Krakow Christmas Market is one of the highlights of winter in the region. Krakow stands as one of Poland’s oldest trading hubs, with over 1000 years of written history. The prominence of the old market even predated the country itself.
Every December, Main Market Square in Krakow hosts one of the most iconic Christmas markets in Europe – if you want to travel on a budget or mix up your usual winter routine, a stay in Krakow around Christmas is a wonderful choice!
As local travel and transport experts, we’re dedicated to helping you have the best winter adventure in the City of Kings. Here’s how you can reach the Krakow Old Town and enjoy the Christmas market in Krakow to the fullest.
Dates for the Krakow Christmas market in 2024
This year, Krakow will host its famous Christmas Market (Jarmark Bożonarodzeniowy) between November 29th 2024 and January 1st 2025.
Best times to visit for a festive experience
There is no wrong time to visit the Christmas market, but depending on what you want to get from this experience, we can give you a few pointers:
- If you want to avoid crowds, try to make your trip before Christmas break, in the first 2 weeks of the market.
- If you want to go on a Christmas city break, most engaging activities are usually focused around late December.
- Stalls are open between 10:00 and 20:00 with some of them staying up until 22:00 on some days. Cloth Hall usually closes down by 18:00.
- If you want to see the lights, they’re best enjoyed after dark – 17:00 onwards. It’s also the best time to show up if you just want to do some sightseeing.
- If you want a change of pace, you can visit the smaller markets. Outside the Galeria Krakowska shopping mall, a smaller market pops up every year. You can also find a small ice rink next to it. If you need to warm yourself up, you can always walk inside, which is always nice. You should check it out at least once during your stay.
- Alternatively, Plac Wolnica in Kazimierz district is also going to have a Christmas market that’s way more quaint and relaxed than the main market.
Overview of the Krakow Christmas Market 2024
Over the last few years, the structure of the Christmas Market in Krakow changed very little – except of the events, of course. If you’re the type of person to plan out every little detail of your trip, here we have a list of all the stalls that will be waiting for you. That way you can know right off the bat which stalls you’re looking forward to most, and minimise your time in the queues.
Popular food and drink options at the market
Food at the Christmas market is very hearty and substantial, so you should come hungry! Whether you like grilled skewers, soups or sweets, this place becomes the hotspot for Polish winter comfort food.
Here’s a shortlist of what you can get at the food stalls:
- smoked cheese (oscypek) – with jam, honey, or wrapped in ham
- pierogi – with meat, cheese, mushrooms, cabbage and fruit
- grilled meat skewers
- soups (mushroom, tomato, cabbage, pumpkin and more)
- alcohol (mostly mulled wine or beer)
Expect to pay round 10 PLN for soup or up to 40 PLN for a more hearty meal. Mulled wine will run you around 25 PLN.
Must-see decorations and attractions
Every city does something special with its environment for the Christmas season and Krakow is no different. The decorations at the main Christmas market are sparkly and wonderful. The city makes sure to switch them up a little every year or so.
You’ll find the main Christmas tree next to St. Mary’s Basilica, with many more sprinkled around the Old Town. Since it’s right at the spot where traditional, white Krakow horse carriages park, it’s a good place to take some photos.
If you’re looking for something more exciting than Christmas shopping, you’ll also find out that there are events, contests and concerts almost every day of the festival.
For those interested in the event, we put a complete list later in this article.
Traditional Polish crafts and souvenirs
If you love handmade, traditional wooden toys and trinkets, you should definetely visit Krakow this time of year. Most people talk about the food, but the market on the main square will host multiple souvenir stalls as well. There you’ll find a plethora of beautiful souvenirs that you can’t find in the Cloth Hall most of the year. There’s even a stall selling genuine Christmas trees to the locals.
Plan your visit to Krakow for the Christmas Market
Where to stay in Krakow for the winter
If you want to stay in Kraków for Christmas or New Year’s Eve, the best thing to do is to look for a hotel, aparthotel or Airbnb in central Krakow. Thay way you’ll always be close to the best Christmas markets in Krakow, as well as the New Year’s celebration at the Vistula riverside. The most popular hotel apps in Poland are Booking.com,
Getting to Krakow Old Town from your hotel or the airport
Whether you wish to stay for a few days, or just hop in and out of the city for a day, you’re going to have to find a way to move around the greater Krakow area. Here’s every option you should consider:
Taxis (Bolt or Uber)
For non-Polish speaking tourists, going with rideshare apps is much preffered over traditional taxis – unless there’s one waiting right next to you. Most of the traffic on Uber or Bolt is split between a few service providers anyway. Prices will vary depending on traffic, current demand and proximity to your place of accomodation.
