New Year’s Eve, known as Sylwester, is one of the most widely celebrated nights of the year in Poland, with city squares hosting concerts and clubs, hotels and private homes filling up for all-night celebrations that stretch into New Year’s Day. Mountain resorts such as Zakopane are especially crowded, drawing tens of thousands of visitors to the Tatra foothills.
Fireworks remain a central part of the celebrations, despite growing restrictions. Zakopane has had a year-round ban on the use of pyrotechnics in public spaces since 2019, but city officials say enforcement is extremely difficult on New Year’s Eve due to limited staffing and the scale of tourist crowds. Fines for setting off fireworks in public places can reach PLN 500, or up to PLN 5,000 if the case goes to court.
Authorities and environmental groups are again appealing for restraint. Tatra National Park is running its annual “Don’t shoot on New Year’s Eve” campaign, warning that loud explosions cause panic among wild and domestic animals and have previously led to fatal accidents involving wildlife.
Similar restrictions are being considered in other cities, including Krakow, though legal challenges over their scope and compatibility with national law are ongoing.
Across the country, many municipalities are promoting alternatives such as laser shows or organised public concerts, reflecting a gradual shift in how Poland welcomes the New Year, even as fireworks remain deeply embedded in the tradition.
(tf)
Source: PAP