Gdansk's Annual Events

The Tri-City calendar has all kinds of colourful feathers in its cap, and with each passing year new numbers are being added. The Baltic usually comes out on top when bids are made to host international pop festivals, and the new Heineken Opener Festival looks set to become a permanent fixture. Massive Attack touched down for 2004's Summer show, whilst Citizen Snoop Dogg and Fatboy Slim headlined 2005's party, and Basement Jaxx, Scissor Sisters and Placebo rocked 2006. Bjork, the Beastie Boys and Sonic Youth rocked 2007, while Chemical Brothers headlined 2008. 2009 is simply jam-packed: Arctic Monkeys, Basement Jaxx, Moby, Kings of Leon and many more.

Yet come hail or high water, you'll find a royal roster of fixtures to enjoy in the Tri-City. Spring and summer boast the lion's share of the cultural banquet, with some marvellous excursions into music, theatre and the maritime realm.

The International Festival of Street Feature is one of the star shows - this draws comical and acrobatic characters (often both combined) from across the world. Expect a dazzling show in which the lines between actor and performer are blurred... Another hit that lures big international names is Gdansk's Musical Summer, which runs top notch classical concerts across the city. One of the oldest and also the most prestigious annual events in Gdansk is St. Dominic's Fair, which stretches all the way back to 1260, when Pope Alexander IV granted the Dominican monks the right to hold a fair in Gdansk. Besides the treasures of the fair itself, which are particularly strong on art and amber, the festival embraces a range of events from concerts to firework displays.

Another established event is Gdynia's Film Festival, which remains one of the most important celluloid celebrations in Poland. Many of the country's most famed directors such as Kieslowki and Zanussi have taken part in the competition.

Last but not least is Sail Gdansk, which sees the Bay come alive with a flotilla of fantastic sailing vessels. This event usually takes place in July and it's a must for maritime maniacs.

January

Gdansk Dance Corporation
Polish major Dance Festival - winter edition
www.klubzak.com.pl

March

Topienie Marzanny
(the Drowning of Marzanna) - celebrate the end of winter in true Slavic fashion... by drowning the evil winter witch, Marzanna!

April

Gdansk Spring Festival
A Tri-City classic www.filharmonia.gda.pl

Palm Sunday and Easter
A beautiful time to be in Poland. Processions and celebrations all around town (Note: Sometimes in March!)

May

City Festival
Parades and a host of cultural events

June

Gdansk Music Summer
Concerts of Classical Music
www.filharmonia.gda.pl

St. John's Opera Nights
Opera Festival

Sense of Humour Festival
Don't fail to be there!

July

Heineken Music Festival
Arguably Poland's best music event!

International Festival of Organ Music in Oliwa
Concerts every Tuesday and Friday at the Oliwa Cathedral

International Festival of Organ, Choir and Chamber Music
Concerts every Friday night at St Mary's Basilica

Gdansk Musical Stage
Cycle of open air concerts every Saturday and Sunday at the Oliwa Gate

Feta - International Festival of Open Air and Street Theatre
Performances, mimes, stilt walkers, dancers amidst the beautiful scenery of Gdansk's historic streets
www.plama.art.pl

Nord/LB Baltic Sprint Cup
Seafaring yacht regattas

"Baltic Sail" International Sailing Rally - "Sail Gdansk"
Competition upon the hight seas

Shanties at the Crane festival
On the Olowianka Island

August

St. Dominic's Fair
Centuries old trade fair and festival

Gdynia Beach Party
Rave it up on Gdynia's beach

Music in Old Gdansk
A cycle of music concerts in historic interiors

Gdansk Carillon Festival
Unique musical event in Poland

Shakespeare Festival
The English bard gets the Polski treatment

Gdansk Mayor Cup Regattas
Wave on those handsome sailors!

Gdansk Dance Corporation
Summer edition
www.klubzak.com.pl

September

Sopot Festival
One of Europe's oldest music festivals in the Forest Opera in Sopot

Bay of Gdansk Days - Dni Zatoki Gdanskiej
Regattas and much more...

Kite Festival
Family picnic in the open air

Gdynia Film Festival
One of Poland's most prestigious film events

October

Yach Film
Polish Videoclip Festival

Jazz Jantar Festival
www.klubzak.com.pl

December

Christmas Eve in Gdansk
Check out Dlugi Targ for that unbeatable Polish festive vibe

New Year's Party
The Coal Market is the place to be come NYE