Krakow in winter means the Christmas market on the Main Square, the nativity scene competition in December and the Epiphany parade in January. Days are usually 1 to 4°C, nights a few degrees below zero, and in December it gets dark at around 4 pm. Sightsee during the day and spend the evenings walking among the Christmas lights. Below are the dates for winter 2026/2027 and our tips on where to stay.
In short
- Christmas market: on the Main Square from late November to 1 January, free entry.
- Nativity scenes: the szopka competition is held on the first Thursday of December, 3 December 2026, by the Adam Mickiewicz monument, followed by an exhibition at Krzysztofory Palace.
- Christmas: ordinary shops will be closed from Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 December 2026. Do your shopping by 23 December.
- Epiphany parade: 6 January, at noon on the Main Square.
- Weather: average daytime highs of 1.6 to 3.7°C and night-time lows of −3.4 to −4.7°C.
- For cold or wet days: the Wieliczka Salt Mine, which is 17 to 18°C all year, and Krakow’s museums.
November and December: the Christmas market and nativity scenes
The Christmas market around the Cloth Hall usually opens at the end of November, on a Friday, and runs until 1 January. In 2025 it opened on 28 November. Opening hours, prices and tips are in our Krakow Christmas market guide.
On the first Thursday of December, which is 3 December in 2026, makers bring their nativity scenes, called szopki, to the Adam Mickiewicz monument on the Main Square for the annual Krakow szopka competition. The tradition has been on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage since 2018. The winning szopki are then shown at Krzysztofory Palace, Rynek Główny 35. The last exhibition ran from 8 December 2025 to 1 March 2026, Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00.
Our tip: “You can only see the szopki by the Mickiewicz monument on the day of the competition. If you miss it, you can see them at the exhibition at Krzysztofory Palace, which last ran until 1 March.”
Christmas: shops closed from 24 to 27 December
Since 2025, Christmas Eve has been a public holiday in Poland, and the ban on holiday trading applies to it, just as it does to Christmas Day and 26 December. In 2026, 24 December falls on a Thursday and Sunday 27 December is not a trading Sunday, so ordinary shops will be closed from Thursday to Sunday. The last trading Sundays before Christmas are 6, 13 and 20 December.
Petrol stations, pharmacies, bakeries, shops at the airport and railway stations, restaurants and hotels may open. If you are staying in an apartment with a kitchen, do your shopping by Wednesday 23 December. More details are in our guide to Christmas in Krakow.
For Midnight Mass you can go, among other places, to Wawel Cathedral, where it is celebrated by the Archbishop of Kraków. Staying for New Year? See our guide to New Year’s Eve in Krakow.
January and February: the Epiphany parade and ice skating
On 6 January the Epiphany parade, Orszak Trzech Króli, walks through the Old Town. In 2026 three processions set off at around 11:00 from Matejko Square, Dębniki and Wawel, and met at noon on the Main Square to sing carols together.
In winter 2023/2024 outdoor ice rinks were open next to TAURON Arena, in Lotników Polskich Park, and in front of the Nowa Huta Cultural Centre, among other places. Check the list of rinks for winter 2026/2027 on krakow.pl before you come. Our Apartment near the Arena is about a 10-minute walk from the arena.
For cold or wet days: the salt mine and museums
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is 17 to 18°C all year, so it is a good half-day trip in winter. How to get there and ticket prices are in our Wieliczka Salt Mine guide.
The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial has shorter entry hours in winter: in December from 7:30 to 14:00, in January until 15:00 and in February until 16:00. It is closed on 25 December and 1 January. Read our guide on how to visit Auschwitz from Krakow.
On a cold day in Krakow, museums are a good choice, such as the Rynek Underground beneath the Main Square or Wawel Royal Castle. Some museums close over Christmas, so check their opening hours on their websites.
Weather: what to wear
In December the average daytime high is 2.7°C and the night-time low is −3.4°C. January is the coldest month, with 1.6°C during the day and −4.7°C at night. In February the average daytime high is 3.7°C. On average there are 12 days with snow in December, 18 in January and 14 in February.
Bring a warm coat, a hat and shoes with a good grip, because the cobblestones in the Old Town can be slippery. In December it gets dark at around 4 pm, so see the main sights before dusk.
Our tip: where to stay in winter
In winter it is easiest to stay where you can walk back from the Main Square in the evening:
- Right on the Main Square: Pałac Pod Baranami. The Christmas market, the szopka competition and the Epiphany parade are right outside the gate.
- Between Wawel and Kazimierz: Bagel Residence Old Town on Dietla Street. You can leave your luggage in the luggage room, also before check-in and after check-out.
- For families: Flower Residence in Kleparz, apartments for 4 people, most with a separate bedroom, a kitchenette and a washing machine, in a new building with a lift. It is about a 15-minute walk to the Main Square.
Check-in works as usual over Christmas: we send the door codes on the day of arrival and you can check in from 3 pm.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Krakow in winter?
From late November to 1 January visit the Christmas market on the Main Square, in December see the nativity scene competition and exhibition, and on 6 January watch the Epiphany parade. On a cold day, choose the Wieliczka Salt Mine or a museum.
What is the weather like in Krakow in winter?
Average daytime highs are 1.6 to 3.7°C and night-time lows −3.4 to −4.7°C. January is the coldest month.
When is the Krakow nativity scene competition in 2026?
On Thursday 3 December 2026, by the Adam Mickiewicz monument on the Main Square.
Are shops open in Krakow at Christmas?
No. In 2026 ordinary shops will be closed from Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 December. Petrol stations, pharmacies and restaurants may open.
Where can I go ice skating in Krakow?
In winter 2023/2024 outdoor rinks were open next to TAURON Arena and in front of the Nowa Huta Cultural Centre, among other places. Check the list for winter 2026/2027 on krakow.pl.
Where should I stay in Krakow in winter?
In or near the Old Town, so you can walk back in the evening. Pałac Pod Baranami is right on the Main Square, and Bagel Residence Old Town is between Wawel and Kazimierz.
Still choosing an area? Read our guide on where to stay in Krakow. Driving from abroad? See our guide to the Clean Transport Zone and parking. Flying in? See how to get from Krakow Airport to the city centre.
Winter in Krakow with Cracow Travel. Book direct and stay close to the Main Square. With the code CT231974 you pay 50 PLN less for stays of 2 nights or more. See the apartments →
Sources: Museum of Krakow (nativity scene exhibition), UNESCO (szopka tradition), Zielona Linia (trading Sundays 2026), fakturaXL (Christmas Eve public holiday), Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum (opening hours), Super Express (Epiphany parade 2026), krakow.pl (ice rinks), Radio Kraków (Midnight Mass at Wawel), Wikipedia (average temperatures, Kraków-Balice, 1991 to 2020). Updated: October 2026. The Cracow Travel team, hosting guests in Krakow for 15 years.