A new IBRiS poll indicates changing Easter customs in Poland, with a focus on family, outdoor activities, and relaxation in 2026.
Changing Easter Plans
Poles plan to spend an average of 1008 zł during Easter, according to a study by IBRiS for PAP. The vast majority, 81.8%, intend to spend the holidays with family, a figure nearly identical to the 81.5% recorded in 2025.
One-third of respondents (38.0%) plan to spend the holidays engaging in activities like walking, cycling, or other sports, a decrease of 2.8 percentage points from 2025 (40.8%).
Decline in Traditional Activities
The survey shows a decrease in the percentage of people planning to watch television, movies, and series – from 22.3% to 20.9%. Conversely, more people are planning to rest, sleep, and do nothing in particular, increasing from 20.4% in 2025 to 24.7% in 2026.
Fewer respondents reported plans to work or study during the holidays (2.8% vs. 5.8% in 2025), while more are considering a spring vacation (7.9% vs. 6.3% last year).
Easter Traditions in 2026
The survey also examined the continuation of Easter traditions. 68.8% of respondents plan to have food blessed, while 58.3% practice Wet Monday (Śmigus-dyngus), and 51.4% prepare painted eggs (pisanki). 45.6% intend to observe fasting on Good Friday.
Less common, but still practiced, are Easter gifts from the Easter Bunny (30.4%) and participation in the Resurrection Mass (25.9%). Only 8.0% of respondents stated they do not practice any of these traditions.
Religious Observances
There has been a slight decrease in the number of people planning to participate in religious ceremonies and prayer – from 29.6% to 27.9%.
The most popular religious events include attending Mass on Palm Sunday (37.3%) and confession before the holidays (26.8%). Nearly one in five respondents (20.4%) plan to attend the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday, and a similar percentage (20.1%) intend to participate in the Way of the Cross on Good Friday.
12.4% will attend the Passion Liturgy on Good Friday, and 7.2% will attend Mass on Holy Thursday. Almost half of the respondents (47.0%) do not plan to personally participate in any of these rituals.
Popular Easter Dishes
The survey identified the most popular Easter dishes in Poland. Traditional foods dominate the Easter table.
Żur (sour rye soup) is the most frequently chosen dish, indicated by 24.2% of respondents. This is followed by stuffed eggs (12.2%), and white sausage (11.1%). Other popular choices include vegetable salad (9.2%), white borscht (8.7%), eggs in mayonnaise (8.5%), and mazurek (8.4%).
Less frequently chosen are glazed Easter cakes (7.9%), pascha (2.7%), and pâté (1.6%).
Methodology
The study was conducted using the CATI method from March 13-15, 2026, on a representative group of 1068 adult Poles. A comparative study was conducted on April 4-5, 2025, on a representative group of 1068 adult Poles, also using the CATI method.
