October 2024 is the perfect time to visit Zakopane and take part in unique events that bring this magical town at the foot of the Tatra Mountains to life. The autumn ambiance, mountain views, and a rich event calendar ensure there is something for everyone. From cultural festivals and sporting excitement to traditional highland celebrations, Zakopane buzzes with life in October. We invite you to explore the most interesting events awaiting you this month that will make your stay unforgettable!
Outdoor Exhibition “Nothing for Himself… about the Tatras and Other Gifts of Zamoyski for Poland” – A Unique Event in Zakopane!
We invite you to Zakopane for the extraordinary outdoor exhibition “Nothing for Himself… about the Tatras and Other Gifts of Zamoyski for Poland,” which will be held in the garden in front of the Art Gallery at the Oksza villa, a branch of the Tatra Museum, at 25 Hr. Władysława Zamoyskiego Street. The exhibition was prepared by the Kórnik Library of the Polish Academy of Sciences in cooperation with the Zakłady Kórnickie Foundation on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the death of Count Władysław Zamoyski, one of the most important philanthropists in the history of Zakopane and Poland.
The exhibition, available from July 7 to October 27, 2024, showcases the fascinating life and work of Count Zamoyski, who turned his passion for the Tatras into real actions for the region. It is open daily from 12:00 to 20:00, with free admission, and the event is aimed at both adults and children.
The exhibition, authored by Edyta Bątkiewicz-Szymanowska, Magdalena Biniaś-Szkopek, and Małgorzata Cieliczko, was previously presented in the Senate of the Republic of Poland and has permanently settled in the Kórnik Castle. This is a unique opportunity to see firsthand how great an impact Count Zamoyski had on the development of Zakopane and the protection of the Tatra nature.
The organizers, the Tatra Museum, encourage everyone to visit this unique exhibition, which not only commemorates the figure of Count Zamoyski but also inspires reflection on the legacy he left for future generations. Don’t miss this exceptional event in the heart of the Tatras!
Festival of Sensitive Culture in Zakopane – Join Accessible Culture!
Małopolska invites you to the Festival of Sensitive Culture, lasting 11 days under the theme of inclusiveness. The Małopolska Institute of Culture, together with 24 institutions, has prepared dozens of events: performances, concerts, workshops, and film screenings, all accessible to people with disabilities.
As part of the festival, the Tatra Museum in Zakopane invites you to two days full of attractions: September 26 and October 2. On October 2 at 10:30 AM, we invite you to the workshop “Visits in the Highlander Cottage,” taking participants into the realities of a 19th-century highlander home. At 4:00 PM, there will be a meeting “Zakopane is an Anecdote,” led by curator Wojciech Szatkowski – a story about the legendary figures of Zakopane. Admission to the events is free, and the full program is available on kulturawrazliwa.pl/festiwal. Join and discover culture accessible to all!
Exhibition “Inspired by Nature” – Plant and Animal Motifs in the Culture of Podhale
We cordially invite you to the unique event “Inspired by Nature,” which will take place on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at 5:00 PM at the Kornel Makuszyński Museum, 15 Tetmajera Street, Zakopane.
As part of the exhibition of workshop works, pieces showcasing plant and animal motifs in the art of Podhale, both old and contemporary, will be presented. The “Inspired by Nature” project, carried out by the Podtatrze Development Association as part of EthnoPolska 2024, included workshops on embroidery, ceramics, glass painting, stained glass, botanical printing, felting, linocut, and animal carving from wood. Admission to the event is free as part of the Tatra Museum’s promotion.
Festive Concert for the 142nd Birthday of Karol Szymanowski
The Karol Szymanowski Museum at the “Atma” villa in Zakopane invites you to a special concert on the occasion of the composer’s 142nd birthday. The event will take place on October 3, 2024, at 6:00 PM at 19 Kasprusie Street in Zakopane. Free admission!
The stage will feature outstanding artists: soprano Katarzyna Oleś-Blacha and pianist Mariola Cieniawa. The program will include works by Karol Szymanowski, including “Kurpie Songs” Op. 58 and “Mazurkas” Op. 50, as well as pieces by Stefan Henryk Bereza and Ignacy Jan Paderewski. Dr. hab. Małgorzata Janicka-Słysz, the program curator of “Atma,” will talk about the music.
This is a great opportunity to celebrate the work of one of the greatest composers in the magical atmosphere of Zakopane. More information on the Museum’s website or by phone at 1820 20040.
Małgorzata Mirga-Tas’s Enchanted World | See You at Rząsa’s
On Thursday, October 3, 2024, at 6:00 PM, the Antoni Rząsa Gallery in Zakopane invites you to a meeting with Małgorzata Mirga-Tas and Marcin Tas. The artists will talk about their recent artistic experiences, including performances at the Berlin Biennale, the Venice Biennale, and a year-long artistic residency in Berlin.
