Celebrations and places of remembrance
On the anniversary, there are memorial appeals, laying of flowers, meetings with participants of historical events and ceremonies at monuments, plaques and graves.
Anniversary and W Hour
Anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising 2026 - W Hour and celebrations in Warsaw
The anniversary of the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising falls on August 1. The highlight of the celebration is the W Hour at 5 p.m. Then sirens sound throughout Warsaw, and residents and visitors stop for a minute of remembrance.
How many days are left until the anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising?
Next Time In: August 1, 2026, 17:00
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The celebrations are not limited to one day and one celebration. Concerts, exhibitions, historical walks, meetings, screenings, city games and educational events for children, teenagers and adults are organized in various parts of the city.
August 1
Anniversary of the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising
The Warsaw Uprising began on August 1, 1944 at 5 p.m. The fighting lasted 63 days and covered many districts of Warsaw. Today, the anniversary of their commencement is one of the most important memorial days in the city's calendar.
Every year, the inhabitants of Warsaw meet at monuments, commemorative plaques, cemeteries and in places related to the course of the Uprising. Many districts hold local celebrations dedicated to people, departments and events related to a specific part of the city.
What is W Hour?
W Hour is the code name for the beginning of the Warsaw Uprising. It means 5 p.m. on August 1, 1944, when Home Army units joined the fight in occupied Warsaw.
Nowadays, the W Hour is a symbolic moment of shared memory. At 5 p.m., alarm sirens are activated, passers-by, drivers and public transport stop, and anniversary celebrations begin in many places.
Celebrations in Warsaw
What are the celebrations of the Warsaw Uprising like?
The Warsaw Uprising celebration program includes both official state and city ceremonies, as well as events organized by museums, cultural institutions, districts, foundations and local communities.
Concerts and singing together
A permanent element of the celebrations are anniversary concerts and joint singing of insurgent songs in outdoor spaces, museums and concert halls.
Exhibitions, films and meetings
Warsaw museums, galleries and cultural institutions prepare temporary exhibitions, film screenings, discussions, lectures and meetings.
Walks and city games
Historical routes lead, among others, through Śródmieście, Wola, Ochota, Mokotów, Stare Miasto, Żoliborz and Czerniaków. They are complemented by city games and educational activities.
Warsaw
Where are the celebrations taking place in Warsaw?
Anniversary events are organized throughout Warsaw. Their exact program and locations change every year, but some places regularly return in the celebration calendar.
Warsaw Uprising Museum and Freedom Park
The Warsaw Uprising Museum is one of the main places of celebration. Exhibitions, concerts, meetings, educational events and celebrations also take place in the Freedom Park.
Cemetery of Warsaw Insurgents in Wola
The Warsaw Insurgents Cemetery is one of the most important places of remembrance of the participants of the Uprising and the civilian inhabitants of the city. Celebrations, appeals and the March of Remembrance take place here.
Piłsudski Square
Piłsudski Square is associated, among other things, with singing insurgent songs together. The event gathers Warsaw residents, families and people visiting the capital during the anniversary.
Monuments and memorial sites in districts
Celebrations also take place at the Warsaw Uprising Monument, the Monument to the Fallen Undefeated, and at numerous plaques, graves, memorial stones and monuments in various parts of Warsaw.
2026 program
82nd anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising in 2026
82nd anniversary
See the program of the 82nd anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising
Celebration of the Warsaw Uprising 2026
The anniversary program includes official celebrations, concerts, exhibitions, historical walks, museum events, city games, district initiatives and events for families and schools.
The calendar publishes confirmed events with dates, times, locations and organizational information.
Archive
Archive of the Warsaw Uprising celebrations
Riot of 1944
The Warsaw Uprising on the map of Warsaw
The history of the Warsaw Uprising is recorded in the space of the modern city. Many places shown in archival photographs can still be found on the map of Warsaw, although their surroundings and buildings have often completely changed.
The Poruszenie 1944 project combines archival photos, locations, historical descriptions and a timeline. Thanks to this, you can see where individual photographs were taken and how the events depicted in the photos were related to the course of the Uprising.
Map of the places of the Warsaw Uprising
Open the map and see the locations of archival photographs against the background of contemporary Warsaw.
Archival photographs of Warsaw from 1944
Explore scenes showing insurgents, civilians, barricades, destroyed streets and everyday life of the city during the Uprising.
How do we process archival photographs?
Animations do not replace original photos. Each scene retains access to the source photo, description, authorship and AI tags.
FAQ
The most frequently asked questions about the anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising
When is the anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising?
The anniversary of the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising falls on August 1 every year. The uprising began on August 1, 1944 at 5 p.m.
What time is W Hour?
W hour is August 1 at 5:00 p.m. This is the symbolic starting time of the Warsaw Uprising.
What does W Hour mean?
W Hour was the code name for the beginning of the uprising activities in Warsaw. Currently, it is a moment of joint commemoration of the participants of the Uprising and the city's inhabitants.
Why do sirens sound in Warsaw on August 1?
The sirens are activated at 5 p.m. to commemorate the W Hour. The signal is accompanied by a minute of silence and a symbolic stop to traffic in many parts of the city.
Where are the Warsaw Uprising commemorations held?
The celebrations are organized, among others, at the Warsaw Uprising Museum, at the Warsaw Insurgents Cemetery, at the Warsaw Uprising Monument, in city squares and at local memorial sites in various districts.
Where can I check the celebration program?
The celebration program is published in the anniversary calendar. For each event, it is worth providing the date, time, location, organizer and whether registration is required.
Are there events for children and schools?
Yes. The anniversary programs include workshops, walks, city games, museum lessons, meetings and family events. Their form and the recommended age of participants depend on the organizer.
How does the anniversary connect with the Poruszenie 1944 project?
Poruszenie 1944 shows places and events related to the Warsaw Uprising through archival photographs, a city map and a timeline. The anniversary calendar complements the project with contemporary forms of commemorating the history of Warsaw.