Poland Immigrant Info

Easter in Poland (Wielkanoc)

Święconka baskets, the Easter breakfast, śmigus-dyngus water traditions, and what the long weekend involves.

Updated 2026-01-20 · 1 min read

Easter in Poland (Wielkanoc)
On this page
  1. Święconka — the blessed basket
  2. Easter breakfast
  3. Śmigus-Dyngus
  4. The long weekend

Święconka — the blessed basket

On Holy Saturday, families bring a basket of food to church to be blessed. The basket holds eggs (symbol of new life), bread, sausage, horseradish, salt, and a sugar lamb called baranek.

Easter breakfast

On Easter Sunday, the family shares a festive breakfast using the blessed food. A decorated egg (pisanka) is shared, with each person eating a piece for health.

Śmigus-Dyngus

On Easter Monday, people splash water on each other — a playful tradition. Expect to get wet if you go outside; keep a change of clothes handy.

The long weekend

Easter Sunday and Easter Monday are both non-working days, creating a long weekend. Transport runs on a reduced holiday schedule.

FAQ

Why do people throw water on Easter Monday?
Śmigus-Dyngus (Wet Monday) is a tradition where people playfully splash water on each other, symbolising spring renewal.
What is in a święconka basket?
Eggs, bread, sausage, horseradish, salt, and a sugar lamb (baranek) — taken to church on Holy Saturday to be blessed.

Sources

  1. Polskie Towarzystwo Ludoznawcze (Polish Ethnological Society) (updated 2026-01-12)

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