Editor's Note: These are courtesy translations of local news provided by the U.S. Army Garrison Poland Public Affairs team for the benefit the military community stationed here. Views or opinions are not endorsed by USAG Poland or the U.S. Army.
Toruń to Host Vistula Festival With River Cruises, Parades and Concerts

Toruń is one of the cities on the route of the 9th edition of the Vistula River Festival. The event will be hosted in our city on August 14-15, 2025.

The Vistula Festival is an event organized since 2017 by the Vistula River Tourism Organization. It showcases the tradition, culture, and heritage of the Vistula River, as well as the centuries-old connections between cities and the queen of Polish rivers.

In 2025, the Vistula Festival begins on August 8th in Włocławek and ends on August 17th in Grudziądz. In Toruń, we invite you to enjoy a wealth of attractions during the festival on August 14th and 15th.

"As a city, we have supported the Vistula Festival every year since its inception. It celebrates the history of Toruń – a city located on the Vistula River, which had a significant impact on its development. It is also an event that fosters a community of Vistula cities and provides a platform for the exchange of experiences and cooperation," said Rafał Pietrucień, Deputy Mayor of Toruń, during a press conference announcing the event on July 29, 2025. Inviting residents and tourists to participate in the numerous attractions planned for the event, he emphasized that over the past eight years, the Vistula Festival has gained a nationwide reputation and popularity.

As every year, the stars of the Festival are traditional riverboats and ships, which will participate in an atmospheric parade combined with a light, water, and sound show. Residents and tourists will also have the opportunity to take part in free cruises on the Vistula River, which are always extremely popular. During the cruises, participants will learn about the history and construction of each boat, as well as the history of the city's Vistula traditions.

In addition to the cruises, Festival guests can enjoy numerous attractions organized on Philadelphia Boulevard and the Vistula Meadows – workshops, concerts, meetings, and the Vistula Congress. There will also be plenty of new events. "This year, the educational booths will be expanded, including gingerbread stands. There will also be new boats. There will be more concerts than in previous years, and one of the headliners will be the renowned and respected folk band Percival Schuttenbach. We also invite you to participate in the Frycowy – a colorful procession through the streets of the Old Town, which celebrates ancient traditions," said Marcin Karasiński, director of the Vistula Festival.

In 2025, the Vistula Festival will expand its roster of cities. From Włocławek, it will move on to Ciechocinek with a stop in Nieszawa, then visit Toruń and Bydgoszcz (with a stop in Solec), from where it will reach Grudziądz via Chełmno, which will make its debut on the festival route. This year, daredevils will be swimming across the Vistula River in Grudziądz.

>>> Detailed program of the Vistula Festival

Cyclists and Adventurers Gear Up for Kuyavian-Pomeranian Robinsonade in Toruń

For the sixth time, Toruń will host a unique cycling and survival event – the Kujawsko-Pomorska Robinsonade.

The sixth edition of the Kujawsko-Pomorska Robinsonade will take place on August 9-10, 2025.

This is a unique opportunity for both beginners and experienced lovers of two wheels and outdoor activities. Participants can expect a high dose of adrenaline, contact with nature, and a test of their own abilities – all in the atmosphere of a sporting adventure.

Participants can choose one of four routes:

  • Blue Route – approx. 80 km
  • White Route – approx. 150 km
  • Green Route – approx. 250 km
  • Orange Route – approx. 500 km

Each route is a loop – the start and finish line are located at the Nicolaus Copernicus University Sports Center at 17 Św. Józefa Street in Toruń.

More information and registration: www.robinsonada.com.pl

Polish Soldiers Defeat U.S. Army in Friendly Football Match in Świętoszów

A unique friendly football match took place in Świętoszów, in which soldiers of the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade faced representatives of the American military.

A remarkable sporting event took place at the military base in Świętoszów – a friendly soccer match between Polish soldiers and their American allies, the US Army. The match attracted a large crowd and ended with a 3-1 victory for the Poles. However, the most important thing was not the result, but the spirit of teamwork and friendly competition.

The atmosphere in the stands was fantastic – soldiers and their families were cheering with full enthusiasm, supporting their teammates on the pitch. There was laughter, cheers, and applause, and every action was enthusiastically commented on by the audience.

