Is May 1st celebrated in Poland? Public holidays in Poland. November - Andrzejki
Each country has its own holidays, customs and traditions. Poland is no exception; in Europe, this country ranks second in the number of various holidays. There are holidays that were celebrated many, many years ago. And the traditions of the festival were passed on from generation to generation, there is something unusual and surprising in this. Adhering to centuries-old traditions, people feel a certain connection with our ancestors.
Everyone loves holidays, from old grandparents to small children. They distract us from monotonous, gray everyday life, and we look forward to a new holiday in order to have some fun and relax. This is not only a red day on the calendar, but also a special feeling of the soul and its inherent need. There are a very large number of holidays, they are official and unofficial.
There is a list of the most important and celebrated holidays
- December 6th is St. Nicholas Day
- On December 24 people celebrate Christmas Eve
- December 25th is the Great Christmas Eve
- On the night from December 31 to January 1, the whole country celebrates the New Year.
- On January 6, people celebrate Three Kings Day
- Also in Poland they celebrate before the Easter holidays, Palm Sunday and Holy Week
- Great Easter
- Feast of the Apparition of the Holy Spirit
- Feast of the Body of God
- The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on August 15
- From November 1st to November 2nd is the Day of the Dead/All Saints Day
- November 30th is Andrzejka's Day.
How Poland celebrates St. Nicholas Day (December 6)
Who is this Saint Nicholas?
He was a legendary bishop; Mikolay lived at the end of the 12th and beginning of the 14th centuries. He was very kind, friendly and had a big and generous heart, which had enough love for everyone. Notaries, fishermen, architects, sailors and girls who dream of getting married come to his face to pray.
In general, there are many different legends about this holiday. According to legend, early in the morning, while little children are still dreaming in their cribs, Saint Nicholas comes to them. He looks out the window to see what kind of boots the kid left behind; if they are clean, then Mikolay leaves a gift there, and if the boots are dirty, then he leaves a rod. There is another legend about St. Nicholas, it tells how he helped three girls find their happiness and get married, quietly giving them a dowry.
In the strange texts of the eighteenth century, one can trace the fact that even then children were given gifts on this holiday. These were apples, gingerbread cookies, gilded nuts and wooden crosses. This tradition has survived to this day, in Mikolajki, on the night of December 5 to 6, children are given various small gifts under their pillows while they sleep or in their shoes. Although not only children, adults can also please each other with all sorts of sweets on this day.
In Poland there is a well-known proverb associated with this day: “Leave the cart at Mikolaj, harness the sleigh.” And if it also snows on this day, then they say that it is St. Nicholas himself who is afraid of his beard.
Andrzejka Day in Poland (November 30)
At the end of autumn, Polish residents celebrate Andrzejka Day. This holiday was first mentioned back in 1557; it is the day of remembrance of St. Andrew the First-Called Apostle; usually this holiday is celebrated quietly, calmly in the circle of the closest people. The night of November 30 is mystical. Just like centuries, it is customary to guess back on the night of November 29-30.
Mostly, fortune telling rituals are performed by young, unmarried girls who want to look into their future and see their fiancé. There are a wide variety of fortune telling on this night. For example, in order to see her future betrothed, a young girl had to eat something very salty before going to bed, so that in her sleep she would be tormented by severe thirst. If she dreams of a young man bringing water, then this is her betrothed. There is also fortune telling using water and wax. Melted wax is poured into the water through the hole of the barn key, and in the resulting figure they try to discern the outlines of the face or figure of the future groom. Inventive girls often used pets in their fortune telling. The girls took the treat that, say, their dog loved, and each one laid it out on the floor, then they let the dog go, and whose first treat she ate, she was the first to get married.
Also in the old days it was believed that on this day all evil spirits woke up and girls, in order to protect themselves, had to draw a cross on their gate with garlic. For those who consider fortune telling a sinful act, there are other ways, for example, a girl can read Andrzejkov’s prayer at night, this will help her get married faster.
