Christmas Eve

The tradition of Wigilia dates back centuries in Polish culture, blending Christian customs with pre-Christian winter solstice traditions. While December 24 was traditionally a day of fasting and preparation for Christmas, the evening supper became the most important meal of the year. For generations, most Poles treated Christmas Eve as a non-working day despite its lack of legal status. In 2024, the Polish parliament passed an amendment to the non-working days act, making December 24 a statutory public holiday effective from 2025, bringing the total number of public holidays from 13 to 14.

Wigilia preparations begin in the morning with cooking the traditional dishes. The supper table is set with an extra place for an unexpected guest, and hay is placed under the tablecloth to symbolise the manger in Bethlehem. The meal traditionally begins when the first star appears in the evening sky. Family members share an opłatek (a thin, unleavened wafer) while exchanging wishes for the coming year. The supper traditionally consists of twelve meatless dishes, representing the twelve apostles. Common dishes include barszcz (beetroot soup) with uszka (small dumplings), carp, pierogi, and kutia.

After supper, families exchange gifts and sing Christmas carols (kolędy). Many attend the Midnight Mass (Pasterka), a tradition that draws large congregations. The atmosphere of Wigilia is one of warmth, togetherness, and spiritual reflection. It is considered the most family-oriented evening of the year in Poland, and many Poles who live abroad make every effort to return home for Wigilia.