One of the season’s most popular highlights is the annual Kraków Christmas fair on the main market square – a tradition started before WWII and rekindled after the fall of communism (you know, when people were allowed to buy and possess things again). The Christmas fair's twinkling, old-fashioned magic is a huge draw for tourists, and - we dare say - they won't leave Kraków disappointed.
During Kraków's annual Christmas Market, half of Rynek Główny will be filled with rustic wooden stalls selling all kinds of folk art and holiday ornaments, candies and sweets, knitwear, toys, tablecloths, sheepskins, slippers, souvenirs, jewellery, pottery, partridges, pear trees and more. Food vendors also dish up hot, hearty regional food, over which families share picnic tables and keep warm with the hot mulled wine (called ‘grzaniec’) dispensed from enormous barrels nearby. And all the while carolling and other random acts of holiday spirit will be taking place on a cultural stage nearby. Add a little snow (we'll see what the weather serves up this year), and you've got yourself a little winter wonderland - touristy and crowded, to be sure, but perfectly charming nevertheless.
Note that the Christmas Fair remains open on December 24th, 25th and 26th - the latter two being official state holidays when most businesses are closed, as well as New Year's Eve and New Year's Day - another public holiday.
With all the events taking place during Christmas in Krakow, check out our comprehensive list of all the things taking place around the city during the winter holidays.
