Christmas market 2024
One of the most popular happenings in Krakow is the annual Christmas market at the main square (Rynek Glowny). This event normally opens in the end of November and remains open until December 26th. If you come to Krakow during this period, it is impossible to miss out on the Christmas market at the main square. But, it is also a fact that many people travel to Krakow in this period because of the Christmas market.
The famous Christmas market at the main square in Krakow is a fantastic event. Here you can eat and drink all sorts of local food and drinks. Besides this, you can enjoy programs from a stage at the square. You can watch folklore performances and listen to local Polish music from the area.
Would you like to buy someone a nice souvenir from Krakow? Or maybe you would like to buy some Christmas presents? You can, of course, do that at the Christmas market in Krakow. Do not forget that the square is fantastic, so you can easily enjoy the Christmas market, visit the restaurants at the square, walk through the Sukiennice (clothes hall), and then eat some Polish sausage and taste local vodka.
The dates for the Krakow Christmas market in 2024.
November 29, 2024 – January 1, 2025 (these dates are not yet official… it might be that the Christmas market will open one week earlier, but that is not confirmed yet).
Dates for the Christmas market in Krakow in earlier years.
- 2023: November 24 – January 1.
- 2022: November 25 – December 26.
- 2019: November 29 – December 26.
- 2018: November 30 – December 26.
- 2017: November 24 – December 26.
- 2016: November 25 – December 26.
- 2015: November 27 – December 26.
If you come after December 26th, there will still be a market at the square, but it is a smaller version of the Christmas market only. In other words, to get the whole experience, visit Krakow in the period mentioned above.
Where to live near the Christmas market in Krakow?
It is always an advantage to live near the Old Town of Krakow and close to the Christmas Market. It saves you a lot of time, and it is also positive that hotels and apartments in this area aren’t extremely expensive, even though they have a great location. If you are looking for a hotel with excellent location and less than 300-400 meters from the Christmas markets at the main square in Krakow, we suggest one of the following:
- Hotel Bonerowski (at the main square)
- Hotel Stary (at the main square)
- Hotel Wentzl (at the main square)
- Hotel Grodek (400 meter from the main square)
The map below shows you the location of the Christmas market in the center, and then you can pick and choose from the hotels and apartments surrounding the area. You will also see price estimations making it easier to find accommodation based on how much you want to pay for your room.
Booking.comAll the hotels and apartments you see on the map above have a good location in Krakow. This makes them ideal for sightseeing, and of course, shopping at the Christmas market.
What to eat at the Christmas market in Krakow?
Are you finally coming to Krakow to take a closer look at the popular Christmas market at the city’s main square? What should you buy once you are there?
There are many similarities between Christmas markets worldwide. The most common similarity is warm wine. Wherever you visit a Christmas market, you should taste the local version of warm wine or glühwein (Grzaniec). Some places serve you warm w,ine and that’s it. In general, however, this combines warm wine with Christmas spices such as cinnamon, sugar, cloves, and some other spices.
Poland is well-known for its drinks, especially Vodka. This is extremely popular at the Christmas markets, especially as the temperatures go below 0 Celsius (which they frequently do).
If you drink lots of wine and Vodka, you should probably eat something as well. If you want to taste local food, start with a giant sausage. There are sausages of all sorts at the Christmas market in Krakow. These are spiced up and served with mustard and ketchup.
Would you rather eat something else? Eat a sandwich (Pajda) with delicious meat, garlic butter, salad, sausage, onion, and other snacks on top. These are gigantic, and you will not need more food for hours if you eat such a sandwich.
Polish people like to eat pig dishes, and so should you. The crispy pork knuckle is a delicious dish at the Christmas market in Krakow. The knuckle is the upper part of the leg, and it is really juicy, especially the way it is prepared in Krakow. This dish is best enjoyed combined with a side dish of your wish.
There are many other fantastic things to eat and drink at the Christmas market in Krakow. Do not forget about the legendary Polish cheese, of which the most famous is the sheep’s cheese. You will also find cheese from goats at the Christmas market. These cheeses are fantastic for eating directly or bringing home as a souvenir. You can also buy them in a grilled version, which feels even better on a cold December day in Krakow.
What to buy at the Christmas market in Krakow?
