Calendar

Winter'

 

A carefully curated selection of the most important, emblematic and significant events in the coming three months.

Regardless of genre or duration, this is what makes a perfect winter Kraków Culture!

December

Christmas Fair

25.11-01.01

Let’s immerse ourselves in a world where Christmas seems permanent and while away the time by buying gifts, watching performances and sampling delicious seasonal treats. The exhibitors at the Christmas Fair on the Main Market Square present Polish arts and crafts, sweet delicacies, ceramics and wood and wicker goods. You’ll find Christmas decorations, toys, jewellery, candles, candied fruit… The stage hosts myriad performances, concerts, carolling and poem readings.

25.11-01.01

Travelling Images: Małgorzata Mirga-Tas

02.12-05.03

The first exhibition of works by the most important representative of contemporary Romani art following her great success at the 59th International Art Biennial in Venice. The International Cultural Centre presents acclaimed works made between 2019 and 2022 including “Out of Egypt” cycle, her large-scale fabrics series “Herstories” and her latest works focusing on the history of the Roma people in Nowa Huta and Romani remembrance.

02.12-05.03

Fotografika: Fine-Art Photography in Poland 1927–1978

03.12-07.05

The exhibition at the Museum of Photography at Rakowicka Street is the first exploration of the history of fine-art photography in Poland. The authors of the almost 150 prints, loaned by some of the most important museums and private collections in Poland, include Jan Bułhak, Zdzisław Beksiński, Edward Hartwig, Jerzy Lewczyński, Natalia Lach-Lachowicz, Fortunata Obrąpalska, Wojciech Plewiński, Zofia Rydet, Stefan Themerson and Wojciech Zamecznik.

03.12-07.05

All Around Nativity Scenes

05.12-05.02

Presenting nativity scenes in Kraków’s public space is a joint initiative of the Museum of Krakow and KBF, held annually since 2015. This year’s eighth walking tour focuses on Włodzimierz Tetmajer – artist, author, patriot, independence activist and a great proponent of Polish folklore representing the Young Poland movement.

05.12-05.02

Nativity Scene Contest Exhibition

05.12-26.02

Kraków’s most important beauty pageant is the Nativity Scene Competition, held for the 80th time this year. The dazzling constructions are awarded prizes in a range of categories, and all the works go on display at the Krzysztofory Palace – home of the Museum of Krakow.

05.12-26.02

Divine Comedy International Theatre Festival

07.12-16.12

The Divine Comedy festival isn’t just a celebration of Polish theatre – it’s an important voice speaking up on issues faced by today’s society. This year, the organisers are presenting some of the most important spectacles of the past season, directed by artists such as Krystian Lupa, Maja Kleczewska, Anna Augustynowicz and Jan Klata.

07.12-16.12

Silent Film Festival

08.12-11.12

Poland’s longest-running review of silent films with live music accompaniment! The event is famous for its bold juxtapositions of film and music, and its experimental approach and respect for early cinema. This year’s motif is Changes, and the programme features productions made at the threshold of the sound revolution in cinematography of the 1930s.

08.12-11.12

Krakow Mountain Festival

10.12-11.12

The unique event, intertwining the cultural, sports and tourist aspects of mountains, once again brings lovers of mountaineering stories to Kraków. The 20th anniversary edition features meetings with stars of alpinism and rock climbing, workshops, and – first and foremost – public film screenings.

10.12-11.12

Stars at TAURON Arena Kraków

21.12-12.03

Winter at Tauron Arena Kraków features music events with some of the world’s leading stars. Before Christmas, we will hear a musical homage to the master of cinematic soundtracks Ennio Morricone performed by his son Andrea, accompanied by the Czech National Symphonic Orchestra and Choir (21.12). In the new year, Poland’s largest arena welcomes Michael Bublé (10.02) from Canada, and Robbie Williams (12.03) from the UK.

21.12-12.03
January

Cortege of the Three Wise Men

06.01

The annual pageant follows three traditional routes from Wawel Cathedral, the Villages of the World Park and Matejki Square. The magi come together on the stage by the Town Hall Tower at the Main Market Square where they offer their gifts to Baby Jesus. The event is accompanied by Polish Christmas carols performed by popular Cracovian artists.

06.01

Jacob Mertens and Painting in Krakow Around 1600

13.01-16.04

A few years ago, researchers determined that the painting The Annunciation (stored at a Baroque tenement house owned by the Basilica) once formed a part of the main altarpiece, originally made for the city’s main parish church. The painting goes on display at Wawel Castle alongside other remaining parts of the altar and other works of the Antwerpian artist, loaned for the exhibition by collections all over Poland.

 

13.01-16.04

Jerzy Nowosielski’s Studio

18.01-18.05

On the initiative of the Starmach Gallery, the Sejm of the Republic of Poland hailed 2023 as Year of Jerzy Nowosielski. The official celebrations kick off on 17 January with the exhibition Jerzy Nowosielski’s Studio prepared by the gallery. It recalls the interiors he occupied in Łódź and Kraków and explores his way of thinking about creative work and the distinctive interior arrangement of his living space to fit around the artistic studio.

18.01-18.05
February

Stanisław Wyspiański Museum. Installment 2

from 14.02

The second instalment of the permanent exhibition at the Stanisław Wyspiański Museum launches in February 2023. The switch of the presented works is the result of the efforts made by the National Museum in Krakow to ensure that Wyspiański’s fragile artworks aren’t exposed to harmful factors. It’s also the perfect opportunity to see works not presented at the previous instalment!

from 14.02

Opera Rara Kraków 2023

16.02-26.02

The unique festival presents original premieres of operas from all periods, from the genre’s emergence to the present day. This year’s repertoire includes Mozart’s early work Lucio Silla, Vivaldi’s Tamerlano from Ottavio Dantone and Schumann’s oratorio Das Paradies und die Peri in a stage version prepared by Cezary Tomaszewski and starring Ian Bostridge.