Public transport
There’s a train running periodically between Krakow Airport and Krakow Main Train Station – the SKA2 line. Follow the line to an overpass leading straight to the platform. There you can find ticket terminals. A one way ticket will run you around 17 PLN.
Alternatively, you can take one of the MPK buses from a terminal in front of the main entrance. That is the cheapest option (6 PLN), though the ride may not be very comfortable. There will be terminals at the stop and inside most of the buses.
Airport transfers
If you want maximum convenience and comfort, a premium airport transfer service is the way to go. The cars are always modern, clean, and comfortable. You can order way in advance, and you have a guarantee that someone’s going to pick you up, even if your flight is delayed. You get a ride right to your hotel. Not to mention some useful advice from the pilots. If you’d be interested in such a service, please consider an airport transfer with KrakowDirect.
Christmas in Krakow – basic info
Poland is primarily a Catholic country, so Christmas Day is on December 25th. The 26th is usually free from work as well. Many of the most iconic Polish dishes (particularly those which only the locals know about) are associated with Christmas. Those include mulled wine (grzaniec), the Christmas Eve Borscht, carp fillets, makowiec, and so on. Of course, there will be plenty of dumplings, cheese and sausage going around as well.
Traditionally, Christmastime in Poland is almost strictly for the family, but more and more Poles embrace more Western traditions of spending the holidays with their friends or significant others.
What to expect at the Krakow Christmas market in 2024?
Christmas markets are a tradition all over Europe, but it’s most prevalent in the Central and Eastern countries. If you’ve been to one in, for example, Germany, you probably have a basic idea of what to expect.
Wonderful atmosphere
Just look at this picture: a wintery, historical city landscape that’s absolutely bustling with people. Smell of warm meats, bread, soup, and other local delicacies in the air. Who wouldn’t fall in love with this place?
It’s very common for people to simply walk around and take in the surroundings. After all, if you want to catch a case of the Christmas cheer, this is THE place to be in Krakow. It also makes a great setting for a romantic date night.
All the Polish food you’d want to try
The other reason to visit Christmas market in Krakow is obviously the food. After you’ll make it to the Main Square you’ll find yourself surrounded with places serving every Polish food you can imagine: pierogi, kielbasa, smoked cheeses, as well as numerous soups and stews.
Unforgettable events and concerts
Here are the times and dates of every event held in the main market in December:
November 30, 2024 (Saturday)
From 9:00 AM – Writing Letters to Santa Claus
From 11:30 AM – Presentation of the Krakow Merchant Congregation Branch Myślenice
12:00 PM – Official Opening of the Christmas Market
Around 12:15 PM – Sending Letters to Heaven
6:00 PM – Justyna Baran Band – Andrzejki Party
December 1, 2024 (Sunday)
12:00 PM – Presentation of the Zielonki Commune
December 5, 2024 (Thursday)
10:00 AM – 82nd Krakow Nativity Scene Competition
Main Market Square, near the A. Mickiewicz Monument
12:00 PM – Presentation of Nativity Scenes on the Christmas Market Stage
6:15 PM – “Iglika” Group – Balkan Dances and Songs
December 6, 2024 (Friday)
149th Santa Claus Parade for the 149th Anniversary of MPK S.A.
