Wawel tickets official site: bilety.wawel.krakow.pl

Wawel at Dusk

Eighteenth Summer Music Festival

1–10 August 2025
The Wawel at Dusk summer festival brings together music with a landmark historical site, which lends it a distinctive character and unforgettable setting. The concert venues – Wawel Castle’s illuminated Arcaded and Báthory Courtyards – also play an key role in the artistic spectacle. The changing lights and colors render the sound not only audible, but also seemingly visible.

Organizers of the festival

Wawel Royal Castle:
Hubert Piątkowski – Organisational Manager
"Castello" Creative Group: 
Małgorzata Janicka-Słysz – Artistic Director

A few words about the music: Małgorzata Janicka-Słysz

Honorary Patronage
Hanna Wróblewska
Minister of Culture and National Heritage

Dialogical
The Wawel at Dusk festival embeds music at a key place for Polish history, which gives it an attractive artistic backdrop. The 18th edition of the festival, which is slated to take place this year, focuses on the process of bolstering the multidisciplinary and sophisticated cultural offering (the art of sound integrated into the architecture of the Wawel Royal Castle) for a broad audience. The open space, which hosts the concerts-events are organised, is very conducive to this purpose. Wawel at Dusk is the only open-air classical music festival in Kraków organised on such a large scale. The songs resonate in a historic and strongly symbolic setting, which fosters a dialogue between Culture, Nature and History.
 
Unity in diversity
The overarching concept that ties the subsequent editions of the festival together is the stylistic diversity of the music presented during the concerts, which encompasses classical music in the broadest sense of the term, compositions from the 2nd half of the 20th century, Polish film music, and various performers - from soloists to chamber music ensembles, as well as the encounters between tradition in the form of music established as part of the cultural canon, and modernity represented by new or newly interpreted performances. We put emphasis on the works by Polish composers - Frédéric Chopin, Wojciech Kilar and Krzysztof Penderecki - which are embedded in a broader cultural context, and the promotion of Polish performers, including Szymon Nehring, Krzysztof Książek and Mateusz Dubiel, who expand their competencies, work and live in Kraków.
 
Understanding listening
The organisers also aim to foster imagination and an understanding way of listening. The outlines of the themes present in the performed pieces, which are provided in Polish and English and have been an integral part of the festival concerts since the first edition in 2008, serve to align and direct the perception of the audience towards an understanding of the music performed, towards a deepened sphere of spirituality and the development of humanistic sensitivity, which are crucial to contemporary human beings.
 
Tradition and modernity
The programme of the Wawel at Dusk festival is also intended to break down barriers preventing understanding of high musical culture in its various stylistic and repertoire manifestations. In summer, WAWEL has its colourful and BEAUTIFUL MUSIC. IN SPECIAL PLACES - IN THE COURTYARDS - at DUSK...
 
The concerts of the 18th Wawel at Dusk festival are intended for audiences representing different generations - youth, adults and seniors. The Wawel Royal Castle attracts audiences of all ages - from Krakow, Poland and all over the world - especially in summer. The historical and cultural attractiveness of places characterised by unique architecture, such as the royal courtyards, can be conducive to the perception of music and aesthetics. The listener not only perceives the music itself, but also absorbs the surroundings and views and the beauty of the castle's architecture, surrounded by the changing colours of the courtyard illuminations. Statistics from the seventeen previous editions of the Festival to date show that the chamber music concerts in the Batory Courtyard are always sold out (with 130 listeners at each event), while the symphonic concerts in the Arcade Courtyard bring in more than a thousand listeners. The Young Pianists' Marathon in the Arcade Courtyard (with free admission) enables thousands of listeners to experience high musical culture.
 