All Saints Day in Poland (November 1/2)
About 2000 years ago on this day, Celtic tribes celebrated the New Year. It was the time when autumn turns to winter, and it was considered mystical. Then it was believed that on this day creatures from the other world could go to the world of people, and people, in turn, could visit the other world.
In Poland, November 1 is the day when they remember all loved ones who have passed away. The Polish people treat dead people very respectfully and with great reverence. Closer to this day, in any store in the country you can buy znitsh, this is a lamp that is usually lit on this day, on the graves of your loved ones.
On this day, the cemetery is very illuminated, since literally on every grave such a lamp is lit, and not just one, but dozens. Before this, the graves are carefully cleaned and decorated with flowers. People also go to the graves of unknown Soldiers to honor their memory, bring flowers and light a lamp.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Poland (August 15)
In Poland, at the end of summer, the great feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated. In the Polish city called Czestochowa, there is a church in Jasna Guzhe (Jasna Gora), where the most vibrant religious festival takes place. This place is known, appreciated and respected by all of Poland. In the Yasnaya Guzha church, in the altar, there is a miraculous icon of the Mother of God, it is also called the Black Madonna. Thousands of Poles come to venerate and pray to this miraculous icon.
A lot of pilgrims from all over Poland and even from neighboring countries come to the city of Czestochowa for the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Dignitaries, as well as more than half a million believers, take part in the celebration. This happens very solemnly and brightly. The cardinal always reads a sermon to the people, which is shown on television throughout the country. Also, services are held throughout the country, attended by local authorities. A flag with papal colors is hung near the state flag.
Every year, on the Thursday after the Catholic Trinity, it is customary to celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi; this day is an official holiday throughout the country. This holiday exists in many countries, but in Poland it is celebrated on a special scale. In almost all cities of Poland, both small and large, festive processions take place on this day. And the houses that stand along the roads along which the processions take place are decorated with flags and flowers, and in almost every window of such a house there is an icon and a lit candle.
Usually in front of this entire procession is a clergyman who carries the body of Christ in a special monstrance. It looks like a round piece of white bread. Little girls in white dresses walk around him and scatter flower petals.
In eastern Poland there is a city called Łowicz; many tourists come there on this day to watch such a colorful celebration. All residents of the town, from old to small, come out, dress in very beautiful national clothes, go out into the street and carry flags, banners and statues decorated with multi-colored ribbons. In Poland, Corpus Christi Day began to be celebrated since the thirteenth century, and the first procession took place in 1320 in the city of Krakow.
Palm Sunday is a holiday that does not have a specific date; it is celebrated seven days before Easter. Palm Sunday began to be celebrated back in the Middle Ages. This day opens Easter week. During this week, people must prepare for the Great Holiday and cleanse themselves of sins. Every day of the Great Week before Easter is holy.
Palm Sunday is usually celebrated in churches in memory of when Jesus came to Jerusalem. Since medieval times, palm branches have been sacred on this day. In Poland, instead of palm branches, boxwood and dried flowers are used, as well as willow branches, as it is considered a symbol of the immortality of the soul. There are cities in Poland where people make palm trees themselves; their height reaches two or even three meters. These homemade palm trees are usually decorated with colorful ribbons, painted herbs and flowers. After the service takes place in the church, believers lightly hit each other with such bouquets with wishes of health and a rich harvest. And large branches are decorated with sweets and fruits, after which they are given to small children. The twigs that people light in the church are then brought into the house, dried and used as a talisman throughout the year.
In general, people begin to prepare for Easter on Maundy Thursday. On this day, everyone remembers the last supper of Jesus with his disciples. How Judas betrayed Jesus and how the savior was imprisoned. On this day, a service is held in the churches and during it a hymn called “Glory to God in the highest” is sung. When the anthem is sung, you can hear the loud ringing of bells. Believers also bring all kinds of gifts to the symbolic prison.
