Events in Poland 2013 – music festivals and major events in Poland

Poland as a venue for events of international interest has been drawing attention of the world for some time now: the country co-hosted EURO 2012 Championship and two Polish cities have been chosen for the European Capital of Culture (Krakow in 2000 and Wroclaw in the upcoming 2016).

Poland successfully combines the prime international events with the wealth of tourist attractions: historical heritage, natural beauty and diversity, as well as the welcoming attitude of the Polish people.

Not less important is the central location of Poland within Europe and the constant development of transportation infrastructure. With new low-cost airports, a range of cheap airlines with routes to Poland, motorways between the major cities and, finally, very affordable car hire, it has never been easier to keep up with Polish cultural agenda.

Compare car hire offers in Warsaw Chopin Airport

See below the list of music festivals and major events in Poland for 2013.

Popular music festivals in Poland

Heineken Open’er Festival is a premier rock and pop music event in Poland and in Europe (voted twice Best Major Festival of the European Festivals Awards). The festival is held annually in July at an airstrip in Gdynia, in northern Poland. Four days of concerts and related events taking place on seven stages gathered over 50.000 visitors in the 2012 edition. Amongst the performers at the Heineken Open’er Festival since its first edition were: Franz Ferdinand, Bjork, Coldplay, Pearl Jam, Massive Attack, Skunk Anansie, the Prodigy, Erykah Badu Sonic Youth, and many more.

Read more about Heineken Open’er Festival – lineup and tickets.

Look for economy car hire in Gdansk Airport the closest large airport to Gdynia

Orange Warsaw Festival is another major music event in Poland. The 2013 edition will be held in June, at the National Stadium in Warsaw. Some of the artists performing at the Orange Warsaw Festival since its beginnings in 2008 were: Mika, Nelly Furtado, Skunk Anansie, Moby, My Chemical Romance, Jamiroquai, Linking Park and The Prodigy.

For 2013 lineup and and tickets check the website of the Orange Warsaw Festival.

Find low-cost car hire at Warsaw Modlin Airport

Jazz festivals Poland

Poland loves jazz. Jazz festivals all held in major Polish city throughout the year, being the most recognizable abroad:

Summer Jazz Festival in Krakow usually takes place during July and August, with daily concerts in the birthplace of Polish jazz, “Piwnica pod Baranami” club, also expanding to new venues in the city.  The event had gathered, over the last fifteen years, musicians as: Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Bobby McFerrin, Jean Luc Ponty, Lee Konitz, Branford Marsalis, Nigel Kennedy and a number of Polish artists, including the best Polish jazzman, Michal Urbaniak.

More details on Summer Jazz Festival in Krakow.

Warsaw Summer Jazz Days organized annually in the Polish capital are an important event for the jazz lovers attracting guests from all over the world. Amongst the artists who had already performed at Warsaw Summer Jazz Days, are: Michael Brecker, Chic Correa, Steve Coleman, Bela Fleck, Herbie Hancock, Al Jarreau, Branford Marsalis, Bobby McFerrin, John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola, Pat Matheney, Joshua Redman and many more.

Read more about Warsaw Summer Jazz Days.

Jazz Jamboree Warsaw held usually in the late Autumn complements the Warsaw Summer Jazz Days with a variety of concerts and guest of equal importance.

Jewish culture festivals in Poland

The Jewish and Polish history are intimately entwined. The many Jewish communities existing in Poland before the World War II had strongly influenced Polish culture and are remembered with great sentiment. Several festival festivals of Jewish culture are held regularly in Poland, being the most important ones:

Singer’s Warsaw (Warszawa Singera) Jewish Culture Festival is an annual celebration of theJewish culture through theatre, music, films and expositions. During several days in August, in the traditionally Jewish quarters of Warsaw, the visitors have a chance to get familiar with the Jewish history, kosher food, folklore and crafts.

Find more information about the upcoming Singer’s Warsaw Jewish Culture Festival.

Jewish Culture Festival in Krakow, held annually since 1988, is the Jewish event in Poland with the longest tradition. Concerts of cantorial music, workshops, plays and exhibitions take place in the theatres, synagogues and on the streets of Kazimierz, the historic Jewish quarter of Krakow. The festival is usually held in June and July.

Check out the dates and programme of the Jewish Culture Festival in Krakow.

Find Krakow Airport cheap car hire

Film festivals in Lodz

For quality cinematography travel to Lodz, in the very heart of Poland. The city’s pride is the National School of Film, including in its list of students names as: Roman Polansky, Andrzej Wajda or Krzysztof Kieslowski.

Compare Lodz Airport car hire offers

Film-making related event and festivals are held in Lodz throughout the year, being the most prestigious one Plus Camerimage – The International Festival of the Art of Cinematography (temporarily move to Bydgoszcz until 2014) and the Film Music Festival in Lodz.

Read more about film festivals in Lodz.

Poznan trade shows – Poznan International Fair

Poznan is one of the European cities with the longest tradition of trade fairs. International trade fair and exhibitions have been held in Poznan, in Poland, since 1921.

Find Poznan Airport car hire

While some of the shows are dedicated strictly to the professionals of all industries, others are open to general public, attracting a great number of visitors. Such is the case of Poznan Fashion Fair, scheduled for February and September 2013, or Art & Craft Festival in December 2013.

See the up-to-date calendar of Poznan International Fair.

2013 sports events in Poland – Men’s Volleyball Championship

In September 2012, Poland together with Denmark will host the Men’s European Volleyball Championship.

The Polish venues for the tournament are: Ergo Arena stadium in Gdansk and Sports Arena in Gdynia, both in northern Poland, on the Baltic coast.

Find more information about 2013 Men’s European Volleyball Championship.

Related article: Warsaw – advice about Poland's capital in a rental car.