Summer in Poland: public holidays, shopping Sundays, observances & celebrations
Shopping Sundays in Poland in the summer of 2024
June 30 and August 25 are shopping Sundays in Poland in the summer of 2024. You can learn more about the Sunday trade ban in Poland in our post: Shopping Sundays in Poland.
Public holidays and celebrations in Poland in the summer of 2024
- June 1
Children’s Day
Kids receive gifts. Schools and kindergartens host special events for kids – picnics, concerts, games, sports competitions, etc. There are many events for children organized all over Poland by the city authorities, institutions, theaters, and restaurants.
- June 9
European Parliament election in Poland
In 2024 voters will elect 53 Members of the European Parliament in Poland. Anyone aged 18 or over can cast a vote. More in English about how to vote.
- June 21
End of the school year in Polish schools
The last day of the school year is celebrated with speeches, concerts, shows. Teachers get flowers. Parents of younger kids usually take a day or a few hours off to participate in the ceremonies. In 2024, the school year will resume on September 2. Click here to read our post about summer and winter school breaks in Poland.
- June 22
The first day of summer
The beginning of astronomical summer is also the longest day of the year. The sun will rise at 4.14 am and the sunset will start at 9 pm. Click here to read more about the weather in Poland in the summer.
- June 23
Father’s Day
It’s not as loudly celebrated as Mother’s Day, however, each mother makes sure that children at least hug their father;)
St. John’s Night / Wreaths (Noc Świętojańska / Wianki)
The holiday has a pagan background (a pagan name is Sobótka meaning fire). Nowadays, it is mostly the opportunity to celebrate midsummer with various festivities, including concerts, singing songs, or bonfire jumping. Women wear wildflower wreaths that are later thrown into rivers or ponds.
- August 1
Warsaw Uprising Remembrance Day (Dzień Pamięci Powstania Warszawskiego)
The anniversary of the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising in 1944 against the Nazis. At precisely 5 pm all the Warsaw city sirens sound and lots of cars and pedestrians stop to commemorate and contemplate people who died in 1944.
- August 15
Polish Army Day
Bank/public holiday in Poland. Polish Army Day is marking the 1920 breakthrough battle called Cud nad Wisłą (the Miracle on the Vistula River) between the Poles under Marshal Piłsudski and the Bolsheviks. The main celebrations are held in Warsaw, usually at Pilsudski Square (Plac Piłsudskiego), including parades and the president’s speech. August 15 marks also the Assumption of Mary celebrations in Poland which focus on The Sanctuary of Jasna Góra in Częstochowa – on August 15 a pilgrimage (pielgrzymka) destination for many people walk hundreds of kilometers for days from all over Poland. Stores, malls, shopping centers are closed, and only some smaller local convenience stores can be open (eg. Żabka). You can do basic shopping at gas stations (24h).
Subscribe to our monthly newsletters in English to explore Poland and learn about Poland! Once a month you will receive a Newsletter: ‘Explore Poland with Kids‘. You will find there family-friendly destinations in Poland – beautiful places in Poland worth visiting with children – from city break destinations to hiking in the mountains (lots of practical tips!); things you can’t miss in Poland in a given month; dates to remember, holidays, observances in Poland in a given month so you can mark your calendars accordingly.
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