Festivals 2026
Night of Culture
Can flowers inspire fear? What would the Mona Lisa look like knitting? Is it really possible to conjure an artificial storm without a single drop of rain? The answer is clear to those who experienced the event.
The answer is clear to those who have experienced Night of Culture!
For just a few magical hours, Lublin’s Old Town transforms beyond recognition for the Night of Culture. This is one of those events you never forget—a night when the impossible becomes possible!
Streets, alleys, and squares turn into an artistic labyrinth, where even seasoned locals might lose their way. Concerts happen on rooftops, installations beg for a hug, and the ghosts of the past gaze from windows.
That evening, the boundary between reality and imagination dissolves: stained glass comes alive, grey walls become vibrant murals and mappings, and performances pull audiences into another dimension. Come discover the answers and see Lublin in a way you never imagined
6/7 June 2026
Old Town, Lublin
Admission free
East of Culture – Different Sounds
Different Sounds is your guide to ambitious, daring music, showcasing world legends alongside the freshest discoveries from the alternative scene. This is a haven for seekers of authentic emotions and musical revelations, where the passion of niche artists rivals that of the biggest stars.
The festival’s power lies in its bold originality and authorial approach to the line-up. Past editions have featured funk pioneer George Clinton, electronic icons Lee “Scratch” Perry and Squarepusher, cult bands like Ministry and Goldfrapp, and avant-garde legends such as Einstürzende Neubauten.
But it’s not just about the concerts: exhibitions, literary debates, and new books from Workshops of Culture Publishing—presenting contemporary writers from beyond Poland’s eastern border—complete the experience.
Come discover a sound that stays with you long after the last chord fades.
2-5 July 2026
Old Town in Lublin
Admission free
Carnaval Sztukmistrzów
Carnaval Sztukmistrzów is Poland’s largest festival of contemporary circus, drawing crowds with its unique, magical atmosphere and world-class performances.
This is Poland’s most diverse bazaar of performance art, featuring everything from dazzling clowning, acrobatics, and juggling to illusions, concerts, and attractions for children.
Running alongside the Carnaval is Urban Highline—the oldest and largest highline festival in the world staged in an urban space. This spectacular meeting of slackline artistry with the legend of the Magician of Lublin has become an unmistakable trademark of the city.
Most of the vibrant programme takes place for free in the streets and public squares, with selected, ticketed shows hosted under the Big Top or theatres. Prepare to be amazed!
23-26 July 2026
Old Town, Lublin
Admission free. Selected events are ticketed.
Re:tradition – The Jagiellonian Fair Festival
For years, the festival has been the essential meeting point for exploring traditional roots and their contemporary interpretations in music and crafts.
For three magical August days and nights, Lublin’s Old Town and Castle grounds become a vibrant space for dialogue and discovery. The program is packed with:
- Concerts featuring both live traditional music and modern works inspired by it.
- A grand Crafts Fair where you can meet master artists, hear their stories, and find unique handmade works.
- Workshops that offer the rare chance to learn directly from masters of traditional crafts, dance, singing, or instruments.
- Family Zones, like the Re:tradition Courtyard, filled with folk toys and old games for children.
Whether you’re looking for an unforgettable concert, a deeper dive into cultural heritage through films and meetings, or a chance to learn a new skill, the festival brings Polish and European traditions closer than ever.
21-23 August 2026
Old Town, Lublin
Admission free
About us
Workshops of Culture in Lublin
Workshops of Culture in Lublin is a dynamic centre where creativity flourishes throughout the year. We run a variety of engaging workshops designed for all ages, oganised groups, and entire families. Beyond that, we offer a rich selection of exhibitions, talks, film screenings, and inspiring lectures covering a wide range of topics.
But the real excitement begins when summer hits Lublin! Year after year, we proudly bring you Lublin’s four biggest and most vibrant festivals: Night of Culture, East of Culture – Different Sounds, Carnaval Sztukmistrzów, and Re:tradition – The Jagiellonian Fair.
To keep up with our latest activities and events, be sure to follow us on warsztatykultury.pl, Facebook, and Instagram.
We can’t wait to see you!
Publishing
We are a small, niche press dedicated to the literature and cultures of Central and Eastern Europe, active since 2014.
Since 2014, we have focused on the literature and cultures of Central and Eastern Europe. Our roots go back to Wschodni Express, a project by the Ukrainian writer and translator Andrij Sawenets, who lived in Lublin and first prepared it during the city’s bid for European Capital of Culture. The name referred both to the famous Orient Express – the luxury train connecting west and east – and to Literaturexpress Europa, which in 2000 carried one hundred poets from 43 countries across the continent for six weeks.
From the very beginning, our aim has been to create a platform for countries and cultures that had little or no space to share their voices internationally. We also want to promote the languages and cultures of Poland’s neighbors and to foster direct encounters with writers and translators. Although the original project paused after Lublin’s unsuccessful bid for European Capital of Culture 2016, we revived it a few years later in a new form.
Today, we publish contemporary literature across many genres: poetry, prose, drama, young adult fiction, and comics. Our mission is to broaden awareness of cultural diversity, to promote the literature, culture, and art of Central and Eastern Europe, to support democratic and civic values, and to introduce Polish readers to authors who are little known or absent from the Polish literary scene.