On Friday, different regions of the country had their own traditions, and they were mostly opposed to each other. For example, someone believed that this day was very suitable for sowing, while others, on the contrary, believed that it was impossible to do any work on this day. And in the old days, on the Friday before Easter, mirrors were covered as a sign of mourning. On this day, the Liturgy of the Lord's Torment takes place in churches; in the center of the church is the Cross of the Lord. It is covered with a purple cloth and placed in front of the altar. Everyone can approach this Cross when the cloth is removed and bow to it, but on this day the altar is curtained with black cloth. Also, an all-night vigil service was previously held; all night from Friday to Saturday, believers served at the Lord’s Hill, which is still installed in churches.
Just like in ancient times, food is sacred on Holy Saturday. Traditionally, this is a “priesthood” and Easter eggs – pysanky. Previously, wooden crosses were also blessed along with food, and then placed in the field so that a good harvest would grow.
Great Easter in Poland
A very long-awaited and joyful holiday for all believers in Poland. This holiday does not have a specific date; it is celebrated on the Sunday that comes after the first full moon in the spring. Before Easter, it is usually customary to observe strict fasting for forty days. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and Fat Thursday. On Wednesday, according to Catholic customs, the priest applies sacred ash to the forehead, which should remind the person that his life is fragile and impermanent. And Fat Thursday is the last day before Lent, when you can eat any goodies. When the last week of Lent begins, three days are celebrated. This is Maundy Thursday, the day of remembrance of the Last Supper. Good Friday is the day of Jesus' death. And Passion (Great) Saturday, the day when food is blessed.
The tradition of consecrating food began in Poland in the fourteenth century. In ancient times, they made a lamb out of dough and brought it to bless it. Now there should be seven products in the Easter basket, each of them has its own symbolic meaning. Let's say bread will bring good luck and profit. It symbolizes the body of Christ, which turned into bread. An egg in a basket means reborn life and victory over death. Since ancient times, salt has been a protection against evil spirits. Sausage is a sign of health and well-being. Cheese is a sign of friendship between man and nature, horseradish symbolizes strength and strength. Sweets are a sign of family and motherhood. Poles also put a figurine of a lamb in the Easter basket, which symbolizes the victory of Christ. The baskets in which people put food should be woven from natural materials, either straw or wood. The basket can be decorated with white lace fabric as a sign of celebration and joy.
On the night from Saturday to Sunday in the church there is a special liturgy dedicated to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. And in the morning, a festive service begins, after which the Poles gather with their closest people and treat themselves to blessed foods. Before starting the festive breakfast, people give each other colored eggs. Next, everyone sits down at a large table with a variety of goodies that should be prepared in advance. Traditionally, these include numerous sausages, pates, rolls, poultry dishes and cottage cheese. The festive table itself is decorated with the first spring flowers, as well as lamb made from dough, icing and sugar. After the family eats, the children go to look for their gifts, which, according to legend, are brought to them by the Easter Bunny.
The Monday following Easter is Watering Monday. On this day, in Poland it is customary to perform a ritual called “Smigus-dyngus”. It consists of guys pouring water on the girls and hitting each other on the legs with willow branches, thereby cleansing themselves of all sorts of diseases. Young people really love this kind of entertainment.
Three Kings Day in Poland (January 6)
Since 2011, this holiday in Poland is an official public holiday. Therefore, people have the opportunity to attend the service held in the church. Also on this day, colorful carnivals and processions take place. At such processions, people dress in bright carnival costumes, sing Kalends, and carry mangers and Christmas stars. The procession of the Three Kings takes place not only in Poland, it can be observed in America, Germany, Ukraine, and also Romania.
This holiday is associated with the evangelical events when the wise men brought gifts to the baby Jesus. It was gold, myrrh, and also frankincense. The Star of Bethlehem led them to the baby. It is still unknown exactly who these three wise men were. Some say that they were sages and magicians, but in Poland they are called the Three Kings. The Gospel indicates that the Magi came to little Jesus from the East, and based on Eastern traditions, it was impossible to come to the ruler without gifts. This means that these three people were not Jews, but residents of another country, and the fact that the Magi brought a gift to Jesus meant that they recognized him as their ruler.
