Is 24 December a public holiday?

24 December is a working day, but shops close early. The public holidays are 25 and 26 December.

Do I give gifts on Christmas?

Yes, gifts are exchanged after the Wigilia dinner on 24 December, traditionally brought by Święty Mikołaj (Saint Nicholas).

Wigilia on 24 December, the 12 dishes, breaking the opłatek, and what a newcomer should expect over the Polish Christmas.

Updated 2026-01-20 · 1 min read

The most important family gathering is Wigilia on 24 December. The dinner starts when the first star appears in the sky.

A traditional Wigilia table has 12 meatless dishes (symbolising the 12 apostles or months), including:

Before the meal, family members share a thin white wafer (opłatek) and exchange good wishes. Everyone breaks off a piece of each other's wafer.

25 and 26 December are non-working days. Shops and offices close.

Is 24 December a public holiday?: 24 December is a working day, but shops close early. The public holidays are 25 and 26 December.
Do I give gifts on Christmas?: Yes, gifts are exchanged after the Wigilia dinner on 24 December, traditionally brought by Święty Mikołaj (Saint Nicholas).