The Kraków Christmas market is more than wooden stalls with decorations and mulled drinks — it's a whole festive town on the Main Market Square, filled with scents, music and small attractions for children. It usually opens in late November and runs into early January; in recent years the main Market Square event traditionally ends around New Year’s Day, while the pre-Christmas period hosts many accompanying events.
If you're coming with children, expect stalls with handicrafts, local delicacies, food stands and a stage with performances and shows. The program also includes family events — Santa parades, nativity scene contests, carolers' processions and themed workshops held in various places across the city.
Remember that the biggest concentration of attractions is on the Main Market Square; smaller markets appear on Wolnica Square or Podgórski Market Square and can be less crowded and more stroller-friendly. These are good options when you want to avoid the biggest hustle and bustle.
The main market is organized by local merchant associations working with the city and partners; the exact format and program change slightly each year, so it's worth checking details before you travel.
Key rule: plan short and stay flexible. Children get tired faster than adults, so a 2–3 hour walk with breaks is better than trying to spend a full day in a crowd.
The best time is the morning right after the market opens — there are fewer people, stalls are fully stocked and children can see displays more easily. Evenings are the most beautiful because of the lights, but they can be very crowded — if you want lights plus comfort, consider coming in the late afternoon before dusk.
Weekdays are usually calmer than weekends. Avoid days with big events in the program (concerts, parades) if you want fewer crowds.
Remember the weather: late November and December can be cold. Short, planned visits and breaks in warm cafés or shopping centers will help avoid exhaustion and frostbite.
If you plan to meet Santa or attend a specific event (Santa parade, carolers' procession, nativity contest), check the date and times in advance — these attractions draw crowds and are worth planning for. In practice many family events happen in early December and in the second half of the month.
Short rule: with very young children — come in the morning; with older children — think about the afternoon, when the atmosphere is festive but the biggest crowds may not yet have arrived.
Writing letters to Santa or special booths for sending "letters to the sky" are common family activities — a great way to start the visit and engage a little one.
The 'Santa tram' is an informal but popular attraction during Saint Nicholas celebrations; a decorated tram runs around the city and small gifts are sometimes handed out to children. Keep an eye on public transport announcements if you want to hop on with the kids.
The Kraków Nativity Scene contest and nativity exhibitions are a hit with curious little ones — colorful miniature constructions can fascinate both children and adults. The city also hosts related exhibitions in museums and exhibition halls.
On the market stage you’ll often find carol concerts, folk performances and short shows for children. Short animations and performances work better than long concerts if you want to keep a child's attention.
Christmas workshops — decorating baubles, making ornaments or short craft sessions — are organized in various places (stalls, cultural centers, smaller markets). They’re perfect for letting a child create a keepsake from the trip.
At the market you'll find lots of street food that most children will gladly try: hot chocolate, pancakes, sweets and regional treats that can be an interesting culinary experience (for example, warm smoked cheese 'oscypek').
For the youngest, carry a small supply of snacks, a thermos with a warm drink and extra water. Queues at food stalls can be long, so it’s good to have something ready for a hungry child.
If your child has dietary restrictions or allergies, bring your own food — not all stalls list full ingredient information, and crowds make stress more likely. Restaurants and cafés around the Market Square also offer children's menus and places to warm up.
Watch out for hot drinks in a crowd — keep children away from open pots and cups that can be knocked over. A spill-proof thermal cup for the child is a good idea.
If you plan a break in a heated place, shopping centers and some museums have family corners and changing facilities.
The Market Square surface is old and uneven cobbles; a stroller with weak wheels can be hard to push. For very small children consider a carrier or sling as an alternative. If you take a stroller, choose one with larger, all-terrain wheels.
Dress in layers — children overheat easily while walking between stalls, then get cold standing still. Pack a warm coat, hat, gloves and an extra layer that’s easy to remove. Disposable hand warmers in a pocket can help older kids.
Stable, non-slip shoes are essential — winter conditions and mud make comfortable footwear a must. Bring an umbrella or rain cover if the forecast is wet.
