On 28 October 2026 Poland’s Ministry of Culture and National Heritage announced that the Polish Capital of Culture programme will continue. Preparations are starting for the competition for the title of Polish Capital of Culture 2030. Further editions are to be held every two years.
So far three cities have received the title. In 2026 the Polish Capital of Culture is Bielsko-Biała – the first city to hold the title. In 2027 it will be Katowice together with the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis, and in 2028 Kołobrzeg with its “I Sea You” programme.
Cities with up to 500,000 residents that have never been a European or Polish Capital of Culture can compete for the 2030 title. They can apply alone or in a consortium with local government cultural institutions or non-governmental organisations.
The competition will have two stages. The first is due to start in the first half of 2027. An independent panel of experts will select up to five cities. Each will receive 100,000 zł to develop its programme, plus training and advice from the National Centre for Culture. The winner will receive up to 10 million zł from the ministry – at most 60% of the project’s costs. The whole competition is due to end by the end of 2028.
On 2 December 2026 an international seminar for local authorities on the draft rules will be held in Katowice. Culture Minister Marta Cienkowska said the ministry will not stop at the first three capitals.
What it means for you
If you come from a smaller town in Poland, in a few years it could become a capital of culture – with festivals, concerts and exhibitions all year round. For Poles in the UK it is a good reason to plan a trip home. The Polish Capitals of Culture for 2027 and 2028 are already known: Katowice and Kołobrzeg.
Our assessment
This is good news for smaller towns, which rarely get large sums for culture. The programme also has a predictable rhythm – every two years – so cities can plan. However, the 60% cost cap means the local authority must contribute its own funds. The cities that prepare early will win.
What to do
- Check Bielsko-Biała’s programme for the rest of 2026 and plan a visit to Katowice in 2027 or Kołobrzeg in 2028.
- If you are involved in a Polish cultural organisation, ask your home town in Poland whether it plans to enter.
- Local authorities can sign up for the 2 December seminar via the ministry’s form.
- Details: the ministry’s announcement on gov.pl.
Source: Ministerstwo Kultury i Dziedzictwa Narodowego (Ministry of Culture and National Heritage), “Projekt Polskie Stolice Kultury będzie kontynuowany” (28 October 2026).
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