What to do in Poland, 26 October–1 November: our ideas for five cities

Spending a few days in Poland or looking for something to do nearby? For Monday 26 October to Sunday 1 November 2026, we have selected ideas to choose from city by city. There is no need to connect them all in one trip: pick a daytime walk and a cultural event. The walks are editorial suggestions; dated events are announced by the institutions or organisers cited.

Kraków: an autumn walk and a Sunday organ recital

Start with a section of the Planty, then head towards the Rynek and the small streets of the old town. Our advice is to keep the route flexible: a short loop, a café break and time to look at the façades. In wet weather, shorten the walk rather than crossing the whole centre with an overpacked schedule.

Our chosen event is the recital by Dariusz Bąkowski-Kois on Sunday 1 November at 4 pm at St Stephen’s Church, ul. Sienkiewicza 19. It is part of the Zaduszki Organowe festival, organised by institutions including Krakowskie Forum Kultury, and admission is advertised as free. It offers a different way to listen to the city, in a place of worship where silence and the community’s customs should be respected.

• When : Sunday 1 November 2026 at 4 pm.
• Where : Kościół św. Szczepana, ul. Sienkiewicza 19, Kraków.
• Budget and admission : Free admission advertised; check any visitor instructions before setting off.
• Our suggestion : Walk during the day, then arrive early for the concert without assuming that a seat is guaranteed.

Warsaw: a street exhibition, then an intimate Chopin concert

In Warsaw, we suggest walking along Krakowskie Przedmieście and stopping outside the Tyszkiewicz-Potocki Palace at number 32. The university advertises a panel exhibition marking its 210th anniversary there until 31 October. It is outside the entrance, making it a stop on a walk rather than a full museum visit. The notice does not specify a French translation; be prepared to read Polish or use a translation tool.

For the end of the day, Salon Pleyel at Kanonia 20/22 advertises Time for Chopin concerts daily at 6 pm, from 65 zł. The musical format suits French-speaking visitors even without Polish. Choose a date actually offered for booking: the website’s general schedule does not confirm a seat for every evening, especially All Saints’ Sunday.

• Exhibition : Until Saturday 31 October, outside Krakowskie Przedmieście 32. Do not plan it for 1 November.
• Concert : General advertised time: 6 pm, Salon Pleyel, Kanonia 20/22.
• Booking : From 65 zł according to the organiser; check date, category and availability in its ticket office.
• If the weather deteriorates : Shorten the walk and keep only a musical performance for which you have a confirmed booking.

Wrocław: dwarfs during the day, Beethoven on Friday evening

For a first visit, use the Rynek as your starting point and look for a few little bronze dwarfs in the neighbouring streets. Make it a walking game rather than an exhaustive hunt: you will enjoy the façade details more at a leisurely pace. With children, a short loop and a break are enough. Your exact route depends on your accommodation, the weather and your pace.

On Friday 30 October at 7 pm, the Narodowe Forum Muzyki advertises Geniušas gra Beethovena, with the NFM Wrocław Philharmonic conducted by Robertas Šervenikas. The concert is scheduled in Sala Główna ORLEN, plac Wolności 1. Its ticket office offers several categories and prices: select your seats on the NFM website rather than relying on a single price that may not apply to the available seat. The evening can be the fixed point around which you plan a car-free day in the centre.

• When : Friday 30 October 2026 at 7 pm.
• Where : NFM, Sala Główna ORLEN, plac Wolności 1, Wrocław.
• Budget : Ticketed concert; price depends on the seat and tariff selected in the official ticket office.
• Accessibility : NFM asks wheelchair users to contact the ticket office to choose a suitable position: +48 71 715 97 00.

Gdańsk: daytime pumpkins and unusual history after dark

In Gdańsk, combine a walk along the Motława with a stop at Plac Dominikański, near the Hala Targowa. The city advertises pumpkins and autumn decorations accessible free throughout the day, at least until 31 October. It makes a small family stop rather than a full outing on its own. An extension is mentioned if the weather allows, but is not confirmed for Sunday 1 November.

For a more historical outing, Morowy Gdańsk is advertised for Wednesday 28 October at 8 pm at Zespół Przedbramia. This PTTK walk explores past epidemics and residents’ lives behind the handsome façades. The municipal listing specifies neither a price nor a French version: confirm participation conditions, the exact meeting point and the language with the organiser. Visitors who do not speak Polish should favour a self-guided daytime walk if no suitable language option is available.

• Autumn decorations : Plac Dominikański, near Hala Targowa: free access advertised until at least 31 October.
• Historical walk : Wednesday 28 October at 8 pm, Zespół Przedbramia; organiser PTTK.
• To confirm : The listing consulted does not establish the guided walk’s price, registration, duration or language.
• Weather tip : Bring a warm layer and shorten the waterfront walk if conditions become unpleasant.

Łódź: industrial architecture and Halloween in the centre

For a fifth idea, Łódź lets you alternate between Piotrkowska’s façades and the spaces of Manufaktura. We suggest discovering the buildings and courtyards by day before choosing an evening activity. These are separate experiences: the architectural walk works perfectly well without taking part in Halloween entertainment.

The Łódź tourism portal advertises a parade starting on Saturday 31 October at 5 pm from Schiller Passage. It is due to reach Manufaktura via Piotrkowska and plac Wolności, with arrival expected around 6.30 pm. At Manufaktura, Straszny Cyrk is advertised for 26–30 October from 3 pm to 9 pm, then 31 October from noon to 11 pm, at 19 zł. It is mainly aimed at ages 13 and over: do not automatically choose it for young children sensitive to frightening scenes.

• Parade : Saturday 31 October 2026: departure at 5 pm from Schiller Passage; arrival at Manufaktura expected around 6.30 pm.
• Paid attraction : Straszny Cyrk: advertised at 19 zł; this is for the attraction, not a combined ticket for the city or parade.
• With children : Check recommended age and the content of activities. For a quieter outing, favour daytime architecture.
• Before setting off : Recheck the route and times with organisers; do not count on entertainment after 31 October.

1 November: prepare for a different kind of day

The week ends on All Saints’ Sunday, Wszystkich Świętych. Journeys to cemeteries are an important part of the day. If you wish to discover this tradition, approach these places discreetly: they remain spaces for remembrance. Avoid photographing families without permission or blocking paths.

Check 1 November opening hours especially carefully: normal Sunday opening does not guarantee opening that day. Buy essentials beforehand and consult your city’s transport announcements before heading to a concert or station. For intercity journeys, search the correct date in Portal Pasażera and allow a margin. This selection does not assume visiting all five cities in a single week.

• Transport : Check local announcements, then rail timetables for your actual travel date.
• Bookings : An advertised date does not guarantee a place. Check the final price and cancellation conditions before paying.
• Illustrations : Original AI-generated artwork for atmosphere; it does not show the actual events.