The Whimsical Dyngus Day Festival In Cleveland You Don’t Want To Miss
By Nikki Rhoades|Published March 28, 2022
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
To those outside of Cleveland, Dyngus Day, otherwise known as Śmigus-dyngus or Wet Monday, might sound like a made-up holiday. Clevelanders are very familiar with this Roman Catholic holiday, however, thanks to a significant Polish population in the area. Locals know that Dyngus Day is an awesome opportunity to get to know the culture of Greater Cleveland, as it puts food, dance, and camaraderie in the spotlight. Are you excited to check out the best Dyngus Day Festival in Cleveland? Mark your calendar, because this upcoming event is one you won’t want to miss.
On Easter Monday, Cleveland (and other Polish American communities across the U.S.) looks particularly festive.
Around the world, many cultures celebrate the Monday after Easter Sunday as a public holiday. Egypt celebrates Sham Ennessim, Germany holds Easter egg races and worship, and in Italy, Pasquetta is celebrated with a countryside picnic. Here in Cleveland, Easter Monday means the community comes together.
This buzz of excitement is for Dyngus Day, a celebration of Polish culture, food, and influence.
In Poland, Śmigus-dyngus is a massive celebration. One of the oddest traditions involves boys splashing girls with water and slapping them with pussy willow branches. This, supposedly, brings fertile spring rains to the region, and the only way to get out of a soaking is to bribe the boys with an offering of a painted egg. (Of course, on Tuesday, many boys are then subject to revenge splashing... and now you know where the "Wet Monday" nickname comes from!)
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While people all over the city celebrate in different ways, the biggest local celebration can be found in Gordon Square.
You don't want to miss out on celebrations happening around town, but you also will want to budget a bit of time to swing through Gordon Square. This unusual celebration is too much fun to skip!
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Here, polka, piwo (beer), and paczki work together to create a celebration that's unforgettable.
This outdoor event, presented by The Ohio Lottery, is a street festival reminiscent of community gatherings in Europe. There's laughter and culture galore... and you just might make some new friends.
There are a number of places offering traditional Polish dishes for festival attendees to dig into...
After Paczki Day in Cleveland, it can be challenging to find places serving up this coveted Polish treat. However, paczki returns with fervor on Dyngus Day, and this celebration offers the perfect opportunity to stock up again.
During Dyngus Day, the city turns red. You can purchase merch now to plan ahead, or you can plan to wear your finest red gear for the celebration.
Dressing up is a Cleveland tradition! Be ready to see a sea of red during your time in Gordon Square.
If you have traditional Polish outfits, those are welcome at the celebration, too. Just don't be surprised if you are mistaken for a dancer or member of the polka band!
Polka, believe it or not, is deeply ingrained in Cleveland's identity. The National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame and Museum will be repping this coveted music during the event, but you can swing by the museum anytime to learn about its local influence.
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Speaking of polka, you can check the schedule in advance to make sure you don't miss the best musical performances and DJs.
Can't make the event? Log on to Facebook to see the event live-streamed from the Dyngus Day Cleveland page.
If you’re looking for the best Dyngus Day Festival in Cleveland, you won’t want to miss this upcoming event in Gordon Square. What are you most looking forward to seeing at the festival? (It’s the food, isn’t it?! We don’t blame you one bit… this is a chance to truly indulge!)
Looking for more exciting Cleveland festivals to attend? Check out our list of upcoming annual events in Cleveland, and don’t forget to mark your calendar!
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