Bulgaria combines Orthodox Easter, Liberation Day on 3 March, Unification Day on 6 September and Independence Day on 22 September. Orthodox Easter runs Friday to Monday.

How people take the days

Holidays falling at a weekend are moved to the following Monday or Tuesday, so the calendar reliably produces long weekends. Bridge days are commonly granted by decree.

If you're visiting

3 March draws crowds to Shipka Pass in the snow. Easter Saturday midnight services fill church squares, and much of Sofia leaves for the mountains or the Black Sea.

If you live here

Name days matter socially as much as public holidays — 6 May, 21 November and 6 December are widely celebrated even when the office is open.

What these days actually mean

Observance, business closures and transport impact for the next few dates.

Independence Day

22 Sep 2026

Public

Observance: The national day: parades, flags, official ceremonies and, in most places, fireworks after dark.
Business: Government offices and banks closed; retail varies by country.
Transport: Route closures around parades and heavy crowding around evening displays.

Christmas Eve

24 Dec 2026

Public

Observance: Officially recognised as a public holiday, so most people have the day off work.
Business: Expect offices, banks and the majority of shops to be closed.
Transport: Public transport usually runs a Sunday or holiday timetable.

General guidance based on this day's official classification, not country-specific reporting.

Christmas Day

25 Dec 2026

Public

Observance: The central Christian winter feast; in most countries the household gathering matters more than the church service.
Business: Near-total closure of retail, offices and banks. Expect the preceding afternoon to shut early too.
Transport: Skeleton or suspended services in many countries. Book intercity travel well ahead.

Second day of Christmas

26 Dec 2026

Public

Observance: Officially recognised as a public holiday, so most people have the day off work.
Business: Expect offices, banks and the majority of shops to be closed.
Transport: Public transport usually runs a Sunday or holiday timetable.

General guidance based on this day's official classification, not country-specific reporting.

BGBulgaria · 2026

Bridge days worth booking

How the holiday year works in Bulgaria

The calendar

How people take the days

If you're visiting

If you live here

What these days actually mean

Independence Day

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

Second day of Christmas

Bulgaria · 2026