9:00 AM – Santa Claus Parade from Grzegórzeckie Roundabout to Main Market Square
10:00 AM – Distribution of Santa Claus Packages Sponsored by the City of Krakow, MPK S.A., Dico S.C., Artim Sp. z o.o. for Children from the S. Żeromski Hospital in Krakow (at Plac Wszystkich Świętych)
10:15 AM – MPK S.A. Santa Tram (at Plac Wszystkich Świętych)
Around 11:00 AM – Meeting with Children at the S. Żeromski Hospital – Distribution of Santa Claus Packages
5:00 PM – Santa Concert by the Dirty Horns Band (Stage near St. Mary’s Basilica)
5:30 PM – Official Lighting of the Christmas Tree (Stage near St. Mary’s Basilica)
December 7, 2024 (Saturday)
12:00 PM – Presentation of the Rabka-Zdrój Commune
December 8, 2024 (Sunday)
11:00 AM – Merchant’s Day: Merchant’s Speech
1:00 PM – Ilkiv School from Lviv – Concert
4:00 PM – Presentation of the Pcim Commune
6:30 PM – Włodek Mazón and Friends – Concert
December 12, 2024 (Thursday)
4:00 PM – International Project “Bridges Between Cities”
6:15 PM – “Iglika” Group – Balkan Dances and Songs
December 13, 2024 (Friday)
4:00 PM – International Project “Bridges Between Cities”
7:00 PM – Jaszczyry Choir – Patriotic Songs
December 14, 2024 (Saturday)
10:00 AM – Presentation of the Local Brand Karpating (Beskid Gorlicki)
10:00 AM – Presentation of the Koniusza Commune – Chorążyce
12:00 PM – International Project “Bridges Between Cities”
December 15, 2024 (Sunday)
10:00 AM – Presentation of the Krakow Merchant Congregation Branch
Limanowa
5:00 PM – “Pleśnioki” Carolling Group from Pleśna
6:00 PM – Old Metropolitan Band
December 18, 2024 (Wednesday)
12:00 PM – Presentation of the Trzebinia Commune
December 19, 2024 (Thursday)
6:00 PM – “Only One Night…” – Beautiful Christmas Carols and Songs Performed by Students, Graduates, and Teachers from the School of Crafts and Entrepreneurship MIRIP in Krakow
December 20, 2024 (Friday)
11:00 AM – Presentation of the Krakow Merchant Congregation Branch Proszowice
5:00 PM – Gospel Choir from MDK “Harcerz’s House”
6:00 PM – Dance and Aerobics Performance by Children (Zumba Kids) and Adults (Zumba Step, Toning, Gold) – Zumba Skała Club, Show and Zumba Lesson in Front of the Stage for Interested Participants
7:30 PM – Jaszczyry Choir – Christmas Songs
December 21, 2024 (Saturday)
11:30 AM – Procession from the Barbican to the Main Market Square
12:00 PM – Caroling Parade – Ancient Carols and Pastoral Songs
12:30 PM – Presentation of Caroling Groups – Folkloric Association “Regional Theater” in Krakow
3:00 PM – Presentation of the Zawoja Commune
5:00 PM – 90th Krakow Singing Lesson “Carols to Sing in Homes” and Christmas Meeting of City Authorities with Krakow’s Residents and Guests (Stage by the Town Hall Tower)
December 22, 2024 (Sunday)
12:00 PM – Concert “Let’s Share a Sign of Peace…”
3:00 PM – Maja Sum, Łukasz Gluza, and Dominika Wiejak – Christmas Concert
5:00 PM – Karol Dziedzic Vocal Academy
December 26, 2024 (Thursday)
2:00 PM – Folkloric Association “Regional Theater” in Krakow – Christmas Carol Singing
December 28, 2024 (Saturday)
2:00 PM – Accordion Band Harmonia – Concert
December 29, 2024 (Sunday)
5:00 PM – Sing With Us! Carolling with Krakow’s Choirs at the Christmas Market in Krakow’s Main Square
Summary
Krakow hosts one of the most iconic, yet most underrated European Christmas markets. If you’ve always wanted to have the experience of walking through wooden market stalls and taking in that Christmas cheer, Krakow is a great alternative to the more expensive (but more well-known) big markets to the west. Whether you want to skip the crowds by making it here early, or get the ultimate Krakow winter experience, we’ll always be here to transport you and your loved ones safely to Krakow and beyond.
FAQs
When is Krakow Christmas Market taking place?
Krakow Christmas Market is held on the Main Square (Rynek Główny) between November 29th 2024 and January 1st 2025. The stalls are open between 10 am and 8 pm, but there’s an option of some of them being open until 10 pm in case of high demand. The schedule may vary around Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
How is the weather in Kraków during Christmas?
Average weather in this time of year is between 3°C and -3°C. Check the weather before leaving your hotel and make sure to dress accordingly.
What to wear to stay comfortable while enjoying the market?
Put on a winter jacket, hat and a set of comfortable gloves, especially if you want to try the soup stall. Warm, hi-top shoes should be perfect for the weather, especially if there’s snow or rain outside.
What activities are available at the Kraków Christmas market?
When you are in Krakow Old Town in December, you can check out the extensive Polish food offering at Krakow’s Christmas Markets, go on a photoshoot with the beautiful stalls and Christmas trees and the backdrop, go to one of the many events hosted by the city, or just stroll around and take in the cosy athmosphere of Christmas in Krakow.
What to bring for your visit to Krakow Christmas market?
In order to have the best possible experience, you should wear warm, weather-resistant clothes, hi-top shoes for winter, and a good set of gloves. We also recommend bringing some napkins and water. Bring a camera if you want to take pictures.