Independence Day in Warsaw 2026: the 36th Independence Run and the Wspólna Niepodległa festival

Poland's Independence Day falls on Wednesday 11 November this year, and Warsaw marks it with two big free traditions: the 36th Bieg Niepodległości (Independence Run) and the Wspólna Niepodległa festival organised by the Museum of Polish History with its partners.

The 36th Independence Run

More than 20,000 participants are expected - a record field. The day starts with the Mila Niepodległości family mile at 10:00, the national anthem sung together at 11:07, and the main 10 km run starting at 11:11 in waves (wheelchair, handbike and tandem athletes go at 11:08). Runners in white shirts line up on one side and red on the other to form a living white-and-red flag at the start. The race office operates in Westfield Arkadia on 7-8 November (12:00-20:00) and 10 November (16:00-20:00); it is closed on Monday 9 November, and on race day only participants from outside Warsaw can collect pre-paid packs, between 8:00 and 10:00. Award ceremonies are planned for 12:30 and the event wraps up around 15:30.

Wspólna Niepodległa at the Citadel and on Krakowskie Przedmieście

The Warsaw Citadel hosts the festival from 10:00 to 21:00, with free entry to the Citadel's museums, including the Museum of Polish History. The programme in the museum's main hall includes brass and folk-dance shows, interwar fashion displays and a communal Do hymnu! singing of the national anthem at 12:00, plus group singing with Ferajna z Hoovera in the afternoon. From 12:00 the celebrations continue on Krakowskie Przedmieście, with music and dance stages, attractions for children and stands of Warsaw's cultural institutions. Everything is free.

Planning the day

Both events sit on or near major routes, so expect road closures and changed bus and tram lines around the run course and the city centre - check Warsaw Public Transport announcements closer to the date. Our public transport guide covers tickets and the metro.