Małgorzata Mirga-Tas, a Polish-Roma visual artist, sculptor, painter, educator, and activist, is known for her involvement in projects counteracting exclusion and discrimination. Winner of the “Polityka” Passport and the Maria Anto Art Award, she represented Poland at the Venice Biennale in 2022. Małgorzata studied in Zakopane and is a graduate of the Antoni Kenar High School of Fine Arts and the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow.
Marcin Tas, Małgorzata’s husband, is a graphic designer and teacher at the Antoni Kenar High School of Fine Arts in Zakopane, supporting his wife’s artistic projects.
The series of meetings “See You at Rząsa’s” is co-financed by the City of Zakopane and dedicated to youth and adults. Free admission! More information can be found on the Gallery’s website.
Ceramics Workshops at the Zakopane Library – “MYkreatywni”
The Zakopane Public Library invites you to ceramics workshops as part of the “MYkreatywni” cycle of the “DziałajMY in the Library” project under the BLISKO program. The first class will be held on October 3, 2024, at 3:30 PM in the Library Reading Room, 4a Łukaszówki estate. Participants will learn clay forming techniques, glazing, and create their unique works. Workshops are free and open to everyone, regardless of experience. Registration: 667 226 225. Limited spots available.
Karol Szymanowski’s Birthday Concert at Morskie Oko Shelter
Messages Quartet, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, invites you to a special concert for the 142nd birthday of Karol Szymanowski, which will take place on October 4, 2024, at 6:00 PM at the PTTK Shelter at Morskie Oko, at an altitude of 1410 m above sea level.
In the extraordinary scenery of the Tatra Mountains, the ensemble will present works by Polish composers, including Szymon Laks, Stanisław Moniuszko, Henryk Wars, and Karol Szymanowski himself. This is a unique opportunity to combine a love of music with the beauty of nature. The concert is held under the patronage of the Karol Szymanowski Music Society.
Admission is free, and the event is open to everyone, including children. We invite mountain lovers and music enthusiasts to this unique meeting with music at the highest level. More information on the Music Society’s website or by phone at 607 820 795.
8th Charity Run “Running with Hope” – Help by Running!
On October 6, 2024, at 11:00 AM, the 8th Charity Run “Running with Hope” will take place at the Upper Krupowa Plain in Zakopane. The event is held under the honorary patronage of the Tatra County Starost, the Mayor of Zakopane, and Rev. Inf. Stanisław Olszówka. The aim of the run is to promote the idea of the hospice movement, volunteering, and a healthy lifestyle.
Run Program:
- 09:00 – 10:30: Registration and pick-up of starting numbers (race office in the Zakopane City Hall).
- 11:00: Start of the run.
- 12:00: End of the event.
Route and Distances: The run will take place on the asphalt-terrain routes of the Upper Krupowa Plain. Three distances are available: 1 loop (1.67 km), 2 loops (3.33 km), or 3 loops (5 km).
Participation and Fees:
- The participant limit is 900 people.
- The minimum donation qualifying for participation is 50 PLN, and all collected funds will support the Podhale Friends of the Sick Hospice Association of Jesus the Merciful.
- Registration until October 2, 2024, on the www.mosir.zakopane.eu website.
Additional Information:
- Each participant will receive a running shirt and a commemorative medal.
- Organizers provide medical service.
- Results will be published on the race website.
Marian Procession through Zakopane Streets – Join the Common Prayer
On October 13, 2024, at 3:00 PM, a solemn Marian Procession will set off from the National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima in Krzeptówki, Zakopane. The event will include a horse-mounted band and a Mining Brass Band from the Jas-Mos mine in Jastrzębie Zdrój. The procession will be led by H.E. Bishop Grzegorz Suchodolski from Siedlce.
The route of the procession leads through Skibówki, Kościeliska Street, with a short prayer at the Sanctuary of the Holy Family on Krupówki, ending at the Holy Cross Church on Zamoyskiego Street. This unique event attracts residents of Zakopane and pilgrims from all over Poland, creating a beautiful testimony of faith. We invite you to join in prayer and participate in this exceptional event. The procession is open to all, and participation is free.
“Inspired by the Mountains” Festival named after Ewa and Maciej Berbeka – A Celebration of Art and Mountains in Zakopane
From October 17 to 20, 2024, Zakopane invites you to the “Inspired by the Mountains” Festival named after Ewa and Maciej Berbeka, a unique interdisciplinary event organized by the City of Zakopane. The festival, which has become a permanent feature of the city’s autumn cultural events, commemorates the granting of city rights to Zakopane in 1933 and celebrates creativity inspired by the mountains, Tatra nature, and the region’s history.
The event is dedicated to the memory of Maciej Berbeka, a distinguished mountaineer who died on Broad Peak in 2013, and his wife, Ewa Dyakowska-Berbek, an artist and set designer who passed away in 2018. The festival is not only an opportunity for meetings and joint celebrations but also a presentation of art inspired by love for the mountains, admiration for nature, and the passion of artists connected with Zakopane.
The festival program includes numerous exhibitions, concerts, author meetings, and workshops that attract both locals and tourists. It is a special time to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Tatra autumn and honor the memory of people who dedicated their hearts to the mountains. The festival is a ticketed event, also open to children.
