Zakopane February 2025 is a unique blend of art, tradition, and winter emotions. Among the events, you’ll find the anniversary of the Hasior Gallery, the Caterpillar Run, the Zakopane Cup, as well as inspiring exhibitions and concerts. History enthusiasts can take part in a meeting about the legendary TOPR expedition, and sports fans can try their hand at tournaments and training sessions. It’s a month full of attractions for everyone!
Nowe Zakopane – A Contemporary Portrait of the City Through the Lens of Błażej Pindor
Zakopane, although steeped in history and tradition, is constantly evolving. Its architecture, landscape, and atmosphere are in a state of flux, creating a mosaic of styles and contrasts. These very transformations became the subject of the exhibition “Nowe Zakopane” by Błażej Pindor, whose vernissage took place on January 30, 2025, at STRH Bistro Art Cafe. The exhibition will be on display until March 30, 2025.
The photographic narrative that Pindor weaves as part of his project is not only a record of the city’s architectural diversity but also a reflection on its identity. What does modern-day Zakopane look like? What tensions and dialogues emerge between historical heritage and contemporary creations? These questions accompanied the artist during his many years of work on the photo series and the accompanying album, which serves as an extension of this visual narrative.
“Nowe Zakopane” is the result of keen observation and documentation—covering both individual buildings and entire streets. The exhibition’s creators, Błażej Pindor and Łukasz Gorczyca, undertook the challenge of capturing the dynamics of a city where Witkiewicz’s style, modernism, manor house architecture, and Alpine influences coexist. The exhibition invites reflection on a space where tradition blends with new trends, and urban chaos becomes an integral part of Zakopane’s unique character.
“Fairy Tales of the Future” – Creative Workshops and Competition in Zakopane
A unique project called “Fairy Tales of the Future” is underway in Zakopane, encouraging experimentation with literature, illustration, and new technologies. The Stacja Kultura Media Library invites children, teenagers, and families to workshops during which participants will learn techniques for creating fairy tales and illustrations, as well as discover how modern tools can support their creativity.
Meetings were held on January 27 and 31, with further sessions scheduled for February 3 and 7, 2025, providing an excellent opportunity to develop imagination and learn creative thinking. The best works will be published on the library’s website and in the book “Fairy Tales of the Future,” allowing young authors to share their stories with a wider audience.
The project is also open to teachers and entire classes—there is the possibility to organize sessions in January or February. Participation is free, and detailed information and registration are available by calling 887 221 228 or visiting www.biblioteka.zakopane.eu.
The 1st Open Table Tennis Tournament for the MOSiR Director’s Cup – Sporting Rivalry in Zakopane
The beginning of February in Zakopane will be marked by sporting rivalry! On February 1, 2025, the MOSiR Sports Hall at 8 Chramcówka Street will host the 1st Open Table Tennis Tournament for the MOSiR Director’s Cup. This event is aimed at children, teenagers, and adults alike, regardless of their skill level.
Player registrations will begin at 8:30 AM, with the first matches starting at 9:00 AM. The tournament is divided into two age categories: children (those born in 2012 and earlier) and adults (those born in 2011 and earlier). The top competitors in both groups will receive trophies for places 1–3, and the organizers have also prepared small prizes—sports passes for adults and sweet treats for the little ones.
The participation fee is 5 PLN per competitor, and more information can be found at www.mosir.zakopane.eu or by calling 511 453 505. Table tennis is a sport for everyone—it’s worth trying your hand at it and spending an active winter morning in Zakopane.
The 40th Anniversary of the Władysław Hasior Gallery – Art, Experimentation, and a Dialogue with the Master
Forty years ago, a place that transformed the local art scene was born in Zakopane—the Władysław Hasior Gallery. The artist created it together with the Tatra Museum, aiming to break away from unproductive complaints about the decline of artistic tradition and to open up space for new directions. Today, the gallery remains true to that idea, serving as a venue for experimentation, dialogue, and the fusion of various art forms.
To celebrate the anniversary, a series of events highlighting the artistic spirit of this place will take place on February 1 and 2, 2025. On Saturday at 5:00 PM, the opening of the CHASIOR exhibition is scheduled, prepared by the Supergroup UNDERGROUND KRAKOWSKI (Jerzy Kosałka, Zbigniew Libera, Piotr Lutyński, Adam Rzepecki). Their works engage in a direct dialogue with Hasior’s creations, drawing inspiration from his irony, play on meanings, and conceptual combinations of materials. That evening, at 6:00 PM, there will also be a concert by the band RDZEŃ 69, adding an extra artistic dimension to the event.
