Plan your stay — Open Blues 2026

Everything you need to know before coming to Open Blues.

Open Blues and its home

Open Blues takes place at a beautiful and historically rich palace, which fell into disrepair during Russia’s rule over Poland 1945–89. It was bought by a Polish-British couple, Anna and Jim, who are now renovating it with much love. They make it available for visitors and cultural events. This unfinished palace is their home; a home they want to share. The palace has a raw feel that invites experimentation, so feel free to explore. However, remember to respect Anna’s and Jim’s privacy!

Open Blues is a private, cost-shared do-it-yourself gathering open to anyone aligned with that format. The main organisers deal with the venue, registrations, scheduling and some logistics, but music, workshops and merriment are created by the participants. Nobody is paid and nobody profits; everyone contributes their share of the real expenses.

The venue consists of the beautiful palace and two big barns. The palace has many rooms and attics that are great for sleeping. One of the barns is suitable for sleeping when it’s warm and has its own showers.

Travel and ride sharing

The venue is Piotrowice Nyskie Palace, Piotrowice Nyskie 54, Poland. The nearest airports are Wrocław, Ostrava, Katowice, Pardubice and Brno. The nearest rail hub is Nysa, about a 20-minute drive from the palace; from Nysa, arrange a participant pickup or take a taxi (usually around €30–50).

Please join the Open Blues transport group on WhatsApp if you are looking for a ride or happy to share your journey. The invite is public, and other members can see your phone number and any WhatsApp profile information you make visible. If you are driving, use the palace map pin rather than only the village name, and ask in the group or email openbluespoland@gmail.com for the current on-site parking instructions before setting off.

Accommodation & food

Please bring your own towels and toiletries.

• If you chose a paid bed option, you are guaranteed either a conventional bed or a large mattress prepared with fresh sheets and a pillow. It will be in a shared room: the option does not guarantee a bed frame or a private room. After registration, people choosing a single or shared sleeping place choose their exact place in the shared self-service Sheet linked from the room guide.
• If you chose a mattress, there are no sheets. You have to carry your mattress, find a suitable spot for it and bring it back to where it was before. The advantage of this option is that you can put it wherever you like — so if you are a snorer or have very light sleep, you can probably find a nice spot. Unless you have a dust allergy, the barn is a great spot too. The disadvantage is that you have to arrange it yourself.
• If you chose the tent or floor option, bring the complete setup you need for comfortable sleep. There is plenty of space; choose a suitable spot when you arrive.

You can browse the room photos and venue floor plans in the accommodation room guide. Names and live availability stay in the shared Sheet linked there.

If you paid for a shared or single sleeping place, complete registration first and then choose or change your exact place through the accommodation room guide. Your paid category is already guaranteed; no separate approval is required.

All communal food is vegan and included from Thursday dinner through Monday breakfast. If you’re extending your stay, extra nights do not include food. There is a small and poorly stocked village shop a 5-minute walk from the venue, and a Dino supermarket in Kałków, the next village over, a few minutes away by car.

Showers and toilets can be used throughout the castle.

There is generally decent Wi-Fi in several rooms.

DIY, tasks & chores

This is a DIY festival: participants make the music, workshops, cooking and day-to-day running of the event happen. Please take initiative and actively look for things to help with. This might mean carrying speakers, rearranging chairs, helping in the kitchen, washing up or replacing toilet paper rolls.

The programme grows from the participants. Mark “yes” or “maybe” in registration if you might lead something; closer to the gathering, participants add their ideas to a community-filled workshop sheet. The exact line-up is not advertised in advance.

Festival rules

• For everyday practical questions, check with three fellow participants first. Contact an organiser directly for safety, conduct, health or other time-sensitive issues.
• For a safety or conduct concern, email openbluespoland@gmail.com and ask for Klaudia, the primary contact; Konrad is the backup. They decide next steps together, except that either may act immediately if someone is in immediate danger.
• Do not openly consume drugs or be nude where the public or neighbours can see you.
• There is a relaxation room should you want a moment of privacy. Please use it considerately (max 2h, no sleeping).
• You are free to take pictures, but try not to film or take pictures of specific people. We are all here to be free, comfortable and worry-free of looking silly in some video or picture. Before publishing pictures in which the main subject is someone else, make sure they are okay with it.
• The palace is a shared space. Keep it tidy; avoid leaving cutlery or clothes around to prevent clutter.

Payments and registration

Registration uses the Open Blues Tally form, so no account or sign-in is required. Uploading a Reservation Payment receipt is still mandatory.

Registration works like this:

1. Calculate the cash amount for your stay, Sunday night and drinks using the tables below.
2. Transfer the non-refundable €50 Reservation Payment using the details inside the form.
3. Upload the receipt and submit the form. The on-screen confirmation records your registration, repeats the cash amount to bring and links back to this guide.
4. If you chose a single or shared sleeping place, use the accommodation room guide to browse, then choose or change your exact place in the shared Sheet.
5. Bring the remaining amount in cash. If you cannot come, you may find someone to take your place and ask us to update the registration.

Calculate your cash amount

The first table covers three nights: Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Add a Sunday-night option only if you are sleeping at the venue on Sunday night and leaving on Monday.

You may add an optional donation of €10, €25, €50, €100, €150 or another amount.

If you can’t bring euros, use €1 = 4.50 PLN as the conversion rate.

If you registered while an earlier Sunday-night price was shown, the original Sunday-night amount in your confirmation remains valid. Bring that confirmed amount; it will not be recalculated at the current price.

Arrival and departure

Reception opens on Thursday at 18:00. The welcome is at 18:30, dinner at 19:00 and the party starts at 20:00. If you expect to arrive later, email openbluespoland@gmail.com before travelling so the organisers know when to expect you. Monday includes breakfast and communal cleaning; the programme finishes at 12:00 noon, followed by departures.

An additional night before or after the gathering costs €20–50 depending on your sleeping arrangement and does not include food. It must be agreed before arrival: email the organisers, who will coordinate the stay with the hosts.

Preliminary schedule

Weekly Mass: the Palace of Piotrowice Nyskie has its own chapel. The weekly Mass takes place on Saturday at 6pm, which you are welcome to join. Please be respectful during that time and do not make noise outside.

WhatsApp group

Join the festival WhatsApp group.

The invite is public, and other members can see your phone number and any WhatsApp profile information you make visible.

Checklist

• Chosen or confirmed your exact place in the shared accommodation Sheet if you paid for a shared or single sleeping place
• Sheets or sleeping bag (if you chose a mattress)
• Right amount of cash (see the amount you saved from the registration confirmation screen)
• Dress-to-impress outfit for Saturday
• Earplugs
• Towel and toiletries
• Swimwear — there is a natural pool and a lake nearby
• Dance shoes, or your bare feet
• Joined the WhatsApp group
• Happy!