Krakow in December

Krakow in December

Christmas markets, mulled wine, Szopki nativity scenes, and medieval magic — everything you need to know about visiting Krakow in December

December transforms Krakow into one of Europe's most enchanting winter destinations. The Main Market Square — already one of the continent's largest and most beautiful medieval squares — becomes the centrepiece of a spectacular Christmas Market with twinkling lights, wooden stalls, and the scent of mulled wine and grilled oscypek cheese drifting through the cold air.

What makes December in Krakow truly special is the Szopki tradition — elaborate, colourful nativity scenes inspired by the city's own architecture, recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. Add snow-dusted Gothic spires, cozy cellar restaurants serving hearty Polish comfort food, and a festive atmosphere that feels genuinely authentic rather than commercially staged, and you have one of Europe's best December city breaks.

-2 to 3\u00B0C

Temperature

Possible

Snowfall

Moderate-High

Crowd Level

Moderate-High

Price Level

December Weather in Krakow

What to Expect

  • Daytime highs: 1-3\u00B0C on average. Overcast skies are common. When the sun breaks through, the winter light on medieval architecture is stunning. Do not expect warmth — this is proper Central European winter.
  • Nighttime lows: -2 to -5\u00B0C, occasionally colder during Arctic air surges. Wind chill can make it feel significantly colder. The coldest hours are between midnight and 7 AM.
  • Daylight: Short days with sunrise around 7:30 AM and sunset by 3:40 PM — just 8 hours of daylight. Plan outdoor sightseeing for 10 AM - 3 PM to maximise light.

What to Wear

  • Base layer: Thermal underwear (merino wool or synthetic) is essential for outdoor days
  • Mid layer: Fleece or wool sweater for insulation
  • Outer layer: Warm down jacket or wool coat that blocks wind
  • Accessories: Warm hat, insulated gloves, thick scarf — you will need all three
  • Footwear: Waterproof, insulated boots with good grip for cobblestones and potential ice
  • Pro tip: Bring hand warmers and a thermos — fill it with hot tea at your hotel

December Events & Celebrations

Nov-Dec 26

Krakow Christmas Market

The Rynek Glowny transforms into one of Poland's largest and most beautiful Christmas markets. Dozens of wooden stalls sell traditional Polish crafts, hand-painted ornaments, amber jewelry, sheepskin slippers, and artisanal gifts. The food stalls are the highlight — grilled oscypek cheese with cranberry sauce, grzaniec galicyjski (Galician mulled wine with honey and spices), kielbasa (sausage), and gingerbread. A large Christmas tree and the illuminated Cloth Hall create a magical backdrop.

1st Thu

Szopki Nativity Scene Competition

Krakow's most unique tradition. On the first Thursday of December, artisans gather at the foot of the Adam Mickiewicz monument in the Main Market Square to present their Szopki — elaborate, colourful nativity scenes built to resemble Krakow's churches and towers. This tradition dates back to the 19th century and was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2018. After judging, the best Szopki are displayed at the Historical Museum of Krakow (Krzysztofory Palace).

Dec 31

New Year's Eve

Rynek Glowny fills with thousands of revelers for a free open-air New Year's Eve celebration with live music, a countdown, and fireworks at midnight. The medieval square creates an extraordinary backdrop for welcoming the new year. Alternatively, many restaurants and hotels offer gala dinners (200-500 zl per person). Cellar bars and clubs throw parties that run until dawn. Dress very warmly if celebrating outdoors.

Dec 24-26

Wigilia & Christmas

Wigilia (Christmas Eve) is the most important day in the Polish Christmas calendar — a family affair centred around a 12-dish meatless feast. While most restaurants close on December 24, some hotels offer special Wigilia dinners for guests. December 25 and 26 are public holidays — expect many shops and attractions to be closed. Churches hold beautiful midnight masses on Christmas Eve, with St. Mary's Basilica being the most atmospheric.

Top Things to Do in December

Must Do

Christmas Market at Rynek

Spend at least an evening at the Christmas Market on the Main Market Square. Warm up with grzaniec (mulled wine) and sample grilled oscypek with cranberry sauce. Browse the handmade crafts and ornaments. The market is most atmospheric after dark when the lights are twinkling. Best experienced on a weekday evening to avoid weekend crowds.

Heritage

Rynek Underground Museum

Escape the cold at this brilliant underground museum beneath the Main Market Square. Walk through medieval market stalls, see archaeological finds from Krakow's earliest days, and explore interactive exhibits 4 metres below street level. One of Poland's best museums and perfect for a winter day. Entry: 28 zl. Book timed tickets online.

Festive

Szopki Exhibition

After the Szopki competition (first Thursday of December), the winning nativity scenes are displayed at the Krzysztofory Palace (Historical Museum of Krakow) on the Main Market Square. These intricate, colourful masterpieces are unique to Krakow and represent one of Poland's most cherished folk art traditions. Entry: 20 zl.

