Krakow Christmas Market 2026/27: Dates (Nov 27 to Jan 6) and Fares

When is Krakow Christmas Market 2026/27?

Krakow Christmas Market 2026/27 is expected to run November 27 to January 6, 2027. The dates follow the usual pattern and are not announced yet.

2026/27November 27 to January 6, 2027Expected

2027/28November 26 to January 6, 2028Expected

How the dates are set: The organizer, Artim, sets the dates each year; the 2026 market is planned from late November into early January.

See every event in November 2026

Krakow Christmas Market schedule

2026 plan: The market is planned to run from 27 November 2026 to 6 January 2027. The organizer, Artim, has also said it could end on 3 January, so check before booking a late trip.
Daily hours: For the 2026/27 market, stalls are officially open from 10am until 8pm. Stall owners come and go as they please, and food stalls serve until at least 10pm.
Thursday, December 3, 2026: The szopki nativity competition starts at 10am at the Adam Mickiewicz monument. The scenes then move to Krzysztofory Palace for the rest of the season.
December 24 to 26: Since 2025, Christmas Eve has been a public holiday in Poland, and larger shops close on December 24, 25 and 26. Small independent shops and the Christmas market stalls are generally exempt and can stay open.
December: The Old Town and Kazimierz markets both have a stage, with Christmas-related performances throughout December.

Sources: ciceru.com, visitkrakow.com

Getting to Krakow Christmas Market

The market is walkable from most Old Town hotels.
The Galeria Krakowska mall is next to the main train station, barely 10 minutes from the Old Town. It closes on December 24, 25 and 26.
Kraków renumbered some tram and bus lines on 26 September 2026, with more changes on 5 October 2026, so check the line number before you ride.
A KrakowCard 1-, 2- or 3-day pass gives entry to almost 40 attractions and unlimited use of the city's bus and tram network.

Sources: ciceru.com, visitkrakow.com

Where to stay in Krakow

Kraków has accommodation for every budget, but costs rise around Christmas. Options run from the Old Town to somewhere quieter.

Source: visitkrakow.com

Tickets and cost

Walking into the market is free. In 2025, a small mulled wine was reported at 35 zl (about 8 euros).

Source: ciceru.com

History of Krakow Christmas Market

The market is run by Artim. The city's szopki krakowskie, elaborate nativity scenes modeled on Kraków's churches, are on UNESCO's intangible heritage list and are judged at the foot of the Mickiewicz monument on the first Thursday of December.

Source: ciceru.com

Krakow Christmas Market: questions people ask

When does the Krakow Christmas market open in 2026?

It opens on 27 November 2026, per the organizer, and is planned to run to 6 January 2027. One organizer page says the end could be 3 January.

Is the Krakow Christmas market free?

Yes, walking in is free. You pay for food, drinks and crafts at the stalls.

What are the Krakow Christmas market opening hours?

For the 2026/27 market, stalls are officially open from 10am until 8pm. Food stalls continue to serve until at least 10pm.

Is the Krakow Christmas market open on Christmas Eve?

Generally yes. Christmas Eve is a public holiday and larger shops close, but the market stalls are generally exempt and can stay open.

Can I visit Auschwitz during a Krakow Christmas market trip?

Yes, but a timed entry pass must be reserved online, and none are sold at the gate. December entry times run 07:30 to 14:00, so it is a morning trip.

How much does mulled wine cost at the Krakow Christmas market?

In 2025 the PAP news agency reported a small mulled wine at 35 zl (about 8 euros). In 2024 the market sold 200 ml for 18 zl and 400 ml for 45 zl.

Sources: ciceru.com, visitkrakow.com

About Krakow Christmas Market

Wooden chalets fill Krakow's Main Market Square beside the Cloth Hall, with grilled oscypek, mulled wine and nativity scenes.

The market takes over the Main Square in the Old Town, with food stalls serving oscypek (grilled sheep's cheese) with cranberry, zapiekanka and hot mulled wine. The city's elaborate szopki nativity scenes are judged on the first Thursday of December. The catch is Christmas Eve: since 2025 it is a public holiday, and larger shops close from December 24 to 26.

Know before you go

Bring some zloty and ask the size of a mulled wine before you order; prices drew complaints in 2024.
Larger shops close on December 24, 25 and 26, but the market stalls are generally exempt.
The Old Town and the market are walkable from most central hotels; Kraków Główny station is barely 10 minutes from the Old Town.

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