Shopping Sundays they fall in 2026 eight times. The calendar for this year leaves no doubt – trade restrictions remain in force, and shopping planning will require more attention. The more than three-month break between trading Sundays may come as a surprise.
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In 2026, stores will only be open on eight out of 52 Sundays. This is the result of the Act on Restriction of Trade on Sundays and Holidays, which has been in force since 2018. Exceptions to the ban mainly concern pre-holiday periods and selected months.
For consumers, this means the need to plan larger purchases in advance. The gap from August 30 to December 6 is particularly visible — it will not be possible to shop in large stores or shopping malls for 14 weeks.
When are shopping Sundays in 2026? There are eight trading Sundays in 2026.
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Mateusz Krymski / PAP / photos
According to the applicable regulations, in 2026 trading will be allowed on the following Sundays:
- January 25
- March 29 (Sunday before Easter)
- April 26 (Sunday before May Day)
- June 28
- August 30
- December 6
- December 13
- December 20
Traditionally, most shopping Sundays fall in December, when stores are preparing for the Christmas sales peak.
Shopping Sundays. Where can you shop on Sundays with a trading ban?
Despite the ban, some retail outlets remain open. The Act provides exceptions for:
— local stores up to 300 sq m, if the owner is behind the counter,
— post offices,
— pharmacies,
— gas stations,
— shops at stations and airports,
— catering outlets.
In practice, this means that on non-trading Sundays, consumers can buy basic products, but larger purchases or visits to shopping malls will only be possible on designated dates.
Shopping Sundays and trading ban. What do Poles say about this?
Trade restrictions have aroused emotions and divided society for years. Some Poles consider the ban to be an impediment to everyday life, others – especially trade workers – see it as an opportunity to have Sundays off. The long break between summer and December shopping Sundays may once again spark a debate on a possible extension of the list of shopping Sundays.
For now, however, the calendar for 2026 does not provide for any changes – Poles must prepare for eight shopping Sundays and a long autumn break from Sunday shopping in malls.
See also: Sunday trading divides Poles. A surprising opinion from Mentzen's electorate [SONDAŻ]
Shopping Sunday – controversy
According to a survey by Opinia24 for Radio Zet, which was conducted in May 2025, 42 percent respondents believe that Sunday trading should be restored. 49% are of the opposite opinion, while 8% has no opinion on this matter.
2025 was the first year when Christmas Eve was a public holiday. This means that you cannot do last minute shopping before Christmas Eve. Instead, Poles have as many as three shopping Sundays in December. It will be the same in 2026.
