When is Fat Thursday? The Ultimate Guide to Sweet Tradition
- Damian Brzeski
- 2 hours ago
- 9 min read
Fat Thursday is one of the most anticipated holidays in the Polish calendar, associated with the smell of fried doughnuts and carnival madness.
In 2026, this sweet tradition will welcome us especially early, forcing us to plan our culinary supplies sooner.
The exact date of Fat Thursday
Fat Thursday is a movable holiday whose date changes each year depending on the lunar cycle.
This year (2026) we celebrate it on February 12 , which means a rather intense but short carnival period.
The table below will help you strategically plan your future celebrations and see when the time will come for doughnut madness in the coming years:
Year | Date of Fat Thursday | Day of the Week | Comments |
2026 | February 12 | Thursday | Early date, short carnival. |
2027 | February 4 | Thursday | Very early date, just after January. |
2028 | February 24 | Thursday | The term "medium", balanced carnival. |
2029 | February 8 | Thursday | Back to early February dates. |
2030 | February 28 | Thursday | Late date, very long carnival. |
How is the date of Fat Thursday calculated?
The mechanism for determining this date is closely linked to the date of Easter, which in turn depends on the first spring full moon.
The starting point is always Easter Sunday , from which exactly 52 days are subtracted. This number includes the 40 days of Lent, Sundays (which are traditionally not fast days), and the final days of Carnival.
As a result, Fat Thursday always falls on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday.
Fat Thursday, Ash Wednesday and Easter
Although for many of us it is primarily a holiday for those with a sweet tooth, in the Christian calendar it serves as an important marker of time.
Like an antithesis to the coming seriousness, it allows for the last moments of carefreeness before the period of penance.
Relation to Ash Wednesday: This is the last Thursday before Ash Wednesday, which in 2026 falls on February 18 .
Relationship with Easter: The holiday begins the symbolic countdown to the Resurrection, encouraging the body to be filled before the time of asceticism.
The meaning and origin of Fat Thursday
Have you ever wondered where this tradition came from? To understand the phenomenon of this day, we have to go back to a time when doughnuts weren't sweet at all.
Sacred History – From Paganism to Christianity
The roots of this day go deep into pagan times, when the departure of winter and the grand welcome of spring were celebrated.
Originally, eating fatty foods had a magical nature – it was believed that eating bacon and lard would ensure a fruitful year.
Christianity cleverly adapted these customs, giving them a framework for preparing for fasting.
Interestingly, sweet doughnuts appeared in Poland only between the 16th and 18th centuries, replacing hard bread balls stuffed with bacon.
Superstitions and beliefs: why do we eat doughnuts?
The most popular Polish superstition warns bluntly: "If you don't eat a doughnut on Fat Thursday, you will have bad luck."
In the past, it was believed that refusing to participate in a feast was a game of chance that could bring misfortune to the household.
Another charming custom was to hide a nut in one of the buds – the lucky finder could count on exceptional abundance throughout the coming year.
Culinary traditions of Fat Thursday
The modern celebration of this day is a true display of confectionery engineering, where tradition meets modern flavors.
Doughnuts as the undisputed symbol of the holiday
A good doughnut is one that has a distinctive light "ring" and isn't dripping with grease. In my experience, the key is adding rubbing alcohol to the dough , which blocks the absorption of oil during frying.
Classic: Donut with rose petal jam, frosted and sprinkled with orange peel.
Variations: Fillings with pistachios, salted caramel or advocaat are becoming increasingly popular.
Faworki, donuts and other carnival delicacies
Let's remember that doughnuts have strong competition in the form of crispy faworki, also known as chrust.
True faworki must be crisp and thin , which is achieved by vigorously "beating" the dough with a rolling pin to squeeze in as much air as possible. Cheese donuts and intricate carnival roses are also common on tables.
Can a doughnut be a hamburger?
An interesting trend I have been observing in recent years is the return to the "meat" roots of the holiday.
The Donut Burger is a proposition for the brave: a sweet, glazed doughnut replaces the traditional bun, surrounding juicy beef and bacon.
This combination creates a unique umami flavor profile that works surprisingly well with the carnival atmosphere.
Regional and international customs
While we love our doughnuts, it's worth looking beyond our Polish backyard and seeing how others are coping with the end of Carnival.
