Christmas in Krakow is beautiful, but it takes a little planning. Since 2025, Christmas Eve has been a public holiday in Poland, so in 2026 ordinary shops will be closed from Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 December. Restaurants and cafés may open, the Christmas market on the Main Square runs until 1 January, and the Old Town is full of lights, nativity scenes and carols. Here is what is open, what is closed and how to plan your stay.
In short
- Shops: closed from Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 December 2026. Do your shopping by Wednesday 23 December.
- What may open: petrol stations, pharmacies, bakeries, shops at the airport and railway stations, restaurants and hotels.
- Christmas market: on the Main Square until 1 January. Hours over Christmas can be shorter.
- Midnight Mass: at midnight on 24 December, for example at Wawel Cathedral.
- Museums: many close on 24 and 25 December. The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial is closed on 25 December.
- Trams and buses: holiday timetable, so check your connection before you go.
Why the shops close for four days
Poland bans most shop trading on Sundays and public holidays. Since 2025, 24 December has been a public holiday too, so the ban covers Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and 26 December. In 2026, Christmas Eve falls on a Thursday and Sunday 27 December is not a trading Sunday, so ordinary shops will stay closed from Thursday to Sunday. The last trading Sundays before Christmas are 6, 13 and 20 December.
Petrol stations, pharmacies, bakeries and shops at the airport and railway stations may open, as well as restaurants and hotels.
Our tip: “If you are staying in an apartment with a kitchen, do a proper shop by Wednesday 23 December. Petrol station shops will help in an emergency, but the choice is small.”
Christmas Eve and Midnight Mass
For Poles the most important evening is Christmas Eve, called Wigilia. Families sit down to a meatless supper when the first star appears and share a Christmas wafer called opłatek, wishing each other well. Opening hours on 24 December vary and some restaurants close early, so check and book ahead.
At midnight churches celebrate Pasterka, the Midnight Mass. At Wawel Cathedral it is celebrated by the Archbishop of Kraków. Come early if you want a seat.
The Christmas market and nativity scenes
The Christmas market on the Main Square runs until 1 January. Its hours over Christmas can be shorter, so check them closer to the date. Prices, opening hours and tips are in our Krakow Christmas market guide.
The best Krakow nativity scenes, called szopki, from the competition held on the first Thursday of December are shown at Krzysztofory Palace, Rynek Główny 35. In the 2025/2026 season the exhibition ran from 8 December to 1 March and was also open on 26 December from 10:00 to 18:00. The szopka tradition has been on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage since 2018.
Museums and day trips over Christmas
- Wawel Royal Castle: in 2023 the castle exhibitions were closed on 24 and 25 December and opened with shorter hours on 26 December. Check the 2026 hours on the Wawel website in December.
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial: closed on 25 December. On other days in December entry is from 7:30 to 14:00. Read our guide on how to visit Auschwitz from Krakow.
- Wieliczka Salt Mine: check the opening days in the booking calendar on the mine’s website. Our Wieliczka Salt Mine guide explains how to get there.
Getting around
Trams and buses run to a holiday timetable over Christmas. In past years some lines stopped earlier on Christmas Eve and started later on Christmas Day and 26 December. Check your connection in the Jakdojade app before you set off, especially if you are going to Midnight Mass.
Our tip: where to stay for Christmas
At Christmas it is easiest to stay in the Old Town, so you can walk to the market and to Midnight Mass:
- Right on the Main Square: Pałac Pod Baranami. The Christmas market is right outside the gate.
- Four minutes from the market, by the Planty park: The Old Town View on Podwale Street.
- Between Wawel and Kazimierz: Bagel Residence Old Town on Dietla Street, a short walk from Wawel Cathedral. You can leave your luggage in the luggage room, also before check-in and after check-out.
Check-in works as usual over Christmas, also on 24, 25 and 26 December: we send the door codes on the day of arrival and you can check in from 3 pm.
Frequently asked questions
Are shops open on Christmas Eve in Krakow?
No. Since 2025, 24 December has been a public holiday in Poland. In 2026 ordinary shops will be closed from Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 December.
Is the Krakow Christmas market open over Christmas?
The market runs until 1 January, but its hours over Christmas can be shorter. Check them closer to the date.
Are restaurants open on Christmas Day in Krakow?
Restaurants may open on 24, 25 and 26 December. Opening hours vary, so check and book ahead.
What time is Midnight Mass in Krakow?
At midnight on 24 December. At Wawel Cathedral it is celebrated by the Archbishop of Kraków.
Is Auschwitz open at Christmas?
The Memorial is closed on 25 December. On 24 and 26 December entry is from 7:30 to 14:00.
Can I check in on Christmas Eve?
Yes. Check-in works as usual: we send the door codes on the day of arrival, and you can check in from 3 pm.
Where should I stay in Krakow for Christmas?
In the Old Town, so you can walk to the Christmas market and to Midnight Mass. Pałac Pod Baranami is right on the Main Square.
Staying for New Year? Read our guide to New Year’s Eve in Krakow. Planning a longer winter trip? See Krakow in winter. Flying in? See how to get from Krakow Airport to the city centre.
Christmas in Krakow with Cracow Travel. Book direct and stay a few minutes from the Christmas market. With the code CT231974 you pay 50 PLN less for stays of 2 nights or more. See the apartments →
Sources: fakturaXL (Christmas Eve public holiday and exceptions), Zielona Linia (trading Sundays 2026), Museum of Krakow (nativity scene exhibition), UNESCO (szopka tradition), Wawel Royal Castle (Christmas hours 2023), Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum (opening hours), Radio Kraków (Midnight Mass at Wawel), Radio Kraków (holiday public transport). Updated: October 2026. The Cracow Travel team, hosting guests in Krakow for 15 years.