KULTURA

Królewski Ogród Światła w Wilanowie zamknięty po 14 lat – co dalej?

Analiza

The Królewski Ogród Światła, a winter light exhibition in the Palace Museum in Wilanów, has been a staple of Warsaw's holiday season since its debut in 2012. For fourteen consecutive years it attracted thousands of visitors with colorful illuminations, music and themed shows. In 2026, under the new director Piotr Górajc, the management announced that the garden will not open for the first time since its inception. The decision follows an internal review of visitor expectations and a recent controversy involving the former director. Instead, the museum will host its inaugural Advent Market on 28–29 November in the orangery. Meanwhile, the country faces early winter weather, with IMGW issuing snow and freezing‑rain alerts for several regions.

Kontekst i Tło

The cancellation marks a significant shift in Warsaw's festive landscape, leaving a gap where the illuminated garden once stood. Organizers promise that the upcoming Advent Market will offer a different, but still festive, experience for locals and tourists. The change also reflects broader trends in cultural programming, where institutions seek to modernise while respecting historic settings. Weather forecasts predict snowfall and temperatures down to –6 °C, which may affect attendance at the November events. Authorities have warned of reduced visibility and icy conditions in affected voivodeships. The combination of cultural reshuffling and early winter weather creates uncertainty for the holiday season in the capital.

Komentarz Redakcji

InfoHub notes that the end of the Królewski Ogród Światła could signal a broader rethinking of seasonal attractions in Poland’s capitals. While nostalgia runs high, the Advent Market may become the next iconic winter gathering—if the weather cooperates.