16.02-26.02

International Festival of Form Theatre Materia Prima

17.02-28.02

Held every other year and organised by the Groteska Theatre, during the festival dramatic arts meet circus and dance, all intertwined with multimedia and transformed into a theatre of puppets, masks and shadows. This year we will see spectacles acclaimed the world over, the most important premieres of last year, famous artists and some of the most surprising and spectacular stage performances.

17.02-28.02

Days of Commedia dell’Arte

20.02-26.02

The annual Commedia dell’Arte Day is celebrated on 25 February on six continents in over 60 countries. To mark the occasion, Kraków’s Studio Dono hosts events dedicated to the festival of the 16th-century Italian comedy form.

20.02-26.02

Shanties 2023

23.02-26.02

Some of the greatest stars of shanties and sea songs from all over the globe, exhibitions, meetings, presentations, premieres and of course concerts for kids are just some of the attractions prepared for sea dogs by the organisers of the “Shanties” Sea Song Festival. As usual, the 42nd festival is held in late February.

23.02-26.02

The City. Technosensitivity

opening: Feb/Mar

The Museum of Engineering and Technology launches its modernised headquarters at the former tram depot at Św. Wawrzyńca Street: the latest permanent exhibition is Poland’s first wide-reaching story about the development of engineering thought and its influence on changes in the city and lives of its residents.

opening: Feb/Mar
In Kraków for longer

Private. Kantor’s Theatrical Costumes

07.07-12.02

The unconventional installation, held at the Cricoteka and prepared by Bogdan Renczyński, former actor of Cricot 2 Theatre, presents Tadeusz Kantor as a total artist. Costumes and props from his spectacles serve as narrators telling the story about the plays, from those inspired by Witkacy, via Theatre of Death to his final performance Today Is My Birthday.

07.07-12.02

A New Beginning. Modernism in the Second Polish Republic

29.07-12.02

The exhibition at the Main Building of the National Museum in Krakow presents a multifaceted vision of the first wave of Modernism in Poland, including paintings, technological innovations, architecture and fabric, furniture and everyday object designs. The art of the interwar period reflects the events and processes of the period, serving as inspiration for social and technological development and driving physical and spiritual degradation.

29.07-12.02

Łempicka

09.09-12.03

The Main Building of the National Museum in Krakow presents 34 paintings by one of the best-known artists of the 20th century: from iconic portraits and nudes from the Swinging Twenties and the art déco period, via works exploring the latest social problems and still lifes, to abstract paintings from the 1950s. The artworks are loaned by museums and private collections in Europe and the US, and they are complemented by the author’s photo portraits.

09.09-12.03

Laureates in the Centre of Attention – vol. 2

01.10-31.12

This autumn, the International Print Triennial Society at 29 Main Market Square (Rynek Główny) presents artworks of last year’s winners of the International Print Triennial in Kraków: Iku Hidaka, Magdalena Hlawacz and Paweł Puzio. Contemplations on memories and ways of preserving them, on our social ties and the consequences of the development of AI are some of the issues examined through the prism of artists working in a wide range of printmaking media.

01.10-31.12

Helena Rubinstein. First Lady of Beauty

25.10-16.04

Helena Rubinstein, founder of a global cosmetics empire and icon of popular culture, nicknamed the “Empress of Beauty” by Jean Cocteau, was born in Kazimierz 150 years ago. One of the wealthiest women of the 20th century, she led a fascinating life: from childhood spent in Kraków, time with family in Vienna, emigration to Australia where she laid the foundations of her empire and subsequent conquest of London, Paris and finally New York. Her life and work is explored at the exhibition at the Galicia Jewish Museum.

25.10-16.04

Machinery of the Theatre

26.10-11.06

What happens behind the scenes to create spectacular performances applauded by the audience? The exhibition explores the history of some of Kraków’s oldest stages to reveals secrets of theatre life. We will discover how the inner workings of theatre have evolved since the 19th century, learn about all aspects of the operation and meet the full team, from box office staff to costume, hair and makeup artists, as well as administrators.

26.10-11.06

Garden of Lights – Peter Pan

28.10-26.02

The Garden of Lights is an outdoor exhibition transporting visitors to their favourite fairytale worlds. It’s a perfect opportunity to walk among stunning lanterns, dazzling light tunnels and breathtaking multimedia displays. This year’s events focus on Peter Pan.

28.10-26.02

Kimono. Layers of Inspiration

20.11-10.04

The distinctive Japanese garment is a continuation of tradition and expression of national identity, an extraordinary achievement of craftsmanship and frequently a true work of art. The Manggha Museum presents the living tradition of the Japanese kimono and reveals how it continues to inspire contemporary fashion designers. As well as historic garments and accessories from the museum’s collection of over 300 items, the exhibition also presents works by Polish fashion designers including Joanna Hawrot.

20.11-10.04

Visit
karnet.krakowculture.pl

 

From atmospheric clubs to grand concert halls; from classical repertoires to experimental art; from literary festivals to informal meetings – every month Kraków hosts myriad cultural events. Want to keep up-to-date? You’ll find everything you need on the Kraków Culture / Karnet website!