Christmas magic on the Main Market Square

Krakow in December? A must-see! One reason to visit is the Christmas market that makes the Main Market Square bubble with festive holiday atmosphere throughout the entire month.

Christmas markets are held in many European cities. However, Krakow’s market is unique and each year attracts more visitors. Journalists and bloggers include Krakow Christmas market on their lists of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the world. This year the market will start on 30 November and last until 26 December. But those who are spending New Year's Eve in Krakow can rest assured - after Christmas, the market seamlessly transforms into a New Year's fair so you can experience the magic and the array of stalls on Krakow's grandest square until 6 January.

Brilliantly lit booths are full of Christmas decorations made by skilled artisans: hand-painted baubles, Christmas tree decorations, wreaths, beeswax candles and nativity scenes. You can also buy pottery, products made of wood, leather and wool, woven cloth and other souvenirs. Most importantly, no one will leave peckish. Vendors offer a wide range of Polish dishes: grilled meats, pierogi (dumplings), soups and bread with condiments such as pork lard, bacon, onion and gherkins. Other snacks include caramel coated nuts, fudge, gingerbread, home-made cakes and biscuits, roasted chestnuts and take-home delicacies such as honeys, cold cuts, mountain cheeses including the famed traditional smoked oscypek cheese. It is also a market tradition to sell mulled wine from barrel-shaped wooden booths.

Some events accompanying the Christmas market include: writing letters to Santa Claus, a visit from Santa Claus himself, Merchants' Fair, presentation of the Małopolska municipalities, Christmas carol singing, traditional procession of carol singers and a performance inspired by Adam Mickiewicz's “Dziady”, or the Forefathers' Eve.