Holidays in Poland

Holidays in Poland are regulated by Non-working Days Act of 18th January 1951 (Ustawa z dnia 18 stycznia 1951 o dniach wolnych od pracy) — Journal of Laws, No. 4 of 1960, item No. 28. After changes in 1990, Act defines twelve Public Holidays.

Holidays

DateEnglish NameOfficial Local NameRemarks
January 1 New Year's Day Nowy Rok
Sunday in Spring Easter Sunday Niedziela Wielkanocna
Monday in Spring Easter Monday Poniedziałek Wielkanocny
May 1 State Holiday Święto Państwowe This holiday is intentionally not called Labour Day (see below).
May 3 National Holiday of 3rd of May Święto Narodowe Trzeciego Maja This holiday is usually called Constitution Day.
7th Sunday after Easter Pentecost Sunday pierwszy dzień Zielonych Świątek As this holiday falls on Sundays it is not widely known.
Thursday in June Corpus Christi dzień Bożego Ciała
August 15 Assumption of Mary Wniebowzięcie Najświętszej Maryi Panny
November 1 All Saints Day Wszystkich Świętych
November 11 Independence Day Narodowe Święto Niepodległości
December 25 1st day of Christmas pierwszy dzień Bożego Narodzenia
December 26 2nd day of Christmas drugi dzień Bożego Narodzenia This holiday is not connected with Boxing Day.

The Picnic

During communist reign May 1st was celebrated as Labour Day with governemnt endorsed parades, concerts and similar events. After changes of 1990, the Sejm decided to keep this day a public holiday renaming it to neutral State Holiday. Additionally, May 3rd was created Constitution Day, so now Poles have 2 Public Holidays within one week. It is customary to fill May 2nd with leave and if weekend fall favorably most Poles can have 9 free days spending only 3 days of leave. This can be achieved as follows:

  1. Saturday (weekend) on April 28
  2. Sunday (weekend) on April 29
  3. Monday (1st day of leave) on April 30
  4. Tuesday (Public Holiday) on 1 May
  5. Wednsday (2nd day of leave) on May 2
  6. Thursday (Public Holiday) on 3 May
  7. Friday (3rd day of leave) on May 4
  8. Saturday (weekend) on May 5
  9. Sunday (weekend) on May 6

It usually impossible to do anything on 2nd of May as all governmental offices, banks, shops, etc are closed during this day. Those extended holidays are called The Picnic (Majówka).

In February 2004, 2nd of May was created Flag Day, it was not however, made public holiday.


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