Whit Sunday, or Pentecost, is a Christian holiday to remember the Holy Spirit’s descent (Zeslanie Ducha Swietego) upon Jesus’ disciples. It is a national holiday in Poland seven weeks after Easter Sunday.
Is Whit Sunday a Public Holiday?
Whit Sunday is a public holiday. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.
In 2025, it falls on a Sunday, and some businesses may choose to follow Sunday opening hours.
What Do People Do?
Many churches in Poland open their doors for special services on Whit Sunday. Some people decorate their homes with greenery, especially branches with green leaves, hoping that God’s blessings will come to their families and homes.
Public Life
Whitsunday is an official public holiday in Poland, so schools, banks, government offices and most private businesses are closed. There is a trade prohibition on public holidays in Poland. People intending to travel via public transport during public holidays must check with the public transit authorities on any changes to time schedules.
Background
Whitsunday/Whit Sunday, or Pentecost, does not fall on the same calendar date each year but is set seven weeks after Easter Sunday. According to the New Testament in the Bible, the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to “speak in other tongues” on the day of Pentecost. Whit Sunday is also celebrated in many other countries in the world.
Symbols
Pentecost is also referred to as the “Green Holiday”, as some houses in Poland are decorated with green branches to symbolize God’s blessing on these homes. Another symbolic tradition, which is becoming less common, is a procession to fields to bless crops.
While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know.