Krakow has more than just an easter market! REad on to learn about the traditions before and after Easter Sunday.

The trees are starting to bud and crocuses have begun to pop up all over the city- their blooms noting that spring is here- which means Easter is too! The kids have drowned the witch Marzanna, we’ve had some warm sunny days mixed with cold and snowy ones- and Easter baskets are being prepped. Many of us stuffed our faces full of donuts and/or pickled herring, only to then have deprived ourselves of something good for several weeks now- with a few reprieves due to travel (lent doesn’t apply to a pilgrim) or a celebration of St. Joseph- (the patron saint of a lentiful cheat day- or the coming savior’s father).  Jesus is on his way, and so are the tourists- so spring cleaning has begun, festivals are beginning, and Easter season is here!

For 2024 the easter market will be open from march 21st to april 1st from 10am to 9pm click here to learn more.

When does Easter in Krakow Start? 

Hints of the Easter season begin to show as early as Fat Thursday (that’s the Thursday before Fat Tuesday); when everyone is in search of the best donut in the city. Or indulging in faworki, chrust, or opoki. The week after, while Americans are stuffing themselves full of pancakes on Fat Tuesday- Poles are downing pickled herring and shots of vodka for their last hurrah before lent. For Easter in Krakow you’ve got a few options. If you come early- you can catch the St. Joseph’s Festival in the Small Square (Mały Rynek), before a short break as it then moves and expands onto The Main Market Square (Rynek Głowny), as the main Krakow Easter Market,  running for the week or so before Easter, until the Monday after, from 10am to 9pm. It features every Easter-themed souvenir you could possibly want; traditional items for your Easter basket, such as fancy palms, little chicks, and greenery; and of course amazing Polish festival food that is similar to what you can find at the Christmas markets. You can learn more about what goes into a Polish Easter Basket here. 

Important Easter Dates for 2024:

The official program in Polish and English can be viewed here.

Thursday February 8th: Fat Thursday (Tlusty Czwartek)

Tuesday February 13th: Pickled Herring Night

Wednesday February 14th: Lent (or Post in Polish) begins

Friday March 8th-Sunday March 17th: St. Joseph’s Festival on the Mały Rynek

Thursday March 21st: Spring is here- time to drown Marzanna

Thursday March 21st-Monday April 1st: The Easter Market opens on the Main Market Square (Rynek Głowny)

Sunday March 24th : Palm Sunday- if you are in Krakow anytime around Easter you can get a handmade beautiful palm- and on actual Palm Sunday head to the main square for a competition of Palms!

Friday March 29thth: Good Friday (businesses for the next few days will have altered hours and closures)

Saturday March 30th: It’s Easter Basket Day! Take yours to a local church to be blessed!

Sunday March 31st: Easter Sunday is meant for time with family so most businesses will be closed and Poles will be home eating sausages and horseradish… and some of the best cakes of the year!

Monday April 1st: Śmigus-dyngus is here so WATCH OUT! This tradition is fun- but you will get wet. It is also the day of the Emaus festival so head over to Salwator for the yearly party!

Tuesday April 2nd: Rekawka might be one of the oldest traditions in the city- so head over to Krakus Mound with your sword and pretend you’re in a different century!

For a full overview of Easter in Krakow- read “13 Interesting Facts About Easter and Springtime in Krakow, Poland!”