Wigilia feast begins on December 24th, at the appearance of the first star. The supper begins with the breaking of the Christmas wafer (‘opłatek’, pron.: opwateck).

Traditionally, Christmas Eve is a fast day and no meat is served. The table is filled with 12 different dishes, symbolizing the Twelve Apostles – you’ll see the recipes for some of them below. For those who are religious, the Christmas Eve ends with the midnight mass (‘Pasterka’) at a local church. 

Any leftovers are served again on the Christmas Day – this time alongside dishes containing meat.

Vegetable Salad
Sałatka Jarzynowa

Sauerkraut & Mushrooms
Kapusta z Grzybami

Polish-style Croquettes) with Sauerkraut and Mushrooms
Krokiety z Kapustą i Grzybami

Pierogi also show up on a Polish Christmas table. Traditionally, the filling doesn’t contain any meat. 

The most popular stuffing? Wild Mushroom, Sauerkraut or a combination of both.

But first, try one of the following recipes for the pierogi dough:

• Classic Pierogi Dough (No Eggs)
• Easy Pierogi Dough with Sour Cream
• Gluten-free Pierogi Dough

Wild Mushroom Pierogi
Pierogi z Grzybami

Sauerkraut Pierogi
Pierogi z Kapustą

Poppy Seed Filling for Cakes and Desserts
Masa Makowa

It’s full of nuts and dried fruit. You’ll need this filling to make Kutia and Makowiec (Poppy Seed Roll)

Poppy Seed Roll
Makowiec Zawijany

Kutia: Poppy Seed Dessert
Wigilijna Kutia

Even more ideas:

• Kołaczki Cookies
• Ćwikła: Beet Horseradish
• Grzybowa: Wild Mushroom Soup
• Polish Spiced Mulled Wine
• Polish Mulled Beer with Egg

Christmas & Boxing Days
Pierwszy i Drugi Dzień Świąt

On 25th and 26th, meats are allowed again.
Some of the popular dishes include:

• Roasts (chicken, duck, goose, turkey, pork)
• Pâtés
• Stews (such as Bigos: Hunter’s Stew with Boar Meat)