Annual and Biennial Events
Concerts, art exhibitions, sport competitions, festivals and cultural celebrations in Bielsko-Biała.
February
Bielsko Jazz Blast (Lotos Jazz Festival Bielska Zadymka Jazzowa)
This jazz festival is considered to be the best jazz festival in Poland and in this part of Europe. The performances of renowned jazz artists from around the world are, without a doubt, the largest attraction. However, what sets this festival apart is its openness to new forms and desire to combine traditional with new.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
The main gallery in the city, Galeria Bielska BWA, presents the winning wildlife photography in one of the most prestigious nature photo competitions in the world. The competition is organized by Natural History Museum in London and BBC Worldwide since 1965 and the exhibition in Bielsko-Biala was held for the first time in 2004.
April
Sacrum in Musica
This international festival of sacred music is held in Bielsko-Biala since 2000. Sacred music of the world, representing different styles and forms reverberate in the Catholic and Evangelical churches across the city. Oratorios, gospel songs, Gregorian chants, or Jewish songs are usually part of the rich program.
may
May Picnic (Majówka)
First days of May (commonly called Majowka) open the outdoor concert season in Bielsko-Biała. The concerts are held on an open stage, next to the Dębowiec Sport Hall and are free of charge for everyone. What you can expect is performances of popular Polish artists representing different music styles and genres – to suit everyone tastes and likes.
Night of Museums
Bielsko-Biała participates in the Night of Museum, a celebration that is held on or around 18th of May across the globe. On the day, the museums and cultural institutions are open late into the night and all the admission fees are waived for the night. Additionally, some of the venues such as the City Hall, old cemeteries or towers of churches are open to the public, often only once a year, only on that day. This cultural event is very popular and the institutions make effort to engage the visitors in participation in family games and activities.
International Festival of Puppetry Art
Every two years, Bielsko-Biała’s Puppet Theatre ‘Banialuka’ organizes the International Festival of Puppetry Art. The first time, the event took place in 1966 and since then built a reputation of one of the best and prestigious festivals in its field in the world. Theatres from various countries present spectacles that represent different forms of arts from puppetry, plastic and visual arts to movement and music performances. The outdoor presentations are always the highlights of the festival. The last edition took place in 2018.
Bieg Fiata
Bieg Fiata is a 10km distance road running competition held in Bielsko-Biała since 1993. The shorter distance of 4km is designated for youth.
June
Days of Bielsko–Biała (Dni Bielska-Białej)
First weekend of June is reserved for the Days of Bielsko-Biała, an event organized by the city for its residents. Concerts of Polish and international artists are held in front of the City Hall, in Słowacki Park and on an open stage adjusted to the Dębowiec Sport Hall. Brass Band Festival and its city parade is an additional attraction, and so is a fireworks show.
The Feast of Industrial Monuments Route (Industriada)
It’s an annual event that promotes industrial monuments and venues in the Silesian region. The sites include mines, breweries, old factories and manufactures. The Bielsko-Biala’s Old Factory Museum is also on the list and represent the city old industries, mainly past production of the famous Bielsko fabrics. Various presentations and additional exhibitions are organized during this festival.
Festival of Partner Cities (Festiwal Miast Partnerskich)
The aim of the festival is to present to the residents of Bielsko-Biała the history, tradition, culture and tourist attractions of their partner cities. During the festival weekend, music from countries like Germany, France, Czech Republic, Romania or the US fills the Old Town Square.
July
The International Beskid Rally of Antique Vehicles
Parades of antique cars on the city and Beskids roads, and a contest of elegance held in front of the City Hall are the core of the rally. Cars dating back to as far as the 1920s are no doubt a huge attractions, although they are not the only gems shining during the event. The owners dressed in the outfits from the eras supplement the whole happening.
Summer with Culture (Lato z Kultura)
For those who spend summers in the city, the Bielsko Cultural Centre (Bielski Dom Kultury-BCK) prepares a rich program with various open-air concerts held in the Old Town Square and Słowacki Park.
