February in Zakopane is rich in events that attract lovers of mountains, culture, and active leisure. From sports competitions, through artistic workshops, to interactive tours in museums – the city under the Tatra Mountains provides attractions for everyone, regardless of age or interests. This month, when winter is in full swing, Zakopane becomes a place where tradition meets modernity, and everyone can find something for themselves.

Winter Clues interesting tours, workshops, and lectures from TPN

In February, the Tatra National Park offers a rich educational and recreational program as part of the winter holidays. It includes free educational lectures that take place every Tuesday of the holidays at 17:30 in the TPN Nature Education Center and nature trips every Wednesday at 10:00, during which participants have the opportunity to discover the charms of the Tatra winter with a guide. In addition, paid nature-artistic workshops for children are organized, aimed at education and developing creativity. Detailed information about the events, including the schedule, place, and participation rules, can be found on the official TPN website. The events are aimed at various age groups, including families with children, and registration for some activities is required. The organizers ensure that the holidays in the Tatras will be full of educational and recreational attractions, conducive to a better understanding of nature and active leisure.

1. Educational lectures:
   • They take place every Tuesday of the holidays at 17:30 in the TPN Nature Education Center, are free of charge.
2. Nature trips:
   • Organized every Wednesday of the holidays at 10:00, last about 3 hours. They are free, but registration is required.
3. Nature-artistic workshops for children:
   • Paid sessions taking place in the TPN Nature Education Center, registration required.
4. Detailed events in February:
   • February 3, Saturday: Family workshops “Winter survival strategies in the world of Tatra animals”.
   • February 6, Tuesday: “Scented Pine Cone” workshops and a lecture by Tomasz Zając on winter mountain tourism.
   • February 7, Wednesday: Family trip from the Gronik route – Mała Łąka Valley – Przysłop Miętusi.
   • February 8, Thursday: Family workshops “In the Tatra fairy tale”.
   • February 13, Tuesday: Workshops “Winter survival strategy in the world of Tatra animals” and a lecture by Paweł Skawiński about love customs in Tatra nature.
   • February 14, Wednesday: Family trip from the Olczyska Valley – Nosalowa Pass – Kuźnice.
   • February 17, Saturday: Family workshops “Scented Pine Cone”.
   • February 20, Tuesday: Family workshops “In the Tatra fairy tale” and a lecture by Elżbieta Kauzal about winter survival strategies in the world of Tatra animals.
   • February 21, Wednesday: Family trip from Kiry – Przysłop Kominiarski – Polana Stare Kościeliska.
   • February 22, Thursday: Family workshops “Scented Pine Cone”.

Each of these events is designed so that participants can enjoy and learn about the Tatra nature in winter, as well as develop their artistic and cognitive skills.

Holidays with Witkacy

During the winter holidays, the Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz Theater in Zakopane organizes “Holidays with Witkacy – Artistic Workshops” for children and teenagers. This is a unique opportunity to develop passions, meet new people, and discover new forms of artistic expression. Here is a summary of the events planned for February:

1. Dance Classes:
   • Contemporary dance: takes place on Wednesdays 7, 14, 28 February at 16:00.
   • Hip-hop/Street Dance: scheduled for Thursdays 1, 8, 29 February at 16:00. The duration of each lesson is 1.5 hours.
2. Weaving Classes:
   • Tuesdays: 6, 13, 27 February at 15:00.
   • Fridays: 2, 9, 23 February at 10:00. Additionally, the possibility of enrolling in a series of Saturday workshops, starting from January 27, at 10:00. The duration of the classes is 3 hours.
3. Poetry Classes:
   • They take place on 14, 15, 16 February from 14:00. The duration of the classes is 4.5 hours, with a break.

The workshops are held in small groups, which ensures an individual approach to each participant. The number of places is limited, which emphasizes the exclusive nature of the workshops. Classes are conducted in various formats, offering participants the opportunity to develop skills in dance, artistic weaving, and poetry writing.

The organizers encourage registration and emphasize that this is an excellent opportunity to creatively spend time during the holidays, in the inspiring environment of the Witkacy Theater in Zakopane. More information can be found on the official website of the theater.

