January 2025 in Zakopane is a time when Poland’s winter capital comes alive, offering unforgettable attractions for everyone. The picturesque Tatra landscapes, snowy ski slopes, festivals, concerts, and local events create a unique atmosphere that attracts tourists from across the country and abroad. Whether you’re a fan of winter sports, highland culture, or relaxation in thermal baths, Zakopane in January is the place to fulfill your expectations. Check out the events and attractions awaiting you this exceptional month!
141st Birthday of Kornel Makuszyński
The Tatra Museum invites you to celebrate the 141st birthday of Kornel Makuszyński on January 8, 2025, at the Opolanka Villa, located at Kazimierza Przerwy-Tetmajera 15 in Zakopane. Makuszyński is the creator of beloved characters such as Koziołek Matołek and Małpka Fiki-Miki. A day full of attractions, fun, and literary memories awaits participants.
Event Schedule:
- 1:00 PM–4:30 PM – Comic Creation: Participants will create new adventures of Małpka Fiki-Miki.
- 1:00 PM–4:30 PM – Game: “One, Two, Three! Play with Koziołek Today!” A special edition of the family game featuring Koziołek Matołek. (Registration: rezerwacja@muzeumtatrzanskie.pl, tel. 533 925 111).
- 2:00 PM – Guided tour of Kornel Makuszyński’s apartment.
- 2:30 PM – Slide show and drama-based activities: Performative readings of Małpka Fiki-Miki’s adventures with props.
- 3:30 PM – Decorating a birthday cake for Kornel Makuszyński.
- 4:30 PM – Lecture: “Zakopane in Kornel’s Times” – a talk by Wojtek Szatkowski.
- 6:00 PM – Literary meeting: “Lovely Mimosa – Nasty Nettle.” Kornel Makuszyński’s Letters to His Wife Janina and In-laws, led by Dr. Justyna Staroń as part of the Reading Club.
A special guest, Małpka Fiki-Miki, will happily take photos with attendees. Sweet treats will also be provided. Registration for the game: rezerwacja@muzeumtatrzanskie.pl, tel. 533 925 111. The event is free of charge as part of the Tatra Museum’s promotion.
“Lovely Mimosa – Nasty Nettle” – Book Launch
On January 8, 2025, the birthday of Kornel Makuszyński, the Tatra Museum invites you to a meeting promoting the unique publication “Lovely Mimosa – Nasty Nettle”, featuring the writer’s letters to his wife Janina and in-laws Zofia and Antoni Gluziński. The event will take place at 6:00 PM at the Kornel Makuszyński Museum, housed in the Opolanka Villa, located at Kazimierza Przerwy-Tetmajera 15 in Zakopane.
These letters, full of humor and personal reflections, have been preserved in the Tatra Museum’s archives for years and are now published for the first time. The discussion with Dr. Justyna Staroń, the book’s author and an employee of the Institute of National Remembrance, will be moderated by Dr. Kinga Nędza-Sikoniowska from the Tatra Museum. The event is open to the public, with free admission.
Christmas Carol, Pastorals, and Christmas Songs Festival “Dobrze ześ sie Jezu pod Giewontem zrodziył” – Davidson College Chorale
On January 11, 2025, Davidson College Chorale, one of the oldest and most recognized choral ensembles in the United States with a history of 134 years, will perform in Zakopane. The concert will take place at 6:00 PM at the venue located at Tytusa Chałubińskiego 30.
Led by conductor Renata Berlin and accompanied by pianist Tomasz Robak, the choir will present a special Christmas repertoire prepared specifically for the festival. The performance will include a variety of pieces, from traditional carols to unique arrangements inspired by diverse musical traditions.
The concert is free and designed for families. This is a perfect opportunity to experience the exceptional talent of young artists and enjoy the holiday atmosphere brought to life by an internationally renowned choir. Join us!
Christmas Carol, Pastorals, and Christmas Songs Festival “Dobrze ześ sie Jezu pod Giewontem zrodziył”
On January 25, 2025, we invite you to the final concert of the Christmas Carol and Pastorals Festival, taking place at the Sanctuary of the Holy Family, Krupówki 1a, Zakopane. Performing will be the ensemble “Jedla,” featuring talented soloists Sylwia Strączek, Karolina Szymusiak, and Bernadetta Kois-Zalińska, accompanied by distinguished Podhale musicians: Krzysztof Czech, Stanisław Galica-Kasecki, Paweł Trebunia-Tutka, and Robert Czech.
The concert will showcase traditional highlander pastorals as well as premiere compositions from the band’s latest album, “Flame in the Carol Song.”
The concert starts at 8:00 PM and admission is free. This is a unique event filled with music and holiday spirit, perfect for families. Don’t miss the chance to close the Christmas carol season in the heart of Zakopane!
Winter Holidays at the Tatra Museum – January 2025
The Tatra Museum invites you to enjoy your winter holidays with a blend of art, literature, and mountain traditions. January offers a variety of inspiring workshops, meetings, and educational games that will delight both children and adults.
One of the highlights is the stop-motion animation workshops, where participants will create their own films inspired by the Tatras, courage, and dreams. Sessions will be held on January 21, 23, 28, and 30, allowing attendees to explore scenography, character design, and sound creation. The workshops will culminate in a joint screening of the films made by young creators.
