The Folk Culture Museum in Węgorzewo invites you to a unique event – the Masurian Eel Festival. On 6 June 2026, from 14:00 to 20:00, the museum grounds at ul. Portowa 1 will host a colourful feast of flavours, culture and music. Free admission!
Culinary highlights – from fish soup to smoked eel
The star of the culinary programme is traditional fish soup – one of the flagship dishes of Masurian cuisine, prepared according to recipes passed down through generations. Guests can also look forward to culinary demonstrations featuring MasterChef finalists – a chance to watch professional chefs work with Masurian ingredients up close. A real highlight will be the eel smoking demonstration – a traditional technique that for centuries formed the backbone of the fishing economy in this region. Eel is an exceptional fish – once common in the Masurian lakes, today increasingly rare and prized. For anglers visiting Masuria, this is a perfect opportunity to learn more about this mysterious species.
Cultural programme – craft fair, music and film
From 14:00, the Folk Culture Museum grounds will host a craft and folk art fair – the perfect place to bring home a souvenir rooted in Masurian tradition. Numerous games and activities for the whole family will be on offer, as well as open museum exhibition tours including the Ethnographic Park with its Masurian village open-air museum. Throughout the event, Marcin Kaszubat will take the stage four times – live music at its best against a Masurian evening. Rounding it all off is a lecture and screening of the documentary film "Fishermen from the Lake District" – the story of people whose lives have been intertwined with the Masurian lakes and their riches for generations.
Practical information – how to get there and what to bring
The Masurian Eel Festival takes place on 6 June 2026 from 14:00 to 20:00 at the Folk Culture Museum in Węgorzewo (ul. Portowa 1). Free admission – just show up. For Poza Zgiełkiem guests, we are about 10 km from the venue – a 12-minute drive. The museum's location by the port means you can combine the visit with a lakeside walk or a cruise on Lake Mamry. That same evening, it's worth stopping by the nearby Railway Heritage Museum. Parking is available near the museum.
Guest tip
Arrive early – the eel smoking demonstration and tastings draw the biggest crowds. Bring an appetite and some cash for the craft fair. Poza Zgiełkiem is 10 km from Węgorzewo – the perfect base for this weekend. If you are interested in fishing, read our [[guide to fishing in Masuria|wedkowanie-mazury]] to learn more about eel and the best Masurian fishing spots.
Photo: Muzeum Kultury Ludowej w Węgorzewie
