Dziewięćsił Festival of the Beskids and Cieszyn Silesia

The Dziewięćsił Festival is a spread-out celebration of two regions – the Beskids and Cieszyn Silesia – held simultaneously in nine towns and villages. Each location has its own programme: concerts, workshops, outdoor games, meetings and local food, often on mountain glades and at the top stations of cable cars. The name and symbol come from the carline thistle (dziewięćsił, literally "nine strengths"), a plant that according to highlander tales holds nine powers.

Where the name comes from

The stemless carline thistle grows quite commonly in southern Poland – in the Beskids, Pieniny, Tatras and Sudetes. Its silvery-white flower head is 7–15 cm across and sits right on the ground in a rosette of spiny leaves. Highlanders believed that whoever came across the plant would receive nine strengths and live a long and healthy life. The organisers turned this legend into the theme of the whole event.

Where and when

The festival covers Bielsko-Biała, Brenna, Cieszyn, Cięcina, Istebna, Szczyrk, Ustroń, Wisła and Żywiec. The 2026 edition ran from 5 to 7 June. In Szczyrk it took place on the Hala Skrzyczeńska glade at Szczyrk Mountain Resort, in Ustroń at the top station of the Czantoria cable car, in Istebna on Złoty Groń, in Wisła at the Cieńków Ranch, and in Cieszyn on Castle Hill, among other venues.

Szczyrk: a night below Skrzyczne

In Szczyrk the festival combined activity with music. Families took part in an outdoor game with survival elements, rescuers from the Beskid GOPR mountain rescue group demonstrated their equipment and rescue operations, and in the evening a highland band and the "Sójki" traditional singing group performed. The finale was a silent disco – a headphone party that does not disturb the mountain quiet – and the most determined spent the night in the festival glamping zone. In 2026 participants rode the gondola free of charge between 18:00 and 23:30 by giving the festival password at the ticket office.

Tripto tips

The programme of each edition is published on the official festival website, broken down by location – check it before you travel, as times and venues differ from place to place. In 2026 the outdoor game in Szczyrk required registration, and places were limited. For events on the summits bring a warm jacket, and a head torch if you plan to walk down after dark. It works best to pick one or two locations and spend a whole day there.