Every Thursday in January, between 3:00 PM and 4:30 PM, the Kornel Makuszyński Museum will host glass painting workshops. Participants will learn techniques for creating artworks inspired by Podhale traditions, with their hand-crafted pieces becoming unique keepsakes.
For younger participants, the “Dream House” workshops will take place every Wednesday at 10:00 AM. During these sessions, children will tour Kornel Makuszyński’s apartment and then craft their own painted wooden house piggy banks, fostering creativity and manual skills.
On January 18 at 5:00 PM in the main building of the Tatra Museum, a meeting titled “Those Wonderful Women and Equally Wonderful Men…” will feature Wojciech Szatkowski discussing remarkable women associated with Zakopane and the Tatra’s history, highlighting their influence on the region’s culture and life.
Family gatherings at Opolanka will also be held during the winter holidays. On Saturdays (January 11, 18, and 25) and Wednesdays (January 15, 22, and 29) at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM, sensory activities, literary workshops, and educational games will provide creative entertainment for the whole family.
Every event promises a wonderful opportunity for learning, fun, and discovering new passions. Don’t miss the chance to spend winter days in the unique atmosphere of the Tatra Museum!
Urban Game “In the Footsteps of Old Zakopane” – Embark on a Literary Adventure!
If you want to uncover Zakopane’s secrets and explore its fascinating past, join the urban game “In the Footsteps of Old Zakopane.” This unique literary journey, organized by the Municipal Public Library named after Stefan Żeromski, combines fun, learning, and active outdoor exploration.
Participation requires only a flyer, available at the library at Juliusza Zborowskiego 1 or downloadable from the website, or a free mobile app. Guided by rhyming clues, participants traverse the city streets, discovering Zakopane’s landmarks, literary secrets, and cultural figures who have shaped its history. At the end of the route, explorers will find a surprise “treasure” and other attractions!
The game is available daily from 9:00 AM and does not require prior registration or fees. It’s a perfect activity for families, children, and anyone eager to experience Zakopane in a unique way. For details and flyers, visit: https://www.biblioteka.zakopane.eu. Don’t wait – embark on an unforgettable adventure and uncover Zakopane’s stories!
Exhibition Opening: “ÀIVA. Traces of Water. Lanzo Valleys, Piedmont, Italy” – January 31, 2025
On January 31, 2025, at 6:00 PM, the main building of the Tatra Museum at Krupówki 10, Zakopane, will host the opening of the extraordinary photo exhibition “ÀIVA. Traces of Water. Lanzo Valleys, Piedmont, Italy.” Organized by the Società Storica delle Valli di Lanzo, this exhibition is the result of international collaboration between Polish and Italian curators, including Aldo Audisio and Laura Gallo.
The exhibition features black-and-white photographs that depict water as a key element of the Lanzo Valleys’ landscape. The project includes works by 14 artists who traversed over 1,500 km of trails in a year, capturing the beauty and significance of water in this region. The display highlights the aesthetic, cultural, and ecological importance of Alpine landscapes while promoting water conservation.
This special event is part of a broader cultural initiative connecting art, nature, and education. Admission to the opening is free as part of the Tatra Museum’s promotion. We warmly invite you to discover the extraordinary harmony of nature and culture in the Alpine landscapes of the Lanzo Valleys!
Ongoing Events Reminder
“ECHOES OF THE UNSEEN” – A Story of History and Memory
The exhibition “ECHOES OF THE UNSEEN” by Valentyn Odnoviun is on display at the Palace Museum, T. Chałubińskiego 7, until February 28, 2025. Ukrainian artist Odnoviun’s photographs depict former Gestapo and NKVD prisons in Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, and Germany, evoking painful memories of the past. This deeply moving exhibition is a must-see.
“Museum Through Rose-Colored Glasses” – Creative Project for Youth
Bi-weekly meetings are held in the main building of the Tatra Museum, Kornel Makuszyński Museum, Władysław Hasior Gallery, and Palace Museum. The project started on December 10, 2024, and runs through May 2025, concluding with a presentation during Museum Night. Each session offers creative workshops, museum tours, and innovative activities. More details are available on the Tatra Museum’s website.
“My Zakopane” – Post-Competition Exhibition
Until February 22, 2025, you can view works from the 4th National Painting Competition “My Zakopane” at the Municipal Art Gallery, Władysław Zamoyski, Krupówki 41. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, admission is free. This exhibition showcases artistic visions of Zakopane, from realistic landscapes to modern interpretations.
“BOLD” – Women Artists of the Interwar Period in Paris and Zakopane
The exhibition “BOLD” is available from December 14, 2024, to March 30, 2025, at the main building of the Tatra Museum, Krupówki 10, Zakopane. It highlights the work of women balancing their artistic passions between Paris and Zakopane during the interwar period.
“Ewelina Pęksowa” – Glass Painting Exhibition
The exhibition dedicated to the glass painting works of Ewelina Pęksowa is open at the Czerwony Dwór villa until March 31, 2025, showcasing the artist’s love for tradition and regional history.
“Angels Under the Tatras” – A Festive Exhibition
From December 27, 2024, to March 9, 2025, the “Angels Under the Tatras” exhibition can be viewed at the Pod Mak Cafe and Kmicic Cafe in Zakopane. Featuring angel-themed artworks, it is an ideal way to enjoy a peaceful, artistic evening. Free admission.