Cozy

Cellar Bar Crawl

Krakow's medieval cellar bars are at their coziest in December. Descend into candlelit vaulted chambers, warm up with craft beer or Polish vodka, and enjoy live music in intimate underground settings. Start in the Old Town and work your way to Kazimierz. Pints cost just 8-14 zl. The cold outside makes the warmth inside even more welcome.

Cultural

St. Mary's Basilica at Night

Visit St. Mary's Basilica to see the stunning Veit Stoss altarpiece — the largest Gothic altarpiece in the world. In December, the basilica is decorated for Christmas and the atmosphere is especially reverent. Midnight mass on Christmas Eve is a beautiful experience. Regular visits: 15 zl.

Food

Traditional Polish Comfort Food

December is the perfect time for hearty Polish fare. Warm up with zurek (sour rye soup), bigos (hunter's stew), and pierogi at a traditional restaurant or milk bar. Try the seasonal specialty: barszcz z uszkami (beetroot soup with tiny mushroom dumplings) — the quintessential Polish Christmas Eve dish. A full meal at a milk bar costs just 15-25 zl.

December Price Guide

Accommodation

  • Budget hostels: 60-120 zl/night (vs. 40-70 zl in Jan-Feb)
  • Budget hotels: 200-350 zl/night
  • Mid-range hotels: 350-600 zl/night
  • Premium hotels: 600-1,000 zl/night
  • Luxury (Old Town): 1,000-2,500+ zl/night
  • Book 6-8 weeks ahead for December 20-January 2 stays

Activities & Dining

  • Milk bar meal: 15-25 zl (unchanged year-round)
  • Restaurant dinner: 50-120 zl per person
  • Grzaniec (mulled wine): 12-18 zl at the Christmas Market
  • Grilled oscypek: 8-15 zl per portion
  • NYE gala dinner: 200-500 zl per person
  • Christmas Market treats add 30-50 zl per evening visit

December Travel Tips

Book Early for Christmas Week

The period from December 20 to January 2 is Krakow's busiest winter window. Hotels, especially in the Old Town and Kazimierz, book up quickly. Reserve accommodation 6-8 weeks ahead for the best selection and prices. Restaurants popular for Christmas Eve (Wigilia) dinners should be booked even earlier.

Budget Tip: Visit Early December

The first two weeks of December offer the Christmas Market, the Szopki competition, and festive atmosphere at significantly lower hotel prices than Christmas week. December 1-15 is the sweet spot for visitors who want the full December experience without peak-season premiums. Hotel rates can be 30-40% lower than Christmas week.

Plan Around Closures

December 24 (afternoon), 25, and 26 are public holidays when most shops, restaurants, and attractions close. Plan indoor activities or hotel dining for these days. The Christmas Market closes after December 26. Stock up on snacks and supplies on December 23 if staying through Christmas. Churches remain open and hold beautiful services.

Maximise Short Daylight

With sunset at 3:40 PM, plan outdoor sightseeing for 10 AM - 3 PM. Use the morning for Wawel Castle, walking tours, and outdoor attractions. After dark, switch to indoor activities: museums, cellar bars, and the Christmas Market (which is actually most atmospheric after nightfall). The Rynek Underground Museum, Schindler's Factory, and Kazimierz galleries are excellent afternoon options.

Krakow in December - FAQs

December is one of the most magical months to visit Krakow. The Christmas Market transforms the Main Market Square, the Szopki nativity scene competition is a UNESCO-listed tradition found nowhere else, and snow-dusted medieval architecture creates a fairy-tale atmosphere. The trade-off is cold temperatures (-2 to 3°C) and higher prices than the regular winter season, but the festive atmosphere more than compensates.
December temperatures typically range from -2°C to 3°C, with occasional drops to -10°C during cold snaps. It feels colder than the numbers suggest due to wind chill and damp air. Snow is possible but not guaranteed — some Decembers are grey and wet rather than white. Dress in thermal layers, a warm coat, hat, gloves, scarf, and waterproof boots.
The Krakow Christmas Market (Targi Bozonarodzeniowe) runs from late November through December 26 on Rynek Glowny (Main Market Square). Opening hours are typically 10 AM to 8 PM daily, with extended hours on weekends. The market is busiest on weekends and during the week before Christmas. Visit on weekday mornings for a less crowded experience.
Szopki (nativity scenes) are elaborate, colourful miniature structures inspired by Krakow's architecture — they are a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage tradition unique to this city. The annual Szopki competition takes place on the first Thursday of December at the foot of the Adam Mickiewicz monument in the Main Market Square. Artisans present their creations, which are then displayed in the Historical Museum of Krakow.
Pack serious winter clothing: a warm down or wool coat, thermal base layers, a hat that covers your ears, insulated gloves, a thick scarf, and waterproof boots with good grip. Layer up — buildings and restaurants are well-heated, so you need to be able to remove layers indoors. A thermos for hot drinks is useful for outdoor sightseeing. Pack hand warmers for extra comfort during long outdoor walks.

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