Christmas Eve or ‘Wigilia’

If you’re used to finishing your Christmas shopping on the 24th and then tucking into a huge banquet of roasted beef, potatoes and brussel sprouts on Christmas Day itself, then think again in Zakopane! Here in Poland, Christmas Eve is the most sacred day of the festive season and is marked by a gargantuan feast known as ‘Wigilia’. The celebrations starts as soon as the first star – representing the star of Bethlehem – is seen in the night sky, whereupon Polish families break the traditional wafer, ‘oplatek’, give thanks and then sit down for a whopping twelve course meal. Traditionally no meat, other than fish, is eaten during this feast (animals are sacred on this day!) and typical dishes include mushroom soup, pickled herrings, pierogi, fried carp and assorted pastries nuts and sweets.

The Wigilia meal is an incredibly important tradition in Poland so don’t miss the chance to join in the fun, however you normally celebrate Christmas back home. If you’re not lucky enough to be invited to a Pole’s house for this sacred supper, fear not! Some of Zakopane’s best restaurants will be throwing their own very special celebrations for tourists in town, such as the Gazda Restaurant in the Gromada Hotel (Zaruskiego 2). The Gazda will be serving up tasty editions of all the traditional Wigilia dishes, including smoked trout, salad with salmon, ‘kutia’ and poppyseed cake – as well as flagons of wine of course! The price for the meal is 70PLN for adults, 40PLN for children (not bad for twelve courses!) and you reserve a place in advance on +48 (0) 607100936. The feast begins at 18:00.

when - 24th December 2006
where - Zakopane
more info - click here

Midnight Mass

The religious, or even the curious, amongst you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to join in the Catholic tradition of midnight mass at one of Zakopane’s many places of worship. Celebrated with both joy and reverence, it’s a far cry from the stereotypes of a staid and dull church service… Possibly because half of the congregation have had one vodka too many during the Wigilia!

when - 24th December 2006
where - Zakopane Churches
more info - click here

Christmas Day

Christmas Day is traditionally spent by Poles visiting family members in Poland, so expect things to be a little quieter than usual in town. Why not take the chance to walk off the effects of too much food and drink during Wigilia with a mountain stroll?

when - 25th December 2006
where - Zakopane
more info - click here

White Nights Festival

The days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve are traditionally a quiet time in most towns – but not here in Zakopane! The White Nights Festival (not to be confused with the White Nights Festival of St. Petersburg!) which takes place at the superb Ampstrong Club, brings some extraordinary DJing talent to the Tatras - for five day’s running! Every night should be a winner but some of the hottest dates for the diary include the 29th December, when Cedric Benoit and Matsa team up on the decks, and the 30th December when Brothers Bud arrive from the UK...

when - 26th December - 30th December 2006
where - Ampstrong, ul. Jagiellonska 18
more info - click here

Festive Theatre Season

The Witkacy Theatre’s festive programme begins on the 27th at 19:00 with a performance of Andrzej Dziurawiec’s ‘Black Point’ followed by an adaptation of the Witkacy's work at 21:00. In fact everyday until the 6th should be a real culture-fest – click on further info for more!

when - 27th December 2006 until 6th January 2007
where - Witkacy Theatre, ul. Chramcowki 15
more info - click here

Official Opening of Harenda Slope

A day of competitions, concerts, DJs and much more besides marks the opening of the Harenda Slope for the skiing season. Dig your snowboard out of retirement and be the first to carve up the virgin snow.

when - 29th December 2006
where - Harenda Slope, Zakopane
more info - click here

New Year’s Eve or ‘Sylwester’

New Year’s Eve, or Sylwester in Polish, is celebrated with all the pomp and style in Zakopane as in the rest of the world. Food, fireworks and of course more than a dribble of vodka ensure that Poland’s premier mountain resort is one of the best places to celebrate the New Year in the whole country. So what’s going on? Well why not start in the night with a royal Highlander banquet in a traditional Goralski restaurant. The following restaurants offer a superb slap up meal of several courses replete with plenty of vodka and sparkling wine and festive entertainment:

Gazdowo Kuznia (Krupowki 1) – Arrive at 18:40 to watch a sleigh calvacade with hot mountaineers’ tea. At 20:15 begin your feast with cream-stewed porcini mushrooms, before tucking into roasted wild boar. Tickets 450 PLN, kuznia@polrest.pl

Karcma Zapiecek (Krupowki 43) – Arrive at 20:00 to be greeted with hot tea and cherry vodka and then tickle your taste buds with bacon-wrapped plums in garlic sauce, before roast veal is served up. Price 300 PLN, zapiecek@polrest.pl

Karcma Kmicic (Grunwaldska 25b) – Arrive at 20:00 for mountaineers tea and smoked salmon with garlic toast, then stuff yourself with pork loin, Hungarian goulash and regional cheeses. Tickets 300 PLN, kmicic@polrest.pl

Staro Izba (Krupowki 28) – A meat feast awaits guests at 20:00 at Izba, with mutton sausage in garlic sauce preceeding sirloin steak in green pepper sauce. There’s plenty more treats on the cold platter too! Tickets 250 PLN, stek@polrest.pl

Stek Chalupa (Krupowki 33) – Come in from the cold at 20:00 for some mulled wine and grilled ‘oscypek’ with cranberries, followed up with treats such as grilled veal loin. Needless to say a hot and cold buffet ensures full satisfaction! Price 300PLN, izba@polrest.pl

when - 31st December 2006
where - Zakopane
more info - click here

New Year's Eve Party (Ampstrong)

No New Year’s Eve is complete without a party, and if you fancy being in a club rather than a restaurant (or if you fancy heading onto a club after your meal!) then Ampstrong is one of the best places to head. This year, as ever, Ampstrong are throwing an event of great aplomb with Femi B from the UK headlining and Bert and Igor providing class support. The night is called ‘Electricity’ and tickets are available for 150 PLN in advance on +48 (0) 513989641 or bilety@electricity.org.pl

when - 31st December 2006
where - Ampstrong, ul. Jagiellonska 18
more info - click here

New Year's Eve Party (Va Va Voom)

Another great option for NYE is heading down to the fantastic Va Va Voom club (Kosciuszki 10), where class DJs D'Art, Martinez and Technik will be playing everything from funk and 70s grooves to electro and afro sounds. It’s well worth getting your tickets in advance – not only are they cheaper at 250 PLN (300PLN on the day) but you don’t have to worry about being left in the cold!

when - 31st December 2006
where - Va Va Voom, ul. Kosciuszki 10
more info - click here