New Year's Day

New Year's Day in Poland, known as *Nowy Rok*, is celebrated on January 1st and marks the beginning of the new year according to the Gregorian calendar. It is a public holiday, allowing Poles to relax and enjoy time with family and friends after the festive Christmas season. The celebrations often begin on New Year's Eve (*Sylwester*), with lively parties, fireworks, and gatherings that continue into the early hours of New Year's Day. Traditional Polish dishes, such as *bigos* (hunter's stew) and *pierogi* (dumplings), are often enjoyed during this time. Many people also attend outdoor events, concerts, or watch spectacular firework displays in major cities like Warsaw, Kraków, and Gdańsk. New Year's Day itself is typically quieter, with families spending time together, reflecting on the past year, and making resolutions for the year ahead. It is a time of hope, renewal, and optimism for the future.