Holidays in the Mediatheque

As part of the winter holidays, the Municipal Public Library named after Stefan Żeromski in Zakopane, under the patronage of Mayor Leszek Dorula, organizes a series of educational and entertainment activities for children. They will take place in the Mediatheque Stacja Kultura Zakopane, ul. Chramcówki 35a. Here are the details of the events:

1. February 12, Monday, at 15:30 – “Let’s Play Board Games”: a meeting with board games for children and adults.
2. February 13, Tuesday, at 14:00 – “The Snow Queen” performance by the Tin Drum Theater, having an educational and artistic character.
3. February 14, Wednesday, at 15:30 – “Let’s Be Eco”: workshops on painting bags, promoting ecological attitudes.
4. February 16, Friday, at 15:30 – “Lego in the Library”: literary activities using LEGO bricks.
5. February 19, Monday, at 15:30 – Another meeting with board games “Let’s Play Board Games” for participants of all ages.
6. February 20, Tuesday, at 13:00 – “Mysterious expedition to the old manor”: literary and artistic workshops inspired by the book “Troubles of Kacperek, a little sprite from Górecko” by Zofia Kossak.
7. February 21, Wednesday, at 15:30 – Another edition of the “Let’s Be Eco” workshops with painting bags.
8. February 23, Friday, at 15:30 – “Lego in the Library”: the second literary meeting with LEGO bricks.

The activities are non-ticketed and take place during the winter break, offering children creative and educational ways to spend their free time. Participation is encouraged, and visiting the library’s website for additional information is recommended.

XXXIX National Gąsieniców Race

The XXXIX National Gąsieniców Race will take place on the cross-country skiing tracks at the Central Sports Centre in Zakopane, with the area around the Średnia Krokiew as the event center. Registrations for the competition are possible electronically until February 7, 2024, through the MOSiR Zakopane website or directly at the competition office on February 10, 2024. The entry fee is 30 PLN for adults and 15 PLN for those born in 1954 and earlier as well as for school youth, with the fees increasing on the day of the competition to 40 PLN and 20 PLN, respectively.

The competition is divided into age categories: Junior (2007 and younger), Senior (2006 – 1985), Masters (1984 – 1975), Veteran 1 (1974 – 1965), Veteran 2 (1964 – 1955), and Super Veteran (1954 and older), for women and men. Women will compete over a distance of 5 km (2 loops of 2.5 km), and men over 10 km (4 loops of 2.5 km), with the competitions held in the classic style.

Time will be measured electronically, and the organization of the competition depends on snow conditions and the number of registered participants. The competition office, located at the start location, will be open on the day of the competition from 8:30 to 9:30.

This event provides an excellent opportunity to spend time actively outdoors, both for experienced runners and for families with children, encouraging participation in sports competition in the picturesque scenery of Zakopane. More information can be found on the official websites and social media of MOSiR Zakopane.

Winter holidays at “Atma”, interactive tours for families

The Karol Szymanowski Museum in the “Atma” villa in Zakopane, a branch of the National Museum in Krakow, invites families to interactive tours of the permanent biographical exhibition of the artist. These unique meetings, planned for the winter holidays 2024, will take place on January 30, February 7, and February 21, at 11:00. During the tours, led by Katarzyna Wójcik, participants will embark on a journey through time and space, discovering new spaces, going back in time, and touching the past, which will help them better understand the present and design an attractive future.

The activities are aimed at both organized groups and individual participants arriving at the museum with parents or guardians. The entrance fee is 5 PLN per person, and the number of places is limited, requiring advance reservation for both children and their guardians. Reservations can be made by email or phone, providing the name and age of the child.

This is a unique opportunity to spend time creatively during the holidays, in one of the most picturesque places in Zakopane, where the history of music merges with the inspiring atmosphere of the villa “Atma”. More information about the activities and reservation of places can be obtained by contacting the museum directly.

XII Teddy Bear Stramus’ Cup

The XII Teddy Bear Stramus’ Cup, dedicated to children and teenagers up to 16 years of age, will take place on February 17, 2024, at the Nosal Ski Training Center in Zakopane. This is a unique opportunity for young skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts to compete on the slope in the company of Teddy Bear Stramus and summarize the skills acquired during the season.

