On Tuesday, Processions of the Three Kings are marching through the streets of nearly a thousand localities across Poland under the slogan “Rejoicing in Hope!” In Warsaw, the event began at noon with the Angelus prayer. We invite you to view our photo report.
This year, the processions are passing through the streets of 941 localities in Poland. The Three Kings Procession Foundation prepared 600,000 paper crowns, 150,000 carol songbooks, and 200,000 stickers, which are being distributed to participants.
The procession slogan for 2026 – “Rejoicing in Hope!” – is derived from a 17th-century Polish carol titled “Mędrcy świata, monarchowie”, written by Stefan Bortkiewicz. In the form of a carol, the piece, together with the musical notation of the composition by Fr. Zygmunt Odelgiewicz, was first published in 1878 in “Śpiewniczek Jana Siedleckiego”. The organizers emphasized that the hope which sustained the Magi from the East is an example of an attitude adopted “in the face of adversity, persecution, and even hatched conspiracies.”
The Three Kings Procession with the Presidential Couple
The procession in Warsaw will be attended by President Karol Nawrocki together with his wife, Marta Nawrocka.
“May the image of the three rulers who, undeterred by adversity, walked toward their goal – peace and reconciliation – inspire us all to build relationships based on mutual solidarity, understanding, and respect,” the Presidential Couple wrote in a message addressed to the organizers and participants of the processions.
In the capital, the event began with the journey of the pregnant Mary and Joseph, who, according to the Gospel, set out for Bethlehem to be registered during the census ordered by Caesar Augustus. The route runs from the Copernicus Monument on Krakowskie Przedmieście in Warsaw (11:45 a.m.) to the Nativity scene at Castle Square.
At noon, the Angelus prayer was led by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Warsaw, Archbishop Adrian Galbas.
In front of the Copernicus Monument, there will be drills performed by knights and warriors, as well as a rehearsal of procession chants. Preparing to set off – in addition to court ladies and knights – will also be Asian dragons, camels, carolers, and shepherds. According to the script, they will be attacked by diabolical hordes. At the head of the procession will walk the star bearer with a star, followed by carolers with a cheerful turoń, then young shepherds and little angels. Along the route, Polish carols will be heard.
Before 1:00 p.m., the procession will reach Castle Square. The culmination of the event will be the homage of the three kings and the offering of the Gospel gifts. After paying homage to the newborn Jesus, those gathered in the square will dance a polonaise to the melody of the carol “Bóg się rodzi.”
Warsaw: Communal Carol Singing
Next, communal carol singing prepared by the John Paul II Thought Center is planned. – “Among the performers will be the band Trebunie Tutki, two choirs: Cantores Minores (the Archcathedral Men’s Choir of St. John’s Archcathedral in Warsaw) and the Vistula Ensemble (composed of students of the University of Music in Warsaw), as well as Justyna Jędrusik & Sąsiedzi, a group consisting of a soloist, a cellist, and a double bassist,” said Jakub Siekierzyński, conductor of the John Paul II Thought Center Choir.
Processions of the Three Kings Across Poland
In Kraków, the central processions set out from three churches toward the Main Market Square. At their head will stand the Magi from the East: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar.
The blue – African – procession set off around 11:00 a.m., after Mass at the Basilica of St. Florian. The green – Asian – procession will begin with a liturgy at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of St. Stanislaus Kostka. Meanwhile, the red – European – procession departed from Wawel Hill after Mass at 10:00 a.m. in the cathedral, presided over by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kraków, Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś. After the Eucharist, together with King Caspar and the cardinal, two historical rulers of Poland will set out – Bolesław the Brave and Sigismund the Old. Their presence refers to the 1,000th anniversary of the coronation of the first Polish king and the 500th anniversary of the Prussian Homage, both falling in 2025. The Mayor of Kraków, Aleksander Miszalski, will also join the red procession at All Saints’ Square, offering a gift on behalf of the city’s residents.
Volunteers from “Dzieło Pomocy św. Ojca Pio” will be collecting donations to maintain 12 apartments for people experiencing homelessness.
In Gdańsk, the procession set off at noon from St. Mary’s Basilica. The march was preceded by a Mass at 10:00 a.m., presided over by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Gdańsk, Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda – Chairman of the Polish Bishops’ Conference (Konferencja Episkopatu Polski, KEP). Participants will walk along Tkacka and Długa streets, where they will witness a symbolic battle between good and evil. This year, the Nativity scene will be located next to the Artus Court. The event will conclude with communal carol singing.
In Gdynia, the procession will depart after the 1:00 p.m. Mass at the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It will proceed along Świętojańska Street to St. Maximilian’s Hill. The final point will be communal carol singing by the Nativity scene at the Franciscan friars’ monastery. The event will be accompanied by a fundraising drive for Gdynia’s hospices.
In Białystok, the central procession will set out from the archcathedral after Mass at the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, beginning at 11:00 a.m. under the leadership of Archbishop Józef Guzdek. The event will be accompanied by an exhibition of Białystok Nativity scenes displayed in the window of the Tourist Information Center.
In Poznań, 11 educational institutions from the city joined the organization of the event this year under the leadership of the Sternik Poznań Foundation. At noon, participants set off from the Old Market Square and then proceeded along Wielka Street, Chwaliszewo, across Chrobry Bridge, and along Maryi Panny Street to the Poznań Cathedral. There, the Magi from the East will pay homage to Jesus. Prior to the procession, at 11:00 a.m., a Holy Mass will be celebrated at the Poznań Parish Church.
In Katowice, the procession was inaugurated by a Mass at 11:00 a.m. at the Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, run by the Oblate Fathers. The liturgy will be presided over by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Katowice, Archbishop Andrzej Przybylski. Participants will proceed to the Cathedral of Christ the King. Musical accompaniment will be provided by the duo Magda Anioł and Adam Szewczyk. The event will conclude with a concert by the band Arka Noego.
Last year, 2 million people took part in the processions in Poland. In Europe, Processions of the Three Kings have so far been organized in countries including Austria, Germany, Romania, Slovenia, Ukraine, Italy, and Hungary. The processions have also taken place in many African countries, including Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria, the Central African Republic, Rwanda, and Zambia. Colorful parades have also marched through North and South America, including the United States, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, and Cuba. In Asia, a procession was held in Kazakhstan.