Every Polish month of the year is different and has its own characteristics. The diversity of weather and landscapes of each season is unbelievably amazing. Listed below are the Polish months with their original Polish names and their most interesting features.
Table of Contents
Styczeń (stih-tchen)
January in Poland = short days, long nights, it’s very cold.
The first month of the new year is very cold and very long. This month in the Polish language means, that the old year meets the new year. According to tradition, it is worth making some New Year’s resolutions. Cause, as they say, what the beginning of the year, such a whole year.
As well, on the 6th of January is Epiphany and the beginning of the carnival. It is a great opportunity to read a book, meet friends, make a snowman or prepare some tasty and healthy juices.
Check out my post about bank holidays in Poland to read about all the Polish celebrations throughout the year.
In January, the sun typically rises at 7 am and goes down at 4 pm! The day is really short and often there is no sun visible in the Polish sky in January.
Polish saying about January–> Gdy w styczniu mrozy i śniegi, będą stodoły po brzegi, gdy styczeń mrozów nie daje, prowadzi nieurodzaje. That means that cold January guarantees good harvest in the summer.
Luty (loo-tih)
February in Poland = Carnival and Pączki (Donut) Day
The last month of the winter season and at the same time the shorter month in the Polish calendar. If you are a fan of winter sports such as skiing, ice skating, or snowboarding, enjoy them exactly this month.
Remember, it is still very cold and full of snow, make sure that you will stay warm and dry. Nothing will warm you better, than a cat sleeping on your legs. Maybe that’s why, on February 17th, we celebrate Cat’s Day.
The most important Polish February holiday is Tłusty Czwartek (Fat Thursday), celebrated last Thursday before Lent. It’s all about donuts, the more you eat, the better!
If you want to read more about it, check out my post about Tłusty Czwartek on my Polish food blog.
In February, the sun typically rises at 6:30 am and goes down at 5 pm.
Polish saying about February –> Idzie luty, kuj buty. That means that you need to get your shoes ready because the winter is going to be really cold.
Marzec (ma-zhetz)
March in Poland = Women’s Day & the beginning of the spring
This is the month of big joy because of the welcoming spring after cold winter. March, 21st is the first day of calendar spring.
In Poland, this month, following the tradition, Marzanna needs to be drawn. That’s the symbolic way to say goodbye to the winter. Usually, Marzanna looks like an effigy that needs to be burned or drowned to ensure fertility.
In March, the sun typically rises at 6 am and goes down at 6 pm.
Polish saying about March –> W marcu jak w garncu. That means that you can expect any kind of weather in March, from warm and sunny days to a really cold winter.
Kwiecień (kfye-tchen)
April in Poland = Easter, beautiful weather.
Nature starts to be fully alive. Everything blooms, the colors of flowers explode, and the temperature is rising. Every day is warmer and warmer. Easter is celebrated in this Polish month (very rarely at the end of March), one of the most important Christian holidays.
In my opinion, the last week of April is the most beautiful of the entire year. You can really see the entire world changing in just a few days. The flowers blooms and everything is more colorful.
In April, the sun typically rises at 5:30 am and goes down at 8 pm.
Polish saying about April –> Kwiecień plecień, bo przeplata, trochę zimy trochę lata. That means that the weather is changing rapidly in April. One day is like winter, and the other is like summer.
Maj (my)
May in Poland = Long weekend, getting ready for the summer.
Some people are saying that this is one of the most beautiful Polish months of the year. It’s probably because of the fact that nature is fully awake and delights with the colors of trees and plants. In the meadows, it shimmers with a variety of hues.
The name of this month comes from the name of the goddess Maia, patroness of life and fertility. In Poland 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of May are non-working days, so it is a great opportunity to go for a short vacation.
In May, the sun typically rises at 4:30 am and goes down at 9 pm.
Polish saying about May –> W maju jak w gaju. That means that everything is green, and the nature is breathtakingly beautiful.
Czerwiec (tcher-vyetz)
June in Poland = the End of the school year, the beginning of the summer.
This is the first month of the Summer season. Normally, the weather is very good, and it’s a real pleasure to spend a lot of time outside with friends or family.
