ULICA Festival 2026 in Krakow: Free Street Theatre
June 26, 2026
ULICA Festival returns to Krakow in July 2026 with free street theatre, circus, dance and outdoor shows across the city.
ULICA Festival 2026 in Krakow: Free Street Theatre in the City Centre
In July 2026, Krakow will once again become an open-air stage. The 39th edition of the International Street Theatre Festival ULICA will take place over two summer weekends, from 3 to 5 July and from 10 to 12 July 2026. The festival is organised by Teatr KTO and brings theatre, circus, dance, physical performance and visual storytelling into the public spaces of the city.
For visitors looking for cultural things to do in Krakow in summer, ULICA Festival is one of the most atmospheric events of the season. Performances take place outdoors, often in some of the city’s most recognisable locations, including the Main Market Square, Mały Rynek, Rynek Podgórski, Plac Jana Nowaka-Jeziorańskiego, Dworek Białoprądnicki and the Museum of Engineering and Technology.
The best part? Admission is free, making the festival an easy addition to a summer walk through Krakow.
Explore Krakow on a guided city tour with a licensed local guide. Walk through the city’s most iconic districts, such as the Old Town or Kazimierz, and learn about their history through engaging stories and reliable historical insights. This tour is a perfect introduction to Krakow, offering both famous landmarks and lesser-known places explained by a professional guide who is happy to answer your questions.
Duration: 2h - 3hLive guideSkip-theLineTransportation included
Explore Krakow’s Old Town at your own pace with a professionally prepared audio guide. This self-guided walking tour takes you through the most important sites of the historic centre, including Krakow’s Main Square and its surrounding streets. Listen to engaging commentary filled with history, fascinating facts, legends and local trivia – an ideal introduction to Krakow for first-time visitors and independent travellers.
Discover the rich history and cultural heritage of the Jewish Quarter of Krakow with a carefully prepared audio guide for independent sightseeing. This self-guided walking tour takes you through Kazimierz – the historic Jewish district – allowing you to explore its streets, stories and atmosphere at your own pace.
Kazimierz lies just a short walk from Krakow’s Old Town and is a place where the city’s past and present meet. Through narration and historical context, the audio guide introduces the history of the Jewish community, their contribution to the city, and the lasting impact of World War II on this remarkable district.
Enjoy a scenic Vistula River cruise in Krakow departing from the foot of Wawel Hill. Admire panoramic views of the Royal Castle, Kazimierz and historic bridges from the deck of a comfortable boat, while a professional audio guide brings the city’s story to life. One of the most relaxing and picturesque ways to experience Krakow from the water.
Duration: 1h - 2hAudio GuideTransportation included
To get a better sense of the atmosphere, movement and visual energy of the festival, watch the ULICA Festival trailer below.
What Is ULICA Festival?
ULICA Festival is an international celebration of street theatre and outdoor performance. Instead of limiting art to a theatre building, the festival brings performances directly to the city - to squares, streets, courtyards and public meeting points.
The 2026 edition is held under the theme “La Strada”, meaning “the road”. According to Teatr KTO, this year’s idea refers to travelling artists, movement, circus aesthetics and the cinematic imagination associated with Federico Fellini. In practice, this means a programme built around visual theatre, live presence, movement and direct contact with the audience.
Most Krakow performances are planned in central and easily accessible locations, so visitors can combine the festival with sightseeing, dinner in the Old Town or an evening walk through the city.
Where to See the Performances in Krakow
The festival programme includes several Krakow locations. The main performance spaces include:
Main Market Square - around the Town Hall Tower and St Adalbert’s Church
Mały Rynek
Rynek Podgórski
Plac Jana Nowaka-Jeziorańskiego near Krakow’s main railway station
Dworek Białoprądnicki
Museum of Engineering and Technology
This makes ULICA Festival especially convenient for travellers staying in or near Krakow Old Town, Kazimierz, Podgórze or close to the main train station.
What Can You Expect?
The 2026 programme includes a broad range of outdoor performances: street theatre, contemporary circus, dance, physical theatre, visual performance and family-friendly shows. International artists and groups from countries including the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Catalonia, Germany, Portugal and Indonesia are expected to perform alongside Polish theatre companies.
Among the announced names are Motionhouse with “Block”, Compagnie Accrorap / Kader Attou with “Prélude”, Guillem Albà with “Ma Solitud”, Circumstances with “Beyond” and Compagnie Tac O Tac with “Elefantaisie”. Polish audiences will also see performances by Teatr KTO and other Polish theatre groups.
The programme is varied, so it is worth checking the schedule in advance. Some shows are short outdoor performances, while others are larger evening spectacles. Certain events will be especially suitable for families, while others may appeal more to visitors interested in contemporary theatre, movement and visual performance.
Why Add ULICA Festival to Your Krakow Summer Plan?
ULICA Festival is a good example of why summer in Krakow is about more than standard sightseeing. In July, the city’s squares and streets become places where visitors can unexpectedly come across music, movement, acrobatics, theatre and large-scale outdoor images.
If you are planning a summer stay in the city, it is worth combining the festival with other seasonal ideas. You can also check our guide to what to do in Krakow when the summer heat strikes, especially if you want to balance sightseeing with cooler places, river views and relaxed evening activities.
Explore Wawel Castle in Krakow from the outside and understand its history, architecture, and royal significance during a relaxed self-guided walk with a professional audio guide. This tour focuses on Wawel Hill and the castle grounds, offering clear historical context before visiting the castle interiors or booking Wawel Castle tickets.
Once the former residence of Polish kings, Wawel Castle remains one of the most important landmarks in Poland. This audio tour helps you experience the site with deeper understanding – without rushing, crowds, or fixed schedules – making it an ideal introduction to any Wawel Castle visit.
Explore Krakow in a fast, comfortable, and eco-friendly way with a Krakow City Tour by electric golf cart. This sightseeing tour is a great introduction to the city, especially for first-time visitors or travellers with limited time who want to see the highlights without long walks.
During the ride, you will explore key areas of Krakow, including the Old Town surroundings, Kazimierz – the historic Jewish district, and parts of Podgórze, where the famous Schindler’s Factory was located. A professionally prepared audio guide provides historical context and helps you understand the city’s past and character.
This electric car tour allows you to see more in less time while staying comfortable in all weather conditions, making it an easy and practical way to start exploring Krakow.
Duration: 1h - 2hAudio GuideTransportation included
Enjoy a scenic Vistula River cruise in Krakow departing from the foot of Wawel Hill. Admire panoramic views of the Royal Castle, Kazimierz and historic bridges from the deck of a comfortable boat, while a professional audio guide brings the city’s story to life. One of the most relaxing and picturesque ways to experience Krakow from the water.
Duration: 1h - 2hAudio GuideTransportation included
Arrive earlier for performances in popular locations such as the Main Market Square.
Check the official schedule before you go, as outdoor events may depend on location and timing.
Wear comfortable shoes, especially if you plan to move between several festival locations.
Bring water during daytime performances in July.
Plan your route if you want to combine the festival with Krakow sightseeing on the same day.
Whether you are visiting Krakow for the first time or returning in summer, ULICA Festival is a simple and memorable way to experience the city from a different perspective - not only as a historic destination, but also as a living stage.
Explore Krakow in a fast, comfortable, and eco-friendly way with a Krakow City Tour by electric golf cart. This sightseeing tour is a great introduction to the city, especially for first-time visitors or travellers with limited time who want to see the highlights without long walks.
During the ride, you will explore key areas of Krakow, including the Old Town surroundings, Kazimierz – the historic Jewish district, and parts of Podgórze, where the famous Schindler’s Factory was located. A professionally prepared audio guide provides historical context and helps you understand the city’s past and character.
This electric car tour allows you to see more in less time while staying comfortable in all weather conditions, making it an easy and practical way to start exploring Krakow.
Duration: 1h - 2hAudio GuideTransportation included
Join a Krakow ghost tour that reveals the city’s darkest secrets after nightfall. This guided walk through the Old Town combines spooky legends, true crime stories and dark history, told in an engaging, thriller-style narrative by a licensed local guide. If you enjoy chills, mystery and a different side of Krakow, this evening experience is for you. Recommended for participants aged 15 and over.
Explore Krakow on a guided city tour with a licensed local guide. Walk through the city’s most iconic districts, such as the Old Town or Kazimierz, and learn about their history through engaging stories and reliable historical insights. This tour is a perfect introduction to Krakow, offering both famous landmarks and lesser-known places explained by a professional guide who is happy to answer your questions.
Duration: 2h - 3hLive guideSkip-theLineTransportation included
Explore Krakow’s Old Town at your own pace with a professionally prepared audio guide. This self-guided walking tour takes you through the most important sites of the historic centre, including Krakow’s Main Square and its surrounding streets. Listen to engaging commentary filled with history, fascinating facts, legends and local trivia – an ideal introduction to Krakow for first-time visitors and independent travellers.
Duration: 2h - 3h
Live guide
Skip-theLine
Transportation included
