83rd Kraków Nativity Scene Contest

Like in every year, the first Thursday of December, Krakow’s nativity scene makers will come to the Main Market Square to set up their works of art on the steps of the Adam Mickiewicz monument early in the morning. As soon as the midday bugle call is played, they will set off in a procession around the Main Market Square before moving the competition works to Krzysztofory Palace. A jury of historians, ethnographers, art historians, architects and visual artists will award prizes in the adult, youth, OFF, school, children's and family nativity scenes. The announcement of the winners in the first three categories will take place on Sunday after the contest, and the post-contest exhibition at the Krzysztofory Palace will open on the following day. It will be available until 1 March 2026. In addition to the nativity scenes, it is also worth taking the opportunity to get to know the authors, whose work can be observed during Meet the Master Nativity Scene Creators (10, 11, 13, 17 December, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.; admission included in the exhibition ticket).