Paczki Day

Paczki Day is a holiday cherished by people with a sweet tooth around the world. In most years, it falls in late February or early to mid-March. Paczki Day is celebrated on “Fat Thursday,” the last Thursday before Lent begins. This is a time when people indulge in sweets, pastries, and marshmallows before the fasting period starts. In many European countries, it is traditional to bake and eat pancakes, doughnuts, or paczki on this day.

History

Paczki Day has deep historical roots. As Christians prepared for Lent, they would traditionally spend the week beforehand enjoying festive foods and entertainment. During this period, eating meat was already forbidden, but dairy products were allowed. In most countries, this week is called “Butter Week” or “Cheese Week.” People visited each other and baked pancakes, pies, and doughnuts. Paczki—a type of doughnut with a sweet filling—originated in Poland and later became popular worldwide.

Interesting Facts

Many interesting traditions and facts are associated with this day:

• In the United States, doughnut-eating competitions are very popular;
• In several countries, there are doughnut-throwing contests;
• Doughnuts are a high-calorie treat because they are fried in a generous amount of oil.

Paczki come with a variety of fillings, but fruit jam and dulce de leche (boiled condensed milk) are the most common. They are often topped with chocolate or a sugar glaze.

How to Take Part

Celebrate Paczki Day with a tea party featuring doughnuts, but it’s best not to eat more than three or four at a time, as they can be heavy on the stomach. Donut-eating contests are not recommended since they may lead to discomfort.

It’s also a great idea to make your own doughnuts at home. You’ll need a deep pan or fryer to heat the oil for frying, and be sure the oil is hot enough before adding the dough.

When is Paczki Day in 2026?

Paczki Day is observed on the Thursday in the week before Ash Wednesday each year.

Observations