There’s so much going on in Krakow at Easter- check out our guide of what to do. But if you’re here on the Monday after Easter- every year in the Salwator neighborhood- the streets are closed off and the party begins! [Important Side Note: This year (2024) the festival will be taking place on the…
Category: Culture, Holidays, Traditions
Easter in Krakow: Rękawka Festival
If you’re in Krakow around Easter, and wondering what to do- there are so many special events happening at this time- just check out our guide. But if you’re here the Tuesday after Easter Sunday- you better stop by Kopiec Krakus for some medieval fun! What is the Rękawka Festival? The legend says that King…
Easter in Krakow: Śmigus-Dyngus
Has anyone told you yet that you need to be very, very careful on the Monday after Easter in Poland? Well, it’s true! There could be a bucket of water, or heavy-loaded water-gun lurking around every, and any, corner! What in the world is Śmigus-Dyngus? Back in the 1300’s, maybe even much earlier than this,…
What to do in Krakow on Easter?
Maybe you thought coming to Krakow over spring break would be a good idea, or maybe you accidentally booked the weekend of the second largest holiday in Poland, and are now panicking about what to do when everything is closed! Well, don’t worry- there is plenty to do in Krakow even if some things have…
Easter in Krakow
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…
Polish Traditions: Goodbye Winter, Goodbye Marzanna
Marzanna: The Witch of Winter that Children light on Fire and Drown (or maybe used to?). As with all things in popular culture these days- the tradition of Marzanna is marking a new role in many Kindergarten classrooms. Eight years ago, I shadowed a local kindergarten class as they marched down from their elementary school…
Going to a Soccer Game In Krakow: Everything You Need to Know About Krakow’s Football Scene
There are two football teams in Krakow, Wisła and Cracovia. They are more than rivals. If you want to go to a game- you may be able to purchase tickets online- but registration on each website is required and an id number is necessary. When i made my account just now, I used my pesel…
Fika in Krakow: Swedish Treats
Kanelbulle, Semla, Coffee, oh my! Have you heard of Fika? To say it is simply a coffee break would be to insult every Swede that has negotiated 4 fikas into their workday (seriously look it up, they demand these things). To say it is just grabbing coffee with friends would be to downplay the importance…
13 Interesting Facts About Easter and Springtime in Krakow, Poland!
Easter is the most important holiday on the Polish calendar, comparable only to Wigilia; usually taking the cake as the most prepped for, and celebrated time. Not only is the day important, but the build up to the Easter Feast is filled with events and activities for months; as well as, the days after. Springtime…
11 Polish Easter Foods To Try This Holiday Season
So you find yourself in Krakow during the Easter season- great! There is nothing better than immersing yourself in a culture during an important time of year. For a full breakdown on what to do when- go to our main post about Easter in Krakow. For interesting facts and things that happen during the Easter…
My First Look at the Krakow Christmas Market
The first time I arrived in Krakow, it was December 22nd 2014. Everything would be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; so I figured it would be a good idea to get some sightseeing in right away. I took the tram from my apartment at Krowodrza Górka to the main square and although it was freezing…
140 Things to do in Krakow Poland
This list is outdated. Please research each point a bit further to make sure it still exists. We are working on a new list now. 140 Things to do in Krakow Krakow, or as the British like to call it Cracow, is an amazing city, and there is so much to do here. I’ve taken a lot…
12 Things to Put on Your Krakow Christmas Market List this Year
The Christmas market in the Rynek Główny is set up for the whole of the Christmas season in Krakow and it’s a wonderful place to pick up Christmas gifts, souvenirs and to try some amazing Polish food and drinks! The video above shows you a selection of things to be had at the annual holiday market! Open…
Krakow at Christmas: 73rd Annual Szopki Competition
While we wrote this for the competition in 2017- the National Museum is still holding it’s annual szopki competition each year. The only difference is they now display many of the szopka for over a month before and after Christmas. Check their website each year for the updated program. Every year on the first Thursday…
Polish Traditions: Christmas Time
If you will be in Krakow during or around Christmas time you are in for a real treat. Not only will the Main Market Square be filled with a bustling Christmas Market, complete with Polish Market Food, homemade goodies, and crafts, but the city will also have events for you to enjoy as well! See…
12 Days of Christmas in Krakow
Unfortunately- many of our videos for this were created in 2017 using Vine (RIP) so that is why they do not play properly…. Follow us the next twelve days as we take you all over the city of Krakow to show you what Christmas in Krakow is really like! Each day we will post a…
All Saints’ and Souls’ Day in Poland: Halloween in Krakow
Every year on November 1st and 2nd, Polish people celebrate All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. This is everything you need to know to participate in All Saints’ Day on your trip to Krakow, Poland.
