Easter in Poland. What can you do in Krakow for Easter?

Easter in Catholic culture is celebrated in memory of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is a very old and important holiday in the Polish calendar, therefore its celebration is full of many rituals and traditions. The exact date of Easter is not constant and changes every year. Who and how regulates when is Easter in Poland?

The date of Easter in Poland

During the Council of Nicaea in the fourth century CE it was decided that Easter would be celebrated on the Sunday after the first full moon in spring. It has to do with the Gospels and the Jewish culture, especially the lunar calendar. This is why Easter in Poland has no fixed date. It is always between March 22^nd and April 25^th.

Easter traditions in Poland

How is Easter celebrated in Poland? Easter traditions go back to the Slavic times and combine folk rituals related to nature and the Christian culture. Easter is connected with symbols of victory over death, new life and hope.

An interesting phenomenon is the regional diversity of Easter traditions in Poland. Depending on the part of the country, you may encounter different traditions and customs. Apart from the festive Easter breakfast in all regions of Poland, Easter eggs are decorated, and people get sprinkled with water on Wet Monday.

Traditions throughout the Easter period

Preparing for Easter is called Lent. It lasts 40 days. The Polish tradition of Easter is extremely rich in symbols. Before Easter, families prepare decorations, including Easter eggs, as a sign of new life. Beautiful Easter palms are made to commemorate Christ's entry into Jerusalem, which, after blessing on Easter Palm Sunday, are believed to protect the household from misfortune and disease.

On Easter Saturday, certain food is blessed in the church. It is carried by whole families in an Easter basket. There should be an egg, a lamb, which is a metaphor of innocence and obedience, bread – meaning the body of Jesus, ham or sausage for abundance, salt to purify and scare away evil, pepper and horseradish to provide strength and cakes to symbolize human friendship with nature and the ability to create. The Easter basket is decorated with boxwood which, as it is green all year round, means persistence and eternity. This custom is supposed to bring blessing, abundance, and prosperity for the entire next year.

Polish Easter breakfast – the culmination of waiting and a feast of flavours

Easter Sunday is the most inspirational and joyful day. From 6 am, church bells announce the resurrection of Jesus Christ. After the Holy Mass, the families sit down to a ceremonial Easter breakfast. The Easter table is covered with a white tablecloth and decorated with boxwood twigs. The whole house is full of bunnies, chickens, cress, and other decorations in spring colours.

The Polish Easter breakfast begins with best wishes and sharing an egg. Traditional Easter dishes are dominated by sour rye soup, stuffed eggs, white sausage, pates, roasts, and hams. Easter cakes, shortcrust tart and cheesecakes are served for dessert. After breakfast, the children have to find gifts from the bunny. These are small surprises that are hidden in the garden or at home.

Polish Easter traditions – Wet Monday

One of the most liked and awaited by the youngest is the Polish tradition of Wet Monday. In Poland this is the only day when you can freely pour water on others. This fun not only symbolized cleansing but was supposed to promote fertility.

Easter in Krakow

Many interesting Easter ceremonies take place in the capital of Malopolska Region. Visiting Krakow during Easter time is a great opportunity to feel the magic of holidays and taste many unique dishes, as well as have a great time during many Easter events in Krakow from March till April.

On the second day of Easter, a church fair called Emaus takes place at the Norbertine convent. It is a colourful festival where you can taste traditional products or watch the works of local artists.

On the first Tuesday after Easter, visit Krakus Mound for Rękawka. This event hosts numerous artistic performances, competitions, and the wooden stalls tempt with delicious food and colourful souvenirs.

For true music lovers there is Misteria Paschalia in Krakow. It is one of the most important early music fests in Europe. The festival Misteria Paschalia takes place during the Holy Week before Easter. In addition to numerous concerts in the Main Market Square in Krakow, thematic performances about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are staged.

After watching the shows full of emotions and listening to amazing concerts of Misteria Paschalia, take a look at the stalls of the Easter Market in Krakow. You can buy

Christmas items, souvenirs, toys, jewellery and unique handicrafts here. After a break caused by the pandemic, the Krakow Easter Market in 2022 will bloom even more fully than before.

What is the weather like in Kraków in April?

Visiting Krakow at Easter, you can expect a little rain. Average temperatures during the day are between 10 °C and 20 °C. The sun is already high in the sky, and it is shining quite strongly. This is the perfect weather for family walks in and around Krakow.

Easter in Krakow will surely be an unforgettable experience and adventure for everyone.

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