Bobbin Lace Festival in Bobowa: lace fair and workshops

Bobowa — one of the oldest settlements in the Biała river valley between Tarnów and Nowy Sącz, about 25 km north-west of Gorlice — is considered Poland's capital of bobbin lace (koronka klockowa). It has been made here for generations: threads wound on wooden bobbins are interlaced on a pillow following a pattern, producing doilies, tablecloths, collars and even jewellery. Every year in late August or early September the town gathers lacemakers from around the world for the International Bobbin Lace Festival: 2025 saw the 26th festival (4–7 September), and in 2026 Bobowa hosted the 2nd World Lace Festival — 6–9 August, with events also in Gorlice and Nowy Sącz.

Lacemakers come from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Belgium and the Netherlands, and in some years from Canada, Argentina and India; alongside bobbin lace there is needle lace and crochet, including Koniaków lace. The organisers are the Bobowa Commune Culture and Promotion Centre together with the commune. The 2026 opening presented the film "Woven into the Threads: The History of Bobowa Bobbin Lace", and in the contest for traditional lace with Bobowa motifs first place went to Zofia Durlak — local lacemakers still set the tone.

Why go

• The fair and makers' stands. In 2026 the sports and events hall at Bohaterów Bobowej 6 was filled all day with stands of craftswomen from Poland and abroad: you could look at the techniques up close, talk to the makers and buy their work.
• Exhibitions: "Bobowa Bobbin Lace", national displays, a presentation of Girona in Spain, the competition exhibition, tapestries and the "Lace Meadow" — flowers and butterflies made of thread.
• Workshops. A core part of the festival is classes with experienced lacemakers where you can learn the basics of bobbin lace.
• Fashion shows and talks. The traditional lace fashion show — dresses, jewellery, handbags and hair ornaments — and, in the Town Culture Centre (Św. Wawrzyńca 17A), talks on Kraków, Slovak, Silesian and Bobowa lace.
• The competition final. The results of the National Bobbin Lace Competition are announced during the festival — in 2026 it was the 32nd.

What to taste and buy

The best souvenir is genuine Bobowa lace: doilies, bookmarks, Christmas ornaments, earrings and pendants made by local lacemakers. In 2026 the tourist information kiosk on the market square also sold ceramics with an imprint of bobbin lace and festival keepsakes.

Practical information

When: every year at the end of summer (2025: 4–7 September, 2026: 6–9 August); dates and programme are announced on the commune and culture centre pages. Where: central Bobowa — the hall at Bohaterów Bobowej 6, the Town Culture Centre at Św. Wawrzyńca 17A and the kiosk on the market square. Bobowa lies on road 981 (Grybów – Tuchów), 20–25 km from Gorlice and Nowy Sącz; a car is most convenient. Contacts: Bobowa town and commune office helpline: +48 18 351 43 00 (Rynek 21). A family event; most exhibitions and the fair are open to everyone. In 2026 the tourist information kiosk on the square was open 10:00–17:00 on festival days and 10:00–15:00 on the days before.

Nearby

• Koronkarnia lace workshop in Bobowa — workshops all year.
• Biecz — a medieval old town.
• Chodorowa vineyard near Grybów.

Official website: samorzad.gov.pl

Photos: naszabobowa.pl.