Zakopane hosts major winter sports events and culturally significant highlander festivals; December–January peak season requires advance booking.
Good to know
Good to Know
- Most events at the International Festival of Highland Folklore have free admission, though some gala concerts may require advance ticket purchase.
- Summer (July–August) is peak season for major festivals; book accommodation and transport well in advance.
- New Year's Eve street celebrations at Górna Rówień Krupowa are free and include food stands and heating zones.
- Zakopane has a year-round ban on fireworks and firecrackers in public spaces to protect historic wooden architecture and ensure visitor safety.
- Traditional winter activities include kulig—horse-drawn sleigh rides—especially in the Chochołowska and Kościeliska Valleys, with torches and bonfire meals.
- The Ski Jumping World Cup draws crowds to Wielka Krokiew venue with souvenir stalls and family attractions (quad bikes, rope park, pony rides).
- Zakopane's festivals are highly family-friendly, with vibrant costumes, lively music, craft workshops, and local food stalls appealing to all ages.
Events
August
- Name
- International Festival of Highland Folklore (Międzynarodowy Festiwal Folkloru Ziem Górskich)
- Admission
- Free
- Attendance
- Large (tens of thousands from Poland and internationally)
- Accessibility
- Górna Rówień Krupowa and central Zakopane locations
- Typical Dates
- Mid-August (typically 15–21)
- Description
- UNESCO-recognized festival bringing together folklore ensembles from around the world to celebrate mountain cultures through music, dance, costumes, and traditional crafts. Includes competitive performances with awards (Ciupaga—Highland Axe Awards) and cultural workshops.
FIS Ski Jumping World Cup
- Month
- January
- Admission
- Paid (prices vary by venue/date)
- Attendance
- Tens of thousands
- Accessibility
- Wielka Krokiew venue
- Typical Dates
- Late January
- Description
- Annual international ski jumping competition held at Wielka Krokiew (140-meter hill). Major winter sporting event attracting fans and elite athletes from around the world.
Christmas & New Year's Eve Celebrations (ŚWięta Bożego Narodzenia & Sylwester)
- Month
- December–January
- Admission
- Free (public street events); paid for restaurant/hotel packages
- Attendance
- Tens of thousands
- Accessibility
- Downtown streets, churches, thermal baths, restaurants throughout Zakopane
- Typical Dates
- December 24–January 1
- Note
- Peak tourist season; accommodation and transport book 3–6 months ahead. Public fireworks banned to protect historic wooden architecture; celebrations emphasize traditional highlander music and culture.
- Description
- Zakopane celebrates Christmas and New Year's Eve as major cultural events with midnight mass (Pasterka), Christmas Eve family dinners (Wigilia), torch-lit sleigh rides (kuligi), caroling (Kolędy), and New Year's Eve street celebrations with live folk music, fireworks, and regional feasts.
European Regional Products Fair
- Month
- August
- Admission
- Free
- Attendance
- Locals and tourists
- Accessibility
- Górna Rówień Krupowa
- Typical Dates
- August 8–12 (2025 edition; annual)
- Description
- Sixteenth iteration of this fair showcasing local handicrafts, artisan products, and regional foods (cheeses, meats, honeys, baked goods). Features craft demonstrations, tastings, concerts, and workshops with local artisans.
Autumn Salons (Jesienne Salony W Zakopanem)
- Month
- September–October
- Admission
- Free (some venues may have small fees)
- Attendance
- Moderate; art and culture enthusiasts
- Accessibility
- Various galleries and cultural centers in central Zakopane
- Typical Dates
- Throughout autumn
- Description
- Series of introspective cultural events focused on traditional Highlander art, sculpture, woodcarving, and glass painting. Offers opportunity to observe and purchase works from master craftspeople.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this signature annual events research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Zakopane
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.