  • Kraków Weather In January
  • Kraków Weather In February
  • Kraków Weather In March
  • Kraków Weather In April
  • Kraków Weather In May
  • Kraków Weather In June
  • Kraków Weather In July
  • Kraków Weather In August
  • Kraków Weather In September
  • Kraków Weather In October
  • Kraków Weather In November
  • Kraków Weather In December
 

Things To Do In Krakow

Start Planning Your Kraków Trip Now!

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:: World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world.

:: Get a KrakowCard 1-, 2- or 3-day pass that gives entry to almost 40 of the Kraków's fantastic attractions and unlimited use of the city's bus and tram network.

:: Need inspiration? Check our Kraków Itineraries for two-day, three-day, and four-day trips, as well as our Things To Do In Kraków guide for ideas of where to do and what to do.

Kraków Itineraries

  • First Time In Kraków
  • Things To Do In Kraków
  • Kraków Weekend Itinerary
  • Kraków Two Day Itinerary
  • Kraków Three Day Itinerary
  • Kraków Four Day Itinerary
  • Kraków Food Tours
  • Kraków Drink Tours
  • Kraków Walking Tours
  • Kraków Vistula River Cruises
  • Kraków Events Calendar

Kraków Museums

  • Rynek Underground Museum
  • Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory
  • Czartoryski Princes Museum

Kraków Day Trips

  • Day Trips from Kraków
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau – Kraków Day Trip
  • How To Get To Auschwitz-Birkenau From Kraków
  • Wieliczka Saltmines – Kraków Day Trip
  • How To Get To Wieliczka Saltmines From Kraków
  • Zakopane – Kraków Day Trip
  • How To Get To Zakopane From Kraków
  • Bukovina Thermal Baths – Kraków Day Trip
  • Katowice – Kraków Day Trip
  • How To Travel From Kraków To Katowice
  • UNESCO World Heritage Sites In Kraków

Kraków Hotels

  • Where To Stay In Kraków
  • Best New Kraków Hotels 2025
  • Recommended Kraków Hotels
  • Luxury Hotels In Kraków
  • Mid-Range Hotels In Kraków
  • Budget Hotels In Kraków
  • Romantic Hotels In Kraków
  • Best Boutique Hotels In Kraków
  • Family Hotels In Kraków
  • Business Hotels In Kraków
  • Chain Hotels In Kraków
  • Kraków Airport Hotels

Kraków Airport

  • Kraków Airport Guide
  • Getting From Kraków Airport To Kraków City Centre
  • Getting From Kraków City Centre To Kraków Airport
  • Kraków Airport Hotels

Kraków Essentials

  • Kraków Basics
  • Packing List For Kraków 2025
  • How Much Money Do I Need For Kraków?
  • Where To Get A SIM Card In Kraków
  • KrakowCard Museum and Travel Pass
  • Shopping In Kraków
  • Why You Need Travel Insurance For Poland
  • Guide To Staying Safe In Kraków
  • How To Deal With An Emergency In Kraków

Explore Kraków

  • How To Get To Kraków
  • Kraków Central Train Station
  • How To Travel From The UK To Kraków
  • Getting Around in Kraków
  • Kraków Food and Drink
  • Michelin Restaurants In Kraków 2024
  • Jewish Kraków
  • Galeria Krakowska
  • Kraków Climate – The Best Time To Go To Kraków
  • Polish Currency – a practical guide for your trip to Kraków
  • Kraków Piano Recitals
  • Kraków Public Holidays
  • Christmas In Kraków
  • Kraków Christmas Markets 2025
  • New Year’s In Kraków
  • Kraków Sports

Kraków Districts

  • Kraków Old Town Area Guide
  • Kazimierz Area Guide
  • Piasek Area Guide
  • Nowa Huta Area Guide

Kraków Maps

  • Kraków Map
  • Map Of Recommended Hotels In Kraków
  • Map Of Museums Included With the KrakowCard
  • Kraków Shopping Map
  • Kraków Nightlife Map
  • Zakopane Map

Beyond Kraków

  • Visit Zakopane – Poland’s Outdoor Activity Capital
  • Guide To Mt. Gubałówka – Zakopane
  • How To Travel From Kraków To Other Polish Cities
  • How To Travel From Kraków To Neighbouring Countries

Visit Warsaw

  • Visit Warsaw
  • Things To Do In Warsaw
  • How To Travel From Kraków To Warsaw

Visit Gdańsk

  • Visit Gdańsk
  • How To Travel From Kraków To Gdańsk

Visit Łódź

  • Visit Łódź
  • How To Travel From Kraków To Łódź

Kraków And COVID-19

  • Can I Travel To Poland? May 2025
  • Flights to Kraków May 2025
  • How To Help The People Of Ukraine And Poland

Krakow Essentials

  • Kraków Basics
  • Packing List For Kraków 2025
  • How Much Money Do I Need For Kraków?
  • Where To Get A SIM Card In Kraków
  • KrakowCard Museum and Travel Pass
  • Shopping In Kraków
  • Why You Need Travel Insurance For Poland
  • Guide To Staying Safe In Kraków
  • How To Deal With An Emergency In Kraków

Krakow Trip Planning

  • First Time In Kraków
  • Things To Do In Kraków
  • Kraków Weekend Itinerary
  • Kraków Two Day Itinerary
  • Kraków Three Day Itinerary
  • Kraków Four Day Itinerary
  • Kraków Food Tours
  • Kraków Drink Tours
  • Kraków Walking Tours
  • Kraków Vistula River Cruises
  • Kraków Events Calendar

Krakow Airport Guide

  • Kraków Airport Guide
  • Getting From Kraków Airport To Kraków City Centre
  • Getting From Kraków City Centre To Kraków Airport
  • Kraków Airport Hotels

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