Polish citizens observe 13 public (bank) holidays in 2019. Most public holidays in Poland have a fixed date. The exceptions are the Easter Sunday and Monday, Pentecost and Corpus Christi. These are sliding holidays that depend on the first spring full moon. Only 3 public holidays in 2019 fall on the weekend. The bad news for relocated employees is that the when a holiday falls on Saturday or Sunday, it is not moved to the next Monday.
Expats, digital nomads, Erasmus students or relocated employees should also remember that offices, municipalities, schools and most shops and businesses are closed not only on public holidays but also on most of the Sundays during the year. Due to a new regulation, shops will be opened only on 15 Sundays in 2019 which are: January 27, February 24, March 31, April 14, April 28, May 26, June 30, July 28, August 25, September 29, October 27, November 24, December 15, December 22, December 29.
In 2020, there will be only 7 shopping Sundays in Poland: 2 before Christmas, 1 before Easter, and the last Sunday of January, April, June and August.
The trade ban doesn’t apply to restaurants, cafés, cinemas, petrol stations, pharmacies or small shops where the owner stands behind the counter and serves their own customers.
Here’s more information about each Polish holiday in 2019.
New Year’s Day
- January 1 (Tuesday)
- Shops and offices are closed
New Year’s Day is a day of rest after the exuberant celebrations of the last night of the year, called “Sylwester” after St. Silvester in Poland. But it’s not the end of the fun at all. The season of carnivals, balls and parties starts around this time. Although January 1 is much quieter than the New Year’s Eve with its fireworks, parties and midnight toasts, you can attend at least a couple of music concerts on this day. It is also a Catholic feast day and many people go to High Mass.
Epiphany
- January 6 (Sunday)
- Most shops and offices are closed
Epiphany or the Three Kings’ Day is a Christian holiday commemorating the visit of Three Wise Men to the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. It’s a day of street celebrations, parades and caroling in Poland. People dressed up in long white dresses and paper crowns go from house to house and sing a carol or perform the visit to the Christ Child. The symbols of gifts brought to infant Jesus are incense, water and chalk placed into three boxes. Christians also commemorate the baptism of Jesus Christ on 6 January.
Easter Sunday and Monday
- April 21 and 22 (Sunday and Monday)
- Most shops and offices are closed
The date of the holiday changes every year. Easter falls on the Sunday after the first spring full moon.
Easter ceremonies start on Ash Wednesday and culminate on Easter Sunday and Monday. Only the last two days are public holidays though. As in other European countries, ancient traditions and rituals are mixed with the Christian ones. People go to church services and often bring their food, including cakes in the shape of a lamb, bread, horseradish and much more, to be blessed during Easter. Most Poles carry a tradition called Smigus Dyngus on Easter Monday. It means that they pour water over each other, often boys and men over girls and women. This is a pagan tradition symbolising cleansing from illnesses and dirt. The most typical Easter artefact is a beautifully hand-painted egg called “pisanki” in Poland. People give these eggs to each other to bring them health, strength and success.
Labour Day
- May 1 (Wednesday)
- Most shops and offices are closed
Poland together with many other countries commemorate the massive demonstrations of the Chicago labourers in 1886 on 1 May. Being the most promoted holiday of the communist era, Labour Day is controversial in Poland. Most people just enjoy the nice spring weather, stay outside and spend time with their families.
Constitution Day
- May 3 (Friday)
- Most shops and offices are closed
Poland enacted the first Constitution in 1791. It is the oldest constitution in Europe and the second one in the world after the U.S.. Polish citizens are very proud of this act and celebrate it every May 3 all across the country. They hold military parades, exhibitions, concerts and speeches. All towns and cities fly the national flag. People gather by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw’s Pilsudski Square to pay tribute to all of the soldiers who died while fighting for the freedom of Poland. As May 1 and 3 are both public holidays, many people take a day off on May 2 too and enjoy three days of a May holiday called “Majowka” in Polish.
Pentecost or Whit Sunday
- June 9 (Sunday)
- Most shops and offices are closed
The date of the holiday changes every year. Pentecost depends on Easter and is set seven weeks after Easter Sunday.