Combry Thursday and local traditions
In Lesser Poland, and especially in Kraków, the memory of Babski Comber is still vivid. Legend has it that the strict mayor Comber died on Fat Thursday, giving the vendors an excuse to party wildly.
This custom is still cultivated today, with spectacular performances in which women symbolically take power.
How the world celebrates? From Mardi Gras to Tsiknopempti
Italy (Giovedì Grasso): Chiacchiere reigns supreme here , the Italian equivalent of our angel wings.
Greece (Tsiknopempti): Known as "Smoke Thursday," it involves grilling huge amounts of meat.
Spain (Jueves Lardero): It's a sausage festival; instead of sweets, they eat omelettes with longaniza .
Germany (Weiberfastnacht): Women cut off men's ties, symbolically taking away their dignity.
The carnival context of the holiday
Fat Thursday is not only about food, it is above all a signal to start Shrove Tuesday – the most intense time of fun.
From Fat Thursday to Lent
This is the beginning of a six-day marathon of sleigh rides and balls, ending at midnight on Ash Wednesday. The origins of this day's "fatness" were once purely economic.
Before the strict Lent, housewives had to empty their pantries of fat, eggs, and dairy products. Frying doughnuts was the most delicious way to ensure nothing went to waste.
Alternatives for those with a sweet tooth: chocolate massage
If you're watching your figure or just looking for something different, I have great news for you.
Spa salons offer hot chocolate massage , which allows you to enjoy the scent of cocoa without adding calories.
It's a brilliant way to release endorphins and nourish your skin with polyphenols, providing a calorie-free alternative to traditional overindulgence.
Interesting facts about Fat Thursday
A few facts that might surprise you over a donut and coffee:
Scale of consumption: It is estimated that Poles eat about 100 million doughnuts on this day .
Average per person: Each of us consumes on average 2.5 doughnuts.
Luxury on a plate: In 2025, doughnuts covered with edible gold were a hit, reaching a price of PLN 100 each.
What awaits us in 2026? Experts predict that traditional rose will have to share the podium with pistachio and fusion flavors like miso caramel and yuzu.
We also appreciate quality more and more – we prefer to eat one artisan doughnut with real butter than several products from the supermarket.
It's your turn! Whether you choose the classic or the modern doughnut burger, remember one thing: calories really don't count on this day.
Where to eat the best doughnuts in Tricity?
The Tricity doughnut scene is highly polarized. In my experience, the key to success is combining traditional, fluffy dough with bold, premium fillings.
Each of the cities in the metropolitan area offers a slightly different culinary profile – from hot classics to extravagant gourmet desserts.
Gdańsk: The Kingdom of Tradition and Pistachios
Gdańsk relies on proven leaders who can maintain the highest quality on a large scale.
The place is dominated by places with a well-established reputation, such as Cukiernia Szydłowski , which is a regional benchmark for traditional baking.
An equally strong player is Baccate , which has monopolized the rankings in recent years thanks to the perfect balance of sweetness in its creams.
Name of the Entity | Location | Distinctive feature | Average Rating | Price (2025/26) |
Szydlowski | Słowackiego Street 37 | Pistachio, tradition | 9.9 / 6.0 | 10.00 – 12.00 PLN |
Baccate | Wilków Morskich Street 12 | Kinder Bueno, innovation | 9.5 / 5.8 | 12.00 – 15.00 PLN |
Wojski's Corner | 11C Wojskiego Street | Homemade jam | 9.3 / 5.8 | 8.00 – 11.00 PLN |
Majchrowski | 12 Lower Gate Street | Natural composition | 9.1 / 5.9 | 7.00 – 9.00 PLN |
Le Delice | Partyzantow Street 9/2 | Lotus-Plum, design | 5.6 / 6.0 | 10.00 – 16.00 PLN |
Gdynia: The cult of freshness straight from the pan
The Gdynia doughnut philosophy is based on simplicity and temperature.
The iconic Pączuś confectionary on Świętojańska Street has been attracting crowds for decades with its continuous frying system – doughnuts arrive in customers' hands while still steaming.
The new wave of craftsmanship is represented by Loav and Must Bake , serving doughnuts in the form of refined mono-portions with exotic fruits.
