What to Do in Gdańsk in September? Events, Races, and the End of the Season
In September 2026, Gdańsk hosts four major events: the Goldberg Festival until September 6, the Gdańsk Dance Festival from September 12 to 20, the film festival in neighboring Gdynia from September 21 to 26, and the Garmin Gdańsk Half Marathon on the last weekend of the month. The month opens with morning ceremonies at Westerplatte on September 1. After the school year begins, the city center becomes less crowded, and the Baltic Sea water retains its summer temperature for the first two weeks. Dates, times, and locations below.
Key Events, September 2026
| When | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| September 1 | Anniversary of the outbreak of WWII, dawn ceremonies | Westerplatte, Defenders of the Polish Post Office Square |
| until September 6 | 20th Goldberg Festival, early music | Gdańsk, historic interiors |
| September 12–20 | 18th Gdańsk Dance Festival | Klub Żak, al. Grunwaldzka 195/197 |
| September 21–26 | 51st Polish Feature Film Festival | Gdynia, 35 minutes by SKM from Gdańsk |
| September 26, 8:00 PM | Night Five, race through the illuminated city | start and finish: Polsat Plus Arena Gdańsk |
| September 27, 10:00 AM | Garmin Gdańsk Half Marathon | start and finish: Polsat Plus Arena Gdańsk |
September 1: Westerplatte at Dawn
Gdańsk begins September with ceremonies at the place where the war began. The main commemorations take place at Westerplatte early in the morning, at the hour when the first shots were fired, while wreaths are simultaneously laid at Defenders of the Polish Post Office Square and at the Cemetery of Victims of Hitlerism in Zaspa. Admission is free, and the city typically runs additional free buses to Westerplatte on this day.
The city announces the detailed program in the last days of August, so it’s worth checking the times on gdansk.pl just before your visit. If you miss the morning ceremonies, Westerplatte itself is open all day, and at this time of year it’s much quieter to walk around than in July.
Early Music in Historic Interiors: Goldberg Festival
The twentieth edition of the Goldberg Festival runs from late August until September 6. The program is based on early music played on period instruments in historic interiors with natural acoustics. The concerts are intimate and performed without amplification, so they sound different from events in large halls.
You can find the repertoire and venues for individual concerts, as well as tickets, at goldbergfestival.pl. Prices vary by concert, and some events are free.
Ten Days of Dance: Gdańsk Dance Festival
From September 12 to 20, Klub Żak transforms into the stage for the eighteenth Gdańsk Dance Festival. The program features performances by Polish and international companies, usually in the evenings, with ticket prices starting from several dozen zlotys. If dance theater is new to you, this is a good time to try it: the performances are short, and tickets are much cheaper than for major concerts. The current program and ticket sales are handled by Klub Żak.
From the city center to Żak, you can take a tram for about fifteen minutes, getting off at Opera or Politechnika stop.
Garmin Gdańsk Half Marathon: September 26 and 27
This is an event that changes the rhythm of the entire city center on the last weekend of September, even for those who aren’t running.
Saturday, September 26, 8:00 PM: Night Five. Five kilometers through the illuminated streets of Gdańsk, with start and finish at Polsat Plus Arena. Earlier, from 4:20 PM, children run through the streets at distances from 200 to 1,000 meters.
Sunday, September 27, 10:00 AM: half marathon. The classic 21.0975 kilometers, start and finish at Polsat Plus Arena, first runners at the finish around 11:00 AM, awards ceremony at 1:30 PM.
The race village at the arena operates on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM and on Sunday from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Registration for Night Five closed before the deadline, so if you’re thinking about participating in the next edition, it’s worth signing up early. We’ve described the route details, transportation, and accommodation separately in the article Garmin Gdańsk Half Marathon 2026.
One practical note for everyone who will be in Gdańsk as tourists that weekend: on Sunday morning, some streets in the city center are closed and public transport runs on detours. If you have a train or flight then, leave earlier than usual.
Cinema in Gdynia: Polish Feature Film Festival
From September 21 to 26, Gdynia hosts the 51st Polish Feature Film Festival, the most important review of Polish cinema of the year. From Gdańsk Główny, you can get there by local train in about 35 minutes; trains run every several minutes, so staying in Gdańsk and spending evenings at the festival is a perfectly sensible combination. Program and tickets: festiwalgdynia.pl.
Sea and City Without Queues
The Baltic Sea warms up slowly and releases heat just as slowly, which is why in the first half of September the water is usually warmer than in June. The beaches in Brzeźno and Stogi are almost empty then, the food stands are still operating, and the sunsets become earlier and more spectacular.
It’s also the best time for things that require queuing during peak season: a cruise on the Motława, going up the tower of St. Mary’s Church, the Museum of the Second World War, or the European Solidarity Centre. In September, you can enter them almost immediately.
September with Children
After the school year begins, queues at attractions in the Tri-City noticeably shorten. It’s worth considering a weekend at Majaland in Gdańsk, where queues for rides practically disappear in September, as well as the Gdańsk ZOO in Oliwa, which is most beautiful at this time of year. Additionally, on Saturday, September 26, children can run in their own races at Polsat Plus Arena—a nice souvenir from the weekend.
Where to Eat Well
We’ve compiled our recommendations for craft burgers in Gdańsk in a separate article, and if you’re looking for a photo-worthy view, we also have a guide to outdoor photo session locations.
Accommodation in Gdańsk in September
September is a time when the city center becomes less crowded, but two dates are exceptions: the first weekend of the month and the half marathon weekend, when tens of thousands of runners with their families come to the city. If you’re planning to visit on September 26 or 27, book early.
We operate over 150 apartments in the very center of Gdańsk, in the Old Town, Granary Island, and along the Motława, so you can walk to most of the places described above. Check-in at any time, direct booking on our website, no portal commissions.
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Frequently Asked Questions: September 2026 in Gdańsk
Can you still swim in the Baltic in September?+
In the first half of September, the water usually has a similar temperature to early July, because the Baltic releases heat with a delay. Supervised swimming areas end their season at the end of August, so after that date we swim at our own risk, and in the second half of the month the water becomes noticeably colder.
When is the half marathon in Gdańsk in 2026?+
The Garmin Gdańsk Half Marathon takes place on Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 10:00 AM, and the day before, on Saturday, September 26 at 8:00 PM, Night Five runs. The start and finish of both races are at Polsat Plus Arena Gdańsk.
Which streets will be closed during the half marathon?+
The route runs through the city center, so on Sunday morning some streets are closed to traffic and buses and trams run on detours. The organizer and ZTM publish the exact list of changes a few days before the race; it’s worth checking if you’re leaving the city that day.
Is Gdańsk still crowded in September?+
The first week can still be busy, then, after the school year begins, the city noticeably slows down. The exception is the last weekend of the month with the half marathon, when the city center fills up again.
What to do in Gdańsk when it rains?+
September can be unpredictable, but that’s actually a good excuse for museums: the Museum of the Second World War, the European Solidarity Centre, the Amber Museum in the Great Mill. In September, you can enter them without the queues you have to expect in July.
How to get from Gdańsk to the Film Festival in Gdynia?+
The easiest way is by SKM local train from Gdańsk Główny to Gdynia Główna; the journey takes about 35 minutes, and trains run every several minutes throughout the day. You can buy tickets in the app, at a machine, or from the conductor.
Is September 1 a public holiday in Gdańsk?+
No, it’s a regular working day. The ceremonies at Westerplatte take place early in the morning; shops, museums, and restaurants operate normally.
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