Kraków remains immersed in a festive atmosphere for the first few weeks of the new year. On cold winter days, warm up at Celestat, hosting the post-contest exhibition of the 77th Kraków Nativity Scene Contest to 23 February. Every year, the imagination and craftsmanship of the makers bring us dazzling miniature models of Kraków, with buildings of the Old Town or Wawel Castle taking on a fairytale dimension and serve as settings for legendary heroes, historical figures and contemporary celebrities. The unique Cracovian tradition of making ornate nativity scenes was formalised in the 1930s and the competition has been organised by the Museum of Krakow since 1946.

It is on the initiative of the museum and the Krakow Festival Office that the constructions, once used by carollers as props, return to the city space once again. The fifth All Around Nativity Scenes campaign (to 2 February) brings over fifty constructions of various sizes, made during the last four decades, to windows and displays of shops, hotels and restaurants, shopping centres, and city parks and squares. Pick up maps and guides to the walk from InfoKraków Tourist Information Points to follow in the footsteps of John Paul II and other Cracovian saints. On 6 January, join us for a guided walk All Around Nativity Scenes, led by the director of the Museum of Krakow Michał Niezabitowski, setting off at 2pm from 25 Kanonicza Street and following a route from Wawel to Celestat. (Dorota Dziunikowska, "Karnet" monthly)