Herring Night: Śledzik!
Carnaval in Poland (the time just before Lent) is filled with many strange traditions. We already showed you Pączki Day, but now, as lent approaches, it’s time for herring. Herring Night, or Śledzik in Polish, is the last day before Lent begins and Poles fast for 40 days from indulgent things such as alcohol, sweets,…
Fat Thursday (Tlusty Czwartek): 3 Things You Have to Eat
In Poland, instead of celebrating Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras like everyone else in the world, they celebrate Fat Thursday. The holiday is aptly named, as just about everything you are supposed to eat on that day is deep fried, sugary, and delicious! Here are some of our favorite foods to have on Fat Thursday….
ChanuKrakow: Celebrating Hanukkah at the JCC Krakow
Christmas Markets aren’t the only thing happening in Krakow this time of year- just a short look at part of the ChanuKrAkow celebrations at the Jewish Community Center in Krakow this year! We were lucky enough to be able to attend just part of the ChanuKrakow celebrations this year in the Kazimierz District. Hundreds gathered…
Polish Traditions: The Name Day and Grilled Sausages
I am combining these two topics because last night I experienced them both together! Where we Americans take pride in roasting marshmallows, Poles take pride in roasting sausage over a fire. They eat more grilled sausage than hamburgers, hotdogs, steaks, or especially marshmallows (since those are pretty hard to find here) combined. Playing in an…
Easter in Krakow: Palm Sunday
On Palm Sunday between 10am and 1:30pm you can head to the Main Square to see a competition of “palms- beautiful handmade poles filled with color and vibrance; as well as, traditional song and dance all day long. If you have your own palm, don’t forget to take it to church to have it blessed…
Festivals, Traditions, and Holidays
The best way to find out what is going on in Krakow during your stay is to check in with the Krakow Festival Bureau or grab a copy of the Karnet magazine. (For those of you with an Instagram or Facebook, I suggest following the accounts for both those offices, among others, to get a feel…
Polish Traditions: The Legend of the Lajkonik
You can see the Lajkonik all over the city, it is on the fabric used to cover some bus and tram seats, its on many brochures, used in logos, it is a true symbol of Krakow. The Lajkonik is a man on a hobby-horse, dressed in fanciful clothing, that is said to bring good luck,…
Day Trippin: Czestochowa, the Czarna Madonna, and Jasna Gora Monastery
To anyone interested in Catholic history, or is a Catholic themself, heading to Czestochowa to the Jasna Gora Monastery from Krakow might be a good idea. The original Czarna Madonna is held here, and the monastery is also an end-point for thousands of people on pilgrimages, my mother-in-law included. The actual piece of art is held…
Say Hello to the Hejnał
Every hour on the hour, keep your ears open for the Hejnał playing his trumpet from the top of St. Mary’s Church Tower. Legend has it that during a Mongol Invasion in the 1200’s, the Hejnał began playing his trumpet to warn the city, and was shot in the heart. Today if you listen closely,…
Polish Traditions: Easter Basket and Eggs
If you’re lucky enough to be in Poland for Easter, we suggest joining in some of the traditions, whether you are Catholic or not. Two very unique traditions are the dying of Easter eggs and the blessing of Easter baskets. Go to a local farmer’s market to find all the supplies you will need to…