Sfera’s Summer Stage (Letnia Scena Sfery)
From Jazz, through folk, alternative, soul to the most popular tunes, all music genres can be heard during the Sfera’s Summer Stage. The events are organized every Friday throughout the summer by the Galeria Sfera Shopping Mall. The stage is located in front of the main entrance to the shopping gallery and all concerts are free of charge.
Operation South – International Rally of Military Vehicles
If you are an enthusiast of military vehicles, then this festival should interest you. The rally starts with a parade of military vehicles and is followed by presentations of military equipment and staged reconstructions of WWII battles. Błonia, the recreational area of Bielsko-Biała, is taken over for a few days by collectors and military fans.
August
Summer with Culture (Lato z Kulturą)
For those who spend summers in the city, the Bielsko Cultural Centre prepares a rich program with various open-air concerts held in the Old Town Square and Słowacki Park.
Sfera’s Summer Stage (Letnia Scena Sfery)
From Jazz, through folk, alternative, soul to the most popular tunes, all music genres can be heard during the Sfera’s Summer Stage. The events are organized every Friday throughout the summer by the Galeria Sfera Shopping Mall. The stage is located in front of the main entrance to the shopping gallery and all concerts are free of charge.
Farewell to Summer (Pożegnanie Lata)
Farwell to Summer ends the rich program of annual outdoor concerts held through the spring and summer in Bielsko-Biała. The most popular Polish singers are invited to help to beat the end-of-summer blues.
International Air Picnic (Miedzynarodowy Piknik Lotniczy)
Acrobatic presentations, aircrafts shows, powered parachutes competitions, concerts and airplanes demonstrations are examples of attractions offered during this annual event.
September
International Organ Music Festival (Miedzynarodowy Festiwal Muzyki Organowej)
This few-month-long festival starts in September and ends in December. The repertoire is classical and includes compositions of George Frederick Handel, Johann Sebastian Bach or Antonio Vivaldi, to name a few. The best virtuosos of organs perform in the city churches and the Bielsko Cultural Centre. The conclusion of the festival is a grand carol concert held in mid-December.
October
Festival of Polish Composers (Festiwal Kompozytorow Polskich)
Polish composers are honored during this prestigious festival, the only of this type in the country. Every year, the festival is dedicated to one of great Polish composer such as Moniuszko, Chopin, Preisner, Gorecki, Penderecki or Kilar. The concerts are held in the Bielsko Cultural Centre.
Foto Art Festival
This biennial festival is an important event in the world of photography. Exhibitions, workshops, meetings with renowned photographers, and competition for amateur photographers comprise the rich program of this festival.
Jazz Autumn (Jazzowa Jesień)
Jazz Autumn is yet another jazz festival that place Bielsko-Biala high as a European jazz scene destination. The festival, under the artistic supervision of Polish jazzman Tomasz Stanko, offers fresh vibes and contemporary jazz mixed with traditional sounds. You can expect to hear a group of top jazz musicians and artists.
November
Gaude Cantem International Choir Competition
The program of the festival is extensive and contains choir workshops, a review of senior choirs, a choirs contest, a seminar for choir conductors and festival concerts. The concerts take place in the concert hall of Bielsko-Biała’s Music School.
Painting Biennial “Bielsko Autumn”
Held since 1962, it’s one of the oldest national painting competition. It’s also one of the largest Polish painting contest with hundreds of participating artists. It has an open formula, does not impose the subject, problem, technology or age of the participants.
December
Christmas lights tour
On the 6th of December, the Saint Nicolas day, an official ceremony takes place on Chrobrego Square during which the President of Bielsko-Biała lights up the city main Christmas tree. It’s also the day when the city become illuminated by an array of Christmas lights. The decorations stay until early February and they brought the city numerous titles of the prettiest Christmas city in the Silesian region.
Christmas Fair in the Old Town
Just like many European cities, just before the Christmas, Bielsko-Biała transforms its main market into a colourful fair. And just like everywhere else, the program and attractions include concerts and artistic performances, local delicacies and festive food. It’s also an opportunity to buy Christmas decorations and presents often made by the local craftsmen.