1JAN
New Year's Day
Thursday · Nowy Rok
Poland · Holidays
Public Holidays in Poland 2026
Poland has 14 statutory public holidays. On these dates offices are closed and normal retail is heavily restricted, but restaurants, hotels, transport and tourist attractions may still operate.
2026 calendar checked 17 August 2026
GOOD TO KNOW
A public holiday can change your travel day quite a lot.
Large shops may be closed, public offices will normally be shut, transport can run on a Sunday/holiday timetable and some museums or attractions may use special hours.
New for recent visitors: Christmas Eve — 24 December — is now a statutory day off in Poland. It was added to the official list from 2025.
FULL 2026 CALENDAR
Public holidays in Poland
Most shops closed
6JAN
Epiphany
Tuesday · Święto Trzech Króli
5APR
Easter Sunday
Sunday · Wielkanoc
6APR
Easter Monday
Monday · Poniedziałek Wielkanocny
1MAY
Labour Day
Friday · Święto Pracy
3MAY
Constitution Day
Sunday · Święto Konstytucji 3 Maja
24MAY
Pentecost
Sunday · Zielone Świątki
4JUN
Corpus Christi
Thursday · Boże Ciało
15AUG
Assumption / Armed Forces Day
Saturday · Wniebowzięcie NMP / Święto Wojska Polskiego
1NOV
All Saints' Day
Sunday · Wszystkich Świętych
11NOV
Independence Day
Wednesday · Narodowe Święto Niepodległości
24DEC
Christmas Eve
Thursday · Wigilia Bożego Narodzenia
25DEC
Christmas Day
Friday · Boże Narodzenie
26DEC
Second Day of Christmas
Saturday · Drugi dzień Bożego Narodzenia
WHAT CHANGES?
What should a tourist expect?
Shops
Normal retail is heavily restricted on public holidays. Petrol stations, pharmacies, some convenience stores and other legal exceptions may still operate.
Restaurants
Restaurants are allowed to work on holidays, but opening hours are business-specific. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day can be much more limited.
Public transport
Buses, trams and trains still run, but city transport often uses a Sunday or holiday timetable. Always check the current schedule.
Museums & attractions
Some remain open, some close, and others use shorter hours. Major holidays such as Easter and Christmas need extra checking.
Public offices
Government offices and most administrative services are closed on statutory public holidays.
Hotels & tourism
Hotels and tourism services may operate on public holidays because Polish labour law specifically allows work in these sectors.
DATES THAT SURPRISE VISITORS
Four holidays worth planning around
🐣 Easter Sunday & Monday
These are family holidays in Poland. Expect far fewer open businesses than on an ordinary weekend.
🕯 1 November — All Saints' Day
A huge number of Poles travel to cemeteries. Roads and public transport around cemeteries can be extremely busy.
🇵🇱 11 November
Independence Day brings official ceremonies and, in some cities, large marches or temporary road closures.
🎄 24–26 December
Do not leave grocery shopping or restaurant planning until the last minute. Christmas Eve is now an official public holiday too.
14 August and 28 December 2026 are not extra nationwide public holidays.
They were designated as substitute days off for members of Poland's civil service because 15 August and 26 December fall on Saturdays. Some government offices may therefore be closed on those dates, but ordinary tourists should not treat them as additional statutory holidays for everyone.
ONE MORE COMMON CONFUSION
Is 2 May a public holiday?
No. 2 May is Flag Day in Poland, but it is not a statutory public holiday. It sits between Labour Day on 1 May and Constitution Day on 3 May, so many people take annual leave and turn the period into a long weekend.
Practical effect: even on a day that is technically a normal working day, opening hours or staffing can feel unusual around a long holiday weekend.