Calendar
The year in Wrocław
What comes round again, month by month: a few festivals and traditions that the city has kept up for years.
Late winter and spring
Late January to early March
Tłusty Czwartek
Fat Thursday, the last Thursday before Lent begins, when Poles eat pączki, filled doughnuts. It is counted back from Easter, so it moves between late January and early March. It is a national custom rather than an organised event, so there is no organiser to link.
Spring, usually April
Jazz nad Odrą
A jazz festival that has run in Wrocław since 1964. Official site: jazznadodra.pl
1 May
Gitarowy Rekord Guinnessa
Thousands of guitarists gather on the Rynek, the square around the Ratusz, to play Jimi Hendrix's "Hey Joe" together. It is held as part of the Thanks Jimi Festival, traditionally on 1 May. Official site: heyjoe.pl
May
Noc Muzeów
Museum Night. Museums, galleries and artists' studios across the city open in the evening and into the night, with free entry. Wrocław's first one was in 2009. The City of Wrocław's page
Early summer
June
Nocny Wrocław Półmaraton
The Night Half Marathon: a half marathon run at night, starting and finishing at the Tarczyński Arena and looping through the centre. Organised by the Młodzieżowe Centrum Sportu (Youth Sports Centre). Organiser: mcs.wroc.pl
June, usually the second weekend
Wrocławski Festiwal Dobrego Piwa
The Wrocław Good Beer Festival, a craft-beer gathering on the esplanade of the city stadium. It has run since 2010. The official site asks you to confirm you are over 18. Official site: festiwaldobregopiwa.pl
June, around 24 June
Święto Wrocławia
The city's own holiday, on St John the Baptist's day, 24 June. St John is one of the city's patrons and is on its coat of arms. The day itself has a council procession and a ceremonial council session, and the city fills the surrounding weeks with concerts and other events. The tradition dates from 1992. The City of Wrocław's page
Late July, into early August
Nowe Horyzonty
The New Horizons International Film Festival, one of the main film events in Poland, with screenings at cinemas and other venues in the city. Official site: nowehoryzonty.pl
Autumn
September
Wratislavia Cantans
An international festival of vocal and choral music, oratorios and early music, founded in 1966 by the composer and conductor Andrzej Markowski. It is organised today by the National Forum of Music (NFM). Official page: nfm.wroclaw.pl
Late November to early January
The Christmas market closes the year.
The Jarmark Bożonarodzeniowy takes over the Rynek from late November into the new year, with stalls along the streets nearby. It is run by the artistic agency Pianoforte. Official site: jarmarkbozonarodzeniowy.com
Before you plan around any of this
This is a short list of the recurring events that could be checked, not everything the city does in a year. Some festivals that used to be fixtures have paused, so a name here is not a promise that it will run. The organiser's own site is the only place that knows.