Paczki Day

Paczki Day History

Paczki Da is an annual celebration that involves the splurge of sweet, filled doughnut-like pastries known as paczki right before the Christian season of Lent. Not to be confused with ordinary doughnuts, paczki are dense, yeast-based pastries filled with a variety of jams, jellies, creams, or even prunes, and are typically covered with powdered sugar, icing or orange zest. The event is a precursor to the observance of Lent, signifying the need to use up lard, sugar, eggs and fruit, which are traditionally restricted during the fasting period.

The tradition of Paczki Day is believed to date back to the Middle Ages when it was a means of shrove Tuesday preparation for Lent. The practice traces its roots to Poland, where it was popularly known as 'Fat Thursday' or ‘tlusty czwartek.’ Eventually, the tradition found its way to Polish communities in the United States, especially in areas of Chicago, Detroit and other cities with significant Polish populations, where it is celebrated with much gusto.

The day is marked with paczki-centered events, parades, and gatherings, making it an indulgent last hurrah before the austerity of Lent sets in. In America, Paczki Day, also unofficially known as Fat Tuesday, falls on the day before Ash Wednesday, which varies every year depending upon the date of Easter.

Top 10 Facts for Paczki Day in 2026

• Traditional Paczki Day dough is distinctively richer and denser than that of a standard jelly donut because it incorporates a high volume of egg yolks, butter, and whole milk to create a texture similar to brioche.
• The inclusion of a small amount of grain alcohol, such as vodka or rum, in the dough is a technical secret that prevents the pastry from absorbing excess oil during the deep-frying process, resulting in a lighter finish.
• While many people in the United States refer to a single pastry as a "paczki," the word is actually the plural form of the singular pączek, which is pronounced similarly to "pohn-check."
• In Poland, the observance is primarily celebrated on Fat Thursday, known locally as Tłusty Czwartek, which occurs nearly a week before the Fat Tuesday festivities popular in American cities like Detroit and Chicago.
• According to a centuries-old Polish superstition, failing to consume at least one pączek during the carnival season will bring bad luck and an empty larder for the remainder of the year.
• The most authentic versions of these pastries are traditionally filled with wild rose petal jam or stewed plum preserves rather than the modern custard or fruit jellies found in many commercial bakeries.
• The city of Hamtramck, Michigan, serves as a major cultural hub for the holiday, hosting the annual Paczki Day 5K and massive street festivals that draw thousands of visitors to its historic Polish bakeries.
• Competitive eating events have become a hallmark of the celebration in the Midwest, where the current record-holders for the Paczki Eating Contest can consume more than two dozen of the calorie-dense pastries in under fifteen minutes.
• Because the tradition originated as a way to use up forbidden household items before the start of Lent, the authentic recipe utilizes lard for frying, though modern bakers often substitute vegetable oil for a milder flavor profile.
• The competitive eating record for these pastries stands at 23 items consumed in just 15 minutes, a feat achieved during a contest in Michigan.

In the News and Trending for Paczki Day

Top things to do for Paczki Day

• Enjoy some paczki. Notable bakeries like Bozek's Market and the New Martha Washington Bakery can be found in Michigan but local bakeries should sell the tasty pastries too.
• If you’re looking for healthy alternatives that are still as satisfying as regular paczki, you're in luck. Good Cakes and Bakes is a popular bakery in Detroit, Michigan that offers vegan and baked options. Baking paczki rather than frying helps reduce the amount of fat so you can still enjoy the delicious pastries while not feeling too bad about excessive calories.
• Watch Paczki: The Movie (2004) and see how it all started.