Pilgrims from Poland could have a weekend of their own in Santiago de Compostela during the 2027 Holy Year. The Polish Bishops’ Conference says it is preparing a gathering for September 2027, following a visit to Galicia by its Council for Tourism and Pilgrimages. The announcement gives pilgrims a month to keep in mind as they plan their Camino. The exact dates and programme are still to be confirmed.
The delegation was in Santiago from 4 to 6 November 2026. Bishop Piotr Przyborek travelled with Father Łukasz Skarżyński and Father Piotr Roszak. Their visit included a meeting with Archbishop Francisco José Prieto and talks with representatives of the Cathedral Chapter and the Galician government who work on the Camino de Santiago.
What is planned for the Polish Weekend?
The Polish Bishops’ Conference announcement describes the weekend as an opportunity for Polish pilgrims to meet and pray together. The idea emerged from talks about pastoral support in Santiago, including the work already done by Polish-speaking priests and volunteers who receive pilgrims arriving at the shrine of St James.
For someone planning a pilgrimage around the gathering, September is the first detail to put in the calendar. The announcement leaves the specific weekend, venues and any registration arrangements open. Those details will determine which walking dates fit the event and whether to allow an extra night in Santiago after the final stage.
Mass and confession in Polish
The November discussions also covered an existing initiative offering Mass and confession in Polish. The delegation shared its experience of the services with the archbishop and discussed how they could develop. That part of the visit matters to Polish speakers arriving throughout the year, including those who may visit Santiago outside the planned weekend.
The Polish-language pastoral information page explains where the initiative has offered confession and Mass. It identifies the Chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes in the cathedral for confession and the chapel at the Pilgrim’s Reception Office for Mass. Consult the initiative before travelling to confirm the dates and hours that apply to your visit, especially if you are planning for September 2027.
For pilgrims travelling with companions who speak other languages, the cathedral’s English-language liturgy page lists services and locations. The venue matters as much as the time. Santiago’s pilgrim services can take place in different chapels and churches, and the service you want may be at a separate address from the cathedral entrance.
How the visit connects with pilgrim reception
The delegation also visited the pilgrim centre and the Cathedral Archive. The meetings brought the people supporting Polish pilgrims into contact with several of the bodies involved in welcoming them in Galicia. The Pilgrim’s Reception Office provides arrival information in English, including how to obtain the Compostela. Pilgrims may need to plan their time in the city around separate stops at the office and at the place where their chosen service is held.
There are many ways to approach Santiago. If you are still choosing your itinerary, our guide to the IGN’s map of European Camino routes is a starting point for seeing how different routes fit together. Once the dates of the gathering are announced, you can work back from your intended arrival in Santiago to choose a starting point and a realistic number of walking days.
Where to look for the next announcement
The Polish Bishops’ Conference is the primary source for news about the gathering. The cathedral and the Polish-language pastoral initiative are the references for worship arrangements, while the Pilgrim’s Reception Office covers practical questions about arriving in the city. If the weekend is the reason for choosing your travel dates, wait for the organisers to identify the specific days before making bookings that are difficult to change.
As of 15 November 2026, the Polish Weekend is planned for September 2027. The organisers have yet to publish the dates or a full programme.
Sources: Polish Bishops’ Conference, Polish-language pastoral initiative, Santiago Cathedral and Pilgrim’s Reception Office. Cover photo: Praza da Quintana, by Reservas de Coches / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
Imágenes: File photo by Oula Lehtinen, CC BY-SA 3.0. Wikimedia Commons | File photo by C messier, CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikimedia Commons | File photo by Joseolgon, CC BY 4.0. Wikimedia Commons.
