The summer of 2026 brought an exceptional variety of events – from design and urban art festivals, through retrospectives of great artists, to intimate musical gatherings and immersive new media projections. In recent weeks, we have seen Polish cities buzzing with the energy of exhibitions, concerts and initiatives that explored contemporary culture in various ways. Which of these will remain in our memories for a long time to come?
Art on a small and large scale
As part of its sixth edition, Urban Art Area transformed the Jabłkowski Brothers’ House into a vibrant showcase of Polish street art. From 4 July to 2 August, two floors of the historic department store became a space for nearly 60 artists – both icons of the scene and artists of the younger generation. Each artist created their own installation, demonstrating how seamlessly urban art transitions from easel painting to large-scale works. The public were able to view hundreds of new works: murals, graffiti, stencils, stickers, sculptures, prints and installations, which highlighted the diversity of contemporary urban art. The event was accompanied by the Urban Art Academy programme – screenings, lectures, creative workshops and meetings with artists, offering a deeper understanding of the contexts within this field. Urban Art Area reaffirmed its position as one of the most important summer events dedicated to urban art.
The House of Encounters with History in Warsaw hosted Poland’s first retrospective of this scale dedicated to Elliott Erwitt – one of the most important photographers of the 20th century. Visitors were able to view 130 works, including iconic shots of Marilyn Monroe, Richard Nixon and Jacqueline Kennedy, as well as scenes from everyday life in which humour, chance similarities and subtle gestures served as the starting point for stories about relationships. The curators constructed a thematic narrative, juxtaposing high politics with street life and intimate moments. The exhibition served as a reminder that Erwitt’s strength lay in his attentiveness – in the split seconds he was able to transform into images brimming with emotion. Photographs taken in Poland were also on display, including the famous shot by the confessional. The exhibition was organised to mark the 20th anniversary of DSH in collaboration with Magnum Photos. It ran until 20 September 2026.
Polish design
The nineteenth edition of Gdynia Design Days once again captured the attention of the design community this year. Held from 20 to 28 June, the festival took place under the theme ‘Closer’, encouraging visitors to view design through the prism of everyday practices, local contexts and relationships. The programme featured nearly 20 exhibitions, presented mainly in the spaces of the Pomeranian Science and Technology Park, as well as numerous accompanying events – talks, workshops, themed walks and curatorial tours. Participants were able to listen to discussions on craftsmanship, materials of the future, human-centred design and architecture that supports everyday interactions. A highlight of the programme was the exhibition ‘Momento Sospeso. Towards Closeness’ by Barańska Design, which, through a table, MAKOS tableware and the ‘TENT’ light installation, created a space for reflection on the shared experience of time. The festival once again demonstrated that design can be a tool for fostering mindfulness and dialogue.
The PKO Rotunda in Warsaw hosted a unique exhibition dedicated to Karol Śliwka – a designer who, for over six decades, helped shape the visual language of everyday life in Poland. From 21 to 24 May, visitors could view nearly 200 of his works: logos, posters, labels, packaging and advertisements, including the most recognisable logos of PKO, WSiP and the Mother and Child Institute. The exhibition, organised to coincide with the premiere of the film *Znaki Pana Śliwki* (*Mr Śliwka’s Logos*), highlighted the handcrafted nature of his work – designs created with a pencil, ruler and compass retain their modern clarity to this day. Curator Patryk Hardziej arranged the works to demonstrate the scale of Śliwka’s influence on Polish visual culture and how his logos have become an enduring part of the urban landscape. Following its Warsaw run, the exhibition went on tour, with Gdynia Design Days 2026 as its next stop.
