The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity (GOCC, Polish Wielka Orkiestra Świątecznej Pomocy, WOŚP) is the largest, non-governmental, non-profit, charity organisation in Poland raising money for neonatal, paediatric and elderly care. Before finale volunteers, sometimes joined by celebrities, can be found across the country with collecting boxes, handing out the familiar red heart stickers.
The money is also collected by entrepreneurs and public organizations organizing events, providing income from their services, etc.
You can also take part in auctions on Allegro, where famous people exhibit their items
The Grand Finale fundraiser takes place always on last Sunday of January. This year is 30.01.2022. In normal, non-Covid times, the finale was a huge celebrity (who played for charity) concert where people could make online payments right through the end.
This year, the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity has its 30th final
The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity will play for the 30th time. The final will also traditionally be held in Krakow.
This year's edition is held under the slogan "Look at your eyes" - the collected funds will be allocated to pediatric ophthalmology.
However, due to the pandemic, this year there will not be one concert but a series of smaller initiatives in different parts of the city.
-This is the second final organized in a pandemic reality. We miss events where we could all be together. And this year we will miss one big concert, and there will be smaller parties. From events in the Barbican, on the Motoorkiester, dragging a dragon across the Vistula River, running, to a series of outdoor happenings - says Piotr Błoński, head of the staff of the City Hall.
In Krakow, over 2,000 people will be involved in the activities of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity. volunteers who can be found on the streets of the city from morning until late evening hours.
Many important buildings will turn red on this day
Dragging the Dragon across the Vistula
Where: Czerwieński Boulevard
When: 30.01.22 at 12:00
The 14th Dragging of the Dragon across the Vistula will take place on the Czerwieński Boulevard. First, the participants will meet at the monument of Mickiewicz, and then in a colorful procession they will go to Wawel and the sculpture of the Wawel Dragon to start the competition there. Dragon attributes are welcome!
MotoOrchestra
Where: car park at the M1 Shopping Center (al. Pokoju 67)
When: 30.01.22 at 10:00
During the finals, there will be a traditional MotoOrchestra in the car park at the M1 Shopping Center. The program includes drift shows, concerts, motogadget auctions.
The Run of Great Hearts
Where: near Galeria Kazimierz
When: 30.01.22 at 12:00
The Big Hearts Run will also be held in Krakow. The five-kilometer route will lead from Galeria Kazimierz, via Kuryszne boulevard, around the Grunwaldzki bridge and Czerwieński boulevard.
Shows of the Lesser Poland Paragliding Club
Where: Błonia Krakowskie
When: 30.01.22, 11:00 a.m.
Air shows of the Malopolska Paragliding Club will take place in Błonia
Jubilee Final with Golden Retriever Group/ Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity with Clumber Spaniels
Where: Main Market Square
When: 30.01.22 at 12:00
For the sixth time, a group of over 20 golden retrievers will appear on the Main Square. This year, clumber spaniels will join the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity. There will be dog hugs that will melt every heart despite the cold January.
Party at CH Serenada
Where: Serenada Shopping Center (ul. Bora Komorowskiego 41)
When: 30/01/2022 at 10:00
Serenada Shopping Center also plays for Wielka Orkiestra Świątecznej Pomocy
In program:
12:30 - 13:45 FunkyFree + Auctions between performances
14:00 - 15:00 Performance of Sylwia Chiappini (Sylla) + Auctions
15:00 - 16:30 Malta Medical Service Association, first aid demonstration, SKN Obstetrics Care of the Jagiellonian University + Auctions
16:30 - 17:00 BailaTON - Salsa Bachatov and Reggaeton formation + dance lessons
17:00 Becky Sangolo vocal performance
Auctions
Toyota car for the weekend, professional photo session, delicious cake, books by Ewa Wachowicz with dedication, restaurant vouchers, Argentine tango lesson and much more!
Federation of Guides Associations of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity
Krakow guides from the Federation of Tourist Guides' Associations give tours for the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity. See how you can support the 30th Final of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity in an interesting way by getting to know Krakow better!
List of tours:
Krakow in the dark, Aviation Museum, Music of Krakow, secrets of Podgórze, (Un) ordinary street and its surroundings. Ul. Smoleńsk, Krakow legends, KL Plaszow, Illuminated Krakow.
These are just some of the events that will take place in Krakow in connection with the finals of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity. In addition, we are waiting for: Zumba Marathon, diving with the KRAB club, cinema and club events, a Chapelloise on Plac Nowy and much more!
You can check all available events on the GOCC website
As every year, the city and cultural institutions will support the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity
President Jacek Majchrowski and the director of the Museum of Municipal Engineering handed over a replica of Zygmunt's bell for auction. The replica was created on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the Sigismund Bell and is a copy of almost 1: 1 apart from the weight, because the replica suspended on a mobile platform is 100 times lighter than the original, weighing 12,600 kg. This will certainly facilitate transport to the new owner
It is an impressive souvenir from Krakow!
If you want your own Sigismund bell, you can try to win it at the auction
WsteczDiscover Kraków quickly and comfortably in an eco-friendly electric car. Learn about the city’s most important landmarks and its history. Take advantage of ending the tour at the famous Schindler's Factory or returning to the starting point.
Duration: 2h
Audio Guide
Transportation included
Hear spooky stories about Krakow on a 2-hour guided walk through the Old Town.
Duration: 2hLive guideTransportation includedBook a skip-the-line ticket to the Schindler's Factory and enjoy hassle-free touring, avoiding the risk of sold-out tickets and long waiting times for entry.
Duration: 2h
Skip-theLineTransportation includedVisit the famous Schindler's Factory with a professional guide and learn about Krakow's wartime history.
Duration: 2hLive guideSkip-theLineTransportation includedA day full of adrenaline at the shooting range in Krakow! We offer three exciting weapon and ammunition packages to choose from. Under the guidance of an experienced instructor, you'll have the opportunity to feel the thrill of shooting. Choose your package and immerse yourself in an unforgettable shooting adventure!
Duration: 1h - 4hTransportation includedWe have been active as a tourist operator in Cracow for 14 years and in that time we have served over a million customers! The resulting experience has allowed us to set up a tight-knit team to ensure that our tours are perfect in every detail. As we co-operate closely with tour companies, we are able to provide our customers with professionally organised tours hosted by experienced guides who are passionate about sharing their extensive knowledge of Cracow and places of interest in the area, such as-Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Wieliczka Salt Mine. We also specialise in organising premium tours, such as private tours of the most beautiful sites in the Małopolska region. We will be happy to plan your day in Zakopane, the Pieniny Mountains or Częstochowa. We also provide airport transfers and other transport services for passengers. Our modern fleet will make sure you travel in comfort and enjoy the touring experience. Each of our employees is fluent in English. We use modern booking systems operated by an experienced team of dispatchers. We work every day to earn our customers’ trust and make sure they get maximum value for money.