There is also no exact information about what names they actually had, but Christians believe that their names were Balthasar, Caspar and Melchior. Their gifts brought to the little one, pastels, also had their meaning. Incense was a very expensive and meaningful gift. After all, with the help of incense, incense is performed in churches as a symbol of sacrifice to God. Gold has been a divine metal since ancient times. Gold has always been used to decorate objects associated with God. After all, on icons and in churches we always see either gold or gilding. By giving gold to Jesus, the wise men recognized his wisdom over all nations. Smyrna has been used since ancient times when the dead were buried. It was presented as a symbol of Christ’s sacrifice.
Nowadays, believers, remembering this event, consecrate gold, incense, water and chalk. In Poland on this day you can see on the doors a strange at first glance inscription with chalk illuminated in the temple, K + M + V, these are the initials of the Three Kings. Incense, which was illuminated on this day, was used to burn incense at home, against illnesses and evil spirits. Gold was passed along the neck, this also protected people from diseases and the evil eye.
On this day in the country, it is customary to bake a sweet almond pie. One whole almond nut was hidden in this pie; whoever found it was considered the almond king, and this nut was supposed to bring good luck to the person who found it.
Christmas Eve in Poland (December 24)
Since ancient times, there has been a tradition to celebrate Christmas Eve, Christmas Eve in Polish Wigilia. In the evening of this day, the whole family gathers at a large table, on which there should be twelve meatless dishes. Many Polish residents do not work on this day. All shops and supermarkets are open at reduced hours, only half a day. Also, towards evening, on this day, transport traffic decreases, and in small towns they stop running completely.
Typically, Christmas Eve is celebrated with family. You should sit down at the table when the first star appears in the sky. Before dinner, one of the family reads a passage from the Bible about the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. Then they read a short prayer and share a wafer with each other, this is a kind of Christmas bread, while wishing all the best and kissing. When sitting down at the table, the family always leaves one seat empty, so to speak, for a random traveler. This gesture is a symbol that the family is happy to welcome any wanderer with good intentions into their home.
Usually, on Christmas Eve, the festive table is set with a white tablecloth. Twelve dishes are prepared in honor of the twelve apostles. Festive dishes must necessarily be lean; these can be dumplings stuffed with cabbage and mushrooms, borscht with abalone, and a variety of fish dishes. It is also customary to bake fragrant gingerbread cookies and prepare kutia from wheat porridge with the addition of honey, raisins and nuts. It is not customary to drink alcohol on Christmas Eve.
Christmas bread wafers are usually placed in the center of the table, on a tray decorated with a napkin or hay. This bread is made from rectangular shaped unleavened dough. The Poles even have a tradition of putting a slice of such bread in an envelope and sending it to loved ones along with congratulations.
After the whole family has had dinner, they begin to sing beautiful carols; it is not customary to turn on the TV at this time. The house has a pleasant and cozy atmosphere.
Great Christmas Eve (December 25)
The great holiday of Christmas in Poland is celebrated on December 25th. Before Christmas, believers fast, the so-called Advent, which lasts until Christmas Eve. The Holy Supper in Poland is called Vigilla.
In Catholic churches these days they install a small house made of wood with a roof made of straw. Such a house is called a shopka; a manger is placed in it, in which little Jesus will lie. Near this small building there is a staircase along which a figurine of little Jesus is lowered. And when December 24th comes, a statue of Jesus is placed in a manger.
During the time of fasting, services are held in churches, which are called rorats. During such services, boys with glowing lanterns line up in two rows. When the service comes to an end, the boys approach the clergyman; on a tray that stands next to him on the table, there are pieces of paper with the names of these boys who took part in the service. And then it’s like a prank, the boys pull out pieces of paper and whoever gets a piece of paper with his name on it is given a figurine of Joseph and Mary. At home, the two boys who won pray to these figurines, and the next day they bring them back to the church so that other children can receive them.
In the Catholic Church, as in the Orthodox Church, there is a Christmas tree, beautifully decorated with various toys and garlands. Organ music is also played during the festive service.
In Poland, this holiday is very loved and revered. Poles celebrate it solemnly and cheerfully. Of course, people pay special attention to decorating their homes. This is a beautifully decorated Christmas tree with a variety of toys and garlands. Stars cut out of paper and all kinds of winter-themed applications. On this day, the table is already set with all kinds of non-lenten dishes. This can be jellied meat, cabbage rolls and other meat dishes.
