The Main Market Square is not only the largest medieval square in Europe — it’s a living city centre whose open space naturally invites markets, concerts, parades and outdoor events. Surrounded by landmarks (the Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Church, the Town Hall Tower) and many cafés and restaurants, the Square is logistically convenient for organisers and attractive to visitors.
Thanks to close cooperation between city institutions, museums and private organisers, the Square fills up with recurring and one-off events — from Christmas markets to summer concerts and international craft fairs. For a tourist this means that almost regardless of the season there’s a good chance you’ll find something interesting here. Still, it’s wise to check the city calendar before your trip — some events change dates or format from year to year.
One of the most recognisable “everyday attractions” is the trumpet call from St. Mary’s Tower at 12:00 — a short but characteristic moment of the day that often accompanies the start of processions and ceremonies on the Square.
The most iconic winter event on the Square is the Christmas Market — wooden stalls selling crafts, regional treats and holiday decorations, enhanced by lights and Christmas trees. The market typically starts in late November and runs through early January, creating a very photogenic festive scene.
The Kraków nativity scene (szopka) competition also takes place here — a tradition coordinated by the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków. In early December creators display their works near the Adam Mickiewicz monument, there’s usually a parade after the trumpet call, and the entries go on to a post-competition exhibition. It’s a unique event that blends craft, city history and holiday spirit.
New Year’s Eve has often been celebrated publicly on the Main Market Square (concerts and countdowns), though the city’s format for New Year celebrations can change. If you plan to visit around the year-end, check the official programme because the city may decide on different locations or formats each year.
In spring the Square hosts a different kind of market — the Easter Market is an annual event usually held in the weeks before Easter. You’ll find decorated eggs, traditional palms, regional crafts and seasonal treats; workshops, demonstrations and ceremonies linked to Easter customs are often organised alongside the stalls.
Easter fairs are also an opportunity to see folk performances — regional ensembles, displays of traditional tables, craft workshops and the blessing of palms or baskets. It’s a great moment to experience local customs and buy original souvenirs made by artisans.
Church holidays in spring (for example Corpus Christi) involve solemn processions and celebrations that often pass through the Old Town area and may use the Square as a central point or stage on the route. During these days it’s useful to check street access and nearby attractions in advance.
In summer the Square turns into a venue for open-air concerts and festivals. Programmes include both municipal initiatives (for example the ‘Summer in the City’ series) and events produced by cultural organisations: concerts, performances, competitions and picnics.
A summer classic is the International Folk Art Fair — a multi-week event (usually in July–August) where folk craftsmen and dance groups present their work. It’s a perfect chance to see costumes, crafts and performances from different regions of Poland and Europe.
Jazz and other summer festivals often open with short concerts on the Square (for example New Orleans-style Sunday events), and sometimes hold finals or outdoor concerts in the city centre. In June or July you may also encounter charity concerts and performances organised by foundations and institutions.
The Square is also full of smaller happenings: street performances, parades, craft demonstrations and special art projects. Summer afternoons and evenings are the best time to sit in a café and watch the city life unfold.
Autumn usually brings a slight dip in event intensity on the Square — but there are still cultural happenings, concerts and occasional fairs. September and October are ideal months for a calmer visit to the Cloth Hall exhibitions, the Krzysztofory Palace and other museums around the Square.
Many city festivals schedule activities across May–June and again in September, so early autumn can bring theatre premieres, concerts and debates held in the Cloth Hall arcades or on the stage by the Town Hall. This is also a period when outdoor cinema programmes and film events sometimes use the Square’s central location.
The trumpet call from St. Mary’s — the daily signal played from the tower of St. Mary’s Church at 12:00 is a Kraków symbol and a moment worth planning into your sightseeing. After the call official processions and presentations (for example the nativity scene parade) sometimes begin.
Museums around the Square — the Cloth Hall (Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art), the Krzysztofory Palace (a branch of the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków) and other institutions run exhibitions, talks and accompanying events. Many attractions also participate in Night of Museums and similar city-wide initiatives.
You’ll almost always find street artists, pianists in café gardens and small souvenir stalls around the Square — it’s part of its atmosphere. Keep in mind that during larger events organisers install stages and barriers, so some parts of the Square can be temporarily inaccessible.
Around the Main Market Square you’ll find a wide selection of restaurants and cafés — from the historic and prestigious Wierzynek restaurant, through elegant dining rooms in the tenement houses by the Cloth Hall (for example Szara), to intimate cafés like Cafe Camelot. When choosing a place to eat, consult up-to-date reviews and reserve tables in advance during the high season and big events.
If you plan to stay overnight, the best option for visitors who want to be at the centre of events is a hotel or apartment within the Old Town — most attractions will then be within walking distance. Be aware that accommodation prices rise during markets and large festivals, so booking in advance will save nerves and money.
If you’d like recommendations for places to eat right now, I can suggest a few well-rated spots near the Square — tell me what kind of cuisine you prefer and I’ll prepare a list.
When is the best time to visit the Square to catch an event? - It depends on what you want to see: winter (November–January) for Christmas markets and the nativity scene competition; spring (before Easter) for the Easter market; summer (July–August) for the folk art fair and outdoor concerts. To avoid crowds, pick mornings and weekdays.
Do I need tickets? - Many events on the Square (markets, open-air concerts) are free. Some concerts or special events may require tickets or registration — especially those organised by cultural institutions. Always check the organiser’s announcement before you go.
Is the Square accessible for people with limited mobility? - The main surface is paved and largely accessible, but during events parts of the area may be fenced off, with steps or temporary platforms on procession routes. Contact the event organiser or the tourist information office for detailed accessibility information.
Arriving at the last minute for Christmas markets or summer concerts — this leads to long queues at stalls and no free tables. Reserve a table or come earlier.
Not checking the programme before leaving — many events change dates and times, and some processions alter their routes. A quick check in the city’s official calendar or the organiser’s announcement will prevent disappointment.
Neglecting safety in crowds — the Square gets very busy during major events; carry a small pouch for documents, watch out for pickpockets and plan a meeting point if you are with children, including a contact number on them.
The nativity scene competition is not only a local attraction — Kraków’s szopka tradition is inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and the event attracts both local creators and international attention.
The markets on the Square continue a medieval trading tradition — modern fairs echo Kraków’s historic role as an important merchant centre on international trade routes.
Over the course of a year the Square hosts such varied events that even long-time residents sometimes discover a new face of the place — from colourful craft stalls to nighttime concerts and multimedia shows.
If you want to see the Square “from the inside” and also hit the most interesting events on your dates, using a local guide is a good idea. Małgorzata Kasprowicz (contact via zwiedzaniekrakowa.com) offers individual and group tours, helps plan logistics, reserve museum tickets, book restaurant tables and arrange transport.
A guide can: check the current events calendar, plan a route to avoid the biggest crowds, reserve a table at a recommended restaurant for the season and take care of comfort when visiting with children or people needing support. If you like, I can help prepare a list of questions to ask Małgorzata before booking a tour.
The Main Market Square lives all year long — its calendar blends tradition with modernity, and visitors will find both large, well-known events and intimate local happenings. Regardless of the season, check current information and treat the Square as a starting point for discovering more of Kraków.
If you enjoyed this guide, share it with friends or on social media so others can learn what’s happening at the heart of Kraków.
Would you like to plan a guided visit? Małgorzata Kasprowicz from zwiedzaniekrakowa.com will gladly advise and organise tours of the Square, museums and the city’s most interesting corners, and help with reservations for hotels, restaurants and tickets. Contact her through zwiedzaniekrakowa.com to tailor the programme to your expectations and take care of logistics for your stay in Kraków.
