The tradition of organising city-wide New Year's Eve celebrations in Poznań dates back to the 1990s. The early events were relatively modest, featuring performances by local artists and fireworks displays that attracted crowds to plac Wolności and the Old Market Square. Over time, as interest and popularity grew, the city's New Year's Eve celebrations became more elaborate, with Polish music stars performing on stage, drawing not only locals but also tourists.
A great example of success was the city's last New Year's Eve celebration in 2019, featuring performances by Kamil Bednarek, Monika Brodka, and Krzysztof Zalewski, delivering top-notch entertainment. The event, organised by Estrada Poznańska (which handled New Year's Eve for many years), attracted thousands of residents who gathered to welcome the New Year together. Unfortunately, the following year, the covid pandemic forced city authorities to alter their plans.
In 2020 and 2021, out of concern for residents' health and safety and in line with prevailing pandemic restrictions, Poznań refrained from hosting public gatherings, instead encouraging people to celebrate at home or participate in events streamed online. Even after the easing of health restrictions, the city's New Year's Eve celebrations in 2022 and 2023 did not resume, this time due to budget cuts by local governments in response to rising costs, including soaring energy prices.
This year is set to see the New Year's Eve tradition revived. Importantly, the celebrations will take place in a new and appealing location, on the Poznań International Fair grounds, as part of the Christmas market there. The market, running from 16 November to 6 January, will culminate in the New Year's Eve celebration at plac PWK.
Karol Kański from the MTP Press Centre has announced that the event will begin at 8:00 pm, featuring both local and nationally renowned stars. "Expect performances by Mezo, who combines hip-hop with pop elements, as well as Liber, a popular rapper and singer. The programme also includes a performance by the Sound'n'Grace choir, specialising in interpretations of gospel, pop, soul, R&B, and funk. Additionally, Igo, known from the Bass Astral x Igo project and his involvement in the Orkiestra Męskiego Grania, will take the stage," said Kański. The festivities are set to conclude at 2:00 am.
Beyond the concerts, the public will be free to enjoy most of the attractions of the Christmas market. These include an ice rink, a traditional Venetian carousel, a giant Ferris wheel, stalls selling regional products, as well as hot drinks and warm meals that are perfect for a winter's night. Even before the pandemic, Poznań had abandoned fireworks displays for ecological reasons and out of concern for animals, opting instead for environmentally friendly alternatives such as light mapping and laser shows. And what about this year? "We will definitely not use any pyrotechnics. We are working on alternative visual attractions, which we will announce later," emphasised an MTP spokesperson.
Moving the New Year's Eve event to the International Fair grounds seems like a fitting choice. As Karol Kański points out, this centrally located venue offers excellent transport connectivity. It is very close to Poznań's central train station and the coach terminal, with numerous tram and bus stops nearby. "This makes it easy to reach all districts of Poznań from here. For those arriving by car, the city's largest underground parking garage will be available, located right next to the event venue. The entrance to the parking area is on ul. Głogowska, directly beneath plac PWK," Kański highlighted.
This year's New Year's Eve celebration in Poznań aims to be not only a spectacle but also a safe and accessible event for all. As a mass event, all activities will comply with the applicable regulations and standards, imposing various requirements on organisers. Security staff and city services will oversee participants' safety, while the area around plac PWK and the International Fair grounds will be patrolled by the police and municipal guards. All attendees must adhere to the event rules, which prohibit bringing alcohol, dangerous items, and pyrotechnics.
author: Sebastian Gabryel
translation: Krzysztof Kotkowski
City New Year's Eve celebration
MTP (Poznań International Fair grounds), 31 December 2024 - 1 January 2025
Free admission
© Wydawnictwo Miejskie Posnania 2024