Public holidays in Bulgaria

The official public holidays, days off, and school holidays for 2025 in Bulgaria have been confirmed, with several long weekends and breaks planned throughout the year.

The longest holiday of the year will be during Christmas, spanning five days. Christmas Eve, which falls on a Wednesday, will lead into the Christmas holiday, lasting until Sunday, December 28.

On May 6th, Bulgarians commemorate St. George's Day, a significant occasion intertwined with the nation's history and traditions. Renowned as the "Day of Courage of the Bulgarian Army," this holiday pays tribute to the valor and bravery exemplified by Saint George, a revered figure in both religious and cultural contexts.

In a departure from tradition, Bulgaria has announced the cancellation of the annual military parade featuring equipment and personnel on May 6, the Day of Courage and the Bulgarian Army. The decision was communicated by the Acting Minister of Defense, Atanas Zapryanov, citing the overlap of the Easter holidays with St. George's Day and the Day of Courage and the Bulgarian Army.

Current calendar of public holidays in 2023. See which days are non-working and the possibilities of combining vacations with holidays

The following days are non-working and public holidays in 2023:

January 1, 2023 - New Year.

March 3 - Liberation Day of Bulgaria from Ottoman slavery.

Twice as many foreign tourists and higher prices for the upcoming holidays. These are the forecasts of experts in the tourism industry. About half a million people will be able to afford a holiday in Bulgaria, and about 60,000 abroad. Despite the measures, there are already resorts where all places are occupied.

According to the Gospel tradition, Jesus Christ was born on December 25 in Bethlehem, so, with the differences in calendars, that date is respected in the entire Christian world as the beginning of a new era and a new history of mankind.

Christmas festivities began on Dec. 25, with hundreds of millions across the world under coronavirus restrictions celebrating a pared-down version of a holiday typically marked by travel and large gatherings.

St Paul's Anglican Church has arranged to hold its Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services online via Zoom this year. For details and registration codes, visit anglicanchurchathens.gr, where copies of the service sheet will also be posted.

Citizens who will choose to share their Christmas day or New Year's lunch with family or friends should send an SMS with the number 6 to leave their home, government spokesman Stelios Petsas said on Tuesday, but warned against widening the social bubble during the festive season.

On 6th of May, Bulgaria celebrates the Day of Saint George the Victorious.

The public holiday is also known as Gergyovden and is one of the most celebrated name-days in the country.

St. George is the patron saint of shepherds and roasting a whole lamb is part of the tradition on this day.