Also, if Christmas Eve is celebrated with family, then on December 25th on Christmas Day you can already go to visit or invite friends to your place for a festive dinner. It should be noted that a family that has an acquaintance or friend who has no one to celebrate Christmas Eve with is sure to invite him to their place. Because there is a belief that no one should be alone on this holy holiday.
New Year in Poland (December 31/January 1)
New Year in Poland is also called St. Sylvester's Day. When Emperor Constantine reigned, there lived a bishop named Sylvester, who died on January 31, 335. There is a legend that says that Constantine was a pagan and carried out persecution of believers, as a punishment he fell ill with leprosy. But the sick man was healed as soon as Bishop Sylvester baptized him. After the miracle happened, Sylvester introduced privileges for believers, began building churches and declared Sylvester the head of the clergy.
Unlike Christmas, New Year in Poland is by no means a home holiday. Vibrant, massive celebrations are organized throughout the country. Every family tries to decorate their home both inside and outside. They put up a large New Year tree, beautifully decorated with festive balls and garlands.
People like to celebrate New Year's Eve in restaurants, in entertainment centers, or in the central square of their city, where mass New Year's festivities take place. People try to celebrate this holiday so that it is remembered and left in their memory as vivid impressions. It is traditional to set off all kinds of fireworks at midnight, open champagne and dance until the morning. On such a night there are many happy people on the streets, you can hear music, explosions of firecrackers and the joyful laughter of others all around. Also, if desired, people can give each other small but pleasant gifts.
Holidays are always positive emotions and joyful impressions. Our life would be boring and gray without this kind of celebration. Of course, everyone chooses for themselves to celebrate this or that holiday, but can anyone really refuse such a pleasure?
Every year, Poland celebrates a lot of holidays, both national and religious, which undoubtedly brighten the lives of citizens and guests of the state.
Naturally, every visitor should know about the most important celebrations, as well as the main weekends and rules for celebrating important dates. Let's look into this issue so that, while in Poland, you can fully enjoy its beautiful celebrations.
Polish holidays - general information
Poland has a number of major public holidays that have fixed dates. This is January 1, which is called here not just the New Year holiday, but Sylvester Day, May 1 (here it has nothing in common with the Workers' Day, traditionally celebrated in the CIS countries and is simply called a public holiday), May 3 is the day celebrated in honor of the Constitution 1791, January 6th - Feast of the Three Kings.
Poles also celebrate the day of independence from Russia, Austria, and Prussia, which falls on November 11. These holidays are the main ones.
However, migrants going here should also know about other holidays in Poland itself, since they may be asked about them during an interview on the Pole’s card. These are included here. Mother's Day - May 26, May 2 - Flag Day, May 8 - Victory Day.
They also celebrate March 8, February 14, June 1, and some other dates that are familiar to different cultures. There is also Teacher's Day, which is celebrated on October 14th. But March 21 is considered the only date when students are allowed to skip school, and they are not punished for this.
These are not days off, but you should still understand them.
The most important Polish holidays can rightfully be considered Christmas, which falls on December 25-26, Easter, Epiphany Day, Corpus Christi (all three dates are determined individually in each year and depend on the day on which Easter will be scheduled), as well as the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is celebrated on August 15, All Saints Day (Dziady) - November 1. On these days, masses in local churches are very magnificent; the dates are considered non-working for the entire population.
Almost all celebrations in Poland, be they national or religious, are celebrated strictly according to tradition. At this time, business life even in the largest cities like Krakow and Warsaw comes to a standstill (unless, of course, a public holiday falls on this date).
On the eve of the celebration itself, cities are decorated, special fairs and, of course, sales are held, especially before Christmas. Also, depending on the theme of the holiday, before it you can buy appropriate home decor or souvenirs.
Almost all religious celebrations are held quite magnificently in churches. But this is where the mass part of the festivities, as a rule, stops. Further, Poles celebrate certain days with families, although sometimes thematic festivals are organized in the country, but often not on the day of the holiday itself, but on the eve.
