Celebrating New Years Eve 2024 in Krakow Poland

Krakow or Cracow is the second largest (behind Warsaw) and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Krakow is one of most popular destinations in Europe for welcoming New Year 2024 with great events, parties and many other celebrations. New Year’s Eve and particularly its night party is called Sylwester in Polish.

NYE Celebrations

While some brave the cold and snow and venture to Krakow in December just to experience the beautiful Christmas Market, those looking for a different type of party would be wise to stick around for the New Year.

In Krakow, New Year’s Eve is a big deal, with its epicentre being the Market Square. On the evening of December 31st, thousands of Cracovians and visitors brave the cold (or put on a thick alcohol blanket to keep warm) and venture to the Market Square, where the evening begins with a series of free rock concerts by some of the biggest Polish stars. Right before midnight, the countdown begins, and at the sound of the bells from St. Mary’s Cathedral a procession of fireworks lights up the night sky.

This year, the biggest stars of Polish music will perform in Krakow’s Main Square during New Year’s Eve Party. Among them you will also see Edyta Górniak! During the concert, the artist will sing both her greatest hits in new arrangements, and new songs, announcing her upcoming album. Last year, the artist celebrated 25 years of her career, the crowning achievement of which was the spectacular Love 2 Love tour. She will enter the New Year along with the City of Krakow, Krakow Festival Office and TVN.

During NYE, people in Krakow often select their favorite venues a couple of months in advance and rush to book trendy nightspots at the earliest opportunity. And on New Year’s Eve huge crowds swarm immense Rynek Glowny, the picturesque central square of Krakow, and adjoining streets to revel in one of Europe’s biggest open-air parties which traditionally culminates with a firework display at midnight.

Events and Parties

With hundreds of nightspots to choose from, nightlife in Krakow is famously energetic. Every night club in the city plans the New Year’s Eve’s party on its premises and most start selling tickets early in November. Small as usually they are and the regulars snapping up the lion’s share of tickets, some places are fully booked before December. Typically the ticket covers entry and a few drinks, and maybe a light meal as well in addition to recorded music and/or DJs spinning his variety of club music while music clubs feature live acts.

Top clubs & bars in Krakow are:

• Taboo Club at Floriańska 33
• Night Club VIP at Mikołajska 4
• Gold Club Kraków at Jagiellońska 5
• Viva la PINTA
• Polish Folk Show & Dinner in Krakow
• Mostowa Art Cafe

Also many restaurants in Krakow – notably in the downtown historic districts of the Old Town and Kazimierz – as well as pubs and the like organize reservations only nights on New Year’s Eve offering a couple of meals, drinks, and usually an improvised dance floor plus some live entertainment. A multi-course New Year Eve’s dinner, wines included, in a good Krakow restaurant costs about 300 zloties (PLN) or more.

Hotels for NYE

Top ten most booked hotels for NYE are listed below:

• Metropolitan Boutique Hotel
• Queen Boutique Hotel
• Holiday Inn Krakow City Center
• Venetian House Aparthotel
• Radisson Blu Hotel Krakow
• Hotel Wyspianski
• The Bonerowski Palace
• Niebieski Art Hotel & Spa
• Sheraton Krakow Hotel

Remember to book your room well in advance to avoid any last-minute problems.