The Wawel at Dusk summer festival combines music with a place of great importance for Polish history, which gives it a distinctive character and a unique setting. The illuminated courtyards of the Wawel Royal Castle - the Arcade and Batory Courtyards - serve as both the venue and the stars of the show. The latter courtyard was opened in 2008 with musical events in mind. Sound is not only audible, but also visible in the form of the ever-shifting colours and lights. Seventeen editions of the festival have been organised to date, bringing together both Polish and international audiences of all generations. Wawel at Dusk is the only open-air classical music festival in Kraków organised on such a large scale. The pieces resound in an open, historically and symbolically significant space, and the unique illuminated dusk scenery makes the architecture of the Wawel Royal Castle stand out and give the concert a new artistic dimension. The guiding themes that continue to link the subsequent editions of the festival and live on in the minds of the audience, are the stylistic diversity of the music presented during the concerts, which encompasses classical music in the broadest sense of the term, compositions from the 2nd half of the 20th century, Polish film music, and various performers, as well as the encounters between tradition and modernity, between datum and novum. The festival puts an emphasis on Polish music presented in a broad cultural context, and the promotion of Polish performers.

Information for recipients

TICKETS
reduced ticket 90 zł
available for: persons under 18, students (on production of ID), seniors over 65
regular ticket 140 zł

online sale - links to e-sales will be given soon
  • Entrance to concerts in the Arcaded Courtyard: Berrecci Gate and the gate next to the Senator's Tower.
    The gate opens 30 minutes before the start of the concert.
  • In case of inclement weather, concerts in the Batory Courtyard will be held in the Senator's Hall.
The concerts take place in open space – in the royal courtyards: Batory and Arcaded Courtyards. We are playing ‘in Nature’, so please protect yourself against possible cold or rain with headgear, cloaks or scarves (not necessarily umbrellas, which may disturb others). Remember: the weather can be changeable, although the music always keeps you cheerful.  
 
We also ask you not to take photos or record during the concerts. We will be grateful for switching off mobile phones and electronic devices: they may disturb the beauty of the music and the contemplation of the illuminated architecture of the Wawel Royal Castle. 
 
We wish all the audience an unforgettable aesthetic experience!
Organisers

PROGRAMME

1 August 2025, Friday
Chamber Concert
8 pm - Batory Courtyard
Mateusz Dubiel – piano  
A word on music: Małgorzata Janicka-Słysz
 
CONCERT PROGRAMME:
Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849):
4 Mazurkas, Op. 41:
E minor  
B major  
A-flat major  
C-sharp minor
 
Scherzo in E major, Op. 54
Waltz in A-flat major, Op. 42 
Polonaise-Fantaisie in A-flat major, Op. 61 
 
Piano Sonata in B minor, Op. 58 
I     Allegro maestoso 
II    Scherzo (Molto vivace) 
III   Largo 
IV   Finale (Presto, non tanto agitato) 
 
2 August 2025, Saturday
Chamber Concert
8 pm - Batory Courtyard
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Monika Gardoń-Preinl – piano  
Wiesław Suruło – flute 
LLLeggiero Woodwind Trio:
Maksymilian Lipień – oboe   
Piotr Lato – clarinet  
Damian Lipień – bassoon
 
A word on music: Małgorzata Janicka-Słysz
 
CONCERT PROGRAMME:
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Gassenhauer trio, Op. 11, for oboe, bassoon and piano  
  Allegro con brio
II   Adagio
III  Tema con variazioni („Pria ch'io l'impegno”: Allegretto)
 
Claude Debussy (1862-1918)
Petite Suite for flute, clarinet and piano  
I    En bateau
II   Cortège
III  Menuet
IV  Ballet
 
André Caplet (1878-1925)
Quintett for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and piano  
I    Allegro
II   Adagio
III  Scherzo. Très vite
IV  Final. Allegro con fuoco
 
3 August 2025, Sunday
Chamber Concert
8 pm – Batory Courtyard
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Książek Piano Duo:
Agnieszka Zahaczewska-Książek & Krzysztof Książek
Piano for 4 hands
 