The Świętoszów Rural Women's Association provided a unique setting for the event, organizing the catering portion. Attendees could enjoy delicious grilled sausages, crispy fries, freshly baked waffles, and refreshing drinks – all in an atmosphere of picnic and shared celebration.

Anniversary Events, Survival Camps and Retro Parties Fill Żagań-Area Weekend

The weekend promises to be very interesting. There will be a beautiful military oath ceremony in Żagań, a retro party by the reservoir in Małomice, and a survival camp in Bobrzany, among other events. It's worth getting out of the house, because summer is finally here.

Thursday and Friday, August 7 and 8, 2025 in Świętoszów

  • 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade Day. Thursday, 12:00 PM: Phaleristic exhibition of medals, pennants, and medals of the 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade (phaleristics is the study of decorations, medals, badges, and other forms of honorary distinctions), 6:00 PM: Military Orchestra concert with soloists at the military club in Świętoszów. 8:00 PM: Mass, preceded by a choir concert in the garrison church in Świętoszów. 9:30 PM: ceremonial capitation, 10:30 PM: fireworks display.
  • Friday, August 8, 2025 in Świętoszów. 10:00 AM: ceremonial assembly to celebrate the 10th Armored Brigade and a Military Orchestra concert. 2:00 PM: family festival featuring local and cover bands, reenactment shows, children's theater, knight shows, solo performances, equipment presentation. 5:00 PM: Woman's Army. 7:00 PM: 100 Percent Grip. 9:00 PM: outdoor disco until midnight. Food and beverage stalls, a recreational and sports park will be open during the festival.

Friday and Saturday, August 8 and 9, 2025 in Bobrzany

  • The Lubiechów Volunteer Fire Department and the Bobrzany County Fire Department invite you to the two-day Summer Camp 2025 in Bobrzany, which will begin at 5:00 PM on the Bobrzany sports field. The program includes an outdoor cinema, firefighting demonstrations, fire-lighting and shelter-building lessons, orientation workshops, and a military camp with the option of sleeping under a tent. For details and registration, call 661 171 374.

Saturday, August 9, 2025 in Żagań

  • At 9:00 AM, the 100th parkrun will take place in Żagań Park. Runners and Nordic walkers will gather to cover a distance of 5 km. The start is in the moat beneath the palace.

Saturday, August 9, 2025 in Małomice

  • At 5:00 PM, the Małomice Cultural Center invites you to a retro event at the Małomice Reservoir. The program includes a sentimental journey back to the 20th century – the communist era and the 1990s. Artistic performances with a 20th-century feel. Music and poetry by Jerzy Stachurski, the Harmonia Choir, the Małomice community, and the Amateur Artistic Group from the Małomice Cultural Center. Games and activities for children and adults, firefighter demonstrations, an exhibition of vintage vehicles, and delicacies prepared by the Bukowina Bobrzańska Cultural Center, along with dancing. Disco from 8:00 PM.

Wednesday, August 13, 2025 in Małomice

  • The Małomice Cultural Center invites you to a bike ride with a bonfire at 10:30 a.m. The rally begins at 11:00 a.m. in front of the Małomice Cultural Center.
Illuminated Night Yacht Parade to Light Up Lake Powidzkie on August 9

Illuminated yachts in the moonlight – for the fifth time, Lake Powidzkie will host an unforgettable evening, with the audience on the beach in Przybrodzino. This year, the organizers have decided to make the event ticketed for safety reasons.

Only once a year, Lake Powidzkie transforms into a stage, and yachts become the stars of the evening. On Saturday, August 9th, at the military beach in Przybrodzino, you'll have the opportunity to witness this unique spectacle, which will be held for the fifth time.

Illuminated yachts will be seen floating on the lake at night, and catering facilities will be provided, including a food truck zone and live music. The organizers, Bar Kotwica and the Powidz Sailing Sport Club, have also planned other attractions for the evening. This year, public admission to the event is charged.

"Due to the need to ensure safety and, consequently, the limited number of spectators, the organizers have decided to make the event ticketed," the statement said. Participants on yachts are assured that participation in the parade is free of charge.

The ticket costs PLN 23.99 – sales have already started: https://goingapp.pl/wydarzenie/parada-jachtow/przybrodzin-sierpien-2025

Additional information is available in the Facebook event: 5th Night Yacht Parade in Przybrodzin .