Wianki are Kraków’s celebrations of St. John’s Night (Kupala Night) — a large city festival on the Vistula full of music, workshops, shows, competitions and traditional customs like weaving wreaths and setting them afloat on the river. Events usually take place around the summer solstice, around June 21, and last several days.
If you plan to visit Kraków in summer, Wianki are a great chance to feel the local atmosphere: there will be music (stages on Powiśle and the river boulevards), workshop areas, markets, boat trips on the Vistula and family- and group-oriented programs. It’s not only concerts but a set of activities spread along the boulevards, which makes it easier to find something suitable for a medium-sized group.
For groups of 7-20 people the event has the advantage that you can combine a shared program element (for example a boat trip or a workshop) with relaxed, independent time on the boulevards — avoiding the biggest crowds in the main concert zones. Below you’ll find concrete ideas and practical tips for planning such an outing.
A medium-sized group (7-20 people) has many practical advantages: you can reserve parts of attractions exclusively or buy group tickets, while you don’t need to organize a huge event. This size works very well for creative workshops, boat trips on the Vistula or themed picnics.
A group this size is large enough to enjoy a shared atmosphere and split costs for attractions (for example renting a boat), but small enough to change plans during the day — pop into a short workshop, take a boat trip and still find a spot for group refreshments.
Because events are spread out along the Vistula you can avoid the biggest crowds by dividing activities across several meeting points: Powiśle, Bulwar Rodła, Bulwar Czerwieński or the area near Dębnicki Bridge. That’s comfortable for people who prefer a more relaxed experience.
1) Wreath-weaving workshops - a Wianki classic. Workshops typically last about 60–90 minutes and are offered for adults and children. In a group of 7–20 it’s easy to reserve several places in one session or ask organizers for a dedicated slot. The result is a handmade souvenir and a lot of fun.
2) Boat trips on the Vistula - an exceptional option for groups: choose a short sightseeing cruise, an evening city-view cruise or rent a boat exclusively for your group. There are many types of vessels — historic barges (galars) with an educational program, catamarans, gondola-style boats and tourist boats. A cruise is a great way to see Kraków from the water and avoid crowds on the boulevards.
3) Raftsmen-style experiences and guided trips - some cruises combine a trip with stories about the Vistula’s history, the river raftsmen and former beaches of Kraków. This is attractive for groups that like to mix relaxation with a short lesson in local history.
4) Themed zones and nature workshops - organizers often set up booths with nature workshops (for example about river plants and wildlife), handicrafts, weaving or jewelry-making. In a smaller group it’s easy to sign up for several activities at once.
5) Contests and outdoor shows - a competition for the most beautiful wreath, fire theatre shows, a dawn concert or local performances — if your group likes music you can spend part of the evening by a stage and the rest in a quieter area of the boulevards.
6) Themed picnic and food area - the boulevards offer places to spread a blanket, have a small get-together or use local food stalls. For a group of 7–20 it’s a good idea to order catering or several delivered dishes and enjoy a shared meal on the grass.
7) Photo sessions and small team-building activities - a city game, a photo walk with a ‘must-capture’ list or a short warm-up before workshops are simple activities that give the event character and create nice memories.
Prices vary widely depending on the type of attraction and the date. As a guideline — tourist cruises and small boat rentals often offer per-person pricing or exclusive rental; some gondola or small-boat offers start at a few hundred zlotys for a short cruise, while group cruises or hiring a larger catamaran cost more. Wreath-weaving workshops usually charge a single per-person ticket price.
Practical tip - book in advance. In summer and especially during Wianki popular attractions fill up quickly. For groups of 7–20 it’s wise to start planning and check availability at least 2–4 weeks ahead; for special requests (exclusive boat rental, catering) plan even earlier.
If you have a limited budget, combine paid activities (for example a cruise or a workshop) with free elements — a long walk along the boulevards, jointly launching wreaths and a picnic. That balances experience and cost.
The most convenient starting points on the Vistula for groups are: Powiśle (the Powiśle area), Bulwar Rodła (just past Dębnicki Bridge), Bulwar Czerwieński and the area near the pier under Wawel. These places are well connected and often host stages or workshop zones nearby.
If you plan a cruise from the Museum Quay or other piers, pay attention to the mooring spot — not all piers have toilets, and boarding may require descending several steps. It’s worth checking accessibility information in advance if someone in your group has limited mobility.
Group meetings: appoint a contact person and a clear meeting point (for example “entrance to Bulwar Rodła, by the information board”), and set the meeting time 10–15 minutes earlier than the scheduled start — this helps avoid stress from delays and crowds.
Transport and parking: if you arrive by car remember that parking in the center can be paid and limited — consider public transport or taxis/rideshare. For larger groups, ordering a few taxis or a minibus with luggage space can be convenient.
In crowded urban places three simple rules help keep things calm: - appoint a leader/contact person responsible for group presence; - have a backup plan (meeting point, emergency contact number); - use clear recognition signs (for example colored wristbands, a balloon, a hat).
On the boulevards at night remember lighting and weather — evenings by the river can be cooler even in summer. Bring extra layers, a blanket, flashlights and insect repellent.
Water safety: don’t launch wreaths too close to boat traffic, keep children supervised and ask anyone unsure near the river edge to stay at a safe distance. If you plan to rent a boat — make sure the operator provides life jackets and a safety briefing.
Plan A - group of 7–12 people (afternoon and evening): 16:00 - meet at Bulwar Rodła; 16:15 - short walk and light group warm-up; 17:00 - wreath-weaving workshop (about 60–90 min); 19:00 - evening sightseeing cruise or private gondola/boat rental for 45–60 min; 20:30 - picnic/snacks on the grass, launching wreaths and evening concerts in the background. This plan is ideal when the group wants to combine handicrafts, water views and relaxed music.
Plan B - group of 13–20 people (intensive, three zones): 15:30 - gathering and a short city game/photo quest; 17:00 - split into two smaller groups: one attends a workshop, the other enjoys the food zone; 18:30 - joint catamaran cruise or a raftsmen presentation from the Museum Quay; 20:00 - collective wreath-launching and a sunrise/dawn concert or stage performances in the background. For a larger group it’s convenient to divide into smaller subgroups and plan several shorter activities.
- ID and reservation confirmations (printout or screenshot).
- Blanket or mat, extra sweater/light jacket for the evening.
- Water, light snacks if you plan a picnic (remember to clean up afterwards).
- Small first-aid kit: plasters, painkillers, blister plasters, insect repellent.
- Flashlight or charged phone, powerbank, and the contact number of the person responsible for the group.
- If you plan to take photos - spare powerbank and memory card. For peace of mind - consent to photograph if you are taking pictures of other people.
If you want to enjoy Wianki comfortably: - book workshops and cruises in advance; - choose a well-connected meeting point; - appoint a coordinator and share a contact number everyone knows.
On the day of the event arrive a little earlier than planned — spaces for cruises and workshops fill up, and one person’s delay can complicate the whole plan. If the weather is changeable, have a plan B — a short cultural program or move part of the activities to a nearby café or shelter.
And most importantly - have fun together! Wianki are a celebration of community, the river and summer. Whether you choose a cruise, workshops or a picnic, what matters most are good conversations, laughter and shared memories.
If you need help planning a specific itinerary for your group (7–20 people) I’m happy to advise, help find available workshop slots or check boat and meeting-point availability. I can also suggest variants depending on the weather, participants’ ages and budget.
Enjoy your planning and see you by the Vistula! - Małgorzata Kasprowicz