They will definitely be able to introduce you to all the delights of local festivities and provide an unforgettable, very fun holiday in this country.
At most national festivals dedicated to various special events in Poland, foreigners are allowed and even invited to participate. Usually such visitors are invited as guests of the event. You can get to especially noisy festivals and celebrations with tickets.
But traditional Polish fairs and festivities, for example, at Christmas, will not require this. You can also attend religious services completely freely.
Foreigners are also involved here in celebrations and as organizers. Representatives of charitable foundations, as well as persons collaborating with this country in the field of culture, can count on this. Such guests are usually invited in advance and provided with all the necessary conditions for a comfortable stay.
Weekends and non-working days in Poland 2018-2019
In addition to the usual Saturdays and Sundays for CIS residents, which are weekends in Poland, there are also several national non-working days. In addition to January 1, it is also November 1, December 25-26 (Christmas), May 1 and 3, November 11 in 2018, January 6, March 27 and 28 (Easter 2018), as well as May 15 - Epiphany Day, May 25 and August 15.
On non-working days, all small and large shops in Poland are closed, trading is considered illegal. Almost all of the holidays presented, except for some Catholic ones, will be repeated in 2018.
Remember this and do not plan any important matters related to visiting various authorities here, as well as shopping, on such dates.
Better give in to the general bustle and fun, and you can receive the most valuable gift from this country - wonderful impressions of local celebrations and the opportunity to have fun with the locals, who are especially friendly on such dates.
Celebrated on the basis of the Law on Non-Working Days of January 18, 1951. This law “bestows” 13 holidays on the Poles. Of this number, 3 have state status, and 9 have religious status (do not forget that this is an overwhelmingly Catholic state). New Year stands apart. On these days, Poles have a day off from work.
Public holidays
1st of May- Poles do not call Labor Day - it sounds simple and proud - Święto Państwowe i.e. a public holiday.
May 15 for 2016 - The first day of the green holidays is known to us as the Day of the Descent of the Holy Spirit (after Easter on the 7th Sunday).
May 26 for 2016 - Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ— (date falls on the 9th Thursday after Easter). (Uroczystość Najświętszego Ciała i Krwi Pańskiej).
August 15- Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (very revered by the Poles). Wniebowzięcie Najświętszej Maryi Panny - at the same time the Day of the Polish Army.(Święto Wojska Polskiego).
Holidays in Poland are divided into official and unofficial. During official holidays, almost all institutions, including banks and shops, are closed.
Official holidays include:
Easter, which is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring. The Monday following Easter Sunday is not a working day.
On Thursday of the ninth week after Easter, Corpus Christi is celebrated in Poland.
At the end of summer, on August 15, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated in Poland. According to legend, the Mother of God, buried in Gethsemane, ascended to heaven. And when the coffin was opened, a bouquet of roses was found in the coffin.
On November 1st, Poles celebrate All Saints Day.
On November 11, Poland celebrates Independence Day, which the country finally received only in 1918.
In addition to official holidays, there are unofficial holidays in Poland, which, nevertheless, are celebrated by Poles with pleasure.
Lovers of sweets, and especially donuts, will be attracted by a holiday called Fat Thursday. It is celebrated on the last day of Carnival.
Poles honor family traditions, so in this country there are holidays that are closely related to family traditions. January 21 is Grandmother's Day. Grandchildren of all ages congratulate their grandmothers. And the next day, January 22, grandfathers accept congratulations.
February 14 Valentine's Day / Valentine's Day
This holiday has been celebrated in Poland since the late 80s of the last century.
Labor Day, which is celebrated on the first of May.
A particularly important May holiday in Poland is Constitution Day., which is celebrated on the third of May.
The first Polish Constitution is the oldest in Europe. It was adopted on May 3, 1791, six months earlier than the French one. The socialist government of Poland did not welcome this holiday, but patriotic Poles continued to celebrate Constitution Day under socialism, albeit unofficially. In 1990, the May 3 Constitution Day was revived and officially declared a public holiday. An integral part of the holiday were thanksgiving services held in Catholic cathedrals throughout the country. There are also visits to memorials, and concert programs are organized in theater and concert halls and in open areas.