When you have tasted local gastronomy, it is time for shopping. What should you buy?
Honestly, many people consider the objects for sale at different Christmas markets as junk. That might be true, but there are gems for sale at the Christmas market in Krakow. What should you look out for?
A great way to remember your stay in Krakow is to buy decorations for the Christmas tree. There are lots of handmade decorations for sale at the Christmas market in Krakow, and they will beautifully decorate your Christmas tree as your return home. They will also bring forth the sweet memories from your Krakow trip whenever you add them to your Christmas tree, year after year.
Another great thing to bring home from Krakow is cheese, sweets, and chocolate. You will find these in all shapes and sizes at the Christmas market at Rynek Glowny in Krakow. Whether you eat it all yourself or give them to someone else as a present is entirely your decision.
It can get extremely cold in Krakow in December. In 2022, there were temperatures around -15 Celsius at times. What can you do to resist the cold? Buy some woolen clothes at the Christmas market. You can find jackets, gloves, and hats made out of wool and more at the Christmas market in Krakow. These objects might not be extremely cheap, but they will warm your body and soul at once!
Are you looking for something else? Do you have too much money that you want to spend? You might not need it, but there are many Matryoshka dolls (stacking dolls) at the Christmas markets in Krakow. These are available in all shapes and might make a great present to someone you love or hate (depending on the motive).
Please advise of some nice hotels that are well located for a visit to Krakow for the Christmas market and many sights
Pollera is nice and very near 🙂
Is the market open on Christmas Eve (12-24) and Christmas Day (12-25)?
It is closing quite early on December 24 (not open in the evening), but it will be open again during the daytime on December 25.
What time does the market usually open and close?
The Christmas markets normally open around 10.00 in the morning and remain open until 20.00 or as long as there is a demand.
Are there any Christmas markets open December 28-30? We can’t come earlier.
Unfortunately not… There might be some smaller markets elsewhere, but not really anything to take into consideration.
Has a decision been made as to whether the Christmas market will open one week earlier ie 23rd November 2024??? I am trying to book flights
Unfortunately the official dates for the Christmas markets are released quite late (September/October), so until then, it is hard to say anything for sure. If you want to be sure, go for November 30, but if you like risks, then you can try earlier, but then I cannot guarantee anything!
When the final dates of the Christmas Market will be announced? Is there a chance to be open earlier than 29/11? I have my departure flight on 29th, I would love to visit the market!
It normally happens in late September or Octoberm, so until then nothing can be said for sure. Since you already have your return ticket, the only thing you can do is hope, and if you are lucky, you might catch it for one day or more, but if not… you might plan to return a bit later next year!
In the article you mention that the Christmas market (Rynek Glowny) will be open until January 1 as in 2023. Is it the big market or some small scattered ones?. We will be in Krakow from December 27 to 30.
We do not have the official dates yet, but hopefully, they will keep the tradition from 2023 and keep the market on the main square open until January 1. If they will, then you can enjoy the main Christmas market while you are in town. If not, then there are not many other markets worth considering in Krakow.
What is the best time to visit Krakow Christmas markets, before or after 25 December? The market and the decoration reduces in size after Boxing Day, December 26th?
I’d definitely say that it is better to visit the markets before December 25, simply because the Christmas atmosphere is much more present in this period as people come before Christmas to buy presents, there are more programs, and you will also have greater joy walking up and down the streets of Krakow in general.
Like your blog!
Please, what are the names of a couple of lovely hotels very close to the Christmas Market?
Will we want to have Polish currency for the market?
Are credit cards accepted for hotels and restaurants?
Thank you. Vicki – Canada
Dear Vicki,
I have just updated the article and added the names of four hotels very ideal if you want to live in a great hotel either at the main square or very close to the market. I hope that will help you! 🙂
You can pay with card almost anywhere, so you do not really need much PLN. You might need some cash for the Christmas markets, but in general, you can pay with card everywhere there as well now. That is definitely true for restaurants and hotels, so no need to worry there!
Hello,
Please tell me the general hours of the Christmas Market. we are planning for December 4-9. Is the Market open every day?
Thank you,
Debbie
Hello,
the stands normally open around 10.00 and remain open until 20.00, sometimes the food stalls remain open even longer. They are open every day during the even, except for on December 24 on which everything close earlier.