The event is organized by the STRAMA Ski and Snowboard School, known for its many years of experience in ski and snowboard training. Competitors can start in various categories: ski for clubs (up to 10 years of age), recreational (up to 14 years of age), and snowboarding (up to 16 years of age). Additionally, a Family Cup will be held, combining a parent’s race on snowshoes with a child’s descent on skis or snowboard.

Attractions include, among others, an exciting SKI CROSS track for skiers and slalom for snowboarders. The day before the competition, participants can familiarize themselves with the course under the guidance of STRAMA instructors. Every participant will receive a prize, medal, diploma, and the best additionally trophies and material prizes.

Among the prizes are, among others, a family visit to the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine, tickets to the Zakopane Baths, ski and snowboard courses, a trip to Budapest, a seasonal lift pass, Rossignol ski equipment, holiday vouchers, language lessons, clothing, cosmetics, and many others.

The event is held under the honorary patronage of the Mayor of the City of Zakopane, with the partnership of the Małopolska Tourist Organization, Police, Zakopane Culture Centre, and the support of numerous sponsors and media partners.

The entry fee is 120 PLN for one child, with the next sibling paying 100 PLN. Registrations are possible online or in person at the STRAMA school. This is an excellent opportunity for young athletes to compete, gain experience, and spend time in a sporty and friendly atmosphere.

Reminder of ongoing events:

Holidays with culture

The Tatra Museum in Zakopane warmly invites children and teenagers to “Holidays with Culture” – a series of educational workshops and meetings discovering the culture and history of Zakopane. Participants have the chance for an adventure with Koziołek Matołek, exploration of the secrets of Tatra fauna and flora, and learning traditional glass painting. For enthusiasts of highland traditions, workshops “Secrets of the Highland Cottage” are prepared, during which you can create your own treasure chest. Additionally, meetings dedicated to the history of skiing and the art of the region are organized. Workshops require prior registration and take place in various locations in Zakopane.

Exhibition “Present”

The exhibition of the Association of Polish Artists and Designers in the Władysław Hasior Gallery, part of the Tatra Museum, reveals the artistic heritage of Zakopane from the 19th century to today. From December 15, 2023, to March 3, 2024, you can admire the works of Ewa Bartosz-Mazuś, Sylwia Biernacik, and Małgorzata Majerczyk-Sieczka, among others. This exhibition shows the diversity and evolution of Zakopane’s art, from highlander themes to modern approaches, through paintings, graphics, sculptures, and installations. We invite you to the Gallery at Jagiellońska 18 b for an extraordinary meeting with the culture and art of Zakopane.

Exhibition “Without Pathos. Anna Buńda-Dorula – painting on fabric, Janusz Tycner – graphics and painting”

In Zakopane, in the Red Manor House, from December 18, 2023, to February 17, 2024, the exhibition “Without Pathos” is held, presenting the works of Anna Buńda-Dorula, an artist of painting on fabric, and Janusz Tycner, a creator of graphics and painting. Both artists from Suchy near Zakopane combine Podhale tradition with a modern look. Buńda-Dorula renews highlander motifs on clothing and accessories, while Tycner explores the contemporaneity of Podhale through various media.

Exhibition “Decorative Panels by Jan Rembowski”

In the Karol Szymanowski Museum in the “Atma” villa in Zakopane. The exhibition, available from March 21, 2023, to March 5, 2024, presents monumental works of the artist, including “The March of Highland Girls” and “The March of Highland Children”.

Exhibition “Tatra Yeti”

The exhibition at the Tatra Museum in Zakopane reveals to visitors the world of mysterious and legendary animals of the Tatra Mountains, inviting to the exhibition “Tatra Yeti” from December 6, 2023, to February 29, 2024.

Exhibition “Enchanted – traditional Tatra landscape”

The exhibition in the Oksza villa, which reveals the wealth of the Tatra landscape. From December 1, 2023, to May 5, 2024, visitors can admire works reflecting the beauty of the Tatras, arranged thematically, not chronologically.