A tour guide explains a historical plaque with the Polish Fighting Symbol to a group of tourists against a brick wall.

Things to Do in Krakow in September 2026

As the summer heat mellows into the crisp air of early autumn, September 2026 brings a unique blend of historical reflection, lively culture, and charming local traditions to our beautiful city. The month begins with an important date for locals. September 1st marks the traditional beginning of the school year in Poland, bringing a bustling, youthful energy back to the city streets.

Newsletter • 3 min. read

The summer holidays have come to an end, and as the school year begins, the city streets are bustling with a renewed, vibrant energy and the crisp, refreshing feel of early autumn. It is a fantastic time to explore Krakow's profound history, lively cultural scene, and delightfully quirky traditions.

Reflect on History During a Key Anniversary

Early September is always a solemn time in Poland - the anniversary of the outbreak of World War II remains a deeply important date in our collective memory. To deeply understand this tragic yet resilient chapter of the city's past, we highly recommend participating in the Kraków at War: WWII & Nazi Occupation Guided Tour. This insightful walk examines the realities of the Nazi occupation, guiding you from the Katyń wooden cross to the wartime bomb shelters and the former Gestapo headquarters, tracing exactly how the city and its people endured.

Kraków’s Quirkiest Tradition: The Dachshund March

One of Krakow's most adorable and highly anticipated events returns to the heart of the city. Animal lovers absolutely cannot miss the 28th Dachshund March. This charming, world-famous parade fills the Main Market Square with hundreds of costumed sausage dogs and their proud owners, drawing massive crowds and bringing smiles to locals and visitors alike.

Discover Autumn Festivals, Culture, and Sports

Even with the new school year starting, September's calendar is packed for those looking for a bit of action and entertainment. Alongside crowd favorites like the famous Dachshund March, sports enthusiasts can strap on their skates and hit the pavement for the thrilling Cracovia Inline Skating Marathon. As a seasonal highlight of the local sports calendar, this dynamic race invites both amateur and professional skaters to speed through the closed streets of the city. If you look for this skating event and where to join in, head straight to Błonia Park.

Afterwards, you can celebrate the changing of the seasons at the Celtic Kraków Festival. Featuring lively traditional folk music, energetic Irish and Scottish dance performances, engaging cultural workshops, and a fantastic international atmosphere, it is the perfect way to round out your autumn itinerary.

Date	Event	Category
September 2026 — exact start date TBA	Cracovia Music Festival The 17th Cracovia Music Festival is an international choir and orchestra festival held in historic churches, including Wawel Cathedral.	🎪 Festival	tickets-krakow.com →
September 4–6, 2026	Kraków Celtic Festival 2026 A Celtic culture festival returning to Kraków for its second edition. The festival’s primary venue is Dworek Białoprądnicki in northern Kraków, and the official description says the city will again become a Celtic cultural centre for the first weekend of September.	🎪 Festival	krakowcelticfestival.pl →
September 6, 2026	28th Dachshund March After a seven-year break, the 28th Dachshund March returns to the Main Market Square in Krakow, featuring a 'Most Royal Dachshund' competition, dog advice, free services for pets, and a food drive for shelter dogs.	🎪 Festival	krakow.pl →
September 19, 2026	Cracovia Maraton na Rolkach Inline skaters compete over the full marathon distance of 42 km and 195 m. The race starts at 09:00, with start and finish on the promenade by al. Focha, near the intersection with ul. Prusa, opposite Błonia.	⚽ Sport	cracoviamaraton.pl →

In August, Krakow offers a lively mix of culinary traditions, outdoor music, and national celebrations. The Annual Pierogi Festival A notable event in August is the Pierogi Festival (Festiwal Pierogów), held in the Mały Rynek (Little Market Square). Local restaurants and vendors compete for a statue of St. Jacek, the patron saint of pierogi.