Make a checklist of items you always keep in the child's bag: spare sweater, diapers, wipes, a small blanket, plasters and basic medicines for fever or pain (as recommended by your pediatrician).
If you use a stroller, plan where to store shopping — bags hung on the handle can tip the stroller, so use a small backpack or a closed bag instead.
There may be fewer public toilets in the city center than you'd like, and queues can be long. A better option is to use a restaurant, café or shopping center that has changing tables and warmer conditions.
When planning breaks, locate cafés or museums near the Market Square in advance — they’re safe, warm places for feeding, changing or a quick nap.
Not all outdoor exhibitions are stroller-friendly; if you plan a longer walk with a little one, choose a route with facilities or take shorter segments between attractions.
During the biggest city events (parades, concerts) seating is limited — have a plan B: a break in a nearby café or a short trip to a less crowded square.
Always carry a small blanket or mat where your child can rest outside the crowd.
Agree before the visit on a fixed, easy-to-describe meeting point and tell your child about it (if they are old enough to understand). A visible Christmas tree, a specific stall or the entrance to a well-known café make good meeting points.
Give older children an ID with the caregiver's phone number in a pocket or on a wrist band. For very young kids hide the phone number in their clothing.
Keep children on a short leash or close to you in the most crowded moments. In very dense places, carry the youngest children.
Avoid large handbags worn on the back — theft is easier in a crowd. Consider a backpack worn on the front during the busiest moments.
In emergencies always have basic emergency numbers and a phone with a full battery.
Beyond the main market on the Square, smaller fairs and workshops pop up in the city and local cultural centers — for example at Podgórski Market Square or Wolnica Square. These places are often less crowded and frequently offer craft workshops for children.
Museums and cultural institutions organize accompanying exhibitions and family meetings during the holiday season (for example nativity exhibitions and craft classes). This is a safe option for a cold or rainy day.
If you're interested in particular activities (bauble decorating, ceramics workshops, children's theatre), book places in advance — popular sessions fill up quickly.
Check local event calendars: city pages, district cultural centers and market organizers often publish detailed programs with family event information.
A small tip: smaller local markets tend to be more "child-centered" — with simpler workshops and shorter activities, ideal for younger groups.
Keep a short "escape" list of alternatives for very bad weather — a warm museum, a café by the Square, a shopping center or a short tram ride around the city.
If the child is chilled or starts to feel unwell, find a warm spot quickly and give a warming drink. If medical help is needed, look for the nearest first aid point or pharmacy.
If the child has had enough of the market, plan shorter stages: 20–30 minutes walking, 10–15 minutes break, then repeat. These cycles work better than trying to endure the whole event at once.
In rainy weather bring a waterproof stroller cover and a raincoat for the child — wet clothes quickly spoil the mood and cut the visit short.
Remember: it’s better to shorten the visit and return to your accommodation than to push it and make everyone miserable.
- Check the weather forecast and the market’s program for the day.
- Plan the arrival time (morning = fewer crowds).
- Pack spare clothes, snacks, a thermos, wipes and basic medicines.
- Decide whether you’ll take a stroller or a carrier; choose comfortable shoes.
- Set a meeting point and hide the caregiver’s phone number in an easy place.
- Book a spot for specific workshops if you want to participate.
Enjoy the little things: the first glance at the lit Christmas tree, a family photo at a colorful stall, hot chocolate in a thermal cup — these are the moments a child will remember.
Don’t treat the visit like a checklist. It’s better to do a bit less, calmly and joyfully, than to overload the day and have cranky children.
If you have time, take a short walk to quieter parts of the city — smaller markets and local fairs have their own charm and are often more family-friendly.
Come to Kraków with an open heart and both Plan A and Plan B — the city can enchant, and the holiday atmosphere with children is truly special. Good luck and enjoy your visit! - Małgorzata Kasprowicz.
If you’d like, I can prepare a personalized half-day plan for market visits with a little one — tell me the child’s age, dietary preferences and walking pace, and I’ll map out a route.
