On this special night – 16 May, from 7:00 PM to midnight – we invite all lovers of history, technology and good fun to visit the most amazing museum in Kraków! During Museum Night, everyone will have the opportunity to visit this exceptional place for a symbolic “fiver” – and in a completely extraordinary evening setting.
The staff of the Polish Aviation Museum in Kraków have prepared a rich programme of events in which everyone – regardless of age – will find something for themselves. An evening tour of the exhibitions, where a total of 250 aircraft and Europe’s largest collection of aircraft engines can be seen, is an opportunity to take a close look at the history of aviation, hear fascinating stories and take part in unique attractions.
We have launched ONLINE TICKET SALES!
For visitors with tickets purchased online, we will open a special entrance – marked with the letter B on the map – on the right side of the Main Building.
Event programme:
Special guided tour:
• 7:15–9:00 PM – a guided tour for aviation enthusiasts led by Andrzej Chytkowski – the topic will be the profiles of pilots and personnel of the 2nd Aviation Regiment, an elite fighter unit that was stationed before the war at the Rakowice-Czyżyny airfield near Kraków, on whose grounds the Museum is now located.
Lectures and meetings:
• 8:00 PM – midnight – a lecture by the master of aviation stories, Jan Hoffmann: “Jet Aircraft of World War II”
During World War II, the first combat jet aircraft appeared. The German Messerschmitt Me 262 was a pioneering jet fighter – fast and heavily armed, but introduced too late to change the outcome of the war. The Arado Ar 234 was the first jet bomber. The British Gloster Meteor was the first Allied jet, used mainly to combat V-1 flying bombs. World War II jet aircraft ushered in a new era in military aviation.
• 9:00–10:00 PM – a comparative lecture “Chocolate and Potassium Magnesia – the Polish RWD 13 and RWD 21 aircraft” – hosted by an exceptional guide – YouTuber Marek Siuta
RWD aircraft are one of the icons of pre-war Polish aviation. Their name comes from the first letters of the surnames of three designers: Rogalski, Wigura and Drzewiecki. This team became famous for a series of light, sport and touring aircraft that combined a modern silhouette with excellent flight characteristics. Among them, a special place is held by the RWD-5 – the smallest aircraft to fly across the Atlantic (in 1933, piloted by Stanisław Skarżyński). RWD machines were a symbol of the ambition and innovation of the Second Polish Republic and remain to this day a testament to the skill of Polish aviation engineers.
Art workshops
• 5:00–6:00 PM – “Shining Wings” – art workshops for children aged 7–10 (registration closed – group full)
• 7:00–8:00 PM – “Shining Wings” – art workshops for children aged 7–10 (registration closed – group full)
• 9:00–10:00 PM – “Colours of the Skies” – art workshops for children aged 11–13 (registration closed – group full)
During the workshops, technology and art will meet the magic of fluorescent colours! In a creative hour, participants will paint their own aircraft and decorate it using paints that glow in the dark!
• 7:30–8:30 PM – an aviation film for children:
Imagine a world where cargo planes fly across exotic skies and the pilots are fearless heroes… in fur. The main character is a friendly bear – a free spirit and flying enthusiast who runs an airline in a tropical port. He is accompanied by a feisty and resourceful boss, an energetic boy dreaming of flying, and a loyal crew. This adventure animation is full of aerial chases, sky pirates and a hefty dose of humour. The whole thing is set in a 1930s atmosphere, combining the spirit of classic adventure films with animated fantasy.
• 9:00–11:00 PM – an aviation film for adults:
This is an intense, thrilling war film that transports the viewer right into the middle of one of the most dramatic operations of World War II. It tells the story of the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of Allied soldiers surrounded by the enemy on the beaches of France. The story unfolds simultaneously on land, sea and in the air, interweaving the fates of ordinary people forced into heroism. The minimalism of dialogue, masterful camerawork and hypnotic soundtrack heighten the sense of tension and helplessness, creating a cinematic experience that is more lived than watched.
Education and fun:
• 7:00–11:30 PM – educational game “Search for the King” – connected with this year’s celebration of the 1000th anniversary of the Kingdom of Poland. Bolesław the Brave will send registered brave souls on a journey through the centuries, through the history of his kingdom and through the technology that gave our homeland power in the skies. Participants will be tasked with solving aviation riddles.
• 7:00–11:00 PM – photo booth with aviation costumes
• 7:00–11:30 PM – flight simulators (MiG-21 and a World War I aircraft)
An extraordinary treat for visitors – touring aircraft FROM THE INSIDE!
From 7:00 to 11:30 PM, the Museum will open the interiors of selected aircraft and helicopters that are normally closed to the public. This is a unique opportunity to look inside machines such as:
Don’t miss the chance to see the Polish Aviation Museum in an extraordinary, nocturnal atmosphere! We invite whole families, history and technology enthusiasts and everyone who wants to spend their Saturday evening in a unique way.
See you on 16 May 2025 at the Rakowice-Czyżyny airfield!
Admission: PLN 5 (in accordance with the rules of Kraków’s Museum Night)
Last entry at 11:30 PM.
