Summer’s the time when Gdansk takes time off from its commerce and its studies, and has a good time. Starting in July, Gdansk hosts a series of cultural events; one of the first major festivals is the Shakespeare Festival, held in the first week of August, followed by the Gdansk Festival, a month later. Around the same time as the Shakespeare Festival is the fortnight-long `Music in the Old Town’ event, an extravaganza of great music, combined with other cultural performances.

In the beginning of September is held the Gdansk Jazz Festival- one of the last major events of summer. The festivities don’t stop in winter, though; the Polish Film Festival is held in Gdynia in November, and both Christmas as well as New Year are times for much feasting, music and rejoicing.