The final weekend of the summer holidays will bring an entirely new event to Toruń as the city prepares to host the inaugural Copernicus Airshow Toruń on Sunday, 30 August 2026. Set against the striking backdrop of the city's UNESCO World Heritage-listed Gothic Old Town, the event promises to combine world-class aviation displays with music, multimedia and spectacular evening effects to create one of the region's most ambitious outdoor spectacles.
Taking place along Bulwar Filadelfijski between Toruń's bridges, the new airshow aims to offer far more than traditional flying demonstrations. Throughout the afternoon and evening, visitors can expect aerobatic performances, historic aircraft, synchronised aerial displays, live entertainment and a unique night show featuring pyrotechnics, lasers and music.
For residents and visitors alike, the event represents a distinctive way to celebrate the close of the summer season while showcasing Toruń as a destination capable of hosting major national events.
Programme runs from afternoon until late evening
Copernicus Airshow Toruń will run from 3:00 pm until 10:30 pm, with the programme divided into three distinct parts.
Afternoon flying displays
The opening section will focus on traditional aviation performances, including:
- Aerobatic aircraft demonstrations
- Helicopter displays
- Paramotor flights
- Historic aircraft presentations
Sunset performances
As daylight begins to fade, visitors will see synchronised flying routines designed to take advantage of the changing light, alongside the first aerial pyrotechnic effects mounted on aircraft wings.
Light & Fire night show
The evening finale will introduce an entirely different atmosphere, with pilots and paramotor teams performing after dark using synchronised lighting, lasers, pyrotechnics and music. The organisers describe this as one of the event's signature attractions, designed to create a fully immersive visual spectacle over the River Vistula.
More than aviation
Visitors will find plenty to enjoy on the ground throughout the day.
Additional attractions include:
- Balloon displays
- A live concert by Nick Sinckler
- Food and drink zones
- Retail stalls
- Family-friendly activity areas
- Educational exhibits
According to the organisers, the intention is to create an event that appeals to aviation enthusiasts, families and visitors discovering Toruń for the first time.
International pilots and celebrated performers
The inaugural edition has attracted an impressive line-up of experienced pilots and internationally recognised performers.
Artur Kielak
One of Poland's most decorated aerobatic pilots, Artur Kielak is known for performing high-energy manoeuvres in an aircraft often described as the Formula One car of aerobatic aviation.
Łukasz Czepiela
Globally recognised for his remarkable landing on the rooftop helipad of a Dubai hotel, Red Bull Air Race champion Łukasz Czepiela will demonstrate two very different aircraft in Toruń: the agile Edge 540T and the highly versatile Carbon Cub, renowned for its exceptionally short take-off and landing capabilities.
Paweł "Lojak" Kozarzewski
A Polish national champion in paramotoring and member of the national team, Kozarzewski specialises in spectacular night performances enhanced by lasers and pyrotechnics.
Gyula Vári
Representing Hungary, former MiG-29 military pilot Gyula Vári will showcase precision aerobatics inspired by his extensive military aviation career.
Firebirds Formation
Pilots Adam Labus, Sebastian Nowicki and Łukasz Świderski perform close-formation aerobatics with aircraft separated by only a matter of centimetres, demonstrating exceptional precision and teamwork.
Phoenix Paramotor Display Team
This specialist paramotor display team combines synchronised flying with LED lighting and pyrotechnic effects to produce dramatic aerial choreography after sunset.
Airborne Pyrotechnics
Travelling from the United Kingdom, Airborne Pyrotechnics performs with Grob G-109B motor gliders equipped with specially designed pyrotechnic systems, creating trails of sparks and illuminated effects across the night sky.
Maciej Madej, the event's Air Display Director, said the programme has been carefully assembled around world-class pilots and performances designed to keep audiences engaged throughout the day.
Travel and traffic information
Because of the scale of the event and the safety requirements associated with air displays, several temporary traffic changes will be introduced on 30 August.
These include:
- Temporary closure of the Józef Piłsudski Road Bridge to pedestrians during flying displays
- A dedicated shuttle bus operated by MZK between Plac Rapackiego and Plac Armii Krajowej
- Temporary traffic management changes within the Old Town area
Visitors are encouraged to use public transport wherever possible.
Park-and-ride style buffer parking areas will also be available to reduce congestion around the city centre.
Ticket prices
Residents holding Toruń's "JO" City Card resident status will benefit from discounted admission.
Ticket prices are:
- 20 PLN for Toruń City Card "JO" residents
- 30 PLN for all other visitors
Each event ticket is also intended to include free public transport on the day of the event, subject to the relevant municipal resolution coming into force.
Why this matters
Copernicus Airshow Toruń has the potential to become one of northern Poland's most distinctive annual events. By combining aviation excellence with the dramatic riverside setting of one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities, the organisers are introducing a format rarely seen in Poland.
For local businesses, hotels and restaurants, the event offers an opportunity to welcome thousands of visitors during the final weekend of the holiday season. For residents, it presents a new celebration that brings together aviation, entertainment and the city's remarkable architectural heritage in a single day.
If the inaugural edition delivers on its ambitions, Copernicus Airshow Toruń could quickly establish itself as a landmark fixture on Poland's annual events calendar.