A word on music: Małgorzata Janicka-Słysz
 
CONCERT PROGRAMME:  
Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)
4 Mazurkas, Op. 17: B-flat major – E minor  – A-flat major  – A minor for piano  
 
Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809-1847)
Incidental Music to a Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 61
arrangement by the composer for piano for 4 hands
Overture. Allegro di molto
  1. Scherzo. Allegro vivace
  2. Elfen-Marsch  
  3. Lied mit Chor. Allegro ma non troppo
  4. Dialog. Andante
  5. Intermezzo. Allegro appassionato; Allegro molto comodo
  6. [Dialog] Allegro – Allegro molto
  7. Notturno. Andante tranquillo
  8. Dialog. Andante – Allegro molto – Andante tranquillo
  9. Hochszeitsmarsch (‘wedding march’). Allegro vivace
  10. Dialog, Marcia funèbre
  11. Ein Tanz von Rüpeln. Allegro di molto
  12. [Scene & Dialog] Allegro vivace  
  13. Finale. Allegro di molto
Ignacy Feliks Dobrzyński (1807-1867)
Rondo alla polacca, Op. 6 for piano for 4 hands  
 
7 August 2025, Thursday
Chamber Concert
8 pm – Batory Courtyard
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Iwona Socha – soprano
Piotr Machnik – piano
 
A word on music: Małgorzata Janicka-Słysz
 
CONCERT PROGRAMME:
Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849), Polonaise in C-sharp, Op. 26, No. 1
Fryderyk Chopin – songs:
Życzenie, Op. 74, No. 1 – lyrics: Stefan Witwicki
Śliczny chłopiec, Op. 74, No. 8 – lyrics: Bohdan Zaleski
Moja Pieszczotka, Op. 74, No. 12 – lyrics: Adam Mickiewicz
 
Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860-1941) – songs:
Szumi w gaju brzezina, Op. 7, No. 3 – lyrics: Adam Asnyk 
Siwy koniu, Op. 7, No. 2 – lyrics: Adam Asnyk
Gdy ostatnia róża zwiędła, Op. 7, No. 1 – lyrics: Adam Asnyk
 
Robert Schumann (1810-1856), Children's Scenes, Op. 15
  1. Of Foreign Lands and Peoples
  2. A Curious Story
  3. Blind Man’s Bluff
  4. Pleading Child
  5. Perfect Happiness
  6. An Important Event
  7. Dreaming
  8. At the Fireside
  9. Knight of the Hobbyhorse
  10. Almost Too Serious
  11. Frightening
  12. Child Falling Asleep
  13. The Poet Speaks
Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)
from the cycle Gypsy melodies, Op. 55, lyrics: Adolf Heyduk:
Když mne stará matka 
Široké rukávy 
 
Rusalka's aria Měsíčku na nebi hlubokém from the opera Rusalka (Act I)
 
8 August 2025, Friday
PERFORMANCE OF YOUNG PIANISTS
Arcaded Courtyard
admission free!
 
→  11:00    Bartosz Wątroba
Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)
Polonaise in C-sharp minor, Op. 26  
Mazurkas, Op. 17, No. 1-4
Rondo in C minor, Op. 1
Nocturne in E major, Op. 62, No. 2
Étude in A-flat major, Op. 25, No. 1
Étude in A-flat major, Op. 10, No. 10
Preludes, Op. 28, No.  7-12
Waltz in E-flat major, Op. 18
Ballade in F major, Op. 38
 
→  12:00    Wiktor Maluga
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), Prelude and Fugue in B-flat minor DWK I
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)
Sonata in C major, Op. 53:
I    Allegro con brio
II   Introduzione. Adagio molto
III  Rondo. Allegretto moderato – Prestissimo

Robert Schumann (1810-1856), Abegg Variations, Op. 1
Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849):
Scherzo in b minor, Op. 20
Nocturne in B major, Op. 62, No. 11
 
