Family custom
On 24 December, families across Poland gather for Wigilia, the Christmas Eve supper. It traditionally begins when the first star appears, with the sharing of a thin wafer and good wishes for the year ahead.
Photo: Jakub Żerdzicki / Unsplash
24 December every year
Homes across Poland, and in Polish communities around the world.
Watch for the first star, share the opłatek wafer, enjoy a meat-free supper and sing carols together.
Wesołych Świąt!: Merry Christmas!
Wigilia is the traditional Christmas Eve supper in Poland, held on 24 December. The word comes from the Latin vigilia, meaning a vigil or watch. The supper is often called Gwiazdka, “little star”, because by tradition it begins when the first star appears in the evening sky, a reminder of the Star of Bethlehem. Since 2025, Christmas Eve has also been a public holiday in Poland.
Families set the table with a white tablecloth, sometimes with a little hay underneath as a reminder of the manger. Many lay an extra place for an unexpected guest, as a sign of hospitality. The supper often begins with a prayer and a reading about the birth of Jesus. Then everyone shares the opłatek, a thin wafer: each person breaks off a piece of someone else’s wafer while they exchange good wishes for the year ahead. The meal is traditionally meat-free, and many families aim for twelve dishes. Typical favourites include beetroot soup (barszcz) with little dumplings called uszka, mushroom soup, carp and herring, pierogi with cabbage and mushrooms, and poppy-seed desserts such as makowiec. Families sing carols, and many open presents after supper. Some attend Pasterka, the midnight Mass. Dishes and customs vary by region and family.
For many families, Wigilia is the most important evening of the year, a time to forgive, share and be together.
Try a Wigilia custom at home:
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If you are invited to a Wigilia supper, it is an honour. Arrive on time, be ready to share the opłatek and offer good wishes, and try a little of each dish. Christmas Eve is a public holiday, so check opening hours and transport times in advance.
The first star recalls the Star of Bethlehem. By tradition, the supper begins once it appears in the evening sky.
A thin wafer shared before the meal. People break off pieces of each other’s wafer while exchanging good wishes.
It is kept for an unexpected guest, as a sign of hospitality.
