Event Details
Wianki Festival Kraków – The Night of the Summer Solstice
Every year around the summer solstice, Kraków transforms into one of Poland's most atmospheric outdoor festivals. Wianki (the Polish word for wreaths) draws around 70,000 visitors to the banks of the Vistula River for a celebration rooted in ancient Slavic midsummer traditions. In pre-Christian times, young women wove garlands of flowers and herbs and floated them downstream to foretell their romantic futures. Today the festival combines this living folk tradition with free outdoor concerts, wreath-making workshops, river boat rides and a spectacular fireworks display over the Vistula.
Dates 2027
The Wianki Festival 2027 is expected to take place from 19 to 21 June 2027, coinciding with the astronomical summer solstice on 21 June. Official dates are announced by the Krakow Festival Office (KBF) several months before the event. Admission to the festival is free of charge.
Highlights
- Wreath-making stations along the Vistula boulevards with free workshops
- Competition for the most beautiful wreath
- Free outdoor concerts on the main stage at Powiśle featuring top Polish artists
- Silent disco at historic locations including the Barbican and Collegium Maius
- Traditional boat trips on the Vistula aboard historic wooden rafts (galary)
- Fireworks display over the Vistula on the solstice night
- Dawn concert at approximately 3:30 AM with Kupała folk songs and Tatra mountain horns
- Family programme, craft markets and food stalls along the riverfront
Program
The three-day programme opens on Friday evening with warm-up events including open-air cinema and dance nights. Saturday (20 June) is the festival's main day: daytime activities include wreath-weaving workshops, river boat trips and family-friendly entertainment along the Vistula; in the evening, the main stage at Powiśle hosts concerts by leading Polish musicians. Those who stay until Sunday morning are rewarded with an unforgettable sunrise concert at around 3:30 AM: unplugged, acoustic, accompanied by torchlight and the sound of traditional Tatra trombita horns greeting the new season. The festival is organised by the Krakow Festival Office (KBF) in cooperation with the City of Kraków.
Tickets
Admission to the Wianki Festival is free. Some workshops and boat trips require a free advance ticket, available through the KBF ticket portal. Capacity is limited and tickets are released approximately two weeks before the festival; early registration is recommended.
Visitor Tips
- Arrive early: the Powiśle area fills up from early afternoon on the main day.
- Walk from the Old Town (about 10 minutes) or use public transport; parking near the river is very limited.
- Bring or weave a flower wreath to wear throughout the festival.
- Pack a layer for the night; June evenings by the river can be cool.
- The fireworks on 20 June are best viewed from the Vistula bridges or the boulevards.
- The Wawel Hill offers a panoramic view of the fireworks over the river.
- Book accommodation several months in advance; Kraków is very popular in June.
Getting There
Kraków is served by John Paul II International Airport (KRK) with direct flights from most major European cities including Frankfurt, Amsterdam and London. From the airport, bus line 292 or a shuttle connects directly to the city centre. From Germany, Kraków is also reachable by train via Warsaw (approximately 5 hours) or by long-distance coach.
