The Polish seaside is not just about beach vacations. Gdynia annually welcomes crowds of tourists from Poland and around the world who come for festival events: the Open’er Festival and the Polish Film Festival. Why should you visit the Tricity area and where to find accommodation during these events?
For many years now, Gdynia has been a true hub of entertainment, hosting important music and film events. It’s no wonder that every year it attracts a multitude of tourists for this reason. So, which festivals draw the most people?
Open’er, one of Poland’s largest music festivals
If you love music and are no stranger to events featuring world-class singers, you probably know that Open’er is the place to be for fantastic entertainment and a true summer vibe. Modern music is presented here alongside older hits, as well as rock, punk rock, reggae, and soul. Above all, it’s a grand musical show where different generations and musical tastes come together.
The festival takes place annually, with breaks during pandemic years, for roughly two decades, and each year, the organizers try to surprise their fans with a lineup of top-notch bands. During each edition of Open’er, you can expect visits from a superstar known to almost the entire world.
It’s worth noting! Open’er is not only unique due to the size of the event and the diversity of the invited acts but also because every year it features a star who has never been to Poland or who has had a significant hiatus from performing in our country. Such global artists include Blur, Prince, Coldplay, The Strokes, Snoop Dogg, The White Stripes, Underworld, Sigur Rós, Franz Ferdinand, Kanye West, Muse, Kings Of Leon, Arctic Monkeys, Justice, Mumford & Sons, The Kills, and Interpol, among others. However, the festival also provides an excellent opportunity to promote smaller, local bands who can showcase their talent on stage in unique circumstances. So, if you’re into the vibe of summer festivals and haven’t made plans for this year yet, consider heading to Gdynia for one of the most highly anticipated events of the year.
Gdynia and Films: The Polish Film Festival
In Gdynia itself, it’s not just Open’er; there’s also the Polish Film Festival, which beautifully and consciously promotes Polish cinema. The festival has been taking place since 1974, and the central festival venue is the Danuta Baduszkowa Musical Theatre.
Every year, FPFF (Polish Film Festival) audiences have the opportunity to discover new Polish productions, and Polish films can compete for the Golden and Silver Lions awards. The festival program includes three competition sections: the Main Competition, the Short Film Competition, and the Microbudget Film Competition.
For many cinema enthusiasts, and not just for them, the festival is a chance for colorful experiences, exploring interesting productions, and seeing the latest films on the big screen. Of course, the event also attracts many foreign guests, providing an opportunity to get a glimpse of star personalities. Among the invited guests, you can meet not only actors but, above all, producers, directors, and film creators.
For Gdynia, the festival is a great promotion and development opportunity, and it’s worth emphasizing that the festival has the status of a national event, which positively contributes to the spread of film culture and the promotion of Polish film achievements.
Accommodation: Where to Stay During Festival Events
As mentioned earlier, these events are so popular that you should plan your accommodation well in advance. Rooms in the center of Gdynia get booked up quickly, especially during the Polish Film Festival, which takes place at the Musical Theatre located not far from the main Świętojańska Street.
When looking for accommodation, consider the modernist century-old Hola Gdynia hotel. Opened in 2022, it offers 42 rooms with comfortable beds, a breakfast room, and a relaxation area. While the friendly staff is one of the highlights of this place, another advantage is the option of self-check-in! There’s also a vending machine at the reception where you can purchase essential items you may have forgotten at home. The property also has a paid parking lot located 800 meters away, which is a significant advantage as finding parking in the center of Gdynia can be challenging.
On the other hand, the Open’er Festival takes place at Gdynia-Kosakowo Airport, which is about 8 km away from the Hola Gdynia hotel. So, if you want to combine musical experiences with the city nightlife, you can also opt for accommodation at Hola Gdynia.
Every year, Gdynia and the entire Tricity area become the capital of important cultural events. If you enjoy these types of events and want to participate in them, it’s time to start planning your trip now. Check out the accommodation options and book your ticket to your chosen event today.
