Mark your calendars: Dyngus Day is set for Monday, April 21, 2025. Never heard of it? Dyngus Day is one of The Bend's truly unique cultural celebrations. It's rich in history, tradition and a lot of fun. Let's get you up to speed on one of the most anticipated social events of the year.
Places to Celebrate Dyngus Day
What can you expect on this celebratory Monday? Social clubs, restaurants and bars offer feasts of Polish sausage, noodles and sweet and sour cabbage. Families and friends gather — starting at 7 a.m. in some places — to share a drink and play cards. By mid-morning, the polka bands have started. Music and dancing takes over.
Local hubs for Dyngus Day include the Crumstown Conservation Club and the West Side Democratic Club. But they're far from the only places to celebrate. Although not an exhaustive list, the places below all have Dyngus Day events planned.
Note: Below is 2024 event information. Details will be updated closer to Dyngus Day 2025.
American Legion Post 284
Location: 23571 Grant Road, South Bend
Details: Opens at 11 a.m. with Polish sausage sandwiches and more.
American Legion Post 297
Location: 486 E. Michigan St., New Carlisle
Details: Dyngus Day Polish dinner from 5-7:30 p.m. for $15/plate.
American Legion Post 357
Location: 5414 W. Sample St., South Bend
Details: Doors open at noon. Live music by This End Up from 2-6 p.m. Food, dancing and raffles available.
Crumstown Conservation Club
Location:59440 Crumstown Hwy., North Liberty
Details: Doors open at 7 a.m. with $10 admission. Tony Blazonczyk's New Phaze plays live music from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with food available while supplies last.
DeAmici's Italian Club
Location: 302 W. 11th St., Mishawaka
Details: Opens at 1 p.m. with Polish food available from 2-6:30 p.m. or until it runs out.
DiLoreto Club
Location: 914 Division St., Mishawaka
Details: Open from 4-9 p.m.
South Bend Firefighters Local 362
Location: 4025 Lincolnway W, South Bend
Details: Doors open at 10 a.m. with free Polish food at 10:30 a.m. until the food is gone. Drink specials. Cover charge of $5 starts at 4 p.m. and live music by local band Blammo at 6 p.m.
West Side Democratic & Civic Club
Location: 617 S. Warren St., South Bend
Details: Doors open at 9 a.m. with $14 admission, which includes a Polish meal.
ZB Falcons Nest 80
Location: 323 S. Sheridan St., South Bend
Details: Opens at 11 a.m. Polish dinner available with sausage sandwich, kluski noodles and sweet and sour cabbage. Large pierogi and boiled eggs too. Cover charge is $5.
Dyngus Day History
Dyngus Day originated in Poland as a celebration of the March equinox. Because of our area's Polish population, the event soared in popularity around South Bend during the 1950s as a way to celebrate the end of the Lenten season. Since then, Dyngus Day has blossomed daylong celebration of dancing, eating, drinking and, yes, some political campaigning.
Local politicians will be out to meet the public and from time to time this has included some high profile names. Bobby Kennedy campaigned in South Bend on Dyngus Day in 1968. The Clintons did so in 2008. Former mayor Pete Buttigieg was a regular on the Dyngus Day circuit.
But Dyngus Day isn't all about politics.
It's often said everyone celebrates St. Patrick's Day, even if they're not Irish. Same goes for Dyngus Day in our area. Everyone is Polish on Dyngus Day.
