Fat Thursday in 2026 falls on February 12i.e. six days before Ash Wednesday, which opens the Lent period. In Polish culture, this transition is ritual. The donut, although it seems like an ordinary baked product, is a symbol of the last consent to abundance. In folk tradition, it was even treated as a talisman of prosperity – it was believed that fatty foods eaten on this day would bring prosperity in the coming months. This way of thinking has survived in the form of a modern custom that connects generations and creates one of the most recognizable culinary celebrations in Poland.
In 2026, it also gains a clear economic context, because it falls just two days before Valentine’s Day. For confectioneries, bakeries and confectionery factories, this means accumulation of demand, which was already visible in industry data in 2025. Growing interest in premium products – donuts fried in traditional lard, prepared in butter and stuffed with jam with short ingredients – shows that consumers are increasingly guided by the quality and authenticity of recipes. This, in turn, strengthens the position of small craft workshops that build their brand through high quality products, history and local ingredients.
In the liturgical calendar Fat Thursday is not a church holiday, but a day embedded in folk traditionwhich immediately precedes the period of strict religious discipline. In the old practice of the Church, it actually meant the end of the time of dietary freedom – from Ash Wednesday, strict fasting was in force, and during the following weeks of Lent, the consumption of meat, dairy products and animal fats was limited. Hence the custom of intensively using supplies of eggs, butter and lard in the last days of carnival.
The history of Fat Thursday goes back much further than the Christian calendar. Already in ancient Rome, feasts were organized at the end of winter, full of fatty foods and alcohol. The food was supposed to “in reserve” strengthen the body before the period of sacrifices.
The custom became established in Poland in the 16th century. Interestingly, the first donuts were not sweet at all. They were filled with bacon or meat. It was only the development of confectionery in the 17th and 18th centuries that brought yeast donuts with fruit filling. Putting an almond or nut inside had a magical meaning – the finder was supposed to count on luck and abundance.
Today donut it is a symbol of community, both in offices, schools and offices. According to data from the National Confectioners’ Association (forecasts published at the end of 2025), An average Pole eats 2 to 3 donuts on Fat Thursdayand total sales may have exceeded 100 million units nationwide.
Aesthetics are also changing. In addition to the classic ones, there are pistachio and citrus versions with creams inspired by Middle Eastern or Asian cuisine. The “Dubai” donuts trend, launched in 2024, continues to evolve, but more and more emphasis is placed on fat quality, dough fermentation and short ingredients.
In Polish customs, Fat Thursday was associated with a number of beliefs that were supposed to ensure prosperity and prosperity. In many regions it was believed that Refusing refreshments on this day brings bad luckand eating at least one donut is a guarantee of prosperity for the whole year.
Old ethnographic records also mention about the custom of frying donuts together with neighbors – the more of them were created, the greater abundance was expected on the farm. It was also believed that the first batch of dough should be prepared in silenceso as not to “scare” happiness. The hostess who was frying the donuts had to remain cheerful, because her mood would be transferred to the taste of the baked goods.
More humorous superstitions also persist in some parts of the country. One of them was the belief that the person who eats the most donuts on Fat Thursday will have an exceptionally successful social year. Fortune telling on the shape of donuts was also popular – evenly grown ones were supposed to herald peace and stability, while those with cracks were interpreted as an announcement of changes.
Although modern celebrations are primarily culinary in nature, many of these ancient beliefs still exist in conversations, anecdotes and family traditions, creating a colorful cultural layer that gives Fat Thursday a unique, almost ritual character.
