Christmas Eve
Nationwide public holiday in Bulgaria · Бъдни вечер
Dates
| Year | Date | Weekday | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 24 December | Thursday | Nationwide |
| 2027 | 24 December | Friday | Nationwide |
Where it applies
Everywhere in Bulgaria.
Is it a day off?
Yes. It is an official public holiday, so most employees have the day off. Government offices, schools and many businesses are usually closed; shops, restaurants and public transport may keep reduced hours. Check local announcements for opening times.
Make it longer
Thu 24 Dec – Mon 28 Dec is a 5-day weekend with no leave needed.
Plan more breaks with the leave planner.
Typical weather in Sofia around 24 December: high 5°C (41°F), low -3°C (27°F), rain on 33% of days.
Averages for 2015–2024, 3 days either side of the date, for the area around Sofia. Past averages, not a forecast.
Forecast for Thursday 24 December in Sofia: (MET Norway)
About Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve, known in Bulgaria as Badni vecher, is the evening before Christmas and closes the Christmas fast. The Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on 25 December, together with Western churches. The evening is one of the most important family occasions of the year.
Traditions
Families gather for a meatless dinner with an odd number of dishes, often seven, nine or eleven, such as beans, stuffed peppers, sarmi with rice, walnuts and oshav, a dried fruit compote. A round loaf is baked with a coin inside, and whoever finds it is said to have luck in the coming year. The table is often left uncleared overnight.
Editorial summary by Public Holidays World. Dates on this page come from the data source; customs vary by region and family.
Coming up next in Bulgaria
Friday, 25 December 2026
Christmas Eve in other countries
Åland Islands
Czechia
Estonia
Faroe Islands
Finland
Latvia
Lithuania
Poland
Slovakia
Vatican City
Philippines
South Sudan
More for Bulgaria
Holiday dates are for general information and can change. Official government announcements take precedence.