Musical “Pippi Långstrump” – Zakopane Singing Academy Invites You to Unique Performances!
Dear children and adults! We warmly invite you to the latest musical by the Zakopane Singing Academy – “Pippi Långstrump.” Performances will take place in Zakopane and Szczawnica, and students aged 8-16 will showcase their acting, vocal, and dance talents accompanied by live music.
The musical tells a story of the courage to be oneself, referring to the timeless tale of Astrid Lindgren. This unique event is dedicated to the youngest viewers and fulfills the mission of the Singing Academy to promote high culture in smaller towns. The project was realized thanks to financial support from the Małopolska Voivodeship and friends from the Kmicic Generations Bridge Foundation and Mariola Krzystek.
Evening at the Red Manor: In Search of Tatra Treasures – Mythical and Real
On October 7, 2024, at 6:00 PM, the City of Zakopane and the Zakopane Cultural Center invite you to the Red Manor villa for a special evening dedicated to Tatra treasures – both mythical and real. During the meeting, Dr. Józef Dorula will talk about the history of the search for ores such as gold, silver, copper, and the ironworks in the Tatras.
The event will explore metallurgical processes used in the region, their impact on the quality of products, and the history of places such as Kuźnice and Kośne Hamry, which were once important centers of ore extraction and processing.
We invite you on a fascinating journey into the past, full of discoveries related to the Tatra tradition of metallurgy and treasure hunting. Free admission, event dedicated to adults.
ECHOES OF THE UNSEEN – Palace Museum
The Tatra Museum invites you to the exhibition “ECHOES OF THE UNSEEN” by Valentyn Odnoviuna at the newly opened Palace Museum branch in Zakopane. The exhibition presents photographic cycles related to the history of oppression in Europe, documenting places that were witnesses of violence, such as former Gestapo and NKVD prisons.
The work of Odnoviuna, a Ukrainian artist living in Vilnius, explores themes of historical violence and enslavement, transforming them into an aesthetic form that prompts reflection. Works from the “Surveillance” and “Horizons” cycles show fragments of cells and control spaces in Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, and Germany, revealing the unwanted legacy of these places.
Curated by Małgorzata Taraszkiewicz-Zwolicka, the exhibition will be available to visitors until February 28, 2025, at the Palace Museum, 7 Chałubińskiego Street.
“I Run Because I Like It – Ten Under the Krokiew” – 4th Edition on October 26, 2024!
Running enthusiasts, mark this date! On Saturday, October 26, 2024, the 4th edition of “I Run Because I Like It – Ten Under the Krokiew” will take place in Zakopane. The evening run over a 10 km distance will start at 7:00 PM near the Średnia Krokiew ski jump complex. The route will lead runners along picturesque asphalt and gravel sections in the scenery of the Central Sports Center – Olympic Preparation Center.
Last year, the run was attended by famous athletes such as Joanna Jóźwik and Adam Kszczot, and this year’s edition will again be part of the weekend conference “Running 360 Degrees,” taking place from October 25 to 27. Participants can expect commemorative medals, prizes for the best, and surprises in the form of “lucky start numbers.”
Registration for the run is already open – don’t delay and join! Registration link: https://bgtimesport.pl/zawody/biegi/id/746. More information about the conference can be found at https://biegowe360.pl/.
Event Reminders
Exhibition “CONSTANCY” at the Jan Kasprowicz Museum
Until October 6, 2024, the exhibition “CONSTANCY” from the “Generations” series is on display at the Jan Kasprowicz Museum on Harenda in Zakopane, featuring works by Władysław Jarocki and artists from the Krakow Academy of Fine Arts. The exhibition is open daily from 10:15 AM to 3:15 PM.
Exhibition “First Things” at the Art Gallery in the Oksza Villa
Until November 17, 2024, the exhibition “First Things” is on display at the Art Gallery in the Oksza Villa in Zakopane, presenting unique elements of folk costume from the collection of Stanisław Konstanty Drohojowski. Discover some of the oldest exhibits in the Tatra Museum’s collections, related to Podhale, Spiš, and Ruś Szlachtowska. The exhibition is open daily from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Tickets are available on-site.
Exhibition “The Zamoyski Family – Storehouse of Values” in the Tatra National Park
We invite you to the free exhibition “The Zamoyski Family – Storehouse of Values” in Kuźnice, Zakopane, commemorating Count Władysław Zamoyski, Patron of the Year 2024. Learn about his life and contribution to the development of Zakopane and the protection of the Tatras. The exhibition is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM until the end of the year.
Exhibition “Zakopane Artists 2024” at the City Art Gallery
We invite you to the Władysław hr. Zamoyski City Art Gallery for the exhibition “Zakopane Artists 2024,” showcasing works by artists associated with Zakopane and Podhale. The exhibition runs from September 14 to October 31, 2024, and is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. This year’s theme, “Here and Now,” encourages reflection on the present day. Free admission.