Pentecost is a Christian holiday. According to the Bible, the Holy Spirit descended to the apostles on this day. The faithful go to special Pentecost Masses. This time of the year Slavs used to practise fertility rituals and celebrated the final prevail of spring weather in the past. Some of these traditions are still present nowadays. Pentecost is often called Green Holiday. People decorate their homes and churches with green branches and flowers. Kids often play a hide-and-seek game with a Green man dressed up in leaves hiding in a forest.
Corpus Christi
- June 20 (Thursday)
- Most shops and offices are closed
The date of Corpus Christi changes every year. It depends on Easter and is set on the ninth Thursday after Easter Sunday. It’s common for Poles to take the Friday off too and enjoy a prolonged weekend.
Corpus Christi is another important Christian holiday celebrating the communion. Corpus Christi means the body of Christ symbolised by bread used during the holy communion. Most people take part in special masses and processions singing hymns and praying. They often wear traditional folk costumes and carry banners. Children throw flowers on the ground. People also decorate their homes with flowers and religious pictures and decorations.
Assumption of Mary
- August 15 (Thursday)
- Most shops and offices are closed
Assumption of Mary commemorates the Virgin Mary being taken up to Heaven. Polish Catholics attend church masses on this day. Some of them make a pilgrimage to the church in Jasna Gora. August 15 is also the Polish Army Day and Poles commemorate the anniversary of the victorious Battle of Warsaw in 1920 during which Poland defeated the Russian army. Church services and ceremonies are held in memory of the Polish soldiers.
All Saints Day
- November 1 (Friday)
- Most shops and offices are closed
1 November is a day when people attend masses to remember and pray for all saints and martyrs. It is also known as a Day of the Dead. People remember their beloved deceased relatives, visit their graves to lay wreaths, decorations and lit candles. Typical flowers of this season are Chrysanthemums. The following day, November 2, is known as All Souls' Day. Despite the Christian establishment of both holidays, their origin reaches as far as the ancient pre-Christian Slavic times.
Independence Day
- November 11 (Monday)
- Most shops and offices are closed
11 November 1918 was the day of the establishment of the independent Polish state after hundreds of years under foreign dominion. This holiday was suppressed during the communist era between the years of 1939 and 1989 but is now being observed again, since the fall of the communist regime. The first president and father of independent Poland was Józef Piłsudski. Nowadays the most important ceremony is held in the Piłsudski Square and the highest state officials join it. You can attend the festive changing of the guard at Poland’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, or join the Independence Run in Warsaw, along with parades, concerts and ceremonies all across the country. People also attend special masses and pray for the well-being of their country.
Christmas Day
- December 25 (Wednesday)
- Most shops and offices are closed
Polish Christmas starts on Christmas Eve 24 December. Whole families gather after the first star appears on the sky and enjoy a festive dinner consisting of 12 dishes symbolising 12 months or the 12 apostles. Dishes include: a beetroot soup served with mushroom dumplings, bigos, carp, herring or another fish and poppy-seed rolls and honey cakes for dessert. Before the dinner starts, all diners share one wafer. Then it’s time to distribute Christmas presents and sing carols around the Christmas tree. Later in the evening, people go to Midnight Mass. Though 24 December is an important day in Poland, it’s not a public holiday.
The first day of the Christmas holiday is December 25, the day of Jesus Christ’s birth. Polish Catholics go to church, enjoy visiting the wider family along with more feasting and presents.
2nd Day of Christmas
- December 26 (Thursday)
- Most shops and offices are closed
The Second Day of Christmas is also known as St Stephan’s Day (Saint Szczepan in Polish) who was fighting for the Christians faith. People spend it similarly to the previous day. They go to church, visit their loved ones, eat, drink and simply enjoy themselves.
In Poland, most of the population professes the Roman Catholic faith and, therefore, the core of celebrations take place in and around the church. As holidays such as Easter, Pentecost or All Saints’ Night have pre-Christian roots, the ceremonies and traditions are usually a mix of the ancient folk and Catholic rites. A significant part of national holidays take place in the streets and include parades, so it’s worth visiting Poland at these times to enjoy the spectacle.
Are you looking for a (luxury) furnished accommodation in Warsaw or for a short-term room rental in the same city? Then try Flatio! We have furnished flats or rooms for Erasmus students as well as accommodation for any other students.
