Poland’s Independence Day falls on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, marking the anniversary of the country’s restoration of sovereignty in 1918. For travellers in Warsaw or passing through major Polish cities that day, it brings a combination of festive atmosphere and very real practical disruptions: road closures, a full public holiday, and one of Europe’s largest nationalist marches through the capital.
The Warsaw Independence March
The annual Independence March (Marsz Niepodległości) draws between 100,000 and 200,000 participants through central Warsaw each year and is one of the largest marches in Europe. The route typically moves from Rondo Dmowskiego along Aleje Jerozolimskie toward the National Stadium. The march begins in the early afternoon and can take several hours to clear the route.
Road closures in central Warsaw begin from mid-morning and affect the main east–west arteries. Public transport routes are diverted; expect tram and bus services on those corridors to be suspended or heavily rerouted from around 11:00. The Warsaw Metro continues to operate and is the most reliable way to move across the city that afternoon.
Drone ban over Warsaw
A city-wide no-fly zone for drones is enforced over Warsaw on 11 November every year. This covers the entire march route and the surrounding districts. Flying a drone without a valid exemption on this date is a criminal offence. Leave yours at the hotel.
Everything is closed
11 November is a nationwide public holiday, which means virtually all shops, pharmacies, banks and government offices are closed. Supermarkets in petrol stations and a small number of convenience stores may stay open. If you are self-catering or need medication, stock up on 10 November. Most restaurants and bars in Warsaw remain open, though some in central areas close early due to the march.
Planning around the holiday
Trains between cities run on a reduced public holiday schedule. If you are travelling between Warsaw, Kraków or Gdańsk that day, check PKP Intercity timetables in advance rather than assuming standard frequency. Our guide to getting around Poland covers rail, bus and domestic flight options.
Warsaw hotels in the city centre often sell out around 11 November, partly due to march participants and partly because of the long weekend. If your two-day Warsaw break is timed around this date, our 2-day Warsaw itinerary includes flexible routing that works even with closures in the Old Town and central zones.
For visitors coming specifically for Independence Day, the official Łazienki Park concert on the evening of 10 November is free to attend and draws large but good-natured crowds around the Chopin Monument.
We will update this page closer to the date if march routes or transport arrangements change.