In Poland, the 12-dish meatless Christmas Eve dinner is called Wigilia.
Wigilia is held on December 24 and traditionally begins after the first star appears in the sky. The name comes from the Latin vigil, meaning a watch or vigil, reflecting the evening’s religious anticipation of Christmas. It can also refer more broadly to the entire Polish Christmas Eve observance.
The meal traditionally contains 12 dishes, symbolizing the 12 Apostles. Common foods include beetroot soup with mushroom-filled uszka dumplings, herring, carp, sauerkraut, pierogi, mushroom dishes, poppy-seed desserts and dried-fruit compote. Meat is traditionally excluded, although fish is widely served.
Wieczerza or wieczerza wigilijna can describe the supper, but Wigilia is the standard, widely recognized name for the Polish Christmas Eve tradition. Families may vary the menu and the exact number of dishes while preserving the custom’s central meaning.