New Year’s Day (Нова година, January 1) marks the beginning of the year in Bulgaria with family feasts and the Survakane custom, where children use decorated dogwood branches to wish health and prosperity. It is a national public holiday and most government offices, banks, and schools are closed.

Liberation Day (Ден на Освобождението, March 3) commemorates the 1878 Treaty of San Stefano, marking Bulgaria’s liberation from Ottoman rule. Patriotic ceremonies and wreath-layings take place nationwide, most notably at the Shipka Memorial and in Sofia’s Alexander Nevsky Square.

Good Friday (Разпети петък, Friday before Easter) is a solemn Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Many Bulgarians attend church services, and traditional customs encourage quiet reflection. It is a public holiday, with most businesses closed and a noticeably calm atmosphere nationwide.

Holy Saturday (Велика събота, Saturday before Easter) marks the day between the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Families prepare festive meals, dye Easter eggs - traditionally red - and bake sweet Easter bread (kozunak). Churches hold late-night services leading into Easter Sunday.

Orthodox Easter (Великден) is the most significant religious event in the Bulgarian calendar. The four-day holiday starts with Разпети петък (Good Friday) and ends with Велики понеделник (Easter Monday). Traditions include cracking red-dyed eggs and baking kozunak (sweet bread).

Easter Monday (Велики понеделник, Monday after Easter) continues the festive Easter period. Families visit relatives, share traditional food, and enjoy time together. As a public holiday, most workplaces remain closed, making it a popular day for relaxation and travel.

Second Day of Christmas (Рождество Христово, December 26) extends the Christmas celebrations with family visits and rest. Under Bulgarian law, if a Christmas day falls on a weekend, the following business day is designated as an official non-working day.

Saint George’s Day / Bulgarian Army Day (Гергьовден, May 6) honors Saint George, the patron saint of shepherds and the Bulgarian Armed Forces. It is marked by military parades in Sofia and traditional roasted lamb dinners in homes across the country.

Saints Cyril and Methodius Day (Ден на Светите братя Кирил и Методий, May 24) celebrates the Bulgarian alphabet (Cyrillic), culture, and Slavic literature. In 2026, May 24 falls on a Sunday, so Monday, May 25 is the official non-working day. It is marked by parades for schools, universities, and cultural institutions.

Unification Day (Ден на Съединението, September 6) commemorates the 1885 union of the Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia. In 2026, the holiday falls on a Sunday, so Monday, September 7 is observed as a public holiday. The center of celebrations is the city of Plovdiv.

Independence Day (Ден на независимостта, September 22) marks the 1908 proclamation of Bulgaria as a sovereign kingdom, ending its status as a vassal to the Ottoman Empire. Major historical reenactments and light shows are held in the ancient capital, Veliko Tarnovo.

Christmas Day (Рождество Христово, December 25) is a festive national holiday marked by family gatherings, caroling (Koledari), and church services. It is part of a nationwide public holiday period with most institutions closed.

Christmas Eve (Бъдни вечер, December 24) begins Bulgaria’s Christmas season with a solemn, meatless family meal featuring an odd number of dishes. Families gather and prepare for the Nativity celebrations, and most government offices, banks, and schools are closed.