Poznań International Ice Sculpture Festival (Poznań Ice Festival)

The Poznań International Ice Sculpture Festival is one of the most spectacular winter events held at the Stary Rynek (Old Market Square) in Poznań. This year’s edition, the POZnań Ice Festival 2025, takes place from December 12 to 14, 2025, and is completely free for visitors. The festival attracts both locals and tourists eager to see ice art at its finest, and the area around the medieval square transforms during these days into a living exhibition of glittering sculptures.

On the first day, December 12, the festival begins with a small sculpture competition on the theme of “free choice,” where artists compete individually using smaller blocks of ice. Educational elements and workshops run in parallel, allowing the public to learn about the craft of ice sculpting. Friday concludes with visitors voting for their favorites in a public vote, adding an extra interactive dimension to the event.

Saturday, December 13, is dedicated to speed with the “Speed Ice Carving” competition on the centrally located stage. Each contestant receives exactly the same type and size of ice blocks as well as a strict schedule—usually 25 minutes for the first round and 35 minutes in the final—to recreate a prearranged design. The competition demands high precision, and the audience can follow every moment—from the first cuts with a chainsaw to the final details with a steel chisel. The most faithful recreations are chosen by a jury, but audience voting can also influence the result.

Finally, on December 14, the main competition (Main Competition) takes place, where twelve two-person teams have a full day to sculpt their own multi-meter-high ice installation in a free form. Each team is given several ice blocks (up to seven in total, each measuring about 1 × 0.5 × 0.25 meters) and the necessary tools such as chainsaws and chisels. The sculptures are illuminated with lanterns and spotlights as darkness falls, creating a captivating winter atmosphere. The winds in Poznań’s old quarter give an authentic Christmas feeling, and the sculptures remain until temperatures render them impassable—typically into the first week of January, depending on the weather.

This year’s festival is the nineteenth (or seventeenth, depending on how you count) since its inception in 2006, but for Poznań residents it feels as if the tradition has always been there. Participants come from Poland, France, Hungary, Sweden, and Malaysia, but it is not uncommon for ice masters from the USA, Canada, Russia, Bulgaria, and the Philippines to appear and compete for the honor of winning first prize. Together, they use several tons of ice to transform the square into a sparkling exhibition space for sculptures in various styles, from figurative themes to abstract artworks.

For those planning to attend, it is recommended to dress warmly, preferably in layers, and arrive early since Stary Rynek often fills up, especially during the speed carving finals and the main competition awards ceremony. Surrounding cafés and Christmas markets offer warming drinks, and the local “Betlejem Poznańskie” (Poznań’s Christmas Village) is usually in full swing alongside the festival, offering additional activities such as mulled wine tastings, artisanal stalls, and live music.

In summary, the Poznań International Ice Sculpture Festival 2025 is a free event with a daily competition schedule where the world’s top ice sculptors create artworks of the highest caliber right in the city’s historic heart. Whether you are there to learn techniques, vote for your favorites, or simply soak in the unique atmosphere, this festival is a highlight of Poznań’s December calendar.