24th Great Dragon Parade
Great Dragon Parade in Kraków is one of Poland’s largest and most colorful open-air events, taking place annually on the first weekend of June. Although intended to cater primarily to children, this event brings tens of thousands of tourists of all ages from across the world to Kraków.
For this celebration, the Kraków Old Town is converted to Dragon’s Cave. During the first day’s evening, one can see the spectacle by Vistula’s boulevard, starring the main characters swimming along the river with an impressive musical and visual accompaniment.
The Great Dragon Parade is an event that has permanently entered the cultural map of Krakow.
The Legend of the Wawel Dragon
But why dragons? One of the most popular Kraków legends tells about a dreadful dragon that used to live under the Wawel Hill and terrorized the city. The inhabitants of Kraków had to feed the beast by giving to it offerings of cattle and their virgin daughters. Many knights tried to kill the monster, but all of them died burned by the dragon’s flames. And finally… It was Skuba, the shoemaker, who outsmarted the dragon by giving it fake sheep stuffed with sulfur. Having eaten the sheep, the dragon felt pain and burning in the throat and started drinking water from the Vistula River. The dragon couldn’t quench the thirst and kept drinking, swelling from the excess of water. And then, suddenly… It exploded, bursting into a million pieces! Skuba was properly rewarded and inhabitants of Kraków lived happily ever after.
Celebrations during the Great Dragon Parade
Now the legend has come back to life! Groteska Theatre’s actors used this story to show their reinterpretation of the dragons in an amazing spectacle on the Vistula River. Enormously big puppets, loud music, and fireworks display have attracted many tourists since the year 2000.
The most spectacular celebration will take place after nightfall – multiple gigantic (up to 25 meters tall) swimming and floating dragons will be moved across the Vistula river, near Wawel Castle, with the help of barges, ships, and jet skis. All with impressive musical and lighting accompaniment, including fireworks and laser lights, which along with massive crowds of viewers give this spectacle unforgettable expressive power.
Another key part of this event is the Great Parade of Dragons, which takes place in the antique Kraków center. A score of dragons designed and made by the march’s participants (mostly children and youth) will compete for the grand prize for the prettiest and most ingenious dragon. All with side performances by dancers, musicians, and jugglers.
Join the Great Dragon Parade and see for yourself!
The date given is not confirmed yet. More information coming soon!