Sunday will be a day of conversation—at 4:00 PM, a “Hasior Tea” will be held, offering a meeting with the curators of the CHASIOR exhibition. This will be an opportunity to learn about their interpretation of Hasior’s legacy and to discuss how his art is perceived today.
Within the framework of the temporary exhibition space, the “Hasior/Hasiok” project by Zuzanna Dembiec and Przemysław Jeżmirski has been running since December. The installation, featuring the neon HASIOK(R) that reacts to sound, plays on words and conceptual thinking about art, provoking reflection on materials, meanings, and the act of naming.
Admission to all events is free, and the anniversary is a great opportunity to view the Hasior Gallery through the lens of both history and contemporary interpretations of his work.
Final of the Carol Festival under Giewont – Highland Celebration at the Old Church
Winter Zakopane resounds with music and tradition – on February 2, 2025, the final of the Festival of Carols, Pastorals, and Christmas Songs “It’s a Good Thing Jesus Was Born under Giewont” will take place. In the atmospheric interior of the Old Church on Kościeliska Street, a highland-styled Mass will first be celebrated, followed by a unique caroling session with the Klimka Bachleda Ensemble.
This group, active continuously since 1952, is one of the most recognizable folk ensembles from Skalny Podhale. Its mission is to cultivate highland culture – singing, dancing, and music in traditional costumes, in keeping with the heritage passed down by ancestors. The artists perform both in Poland and abroad, winning prestigious awards and promoting the heritage of Podhale.
During the concert, both traditional highland pastorals and classic Polish carols will be heard, evoking memories among the youth involved in the event. It is not only a musical feast but also an opportunity to immerse oneself in the Christmas traditions of the region.
The Festival Finale at the Old Church is an event that unites spirituality, history, and the culture of Podhale in one magical moment.
Open Days with Table Tennis Instructors in Zakopane
February in Zakopane is not only a time for winter sports – it’s also an opportunity to hone your table tennis skills! On February 8, 15, and 22, 2025, the MOSiR Sports Hall at 8 Chramcówka Street will host Open Days with Table Tennis Instructors. Children, teenagers, and adults can take part in the event, where experienced instructors will help participants refine their technique and learn the secrets of this dynamic sport.
A new feature of this year’s sessions is the opportunity to train with a simulator, which will allow for precise improvement of strokes and reflexes. The sessions will take place from 10:00 to 12:00, and the participation fee is 10 PLN. Participants should bring a change of sports shoes and their own paddles, although the organizers have provided a few spare ones for those who cannot bring their own equipment.
This is an excellent opportunity to test your skills in table tennis, improve your technique, and spend active time in a sporty atmosphere! For details and registration, call 511 453 505 or visit www.mosir.zakopane.eu.
80th Anniversary of the TOPR Rescue Expedition on Zwierówka – A Meeting with Apoloniusz Rajwa
The Tatras hide many stories, but one from 80 years ago, on a February night in 1945, stands out as one of the most challenging and extraordinary rescue operations of the Tatra Mountain Volunteer Rescue Service. To commemorate its course and significance, on February 11, 2025, at 5:00 PM, a meeting with Apoloniusz Rajwa – a Tatra guide, mountain rescuer, and author of numerous publications on mountain themes – will be held at the Stacja Kultura Media Library in Zakopane.
During the event, participants will have the opportunity to learn about the behind-the-scenes details of the dramatic operation on Zwierówka, which remains a symbol of the determination, sacrifice, and courage of the Tatra rescuers. Admission to the meeting is free, and the organizers – the City of Zakopane and the Municipal Public Library – invite all mountain and history enthusiasts to jointly commemorate this unique anniversary.
For more information, visit www.biblioteka.zakopane.eu or call +48 18 20 664 38.
XXXX National Caterpillar Run – Winter Competition in Zakopane
On February 16, 2025, Zakopane will once again become the arena for cross-country skiing challenges during the XXXX National Caterpillar Run. This event combines sports rivalry with the promotion of physical activity and celebrates the history of cross-country skiing in Podhale. The race will take place on the COS Zakopane cross-country trails, with the start and finish located near Średnia Krokiew.
The race will be conducted in the classic style, with participants competing over distances of 5 km (2 laps of 2.5 km each) and 10 km (4 laps of 2.5 km each). Competitors can participate in the junior, senior, masters, and veteran categories, with several age classifications.
