Michiganders Celebrate Polish Heritage in Detroit Ahead of Fat Tuesday

Paczki parties at local distilleries and breweries draw crowds for paczki-flavored drinks, food, and Polish cultural festivities.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Hundreds of people gathered in Detroit over the weekend to celebrate Polish heritage and the upcoming Fat Tuesday holiday. Paczki-themed parties at Detroit City Distillery and Eastern Market Brewing Co. featured paczki-flavored liquor and beer, Polish food, and other festivities like ice sculpting and shot skis. The events highlighted Detroit's longstanding Polish community and culture.

Why it matters

The annual paczki celebrations in Detroit showcase the city's rich Polish heritage and traditions. As one of the largest Polish-American communities in the U.S., these events allow Michiganders to come together and honor their shared cultural identity ahead of the Lenten season.

The details

The paczki parties featured a variety of Polish-inspired drinks and dishes, including paczki-flavored vodka and beer, kielbasa sausage, and pierogies. Attendees also enjoyed live music, ice sculpting demonstrations, and communal shot-taking on "shot skis." The events have grown in popularity in recent years, with the distillery and brewery reporting record turnout this year.

  • The paczki parties were held on Saturday, February 14, 2026, ahead of Fat Tuesday on February 17.
  • Fat Tuesday marks the beginning of Lent, which starts on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

The players

Detroit City Distillery

A local distillery that has been making a special "Paczki Day Vodka" for the past 9 years, using real paczki doughnuts in the distillation process.

Eastern Market Brewing Co.

A brewery located near Detroit's Eastern Market that has been hosting an annual Paczki Beer event since opening in 2017, featuring a variety of paczki-inspired beer flavors.

J.P. Jerome and Mike Derksen

The owners of Detroit City Distillery who have continued the tradition of making the Paczki Day Vodka.

Jenny Golota

A 42-year-old Lansing resident who has been attending the Paczki Day Vodka event at Detroit City Distillery for years to celebrate her Polish heritage.

Dayne Bartscht

The owner of Eastern Market Brewing Co. who says the Paczki Beer tradition has grown since the brewery opened in 2017, with canned versions selling out every year.

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What they’re saying

“For the vodka, we get 100s of dozens of paczkis every year from (New Palace Bakery) Hamtramck, and we break them up, put them in the still, let them sit for a day then distill it so it comes out clear, tastes like raspberry and donut paczki. It's probably the low cal(orie) way of enjoying a paczki.”

— J.P. Jerome, Co-owner, Detroit City Distillery (freep.com)

“What makes it special is that it allows us to celebrate Detroit culture while showcasing the creativity that defines our brand.”

— Dayne Bartscht, Owner, Eastern Market Brewing Co. (freep.com)

“For me, as a good Polak, it (the event) is a testament to Detroit's Polish history and continuing moving forward what makes Detroit Detroit.”

— Elise Chom (freep.com)

What’s next

The paczki-themed events in Detroit will continue on Fat Tuesday, February 17, 2026, as the city celebrates the start of the Lenten season.

The takeaway

The annual paczki celebrations in Detroit showcase the city's vibrant Polish-American community and its enduring cultural traditions. These events allow Michiganders of all backgrounds to come together and honor Detroit's rich heritage through food, drinks, and shared festivities.