GUITAR WORLD RECORD – WROCŁAW PLAYS AS ONE

Wrocław once again invites guitarists to play together, with every instrument becoming part of a much larger sound. The Guitar World Record combines an attempt to set a record with a broad celebration of music, including artist encounters, workshops, concerts and different approaches to the guitar. Experienced musicians, beginners and curious listeners gather in and around the Market Square to share the atmosphere. What matters is the collective rhythm, a willingness to take part and the pleasure of discovering how much one instrument can bring people together. Explore the programme and the idea behind a gathering that has long connected guitar communities from Poland and beyond.

A guitar festival in Wrocław’s Market Square

On May 1st, the market square and its surroundings will transform into a guitar town with several stages showcasing different facets of the guitar – from electric guitar through fingerstyle and flamenco to classical guitar and ukulele, numerous guitar workshops with opportunities to meet and talk about guitar, presentations of guitar amplifiers and demonstrations by master guitarists, a place to meet with celebrities, get autographs and take photos, and a children's zone.

There will be stops by bards and street musicians, and an exhibition of portraits of guitar legends. At the DEFIL Guitar Museum, you'll see a collection of dozens of iconic Defil guitars, which have accompanied generations of Polish guitarists – from amateurs to pop stars. There will also be traditional guitar competitions for "anything but a guitar" and the best guitar costume. You'll also have the opportunity to perform on a special stage called "Your 5 Minutes of Fame." In the "guitar fashion" zone, we'll take photos of you and share them on a large screen in Wrocław's Market Square and online.

Participation rules for the record attempt

To participate in the Guitar World Record, all you need is a guitar and knowledge of the five basic chords: C/G/D/A/E, needed to play Jimi Hendrix's "Hey Joe." You don't have to be of legal age. All types of guitars are eligible for the record – acoustic, classical, electric, and bass. Mandolins, banjos, and ukuleles are also acceptable. Pre-registration will simplify the on-site registration process in Wrocław. Please note that each participant must confirm their participation in the Guitar World Record attempt in person on May 1st.

Participant registration

Final registration for the Guitar World Record will begin on May 1st at 10:00 a.m. at the registration point on the southern side of Wrocław's Market Square, near the Aleksander Fredro monument. The registration point will be clearly marked, with signs and directional arrows to guide participants.

When registering, you must bring an instrument and be able to play "Hey Joe" on it.

Playing ability may be tested in questionable cases. Toy instruments or imitation instruments will not be accepted for registration.

Upon registration, you will receive a participant ID in the form of a wristband, which entitles you to enter the event area, and an official commemorative 2026 Record Holder Certificate.

T-shirts and other festival merchandise will also be available for purchase. A dedicated section with power connections will be available for electric guitarists – it’s recommended to bring an extension cord with a power strip.

Schedule – 1 May 2026

Concerts by invited guests and group music begin at 10:00 AM.

We will be playing on several stages and every guitar lover will find something interesting for themselves.

The programme of the main guitar events on 1 May will be available here soon.

It's worth being with us on May 1st, right at the beginning of the event!

As always, the "record" song is "Hey Joe" by Jimi Hendrix, but we will also play other guitar hits, the descriptions of which and instructions for learning can be found below.

Registration closes definitively at approximately 3:45 p.m., followed by a general rehearsal of the group performance of "Hey Joe." Don't wait until the last minute to register!

At 4:00 PM sharp, we begin our OFFICIAL ATTEMPT to set a new GUITAR WORLD RECORD AD 2026!

At approximately 4:15 p.m., this year's official results will be announced, we will play an encore, and the party in the Market Square will conclude.

We invite lovers of good music to further concerts by Polish and foreign stars as part of the 3-MAJÓWKA 2026 festival. A detailed program can be found on the festival website: www.3-majowka.pl.

Practical information from the original announcement

Shortly after the Guitar World Record attempt, special public transport will operate between Wrocław's Market Square and the Pergola and Centennial Hall, where the 3-Majówka festival is taking place. Trams will depart from the stop at the underpass on Świdnicka Street every 5 minutes from 4:30 PM.

Guitarists from outside Wrocław can stay at the Festival Campsite at 9 Wróblewskiego Street, approximately 400 meters from the Centennial Hall and Pergola.

On May 1st, starting at 11:00 AM, there will be an online broadcast on our website – join us in playing together online, and tell your friends at home and abroad to watch the guitar festival in Wrocław live.

See you in Wrocław – the City of Guitar!

If you've forgotten anything, don't worry – our volunteers will help you with everything.

▶

Listen and watch

▶