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Public Holidays in Poland: All that you need to know

Updated: Jan 3

Poland is known for its deep-rooted traditions, and its public holidays reflect the country's history, culture, and religious significance. With 13 official public holidays, Poland offers a unique mix of days off for celebration, reflection, and rest. This article explores the significance of these holidays from an economic and cultural perspective, their potential impact on productivity, and the possibility of adding a new public holiday.



1. How Public Holidays Work in Poland

Poland has 13 official public holidays, and if a holiday falls on a Saturday, employees are entitled to an additional day off. This practice ensures that the workforce doesn’t miss out on rest days due to the weekend overlap, making it worker-friendly.

In 2024, discussions are underway about the possible addition of December 27 as a public holiday, marking the Greater Poland Uprising, a significant historical event.

From an economic perspective, Poland’s balance of holidays and workdays is comparable to other European nations. These public holidays provide necessary breaks for employees, yet their concentration during the winter and spring can impact productivity in specific industries like manufacturing and services.

2. List of Official Public Holidays in Poland

Here’s a breakdown of Poland’s public holidays, their significance, and how they are celebrated:

  • 1 January – New Year’s Day (Nowy Rok) : Celebrates the start of the Gregorian calendar. A quiet day often spent with family or recovering from New Year’s Eve festivities

  • 6 January – Epiphany (Święto Trzech Króli) : A Christian feast day marking the visit of the Magi to Jesus. Many cities hold processions with participants dressed as the Three Kings

  • Easter Sunday and Easter Monday (Wielkanoc) : The most important holiday in Polish Christianity. Easter Monday includes the tradition of Śmigus-Dyngus, where people sprinkle water on one another for good luck

  • 1 May – Labour Day (Święto Pracy) : A day celebrating workers and labor rights, often marked with parades or political events

  • 3 May – Constitution Day (Święto Konstytucji 3 Maja) : Commemorates the Constitution of May 3, 1791, the first modern constitution in Europe. Celebrated with patriotic events and parades.

  • Pentecost Sunday (Zielone Świątki) : Celebrated 50 days after Easter, this Christian holiday is focused on the descent of the Holy Spirit

  • Corpus Christi (Boże Ciało) : A movable feast celebrated 60 days after Easter, marked by public processions displaying religious devotion

  • 15 August – Assumption of Mary (Wniebowzięcie Najświętszej Maryi Panny) : Celebrates the Virgin Mary’s assumption into heaven and coincides with Polish Armed Forces Day

  • 1 November – All Saints’ Day (Wszystkich Świętych) : A solemn day when families visit cemeteries to light candles and honor deceased loved ones

  • 11 November – Independence Day (Narodowe Święto Niepodległości) : Celebrates Poland regaining independence in 1918. The day is marked with military parades, speeches, and patriotic displays

  • 25 December – Christmas Day (Boże Narodzenie) : Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ with family gatherings, meals, and midnight Mass

  • 26 December – Second Day of Christmas (Drugi Dzień Świąt Bożego Narodzenia) : A quieter continuation of Christmas celebrations, often spent relaxing with family

3. Proposed Holiday: December 27 (Greater Poland Uprising Day)

Discussions about making December 27 a public holiday aim to honor the Greater Poland Uprising of 1918–1919, a significant event in Poland's fight for independence. If approved, this day would recognize the sacrifices of the people of Wielkopolska in regaining freedom.

4. Notable Celebrations That Are Not Public Holidays

While Poland has a robust calendar of public holidays, several important cultural and historical days are celebrated without an official day off. These include:

  • 8 March – International Women’s Day (Dzień Kobiet) : A day to celebrate women’s achievements, often marked with flowers and small gifts

  • 30 November – Andrzejki (St. Andrew’s Eve) : A night of fortune-telling traditions, particularly popular among young people

  • 6 December – Mikołajki (St. Nicholas Day) : Children receive small gifts in their shoes or stockings, marking the start of the festive season

  • 1 August – Warsaw Uprising Remembrance (Rocznica Powstania Warszawskiego) : A moment of silence at 5 PM honors those who fought in the Warsaw Uprising of 1944

Conclusion

Poland’s public holidays offer a fascinating glimpse into its history, culture, and traditions. They provide essential breaks for workers and opportunities for families and communities to come together. As the government considers adding new holidays like December 27, these days remain not just times of rest but reflections of the nation’s rich and evolving identity.


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