Polish Folk Show with Dinner from Krakow

Lake Kryspinów, Krakow's lakeside escape

Lake Kryspinów lies about 15 kilometres west of Krakow, in green countryside between the Vistula River and the wooded hills of the Jura. It was created from a former gravel pit and has become the favourite summer swimming spot for people from the city, with sandy beaches, walking paths and wide views over the water. In the evening the lake is calm and quiet, and the sunsets over it are lovely from late spring to early autumn.

The restaurant where the Polish folk show takes place is built in rustic regional style and overlooks the lake, and you can step outside for a short walk to the sandy shore between courses. If you are wondering how to get to Lake Kryspinów, the drive from central Krakow takes about 25 minutes; on the default option our return bus handles it, so you can relax and enjoy the whole evening.

Polish folk dances and live music

The heart of the evening is a professional folk ensemble with musicians and dancers. You see the krakowiak, the fast and joyful dance of the Krakow region with its stamping steps and spins, and the polonaise, the stately processional dance that opened balls across Poland for centuries. The programme also brings in the mazurka with its lively rhythm and the spirited highland dances of the Tatra Mountains, accompanied by fiddles, double bass and clarinet.

Each dance comes with its own costume and story, and the presenters explain where it comes from and when it was performed. The show is interactive: dancers invite guests onto the floor, teach a few steps and lead games that get the whole room laughing. It is one of the best things to do in Krakow in the evening for travellers who want culture and fun in the same night.

Regional costumes and traditions

Polish folk costume changes from region to region, and the show is a colourful introduction to that variety. The Krakow costume is the most famous: women wear embroidered bodices, flowered skirts and strings of red coral beads, while men wear long striped trousers, embroidered coats and red caps topped with peacock feathers. Highland dancers from the Podhale region wear white felt trousers with decorative embroidery and round hats.

Between the dances, the ensemble shares songs, customs and wedding traditions from the countryside, many of which are still part of family celebrations in rural Poland today. Families with children find the costumes and music especially engaging, and the bright stage makes for excellent photos. Seats in the main room, on the default option, put you closest to the performers and the band.

A three-course dinner of Polish cooking

Dinner is served as three courses together with regional cold and warm buffets, so you can taste a wide range of Polish cooking and return for more of what you like. Traditional Polish cuisine is hearty and comforting: think of soups such as sour rye żurek or beetroot barszcz, pierogi dumplings, slow-cooked stews, roast meats, potato dishes and pickled vegetables, followed by cakes and pastries.

Drinks are served with dinner throughout the evening, and the tour leader helps with any questions. If you have dietary needs, tell our team when booking so we can pass them on. The evening lasts about 3 hours including the transfer, making it an easy plan after a day of sightseeing in the Old Town or a day trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine.