The krakowiak dance dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries when it was included in organ and lute tablatures, as well as songbooks.  In the mid-19th century, it became a popular ballroom dance in Austria and France and grew to be regarded as a "national dance" of Poland (it competed with the polonaise).

The krakowiak became a choice of composers who transformed it into an extensive and even virtuosic form, beginning from Fryderyk Chopin's Krakowiak (grand rondeau de concert) for piano and orchestra, and including pieces by Zygmunt Noskowski, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, and Roman Statkowski.

The krakowiak is the exhibition dance of choice of the Polish-American dance ensembles.  When performed on the stage, it includes a variety of group figures, in addition to the turns, jumps, running and stamping steps.

The Kraków costume is the favorite among the various regional costumes of Poland and has come to symbolize the traditional costume of Poland in general, especially abroad.

The women wear white shirts with broad sleeves and collars decorated with lace, colorful vests with sequins and rich embroidery, strings of coral beads.

The men wear long, dark and embroidered coats over white shirts, striped pants (red-white; the pants are tucked into the high red boots), and embroidered vests.  Their characteristic accessories include a special belt with decorative strings of small, jingling metal plates, as well as a square hat, topped with peacock feathers.