Classic, alternative and more
Break in Classic returned this summer for its second edition, once again redefining the way classical music is presented. From 31 July to 2 August, the historic Museum of Interiors complex in Otwock Wielki served as the venue for an event that blends tradition with modern aesthetics and innovative formats. The festival, created by Jakub Józef Orliński and Aleksander Dębicz, continued the idea of opening up classical music to new audiences – following its debut in 2025, which attracted over 5,000 people, this year’s edition once again generated considerable interest. The programme featured concerts by outstanding soloists and ensembles, including New York’s Lyyra and a unique collaboration between the Manchester Collective and the Fergus McCreadie Trio, blending contemporary chamber music with jazz improvisation. The artistic directors themselves also took to the stage, presenting various facets of their work. The festival confirmed that classical music can sound fresh, bold and in tune with contemporary sensibilities.
A few weeks earlier, the SFORA Festival once again filled the area around Lake Rajgrodzkie with the energy of electronic music and queer rituals. The anniversary edition, which took place from 19 to 21 June, reaffirmed the event’s unique character – intimate, immersed in nature and based on a communal experience. The programme ran throughout the day and night, combining concerts, performances, workshops, screenings and site-specific activities. Over thirty artists took to the stage, representing techno, bass, house, IDM, ambient and experimental live acts, including Reni Jusis, Avtomat, Private Press and Softchaos. An important role was played by the organic stage design, inspired by the structures of fungi and microorganisms, which blended seamlessly into the forest surroundings. Attendees were also able to take part in dance classes, performances, poetry workshops and panel discussions, all contributing to a queer, inclusive space. SFORA has once again proved that it is more than just a festival – it is a community building its own vibrant microcosm on the Rajgrodzki River.
This year, summer festivals gained new meeting places where music blended with design and shared experiences. Under the slogan “Summer Vibrations Taste Better Together”, the glo brand created zones designed as comfortable spaces for relaxation, conversation and short breaks between concerts. Attendees were able to personalise their devices, discover limited-edition accessories created in collaboration with MUUV, sample molecular ice cream and signature drinks, and make use of interactive photo booths. The zones, located near the main stages, complemented the character of each festival, offering a moment’s respite and a place to build connections. By combining technology, design and engaging activities, the initiative became part of the wider festival experience, responding to the growing expectations of an audience seeking more than just concerts.
It’s not over yet
The sun, sinking ever lower on the horizon, is still treating us to the last rays of summer. That’s why it’s worth making the most of both outdoor attractions and those indoors, which can offer just as many experiences. Kinomural will once again transform Wrocław’s Nadodrze district in September into a large-scale new media gallery. On 18 and 19 September, 113 works by 67 artists will appear on the walls of the tenement houses, creating two evenings full of surreal animations, digital worlds and experiments with form. This year’s theme, ‘Endless Cycle’, steers the programme towards the concept of a loop – understood as a habit, a memory, an error or a mechanism of everyday life. The headliner of this year’s edition is Extraweg, whose monumental 3D projections will be one of the festival’s highlights. Peter Burr, meanwhile, has prepared a special four-channel project and a curated wall installation entitled “State of Looping”, whilst Krzysztof “Kuki” Iwański will present the exhibition “Ghosts of Tomorrow” at Concordia Design. As every year, Kinomural allows the audience to create their own itinerary – six screens operate simultaneously, and the sets are repeated on a loop from 7.30 pm to 10.00 pm. Admission to all screenings is free!
The “Wawel is Yours!” festival returns on 24 September, inviting adult audiences to discuss what a place of refuge means today and how cultural institutions foster a sense of security. This year’s edition, held under the theme ‘Safety in the Museum’, accompanies the opening of the exhibition ‘Lares and Penates: On Building a Sense of Safety in Architecture’ and explores the theme from both historical and contemporary perspectives. The programme includes guided tours of selected exhibitions, workshops, panel discussions and literary events, which offer a chance to view safety as an experience – material, emotional and social. Participants will learn about historical security practices, contemporary museum working methods, and symbols to which protective powers have been attributed over the centuries. A light show is planned in the Royal Gardens, whilst the castle grounds will host events designed to encourage reflection and the exchange of ideas. The festival will run for four days, and admission to individual programme items is by ticket.
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