February Festivals
International Festival of Sea Shanty: over a three-day period in February, Krakow draws sailors and spectators from around Europe to this sea shanty festival. Over 150 performers typically entertain at a dozen or so venues across the city, with classical sea songs and shanties, ballads – and maritime poetry readings. April Festivals
Misteria Paschalia Festival: is a religious festival held for five days, typically in April coinciding with Holy Week and Easter. The programme of events features many music-related events, including performances at the Krakow Philharmonic Hall. The highlight is considered to be the recital of works by Bach, renowned as the most important of the Protestant religious composers. This is a popular and very well-attended event, which continues with a show on the Vistula river, during which the handmade dragons are carried along the water by barges and boats – and even jet skis. A spectacular display of fireworks and lasers ends the festivities. June Festivals
Wianki Midsummer Festival: this festival is based on an ancient pagan ritual that involved young girls sending herbal wreaths floating down the Vistula river in hopes of determining when they would marry. July Festivals
Festival of Jewish Culture: Krakow’s annual festival celebrating Jewish culture lasts for nine days in July, and features as one of the most popular events on the city’s calendar. Well-known performers from around the world are involved in the programme, which includes concerts and also exhibitions, film screenings and workshops. August Festivals
Old Krakow Festival: one of the longest-running and most popular of Poland’s music festivals is the Old Krakow Festival, which draws huge crowds every year. Held in August, the atmosphere of the festivities alone entices visitors; with events held at a number of unusual venues, such as churches, palaces and a variety of other historical buildings. Highly-regarded musicians from Poland and around the world feature as performers in the programme. November Festivals
All Saints Day and All Souls Day: are a time for most Poles to visit cemeteries to pay respect to their family members who have died. The holy days occur in early November and involve placing burning candles on top of graves with the idea that the light from the candles will help the deceased find their way through the darkness. The tradition is centuries-old and is really worth observing if your visit coincides with the religious observance – as cemeteries everywhere are illuminated by thousands of candles. | 
