Bulgaria Public Holidays 2025
Bulgaria has 12 public holidays and 5 observances in 2025. Explore the full holiday calendar below.
All Holidays
| Date | Day | Name | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Wed | New Year's Day | public |
| 1 Mar | Sat | Granny March Day | observance |
| 3 Mar | Mon | Liberation Day | public |
| 8 Mar | Sat | International Women's Day | observance |
| 18 Apr | Fri | Good Friday | public |
| 20 Apr | Sun | Easter Sunday | public |
| 21 Apr | Mon | Easter Monday | public |
| 1 May | Thu | Labour Day | public |
| 6 May | Tue | St. George's Day | public |
| 7 May | Wed | Radio and Television Day | observance |
| 24 May | Sat | Bulgarian Education and Culture, and Slavonic Literature Day | public |
| 6 Sep | Sat | Unification Day | public |
| 22 Sep | Mon | Independence Day | public |
| 1 Nov | Sat | Revival Leaders' Day | school |
| 24 Dec | Wed | Christmas Eve | public |
| 25 Dec | Thu | Christmas Day | public |
| 26 Dec | Fri | Boxing Day | observance |
About Bulgaria's Holidays
Bulgaria mixes national, religious, and folk celebrations. Important state holidays mark history and independence, with public ceremonies, flags and time off work. These unite people and recall key events that shaped the country.
Religious holidays come from the Orthodox Christian calendar. Families gather for church, big meals and special traditions. Name day visits and strong family customs are common throughout the year.
Folk and cultural events celebrate seasonal life and local crafts. Spring rituals, the red and white marteniça tradition, and festivals for roses, songs and dances keep old customs alive and bring communities together.
Holiday Traditions
Holidays in Bulgaria mix family, faith and folk traditions. People decorate homes, visit church for blessings, and wear small symbolic tokens for health and luck. The mood is warm and communal.
Families gather for big meals around a table. Traditional foods include banitsa and sweet braided bread called kozunak, red dyed Easter eggs, roasted lamb and sweet pastries. Adults may share a glass of rakia. Food is shared to show care and welcome.
Public celebrations have singing, live folk music and circle dances called horo. Some events feature colorful masks, costumes and spring rituals to chase away bad spirits. Towns hold fairs where crafts and local food are sold.
Many customs are passed down through generations. They bring people together, strengthen community bonds and keep cultural stories alive.
Travel Tips
During the holiday season many government offices and banks are closed or have short hours. Some shops close on key days while supermarkets and tourist restaurants often stay open. Always check opening times before you go.
Public transport can run reduced timetables. Trains and long distance buses may be less frequent and fill up fast. Airports stay open but expect busy flights and longer waits. Book tickets in advance and allow extra travel time.
Ski resorts and popular towns get very busy. Reserve hotels and car hires early. Bring some cash because small shops may not take cards. Check weather forecasts and road conditions and have winter tires or chains if you drive. Carry ID and printed bookings.