Poznań Becomes the City of Pyrkon

Every June, Poznań reinvents itself. Pyrkon - Poland's largest fantasy festival - draws tens of thousands of participants from across the country and beyond, filling not only the halls of the Poznań International Fair but the whole city. In 2026, it does so with greater ambition than ever: a 5-metre rocket countdown installation has appeared in Stary Browar shopping centre, and an interactive portal dome at ePoznań creates a symbolic gateway into the world of fantasy. Pyrkon takes to the streets - and Poznań Event Hub is right in the middle of it.

The 2026 edition carries additional significance, it marks the 25th anniversary of the festival organised by the Club of Fantasy Fiction "Druga Era". Following the record-breaking 2025 edition - attended by over 66,000 visitors - organisers have prepared a programme on an even greater scale.

Special Guests - four worlds of fantasy

The 2026 line-up brings together creators from across popular culture. Maggie Stiefvater - the acclaimed American YA fantasy author - will meet Polish fans of her novels. Swedish band Twilight Force draws power-metal devotees from across Europe, while Dominic McDowall, co-founder of Cubicle 7 Entertainment (publishers of tabletop RPGs based on major franchises), will host panels for roleplaying-game enthusiasts. British actor Andrew Wincott, known to fans of BBC Radio drama and audio series, completes the guest roster.

Pyrkon has a long tradition of hosting internationally recognised names - past guests include Bonnie Wright from the Harry Potter series, Mark Sheppard from Supernatural and Doctor Who, Miranda Otto from The Lord of the Rings, and Polish cultural icons such as Jacek Dukaj, Michał Żebrowski and Professor Andrzej Dragan.

2,000+ programme events across 20 themed zones

The heart of Pyrkon is its sheer scope, the 2026 programme features more than 2,000 events spread across approximately 20 themed zones. Whatever draws you to fantasy culture - board games, tabletop RPGs, comics, cosplay, literature, cinema and TV, LEGO, or science popularisation - there is dedicated space for it.

Stand-out areas include the Children's Zone, the Gaming Zone, and the unique Fantasy Villages Zone, where participants recreate scenes from their favourite books and games. The Exhibitors' Zone offers handmade crafts, cosplay accessories, and collectibles from cult franchises unavailable anywhere else.

Music Across Three Stages

Pyrkon's music programme has grown significantly in recent years. The 2025 edition featured over 30 concerts across three stages - the Earth Hall, the Fire Stage and the Water Stage - with performances by acts including Wiedźmin: Muzyka Kontynentu, Gloryhammer, Łydka Grubasa and Studio Accantus. The headline musical act for 2026 is Twilight Force, the Swedish quintet celebrated for combining epic fantasy storytelling with power metal.

Accessibility and Inclusion

Pyrkon has made consistent year-on-year progress on accessibility. The venue provides a tactile map for visually impaired visitors (tyflomapa), an alternative communication card, a low-stimulus zone, and a Polish Sign Language interpreter at the main entrance. Dedicated programme events accommodate a wide range of participant needs.

Pyrkon in the City - and Close to Poznań Event Hub

The festival extends well beyond the fair gates. Pyrkon 2026 pulses through all of Poznań, and the area around Poznań Event Hub takes on a unique atmosphere during these June days. Whether you're attending the festival itself or simply soaking up the city's celebratory mood, this is one of the best moments of the year to be in central Poznań.

Tickets and the full programme are available on the official Pyrkon website.