June 21st is the summer solstice of the sun, and in Poland, the day is the longest and the night is the shortest. A very magical event falls on the night of 23 to 24 June, and this is Saint John’s Eve, it is a holiday of fire, love, sun, moon, and happiness.
In June, the sun typically rises at 4:00 am and goes down at 9:30 pm! So we have really long days (and that’s awesome :)).
Polish saying about June –> Czerwiec daje dni gorące, kosa brzęczy już na łące.. That means that it’s warm enough to start harvesting.
Lipiec (leep-yetz)
July in Poland = summertime!
This is the first-holiday Polish month, it is time to go on a vacation. The days are long and super warm. Those who stay in the cities can enjoy many free events. As well, they can look for a bit of chill and shadow near the rivers or lakes.
This month in the Polish language means the time of flowering of lindens, which for many Slavs were the sacred trees.
In July, the sun typically rises at 4:30 am and goes down at 8:30 pm.
Polish saying about July –> Lipcowe upały, wrzesień doskonały. That means that hot July guarantees good weather in September.
Sierpień (sher-pyen)
August in Poland = summertime!
The eighth month of the year in the Polish calendar is the time of harvest and accumulation of stocks for the upcoming winter. This is the month of which the closing summer season, slowly vacation is over, and soon it’s time to go back to school.
On August 15th, a very important religious feast takes a place, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On the same day, Poles celebrate the day of the Polish army.
In August, the sun typically rises at 5 am and goes down at 8 pm.
Polish saying about August –> Gdy w dni sierpnia spieka wszędzie, tedy długa zima będzie. That means that hot August guarantees long winter.
Wrzesień (zhe-shen)
September in Poland = the beginning of the school year.
The name of this Polish month comes from the lings that are blooming in this period. On September 23rd, there is an equinox, and it is the beginning of amazing Polish autumn, full of various colors of leaves and breathtaking landscapes. It is a great time for mushroom picking.
On the 1st of September, children and young people return to school.
In September, the sun typically rises at 6 am and goes down at 7:30 pm.
Polish saying about September –> Wrzeszczy wrzesień, że już jesień. That means that September is bringing the fall.
Październik (pahzh-dgher-neek)
October in Poland = the most colorful month of the year!
Autumn is in full swing. It’s a good time for long walks and collecting autumn gifts like chestnuts or acorns. You can also take pictures of this explosion of colors.
On the last weekend of October, the time changes from Summer to Winter.
In October, the sun typically rises at 6:30 am and goes down at 5:30 pm.
Polish saying about October –> Gdy październik ciepło trzyma, zwykle mroźna bywa zima. That means that warm October promises cold winter.
Listopad (lee-stoh-pahd)
November in Poland = the ugliest month of the year.
In the Animal world, this is the month of establishing the Winter order. Many of them fall into a winter sleep, which will last until Spring. It is also a month of falling leaves, the enormity of which creates colorful carpets.
November is a month dedicated to the memory of the dead. On November 1st, we visit the graves, organize them, and light candles. In the cemeteries, there is a solemn mood full of concentration and respect.
November in Poland is usually cold, depressing, and rainy.
In November, the sun typically rises at 7 am and goes down at 4:30 pm.
Polish saying about November –> Jaka pogoda listopadowa, taka i marcowa. That means that the weather in March will be exactly as in November.
Grudzień (groo-dgehn)
December in Poland = Santa Day and Christmas!
Last, but not least. This is a very beautiful and magical winter month. The beginning of calendar winter. For many people, it’s a favorite month because of the number of celebrated holidays. The name of the month in Polish comes from the word „gruda”. The frozen ground is covered with those solid small blocks.
December’s holidays are:
– 6.12 – Saint Nicholas Day
– 8.12 – Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
– 24.12 – Christmas Eve
– 25.12 – Christmas
– 31.12 – New Year’s Eve
Read my post about Christmas in Poland.
In December, the sun typically rises at 7:30 am and goes down at 3:30 pm.
Polish saying about December –> W pierwszym tygodniu grudnia, gdy pogoda stała, będzie zima długo biała. That means that if the weather is the same every day in the first week of December, the winter will be long and white.
Read also–> Days of week in Polish.