International Women's Day is also celebrated in Poland. Previously, when this holiday was considered communist, women were traditionally given carnations. In the modern world, women, as before, receive bouquets of flowers as a gift.
The students' favorite holiday is the First Day of Spring, which is celebrated on March 21. Children love this holiday because on this day they skip school.
The Poles also do not forget the international day of jokes - Prima Aprilis, which is celebrated on the first of April.
On the first day of summer in Poland, Children's Day is celebrated. On this day, parents pamper their children, buy them sweets, go to the cinema and the zoo.
Another family holiday is Mother's Day. May 26 Mothers are given flowers and gifts, and adult children come to visit their mothers.
Mother's Day in Poland (Dzien Matki) is a beautiful and warm holiday, both in terms of the time of year and the state of mind. This is also one of the most touching holidays, because every child from childhood until his last days carries in his soul a unique and unique image - the image of his mother, who will understand everything, will always regret and will selflessly love no matter what.
November 30 Andrzejki (Andrew's Name Day)
The name of this holiday comes from the name "Andrzej". On this day it is customary to guess the future.
December 6 Mikolajki (Saint Nicholas's Name Day)
According to tradition, on this day Saint Nicholas (Father Frost, Santa Claus, in Poland - Saint Nicholas) brings gifts to children and adults at night.
December 24 Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is not a day off in Poland, but institutions, offices, and shops are no longer open in the afternoon.
December 25 Catholic Christmas
After Christmas Eve, at 12 o'clock at night, Christmas mass begins in the churches.
December 31st Saint Sylvester's Day (Sylvester)
New Year's Eve in Poland is called Sylvester - after Saint Sylvester, a Roman bishop who died in 335.
To ensure that closed shops and cafes do not come as a surprise to you, be very careful when choosing your travel date, using our Weekend Calendar in Poland.
Most Poles, like Belarusians, work 5 days a week; accordingly, Saturday and Sunday are considered days off in Poland. Let us recall that last year the country’s government adopted a law banning trade on Sundays, so in 2019 only the last Sunday of the month will be considered working, with the exception of Easter Sunday and two Sundays in December, before and after Christmas.
On other weekends in Poland, supermarkets, shops, cafes, restaurants and other entertainment venues are open and even have extended working hours. But there are also public holidays in the country, when absolutely all owners of small and large businesses close their doors and celebrate at home with their families. On such days it is not worth going to Poland, because other than walking along deserted streets, there will be nothing to occupy yourself with.
In order not to get into such an unpleasant situation, we have made for you a calendar of public holidays in Poland, when every Polish city seems to be dying out: establishments do not work, and people spend time at home with their families.
So, let's figure out which days the official public holidays in Poland fall on in 2019:
Residents of Poland will have holidays in 2019 on the 1st (Tuesday) and 6th (Sunday) of January. January 1st Poles, like Belarusians, celebrate the New Year. January 6th Poles celebrate an important religious holiday called Epiphany.
The next holiday on the calendar is Easter. The Poles will celebrate 21 (Sunday) and 22 (Monday) April. Stores will not be officially open on these days.
In May the Poles will rest 1 (Wednesday) and 3 (Friday) numbers. Labor Day is celebrated on May 1, Constitution Day is celebrated on May 3.
In June, as in May, Poles celebrate two holidays: June 9 (Sunday)- Trinity, June 20 (Thursday)– Corpus Christi Day.
The next holidays in 2019 are planned in November 1st (Friday) And 11th (Monday) numbers. November 1 is All Saints' Day, November 11 is Independence Day.
Well, the last holiday weekend in Poland will be 25 (Tuesday) And 26 (Wednesday) December. At the end of the month (December 25 and 26), all Poles will celebrate Christmas. It is also worth noting that December 24 is a shortened day.
Calendar of weekends and holidays in Poland
Below is a calendar of weekends and holidays in Poland, when all points of sale will be closed. Be sure to check it out, especially if you plan to go shopping.
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