December in Krakow is not the warmest month, but many tourists come to Krakow for Christmas. What are the biggest Christmas attractions in Krakow? What to do in Krakow on Christmas Day? Let’s find out!
Go shopping at the Christmas Market
One of the biggest December attractions in Krakow is the annual Christmas market. It may not be the most beautiful market in Europe, but it is one of the cheapest. Here you can buy Christmas decorations and crafts, enjoy a variety of foods and sweets, and drink mulled wine. Find out when the Christmas Market in Krakow is in 2022 here.
Have a Christmas Eve in a restaurant
The religiousness of Poles, even if it is only a facade all year round, becomes active at Christmas. On Christmas Eve and the first day of Christmas, many cafes and restaurants are closed, but fortunately when coming to Krakow you can look for special Christmas Eve dinners organised by several good restaurants. If you search well, you can eat a tasting set of festive Polish dishes in a restaurant on Christmas Eve, 24 December, for around 100-150 zloty (from 22 EUR or 19 GBP to 32 EUR or 28 GBP).
Listen to a Christmas carol concert
An attraction that can only be seen around Christmas are carol concerts. They are usually organised in churches from the first day of Christmas until the end of the festive period in early January. Many events are ticketed and cost about 50 zloty for a ticket (11 EUR), but there are also free events. Carol concerts in Krakow can be seen at the Nowa Huta Cultural Centre, Kijów Cinema, the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord on Pijarska Street or even at the famous St. Mary’s Basilica.
See a live nativity scene
One of the unique traditions in Krakow is the Live Nativity, organised in the centre of Krakow. The Living Nativity Scene at Franciszkańska Street is a giant Christmas attraction to be seen at Franciszkańska Street exclusively on 24 and 25 December every year. In addition to a nativity scene with real animals, the event is accompanied by artistic performances. One of the highlights of the event is the traditional midnight Christmas Mass – the Midnight Mass held in the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi at 0:00 on 25 December.
Go ice-skating
Around Christmas, the weather in Krakow is not the warmest but there is one upside. There are many open-air ice rinks in the city. Among the most popular are the ice rink on the square in front of Galeria Krakowska or the rink on Błonia and in the AGH University of Science and Technology Student Village on Rostafińskiego Street. For a dozen or so zloty you can borrow skates and skate there, enjoying the unique atmosphere of winter Krakow.
See the Cracovian nativity scene
Kraków Szopka is traditional christmas tradition inscribed on the list of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Every year, a show of handmade nativity scenes is organised in Krakow and each year the best one is selected. The biggest attraction is the final of the competition organised by the Cracovian Museum in the Main Square usually at the beginning of December. The most beautiful nativity scenes are later displayed in glass cases in various parts of the city – from the Market Square to Kazimierz.
Admire the Christmas decorations
Every year around Christmas time, the streets of Krakow’s city centre are lit up with all sorts of Christmas decorations. From Christmas trees and lights to a glowing Lajkonik and various angel figures. Each part of Krakow has different decorations. It is worth taking a stroll to Wolnica Square in Kazimierz, Podgórze Market Square in Podgórze and, of course, walking the streets of the Old Town around the Main Square!
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