The weather is cold and often snowy, but a trip to Krakow in December is worth it just to see the city’s Christmas celebrations. The city’s Main Market Square has been the site of a commercial market for hundreds of years and is the center of festive festivities, and Poland’s most famous Christmas market is established here every December. Also, all the lights and decorations make the center of Krakow even more beautiful.
Krakow weather in December
The average temperature in Krakow in December is about 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but temperatures fluctuate throughout the month.
- Average High: 36 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius)
- Low Average: 27 degrees Fahrenheit (-3 degrees Celsius)
There is the possibility of snow almost every day, which means that you will have to bundle up if you want to enjoy your trip to Poland at this time of year. However, there are still plenty of dry days to enjoy some outdoor activities, including mountaineering, even though the city only sees about an hour of sunshine a day throughout December.
What to pack
When packing for a trip to this city in southern Poland, include warm clothing that allows you to dress in layers and boots suitable for walking in the snow. You’ll want to pack lots of sweaters, long-sleeved shirts, pullovers, pants, and maybe even long underwear for an extra layer of warmth from the cold. A scarf, gloves, and hat are also necessary to protect yourself from winter conditions, and you may want to pack an umbrella and a raincoat in case it rains during your visit.
December events in Krakow
Old Town Krakow takes on a special atmosphere during the Christmas season. The aromas of Polish seasonal foods emanate from the snack stalls and the massive Christmas tree lend a majestic elegance to the square, which glows with lights after the daylight fades.
However, the entire city also hosts a variety of holiday events throughout the month, and a variety of traditional local celebrations on Christmas Eve and Day, as well as various other non-religious events that take place in the city throughout the month.
- Krakow Christmas Market – This annual market in Krakow’s Old Town invites dozens of local manufacturers to sell traditional Polish seasonal food and hot hot drinks, as well as handmade goods. Traditional Polish gift items are also on sale, including regional jewelry, Polish art and Christmas decorations.
- Christmas Nursery Contest: On the first Thursday in December, this annual competition takes place in the Main Market Square and invites local and international chefs to prepare their best versions of szopka , the Polish version of nursery schools. The making of Christmas nurseries is a Krakow tradition, and Krakow Christmas nurseries are elaborate works of art that draw elements of the city’s architecture, distinguishing them from nurseries made for the holiday season elsewhere.
- Christmas Eve: The traditional holiday of Christmas in Poland occurs on Christmas Eve, or Wigilia, a day that has the same importance as Christmas Day. Before setting the table, straw or hay is placed under a white tablecloth. An additional place is established for an unexpected visitor, as a reminder that Jesus and his parents were rejected from the inns in Bethlehem and that those seeking refuge are welcome on this special night. The traditional Polish Christmas meal consists of 12 dishes, one for each of the 12 apostles. It is officially Christmas Eve, according to local tradition, when the first star appears in the night sky.
- Christmas Day: Christmas celebrations in Poland follow many Catholic traditions, including some observed in the United States. Polish Christmas trees are decorated with gingerbread cut shapes, colored wafers, cookies, fruits, candy, straw ornaments, decorations made from eggshells, or glass ornaments, and the midnight mass is a standard religious ritual. for many in Krakow and throughout Poland.
- Krakow Mountains Festival – A mountaineering event that takes place throughout the month of December and attracts climbers from all over the world. The Festival also includes film screenings and workshops along with contests in this favorite local pastime.
- New Years Eve: Although there will be many parties to choose from in bars and venues throughout the city, the largest celebration in the city takes place in Market Square, which becomes a great concert venue with free shows from some of the biggest stars in the city. Poland. The night is crowned by the sound of the bells in the Cathedral of Santa María and a fireworks display.
December Travel Tips
- Since Christmas is a popular time for tourists to visit Krakow, visitors should expect to pay mid to high season rates for accommodation and airfare. Make sure you book your itinerary well in advance so you can shop around for the best price, especially if you’re traveling towards the end of the month.
- You can also book your trip for late November or early December if you want to avoid the inflated cost of vacation travel; however, in recent years, airfare and accommodation rates have remained fairly level during the latter part of the year.
- While Christmas events and festivities are the main tourist draws in December, there are also plenty of concerts, theater performances, art galleries, and museum exhibits to explore this month.
