Christmas Eve in Poland (Wigilia), December 24 Christmas Eve Dinner – kolacja wigilijna – is the most important Christmas celebration in Poland. Upside-down Christmas tree, southern Poland Without them, Christmas in Poland … Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and is a time of religious observances and prayer. [2], Traditionally, the Christmas trees are decorated with glass baubles, garlands and many homemade ornaments including painted eggshells, shiny red apples, walnuts, wrapped chocolate shapes, candles, etc. Mioduszewski [ca; eo; pl] in a book called Pastorałki i Kolędy z Melodiami (Pastorals and Carols with Melodies). December is full of holiday events in Poland, beginning with St. Nicholas Day on December 6 and stretching all the way into the new year with the Epiphany one month later. The night before is called ‘Wigilia’ and the three week period prior to the Christmas celebrations is called Advent. Christmas in Poland is a major annual celebration, as in most countries of the Christian world. It's the most special and meaningful day of the year. [2], During Advent and all the way until Epiphany, or the baptism of Jesus (day of January 6), the "gwiazdory", or the star carriers walk through the villages. Typically, people watch for the first star to appear in the night sky before sitting down to eat, because Christmas Eve is a day for fasting. The Wigilia feast begins at the appearance of the first star. https://culture.pl/en/article/polish-christmas-eve-traditions St. Nicholas Day, Dzien Świętego Mikołaja, falls on December 6th and it is the unofficial start of the Christmas season in Poland, even though Advent, which usually begins a week before, is the official kickoff. In the old days, people carried these wafers from house to house wishing their neighbors a Merry Christmas. Polish Christmas Traditions. This Christmas tradition happens normally just before the main supper. As presents are unwrapped, carollers may walk from house to house receiving treats along the way. As opposed to many other countries, the 24th of December is THE Christmas day when the main celebration takes place. [2], In Poland, Christmas Eve is a day first of fasting, then of feasting. A Visitor's Guide to Russian Christmas Traditions, Celebrating Christmas in the Czech Republic, What to Expect on Your December Trip to Warsaw, Poland, Christmas in Scandinavia: Traditions, Events, and Foods, Experience Diverse Christmas Traditions in Lithuania. Polish Christmas tree. Nowadays, opłatek is mostly shared with members of the family and immediate neighbors before the Christmas Eve supper (Wigilia in the Polish language). In Poland, the traditional Christmas feast occurs on Christmas Eve, or Wigilia, a day that holds equal importance with December 25. In Poland, the traditional Christmas feast occurs on Christmas Eve, or Wigilia, a day that holds equal importance with December 25. Some practice the superstition that an even number of people must be seated around the table. Later influences include the mutual permeating of local traditions and various folk cultures. Christmas Holidays commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. However, while Germanic traditions, like decorating trees, have spread so far as to be unsurprising, Polish customs remain delightfully distinctive. Explore Zakopane, Poland’s winter capital of ski hills and spas, and experience a traditional torch-lit sleigh ride through the mountain snow followed by a bonfire with roasted kielbasa and hot mulled wine. The former day of Christmas is the December of 26th. Others partake in the practice of placing money under the tablecloth for each guest, in order to wish for prosperity in the coming year. Families travel from all over the country to gather on Christmas Eve. A traditional Wigilia supper in Poland includes fried carp and borscht (beetroot soup) with uszka (ravioli). This was a great moment for my husband to practice his Polish skills with my family haha Twelve dishes on the table. People try not to have excess of anything. Fish doesn’t count as meat in terms of Catholic fasting though, that’s why they’re the most common part of Christmas Eve supper. Christmas is a magical time in Poland during which animals are said to speak and forgiveness is offered to those who have offended. As you might know, Poland is a very religious country. [2], On the night of Christmas Eve, so important is the appearance of the first star in remembrance of the Star of Bethlehem, that it has been given an affectionate name of "the little star" or Gwiazdka (the female counterpart of St. Nicholas). The Christmas festivities in Poland begin on December 6, this day is known as St. Nicholas Day (Mikołajki in Polish), and unofficially it is the beginning of Christmas in Poland.During this day all good children in Poland receive small gifts (fruits, cookies and … This is a final chance to overindulge in tasty treats that shouldn’t really be consumed during the Christian Lent festival.