Things to do in Kraków in May. There’s so much happening in Kraków all year round – Kraków’s events calendar is always busy! And May is no exception. Plan an amazing May with our selection of the best events and things to do in Kraków in this last month of spring.
1. OFF CAMERA International Festival
2. Cracow Singing Lesson
3. Cracow Art Week KRAKERS
4. Night of Museums in Cracow
5. Film music festival
6. Pura Vida Festival
7. Cracow Film Festival
8. Concerts at St. Martin’s
9. Beksinski Sculptures
10. Krakow Golden Concerts
Dates: 28.04 – 7.05.2023
Address: Plac Szczepański
The 16th edition of the Mastercard OFF CAMERA International Festival of Independent Cinema.. Over the years, the festival has changed and evolved, but always, from the very beginning, it has depicted and commented on what is happening in the world. It touches on important, topical issues and is not afraid to go against the flow. During 16. Mastercard OFF CAMERA visitors will see films presented in regular, well-known and popular sections: American Indies – dedicated to daring, uncompromising and fascinating American cinema, and Best of Fests. You can also expect a multitude of amazing novelties: with four completely fresh film sections, the Festival audience will go on an unforgettable journey through film genres, conventions, phenomena and trends. In addition, join us for numerous meetings with guests, film directors, special screenings, workshops, discussions and accompanying events.
Date: 03.05.23, 17:00
Address: Small Market Square
„Majowa Jutrzenka” is the title of the 84th Krakow Singing Lesson Event, which will be held on May 3 at 5 p.m. in the Small Market Square. During the concert by artists of the Loch Camelot theater, with the participation of the audience, patriotic songs will be sung. Especially on the occasion of the May Singing Lesson Event, the Polish Song Library has prepared 2000 free songbooks. The entrance is free. Be sure to join and learn more about Polish traditions and culture.
Date: 12.05.23 – 19.05.23
Address: various galleries and studios
“Art always wins!” is the event motto, and sums up more than a decade of efforts in creating a program of supporting artists and consistently showing their work to a wide audience. The 12th edition of Krakers is based on the childhood and legacy of Al Hansen, one of the leading representatives of the avant-garde Fluxus movement. This movement promotes and combines the activities of many fields of art, from sculpture and painting to happenings, experimental music and poetry. It consolidates artists with different attitudes and experiences of art.
Dates: 19.05.23
Address: Different museums throughout the city
The Museum Night in Krakow is one of the most popular cultural events. The event consists of making museums, galleries, cultural institutions and historical objects available for a selected night. It’s a wonderful opportunity to enjoy impressive exhibitions and to pay much less. Tickets to many museums cost just 1 PLN. Don’t miss this rare chance to enjoy great art! On this night, the organizers prepare unique attractions such as visiting facilities usually inaccessible, concerts, workshops and attractions for children, etc.
Dates: 23.05.23 – 30.05.23
Address: Different locations throughout the city
The Krakow Film Music Festival (FMF) is a captivating showcase of the highest quality musical interpretations of the moving image and one of the most important festivals in the world of film music. Performed by some of the world’s leading musicians and orchestras, the festival provides a unique concert experience, setting screenings of the world’s most spectacular films, well-known for their dazzling cinematography, top-class direction, enthralling plots, and emotive acting, to live music. This year’s program will feature the most interesting news from Poland and Oscar-winning works by Jan A. P. Kaczmarek, Steven Price and Hans Zimmer.
Dates: 20.05.23 – 21.05.23
Address: TAURON ARENA, ul. Lema 7
The Festival promotes the Costa Rican philosophy of “pura vida”, or “fullness of life” – drawing happiness from the simplest things and positive experiences. Fairs, a chill-out zone, yoga, workshops, music, positive energy and holiday vibes will be waiting for you! Exhibitors include craftsmen, surfers, travelers, and enthusiasts from different cultures and countries. They will share with you teas from Sri Lanka, incense from India, handicrafts from different parts of the world, and Polish designs with a holiday twist- hats, kimonos, surfsuits and many other wonderful accessories. Free entry!
Dates: 28.05.23 – 04.06.23
Address: Different locations throughout the city
Krakow Film Festival is one of the oldest events in the world dedicated to documentary, animated and short feature films. Its core consists of three competitions of equal rank: documentary film competition, short film competition and national competition. During the eight-day festival, the viewers have a chance to watch about 250 films from Poland and around the world. They are shown in competition sections and in special screenings. The festival is accompanied by exhibitions, concerts, open-air shows and meetings with artists. Every year, the festival is visited by nearly a thousand Polish and international guests: directors, producers, festival programmers and local Krakow audiences.
Date: 28.05.23, 17:00
Address: Church of St. Martin, ul. Grodzka 58
Concerts of early classical music in the Church of St. Martin, organized by the Polish Bach Society, take place once a month on the last Sunday of the month. Their performers are renowned artists, as well as outstanding students of the Academy of Music in Krakow. Every concert is preceded by an introduction, bringing the audience closer to the concert’s repertoire (in Polish). In May the concert of classical music features: Michał Drabkowski – organ, Chamber Vocal Ensemble – Triplum, Maciej Negrey – introduction. Admission is free.
Date: 26.04.23 – 01.10.23
Address: Wawel Royal Castle, Wawel 5
Sculptures exhibition in the Royal Gardens at Wawel.. The almost unknown face of Zdzisław Beksiński – a sculptor – can be seen through an unobtrusive exhibition in the Royal Gardens at Wawel Castle. Here you can see 14 intriguing works of the artist, including the monumental works representing Macbeth and Hamlet, which in the Renaissance environment acquire a new interpretative meaning. The brightness and exuberance of nature, for which the Wawel gardens are famous, will meet with the darkness and anxiety expressed in Beksiński’s work, still surrounded by an aura of mystery.
Dates: 12.05.23, 19:00
Address: Pałac Pod Baranami, Rynek Główny 27
The concerts will take place in the baroque ballrooms of the Pod Baranami Palace overlooking the Main Square. These concerts will give you an opportunity to enjoy not just world-famous music, but also the unforgettable view of the heart of Krakow from the ballroom windows. The concert will be accompanied by your choice of a glass of wine or a soft drink prepared especially for guests. During the concerts, you will hear world-famous hits from film and serial scores, as well as entertainment music.
Photo: @krakowcityguide
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