→  13:00    Zuzanna Sejbuk
Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849):
Ballade in A-flat major, Op. 47
Étude in G-sharp minor, Op. 25, No. 6
Sonata in B-flat minor, Op. 35:
I    Grave – Doppio movimento
II   Scherzo
III  Marche funèbre. Lento 
IV  Finale. Presto
Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise in E-flat major, Op. 22
 
8 August 2025, Friday
Classical-jazz Concert
8 pm – Arcaded Courtyard
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Mateusz Dubiel – piano  
MAREK BAŁATA CHOPIN SEXTET
Marek Bałata – vocal  
Marcin Kaletka – saxophone  
Mateusz Pałka – piano  
Adam Kowalewski – bass  
Grzegorz Masłowski – drums
Sławek Berny – percussion  
 
A word on music: Małgorzata Janicka-Słysz
 
CONCERT PROGRAMME:  
Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)
Polonaise in A-flat major, Op. 53 
Étude in A minor, Op. 25, No. 11
Preludes, Op. 28: No: 7 – A major & No. 8 – F-sharp minor
Fantasy in F minor, Op. 49 
Waltz in A-flat major, Op. 34, No. 1  
Prelude in E minor, Op. 28, No. 4
Étude in F minor, Op. 25, No. 2
Mazurka in F minor, Op. 68, No. 4
Mazurka in F major, Op. 68 No. 3
Smutna rzeka (‘Sad River’), Op. 74, No. 3 – lyrics by Stefan Witwicki
Hulanka (‘Spree’), Op. 74, No. 4 – lyrics by Stefan Witwicki
 
9 August 2025, Saturday
CONCERT OF POLISH FILM MUSIC
8 pm - Arcaded Courtyard
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Iwona Socha – soprano
CORda Cracovia Orchestra (strings) 
Maria Słysz – piano
Bartosz Sałdan – percussion
Katarzyna Zabielska – harp
Sebastian Perłowski – conductor 

A word on music: Małgorzata Janicka-Słysz
 
CONCERT PROGRAMME:
Wojciech Kilar (1932-2013)
Polonaise from the film Pan Tadeusz (arrangement: Dariusz Zboch)
 
Krzysztof Penderecki (1933-2020), Three pieces in the old style:
I   Aria from the film Passacaglia na Kaplicę Zygmuntowską  
II  Minuet 1 from the film Manuskrypt znaleziony w Saragossie
III Minuet 2 from the film Manuskrypt znaleziony w Saragossie
 
In the Old Cinema: a medley of the Polish film songs from between the wars
arrangements: Artur Majewski
 
Wojciech Kilar
Theme from the film Smuga cienia
Waltz from the film Trędowata
Waltz from the film Ziemia obiecana
(arrangements: Dariusz Zboch)
 
Waldemar Kazanecki (1929-1991), Barbara's waltz from the film Noce i dnie
(arrangement: Dariusz Zboch)
 
Andrzej Kurylewicz (1932-2007)
Theme from the TV series Polskie drogi (arrangement: Dariusz Zboch)
 
Henryk Kuźniak (*1936)
Theme from the film Vabank II – riposta (arrangement: Dariusz Zboch)
 
Abel Korzeniowski (*1972)
Stillness from the film A Single Man
 
Michał Lorenc (*1955)
Ave Maria from the film Prowokator (arrangement: Dariusz Zboch)
 
10 August 2025, Sunday
FINAL SYMPHONIC CONCERT
8 pm – Arcaded Courtyard
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Szymon Nehring – piano   
CORda Cracovia Orchestra  
Łukasz Borowicz – conductor

A word on music: Małgorzata Janicka-Słysz
 
CONCERT PROGRAMME:  
Franz Schubert (1797-1828) 
Symphony No. 8 in B minor ‘Unfinished’, D 759
I    Allegro moderato
II   Andante con moto
 
Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849)
Ballade in F major, Op. 38 for piano solo
Piano concerto in F minor, Op. 21
I     Maestoso
II    Larghetto 
III   Allegro vivace