Registrations are open until February 13, 2025, online at www.mosir.zakopane.eu and sport-timing.pl, as well as on the day of the race at the race office (open from 8:30 to 9:30 AM). The entry fees are 50 PLN for adults and 30 PLN for youth and seniors aged 70+ (with prior registration), while on the day of the race the fees are 60 PLN and 40 PLN respectively. Holders of the Zakopiańczyk Card can enjoy preferential rates.
The winners in the OPEN category will receive trophies, and the best in the individual age categories will receive medals. The awards ceremony will take place immediately after the competition.
This is an excellent opportunity to test your strength on cross-country trails in the heart of the Tatras and to experience the spirit of competitive sports in the winter scenery of Zakopane!
11th Edition of the Zakopane Amateurs’ Alpine Skiing Cup – Registration Open!
Zakopane will once again become the arena for exciting skiing competition! The 11th Edition of the Zakopane Amateurs’ Alpine Skiing Cup is a unique event for all winter sports enthusiasts – both amateurs and former professionals.
Within the series of competitions, athletes will face challenges on Zakopane’s three largest slopes:
- Harenda – January 12, 2025 (completed)
- Kasprowy Wierch – February 15, 2025
- Polana Szymoszkowa – Grand Finale – March 15, 2025
The competitions are held in accordance with the Skiing Sports Regulations of the Polish Amateur Championships and the Polish Amateur Cup of the Polish Ski Association. Skiers will compete in several age categories, and each participant will receive a certificate with their race time. Prizes include both cash and material awards for the best performers.
This is the biggest skiing event for amateurs in Poland, held in the winter capital of the country. If you love speed, competitive sports, and an unforgettable atmosphere, it’s well worth testing your skills!
Estera Karp – Extraordinary Artistry, Extraordinary Life
February 20, at 5:00 PM – Main Building of the Tatra Museum, 10 Krupówki Street
Estera Karp is an artist whose body of work remains lesser known yet incredibly intriguing. Her life and art will be presented by Dariusz Dekiert, who will also showcase three works from his collection. This meeting is an opportunity to discover the story of a woman who expressed her experiences and emotions through art.
Closing of the “Echoes of the Unseen” Exhibition – Valentyn Odnoviun
February 28 – Palace Museum, 7 Chałubińskiego Street Valentyn Odnoviun is a contemporary artist whose works explore memory, history, and the invisible traces of the past. His exhibition “Echoes of the Unseen” is a reflection on what is hidden yet present in our collective consciousness. The closing event at the Palace Museum is your last chance to experience this exceptional exhibition.
Zakopane: Paths of Tradition and Modernity – Closing of Klaudia Kot’s Exhibition
February 28, at 6:00 PM – Zakopane Style Museum, Koliba Villa, 18 Kościeliska Street In her exhibition, Klaudia Kot explores the dialogue between Zakopane’s tradition and modernity. The closing event, combined with a guided tour, will offer deeper insights into how the city has evolved over the years, merging its unique heritage with new directions in architecture and art.
Zakopane February 2025 – Ongoing Events
“Echoes of the Unseen” – Valentyn Odnoviun’s Exhibition
At the Palace Museum, 7 Chałubińskiego Street, the exhibition “Echoes of the Unseen” is on view until February 28, 2025. It explores the history of the old Gestapo and NKVD prisons. Photographs by the Ukrainian artist Valentyn Odnoviun evoke difficult, often forgotten moments of the past.
“My Zakopane” – Post-Competition Exhibition
Until February 22, 2025, the Municipal Art Gallery named after Wł. hr. Zamoyski presents works by the participants of the 4th National Painting Competition “My Zakopane.” This is an opportunity to see diverse visions of the city – from realistic landscapes to modern interpretations.
“Daring” – Interwar Era Women Artists in Paris and Zakopane
The exhibition is open until March 30, 2025, at the Tatra Museum on 10 Krupówki Street. It showcases the works of Polish women artists who split their creative lives between Paris and Zakopane during the interwar period.
“Ewelina Pęksowa” – Glass Painting Exhibition
The exhibition at the Centre of Indigenous Culture in the Czerwony Dwór Villa runs until March 31, 2025. It presents the work of one of the most important glass painters, whose contributions have permanently marked the history of Polish folk art.
“Halina Rząsa. Works” – The First Photography Exhibition
Unique photographs by Halina Rząsa, documenting the surrounding nature and the artistic life of Zakopane, are on display at the Antoni Rząsa Gallery until April 1, 2025.
“Angels under the Tatras” – A Holiday Exhibition
The exhibition at the Gallery under the Oak and Kmicic Café will run until March 9, 2025. It features paintings and sculptures related to the theme of angels, echoing the winter atmosphere of the Tatras and traditional Christmas celebrations.
