Holidays_in_Poland Holidays_in_Poland

Holidays in Poland - Definition and Overview

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

Holidays

DateEnglish NameOfficial Local NameRemarks
1 January New Year's Day Nowy Rok
Sunday in Spring (movable) Easter Sunday Niedziela Wielkanocna
Monday following Easter Sunday Easter Monday Poniedziałek Wielkanocny
1 May State Holiday Święto Państwowe This holiday is intentionally not called Labour Day (see below).
3 May National 3rd of May Holiday Święto Narodowe Trzeciego Maja This holiday is usually called Constitution Day.
7th Sunday after Easter Pentecost Sunday pierwszy dzień Zielonych Świątek As this holiday always fall on a Sunday it is not widely known.
9th Thursday after Easter Corpus Christi dzień Bożego Ciała
15 August Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Wniebowzięcie Najświętszej Maryi Panny
1 November All Saints' Day Wszystkich Świętych
11 November Independence Day Narodowe Święto Niepodległości
25 December 1st day of Christmas pierwszy dzień Bożego Narodzenia
26 December 2nd day of Christmas drugi dzień Bożego Narodzenia

The Picnic

Under communist rule the 1st of May was celebrated as Labour Day with government-endorsed parades, concerts and similar events. Following the 1990 changes, the Sejm decided to keep this day a public holiday but to give it the neutral name of State Holiday. In addition, the 3rd of May was created Constitution Day, so that Poles now have two public holidays within one week. It is customary to bridge the gap by taking a day's leave on the 2nd, and if the weekend falls favourably most Poles can enjoy nine work-free days while using up only three days of leave. For example:

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

It is usually impossible to do any business on the 2 May as all government offices, banks, shops, etc are closed on this date. This extended holiday period is known as The Picnic (Majówka).

In February 2004, the 2 May was named Flag Day; it was not, however, made a public holiday.

Example Usage of Holidays
mattmckee: Heading to Paris, KY to hang out with family. 8 of us riding in a van together. Now that's how you celebrate the Holidays. #fb #in
katjo718: Dear @Sephora, all I want for the Holidays is Harajuku Lovers Snow Bunnies Gift Set! #SephoraClaus
chriswhill: Holidays end up bugging me because I have no idea how to relax. I look forward to days off then I get bored.
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