One of Kraków's most unique and enjoyable events, the Great Dragon Weekend is organised annually by Groteska Theatre in early June, and inspired the city's most famous legend. Worth planning a trip around, read on and follow the links for more dates and details, and don't dare miss these events if you're in town!
Over two days of colourful pageantry, large-scale puppetry and family fun, the Great Dragon Weekend consists of two main events: Saturday night's light and sound spectacular in which giant dragons float down the Wisła, followed by Sunday afternoon's parade of colourful beasts created by children. All the while the Dragon Family Picnic takes place on the Wisła River boulevards below Wawel Castle throughout the weekend.
1. Kraków Dragon Parade: Outdoor Light & Sound Spectacular on the Wisła
WHEN? Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 22:00.WHERE? Wisła Riverbanks below Wawel Castle.
This unique spectacle involves loud music, fireworks, lasers and huge airborne dragons - up to 25m in length and 15m in height - duking it out over the river near Wawel Castle. The colourful, quirky creatures are actually giant balloons filled with hot air, and their movements are controlled by Groteska Theatre puppeteers situated on barges below them. In effect, they are like enormous Macy's Day Parade floats, and several barges go up and down the river simultaneously to give the crowd a great look. Meanwhile, classical music and film scores programmed to coincide with an intricate laser and fireworks display are played from the other side of the river. The fireworks on their own are simply incredible; in fact, this is the only city-sanctioned fireworks display to take place in Kraków each year. The entire show is extremely intricate and they pull out all the stops for literally thousands of gobsmacked onlookers. Check out our video of the parade from 2018, which has only gotten bigger since.
The Best Places to Watch the Dragon Show
As this is the most exciting and most popular part of the weekend - attended by thousands of people - a bit of preparation and planning are required to maximize your enjoyment. The most important thing to resolve is where you are going to watch the parade. The event is free and people arrive as early as 19:30 to secure a prime spot along the river for the show. That's a long time to wait, and the later it gets, the more difficult it is to deal with the crowds or even find a spot with a view. There are several places where you can reserve a place with a good view, however, and we strongly recommend you escape the free-for-all and secure yourself one.1) VIP Seating directly on the Wisła
For the event, Groteska cordens off the best part of the riverbank for 400 paying customers. Tickets can be bought through their website, and if you plan on attending this event, it's worth the 200zł cost. You will have the best possible view of the event, and you won't have to worry about getting there more than 30mins early. We recommend buying the tickets at least two weeks before the event, otherwise you may find that they are already sold out.
2) Sheraton Roof Top Terrace
You'll notice that there are several hotels with rooftop terraces along the riverbank near Wawel. Wouldn't it be great to be up there away from the crowd? The Sheraton welcomes reservations on their roof terrace during the Dragon Parade, but make one fast. Located 5 stories up, directly behind the VIP section, this is the best spot to watch the parade other than the actual riverbank. Actually, it's better because you'll be up there with a drink in your hand and only dozens of other people, not thousands. Call them immediately.
3) Groble Sky Bar & Restaurant
Located 7 stories up on top of Hotel Pod Wawelem, this is also an excellent spot, though it is a bit higher than the Sheraton. A sunset dinner followed by a rooftop view of the Dragon Parade fireworks - what could be better?
A Few More Tips on How to Best Enjoy the Kraków Dragon Parade Outdoor Show
1) If you don't have a reservation somewhere, be sure to get to the river before 21:00. If you don't, you may regret you went at all.2) The best method for getting there is on foot. After 21:00 the trams will be packed so full you can barely get on. Trying to bike is a bad idea. Taxi? Forget about it. Trust us, get yourself within walking distance early and arrive to the event on foot.
3) Dress warm, it gets very chilly.
4) You may want earplugs if you're on the river. The sound is simply huge, so if you're the kind of person who wears earplugs to a rock concert, you'll want them here, too.
5) Is this a good event for kids? Not really. Any kid would love this event, but it is very loud, there are crazy crowds and the show starts at 22:00 and ends after 23:00, so they will either be asleep in your arms or up super late. Also, this event is no place for a baby stroller. If you want your kids to enjoy this comfortably, one of the hotel terraces listed above is your best option.
2) Kraków Dragon Parade on the Market Square
WHEN? Sunday, June 8, 2025 at 12:00.WHERE? Along Grodzka Street and Kraków Market Square.
3) Dragon Family Picnic
WHEN? Saturday & Sunday June 8-9, 2025 from 10:00-19:00.WHERE? Along the Wisła Riverbanks on either side of Wawel Castle
As part of the Great Dragon Weekend, the riverbanks below Wawel Castle become an expansive campus for family fun, with dozens of activities and attractions for kids and families, including contests, games, and outdoor family fun in general. There's a lot to explore, so check it out.
Lastly, why does Kraków even have a Dragon Parade?
The Legend of the Kraków Dragon
Formed about 25 million years ago, the spectacular limestone formation of Wawel Hill is not the solid piece of rock it appears to be, but filled with eerie caves and crawl spaces. According to legend, the craggy chambers beneath Wawel were once home to ‘Smok Wawelski,’ or the Wawel Dragon - a nasty creature who enjoyed gorging himself on cows, sheep and maidens. Versions of the story vary, with the first dating back to the 13th century, but it generally follows that piles of brawny knights fell beneath the dragon’s fiery breath before brains took over the task and a clever hero (in some cases King Krak, his sons or a modest cobbler) tricked Smok into eating a sheep stuffed with sulphur, causing his demise.Today you can see the dragon's bones hanging up outside the entrance Wawel Cathedral. To see the caves the dragon once dwelled in, head inside the castle complex and buy a ticket to Dragon's Den, which takes you through the rocky chambers beneath the castle to deposit you on the riverbank below next to the fire-breathing monument of Kraków's famous dragon.
