The carnival in Poland starts after the Epiphany, i.e. after the 6th of January and terminates on Tuesday preceding the Ash Wednesday which is a start of the Lent. In the old Poland the carnival meant mostly parties and feasts till dawn. Tables were groaning under the weight of meat dishes. The most popular were game dishes prepared of the boar that was bagged earlier. The dishes were greasy, fried in lard which was added even to carnival cakes. Everything was washed down with strong alcoholic beverages such as vodka and mead.  The parties included sleigh rides and hunting.

Nowadays the tradition has partly vanished. It is surely the fault of a cold and unpleasant climate which does not favour such cheerful parties. Yet, during the carnival that starts on the New Year's Eve we party more than in other time of the year. Everyone goes to a ball or a party at least once.

Such carnival parties are organized for employees by many companies and the President of Poznań City invites to a special New Year's meeting in the Imperial Castle.

Lately a really snowy winter favours also organization of sleigh rides. Such reckless sleigh rides have been known for centuries. Polish gentry would ride in a beautifully ornamented sleigh. The passengers didn't feel the sharp frost or any cold thanks to the sleighs lined with bearskins and the fur coats they wore. The crazy sleigh rides were also organized by the highlanders.

This tradition has survived to this day. Always when the weather allows the owners of inns, boarding houses and studs invite to sleigh rides. Such rides may be also found in the offer of many travel agencies.

A sleigh ride usually starts at noon when it is frosty and snowy outside and the winter sun shines most strongly. We are often accompanied by the children who connect their sledges to the sleigh. It is important then to remember about safety and not to urge on the horses too much, so as to avoid accidents.

A few hours ride usually ends at dusk. If we don't feel like ending the party, we can light torches. Such night ride with torches is even more picturesque. The party usually ends with a bonfire, roasted mutton and mulled wine.

Traditionally the carnival ended with a so called "Fat Week" - a period of gorging and frantic parties. Today we only have "Fat Thursday" - the last Thursday before the Lent. On that day the confectioners in Poznań sell enormous amounts of doughnuts - deep fried, jam-filled dough balls. Although they are very calorific, on that day everyone must try them.

The carnival ends with Podkoziołek which is a traditional party organized on Tuesday evening preceding the Ash Wednesday. Following the tradition, the party should be ended at midnight.