Institution | Address | Key Feature | Status |
Donut | Świętojańska Street 18 | Served hot | The icon of Gdynia |
Must Bake | Mysłowicka Street 20 | Sea buckthorn, salted caramel | Premium |
Loav | 13 Żołnierzy I Armii Street | Artistic monoportions | New Wave |
Formella | Morska Street 146 | Classic repetition | Traditional |
Sopot: Donut luxury and sentiment
Sopot is a place where history meets ultra-premium. Rydelek Confectionery has been serving its signature rose with icing since 1957, while Capuccino Cafe pushes the boundaries of luxury with its Dubai Donut (with kataifi pastry and pistachio) for PLN 49.
Location | Customer Profile | Top Product | Price (average) |
Spade | Traditionalist | A bud with a rose | 8.00 – 10.00 PLN |
Cappuccino Cafe | Connoisseur of trends | Dubai Donut | 19.00 – 49.00 PLN |
Pawlowicz | Tourist, youth | Donut with halva | 9.00 – 12.00 PLN |
Fit Cake | Diabetics, vegans | Keto Doughnuts | 12.00 – 16.00 PLN |
The most important trend in 2026, just like last year, is the dominance of pistachios and a return to the "meaty" roots in the form of savory variations.
If you are looking for authentic emotions, choose Gdynia; if you value solid craftsmanship – Gdańsk; and if you crave doughnut-like splendor – Sopot is unrivaled.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Fat Thursday and carnival traditions
We have prepared specific answers to the most popular questions about the dates, customs and culinary aspects of this unique holiday.
When is Fat Thursday in 2026? In 2026, the holiday falls on February 12.
What determines the date of Fat Thursday? The date is variable and depends on the date of Easter, falling exactly 52 days before Easter Sunday.
How to calculate the date of Fat Thursday? Determine the date of Easter and then count back 52 days or find the Thursday before Ash Wednesday.
What is Fat Thursday in Christian tradition? It's the last Thursday of Carnival, a symbolic farewell to the boisterous parties and fatty foods before Lent.
How many doughnuts does the average Pole eat? Statistically, there are 2.5 doughnuts per capita in Poland, which adds up to approximately 100 million doughnuts nationwide.
Why do we eat doughnuts on Fat Thursday? An old superstition says that not eating a doughnut on this day brings bad luck for the rest of the year.
How many calories are in one doughnut? A traditional doughnut with icing and filling typically provides between 300 and 400 calories.
What's the secret to the perfect doughnut? Adding a little rubbing alcohol to the dough prevents excessive fat absorption during frying.
What are faworki and how are they prepared? They are crisp, fried cookies (chrust), whose lightness is achieved by intensively aerating the dough with a rolling pin.
What is a doughnut burger? It's a modern culinary variation in which a cut doughnut replaces the bun in a hamburger filled with meat and bacon.
Are there vegan doughnuts? Yes, they're made without eggs or dairy, and fried in vegetable oil instead of lard.
How much does the most expensive doughnut in Poland cost? Doughnuts covered in edible gold and stuffed with saffron can cost up to 100 złoty each.
What was the Women's Comber? It was a Kraków tradition in which female merchants seized power in the city and forced men to pay a ransom in the form of a dance or a payment.
What is Fat Thursday called in other countries? In Germany it's Weiberfastnacht, in Italy Giovedì Grasso, and in Greece Tsiknopempti.
Is Fat Thursday always before Ash Wednesday? Yes, it is always the last Thursday before the beginning of Lent.
What is the difference between Fat Thursday and Pancake Tuesday? Fat Thursday falls on a Thursday, while Pancake Tuesday is celebrated in English-speaking countries on the last Tuesday of Carnival.
What's a calorie-free alternative to eating doughnuts? Spas offer hot chocolate massages, which deliver endorphins without consuming calories.
What doughnut fillings will be trendy in 2026? Pistachio cream and unusual combinations like salted caramel and miso are expected to dominate.
What were doughnuts before the introduction of sweet versions? Originally, they were hard balls of bread dough stuffed with bacon, bacon, or meat.
Can you freeze doughnuts? Yes, doughnuts can be frozen, but they taste best fresh, eaten the same day they are fried.
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