Kraków Easter Market & Celebrations 2025 in Krakow

Easter is one of the most significant holidays in Poland, with Holy Week filled with traditions and special occasions. The festive season kicks off with the Easter Fair in Kraków’s Main Square, where people celebrate with unique events every day through Easter Tuesday, in and around Krakow.

Easter Fair in Kraków’s Main Square

One of the most popular places during the Easter season is the Kraków Easter Market, held annually in the Old Town's central square, Rynek Główny. This market signifies the beginning of the holiday season in the city. The dates may vary, but the event typically takes place for about ten days leading up to Easter Sunday and overlaps with Holy Week.

The final day is usually Easter Monday or Tuesday. The Easter Fair is the perfect place to purchase charming festive souvenirs, and locals come to buy traditional handmade "palms" of dried flowers and plants to be blessed on Palm Sunday.

Palm Sunday: Palm & Craft Competition in Lipnica Murowana

Festivities also start on Palm Sunday, when palm branches are blessed. The village of Lipnica Murowana, about 40 miles (60 km) southeast of Kraków, holds an annual palm competition, attracting 15,000 spectators with its festive atmosphere and various man-made palms, some reaching up to 100 feet (30 m). People also have their own palm branches blessed during a mass service on the market square.

Easter Saturday

On Easter Saturday, Polish families bring food to church to be blessed. Baskets typically contain bread, sausages, eggs, salt, and horseradish, each with its own symbolic meaning. Easter, a holiday of mixed sorrow and joy, commemorates Jesus Christ's sacrifice to save mankind from suffering. Easter eggs symbolize new life, salt is a weapon against evil spirits and misleading ideas, and bread represents the body of Jesus.

Easter Sunday

After church on Easter Sunday, families gather for a festive meal. Before the meal begins, people take a small piece of a blessed egg and exchange wishes. The Easter morning meal includes sausage, ham, pate, potato salad, and beets, with the only hot dish being żurek (Polish rye soup) and white sausages. Desserts like mazurek (a pie with icing), makowiec (poppy seed pie), and cheesecake are also enjoyed.

For an authentic Easter experience, consider attending services at some of Krakow's most beautiful churches, such as St. Mary's Basilica, Wawel Cathedral, Saints Peter and Paul Church, or Holy Trinity Church.

Easter Monday: Emaus Fair

Festivities don’t end on Easter Sunday in Krakow. The celebration continues with the Emaus Fair on Easter Monday, a traditional indulgence fair known as "odpust" that has been part of church services since the 16th century. The name Emaus comes from the biblical village of Emmaus. Historically, Krakow’s townspeople would take a ceremonial walk to the church at the Norbertine Monastery, which evolved into a popular fair by the 19th century, including a stroll to the Kościuszko Mound.

Due to ongoing renovations on T. Kościuszki Street, the fair had to move to a new location. In 2024, it will be held at Krakowskie Błonia. The new location still offers the charm of a walk along the Rudawa River and a visit to the Kościuszko Mound. Visitors can enjoy stalls selling treats, folk toys, souvenirs, balloons, shooting galleries, carousels, rides, raffles, and various fun activities that children particularly enjoy.

Easter Tuesday: Rękawka Festival on Krakus Mound

On the Tuesday after Easter Monday, locals gather on Krakus Mound for the Rękawka Festival. Known as Krakow's highest point and one of its oldest and most mysterious locations, the mound was historically used for pagan rites to commune with deceased forefathers. Modern-day festivities include medieval reenactments, a festive fair, workshops on historical customs, and historical games for children. Highlights of the day-long program include the lighting of the Holy Fire, a medieval warrior run, a medieval battle, and a medieval music concert.