Krakow Newsletter - January 2026

January in Krakow marks a quieter shift after the festive period, yet the city remains vibrant with highlights such as the annual Nativity Scene (Szopka) exhibition and the WOŚP Grand Finale. Thisseason. The crisp winter air often blankets the city in a serene glow, perfect for exploring its historic streets and cozy cafes at a relaxed pace. This month offers a beautiful blend of deep-rooted traditions and heartwarming community spirit, along with some truly unique international events.

One of Krakow’s most cherished traditions takes center stage with the 83rd Krakow Nativity Scene Post-Competition Exhibition. The creation of "szopki krakowskie" (Krakow Nativity Scenes) is a unique art form, recognized by UNESCO, born from a medieval tradition of crib-making that evolved into elaborate, often glittering, miniature architectural wonders. These scenes aren't just religious; they often incorporate local landmarks and figures, making them a fascinating cultural snapshot. You can immerse yourself further in this tradition with the All Around Nativity Scenes – accompanying city events, which include workshops and guided walks throughout the city. To truly understand the city's rich history and cultural tapestry, including the origins of such unique traditions, why not join our Welcome to Kraków! Old Town & Wawel Hill Guided Walking Tour? It's a perfect way to trace the city's story from its medieval heart to its royal past.

A highlight you absolutely cannot miss is the 34th Grand Finale of The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity (WOŚP) on January 25th. This annual national fundraising phenomenon has no parallel in modern Polish history, uniting millions in a massive effort to support Polish healthcare. You'll see thousands of volunteers, often young, collecting donations across the city, identifiable by their iconic red heart stickers. By contributing, you not only help a vital cause, supporting diagnostics and treatment for children's digestive system diseases this year, but you also become part of a powerful wave of generosity and solidarity. Receiving a red heart sticker after a donation is more than just a thank you; it's a shared gesture of kindness that sweeps the entire country.

For something truly extraordinary, consider spending an evening underground at the New Year’s Concert in the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine on January 10th or 11th. Imagine symphonic music echoing through chambers carved entirely from salt, 135 meters below the surface—it’s an acoustic and visual marvel! These concerts combine classical pieces and film themes in an unforgettable setting just outside the city. It's an ideal opportunity to combine your visit with the Museum route at the Wieliczka Salt Mine, offering a fantastic family outing where children can marvel at salt sculptures and underground chapels. For a seamless experience to this UNESCO-listed wonder, discover the mine's beauty and history with our Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour, delivered by one of Walkative's partners, taking care of all the details for you.

And for those seeking a different kind of excitement, the IEM Krakow 2026 – Intel Extreme Masters at Tauron Arena offers a glimpse into the world of esports. While the main tournament runs into February, late January brings open days with expo areas and gaming zones, a great alternative to typical city break activities, especially for families with teenagers. Whether you’re drawn to age-old traditions, heartwarming community events, or cutting-edge entertainment, Krakow in January promises memorable experiences. Bundle up, embrace the winter charm, and let the city surprise you!

Date	Event	Category
January 2-31	All Around Nativity Scenes – accompanying city events City-wide program around Kraków’s nativity scene tradition, mentioned in the 2026 calendar. Expect workshops, guided walks and family activities linked to the szopki theme.	📅 Other	More details →
January 10-11	Museum route at the Wieliczka Salt Mine – family visit combined with New Year Concert period On 10–11 January 2026 the "Wieliczka" Salt Mine hosts New Year Concerts underground.It is a good moment to combine the ticketed concert with a daytime museum route visit, which offers chambers, chapels and salt sculptures that children enjoy.	📅 Other	More details →
January 28-31	IEM Kraków 2026 – Intel Extreme Masters at Tauron Arena (expo and fan activities) From 28 January to 8 February 2026, Tauron Arena hosts IEM Kraków 2026, a major esports tournament kicking off the ESL Pro Tour season. While the full tournament lasts into February, late January usually brings open days with expo areas, sponsor booths, meet‑and‑greets and gaming zones that appeal to families with teens.	📅 Other	More details →
January 6	Cortege of the Three Wise Men 2026 Experience the traditional Epiphany procession through Krakow's streets.	🎄 Holiday	More details →
January 25-25	The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity 34th Grand Finale in Krakow The 34th Grand Finale of The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity (WOŚP) is a major fundraising event taking place in Krakow, focusing on supporting the diagnostics and treatment of digestive system diseases in children. It includes volunteer registrations, charity auctions, and various local events like public concerts. It would be hard to miss them or the young volunteer fundraisers moving around the city on that day!	🎪 Festival	More details →
January 10	New Year’s Concert in the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine – Day 1 Symphonic New Year’s gala staged 135 metres underground in the UNESCO‑listed Wieliczka Salt Mine, combining classical hits and film themes. Concerts are held in one of the underground chambers in Wieliczka, about 30 minutes from Kraków by train or bus; the 10 January evening usually requires advance tickets purchased via the mine’s website, typically in the higher price range compared with city concerts.	🎵 Concert	More details →
January 11	New Year’s Concert in the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine – Day 2 Second evening of the underground New Year’s concert, ideal if you want grand orchestral music in a very unusual setting. Held again in the salt mine’s concert chamber in Wieliczka on 11 January.	🎵 Concert	More details →
January 19	Organ Mornings at the Kraków Philharmonic Start your day with captivating organ music at the Kraków Philharmonic. Enjoy a diverse program with beautiful melodies.	🎵 Concert	More details →
December 8 - March 1	83rd Krakow Nativity Scene Post-Competition Exhibition The 83rd Krakow Nativity Scene Contest promotes the traditional craft of creating unique nativity scenes. Following the competition, an exhibition showcases the winning and most beautiful creations to the public.	🖼️ Exhibition	More details →
January 9-11	Cinderella (Kraków Opera) See the classic story of Cinderella brought to life at the Kraków Opera.	📅 Other	More details →