Half of the year has already passed, and the Bulgarian calendar is still filled with marked holidays. Bulgarian culture is rich with diverse events inherited and preserved over many years of history, passing down old traditions and customs.
Bulgarian holidays are exciting for both young and old. From various games and entertainment to rituals, competitions, and delicious treats, there is probably no child who doesn’t eagerly anticipate these days of the year. But I have to admit, as the years go by, my pre-holiday excitement as an adult only grows! Not so much because of the sweets and fun but because of the time spent with loved ones.
So, as a typical Bulgarian girl, I will introduce you to the holidays on the Bulgarian calendar and share my favorite family celebrations and events. I eagerly anticipate spending time with my loved ones year after year.
Table Of Contents
List Of All The Celebrations In The Bulgarian Calendar
As mentioned, the Bulgarian calendar is rich in holidays and old ritual events. Here, you can see a complete list of all Bulgarian holidays, official, unofficial, and folk.
| Date | English name | Bulgarian name | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year’s Day | Нова година, Сурваки, Васильовден | Nova Godina, Survaki / Vasiliovden |
| January 6 | St Jordan’s Day | Йордановден / Богоявление | Yordanovden / Bogoyavlenie |
| January 7 | Saint John the Baptist’s Day | Ивановден | Ivanovden |
| January 14 | ————————– | Васильовден | Vasilovden |
| January 21 | Midwives’ Day / Grandmother’s Day | Бабинден | Babin Den |
| February 1 | Winegrowers’ Day | Трифон Зарезан | Trifon Zarezan |
| February 14 | Valentine’s Day / Winegrowers’ Day | Свети Валентин / Трифон Зарезан | Sveti Valentin / Trifon Zarezan |
| February 17 | ————————– | Тодоров Ден | Todorov den |
| Rose Festival | ————————– | Сирни Заговезни | Sirni zagovezni |
| March 1 | Baba Marta Day | Баба Марта | Baba Marta |
| March 3 | Liberation Day – National Bulgarian Celebration | Ден на Освобождението – Национален Празник на България | Den na Osvobozhdenieto – Natsionalen Praznik na Bulgaria |
| March 8 | International Women’s Day | Ден на Жената | Den na Zhenata |
| March 25 | Annunciation | Благовещение | Blagovestenie |
| Date varies (Saturday before Palm Sunday) | Lazarus Saturday | Лазаровден | Lazarovden |
| Date varies (Sunday before Easter) | Palm Sunday | Цветница | Tsvetnitsa |
| Date varies (usually April or May) | Easter | Великден | Velikden |
| May 1 | Labor Day | Ден на Труда | Den na Truda |
| May 6 | Saint George’s Day/ Army’s Day | Герьовден/ Ден на Армията | Gergyovden/Den na Armiyata |
| May 24 | Saints Cyril and Methodius Day/Culture and Literacy Day | Свети Кирил и Методий/Ден на културата и писмеността | Sveti Kiril i Metodiĭ/Den na kulturata i pismenostta |
| Rose Festival | Rose festival | Празникът на розата | Praznika na Rozata |
| June 24 | Midsummer’s Day | Еньовден | Enyovden |
| June 29 | St. Peter’s Day | Петровден | Petrovden |
| July 20 | ————————– | Илинден | Ilinden |
| August 15 | Assumption of Mary | Голяма Богородица | Golyama Bogoroditsa |
| September 6 | Unification Day | Ден на Съединението | Den na Saedinenieto |
| September 14 | ————————– | Кръстовден | Krustovden |
| September 22 | Independence Day | Ден на Независимостта | Den na Nezavisimostta |
| October 14 | Saint Petka’s Day | Петковден | Petkovden |
| October 26 | ————————– | Димитровден | Dimitrovden |
| November 1 | National Enlighteners’ Day | Ден на Просветата и Културата | Den na Prosvetata i Kulturata |
| December 6 | Saint Nicholas’ Day | Никулден | Nikulden |
| December 24 | Christmas Eve | Бъдни Вечер | Badni Vecher |
| December 25 | Christmas Day | Коледа | Koleda |
7 Favorite Family Celebrations
After taking a look at all the holidays in the Bulgarian calendar, it’s time to share with you the most beloved family celebrations for all of us Bulgarians.
New Year’s Day – Nova Godina (Нова година) – January 1
On this day, we celebrate the new year with joyful family gatherings, fireworks, and special festive meals. Of course, it is a famous and eagerly awaited holiday in many countries, but in Bulgaria, believe me, it is a noisy and unifying event. One of the favorite forms of еntertainment and also, a traditional custom is the preparation of the New Year’s Banitsa (Баница) with paper luck.
Jordan’s Day – Yordanovden (Йордановден) – January 6
Jordan’s Day is a Christian holiday with an old tradition. Men participate in a ritual of retrieving a cross thrown by a priest into the icy waters of a river. All the men compete, and it is believed that whoever retrieves the cross first will be the healthiest in the coming year.
Sirni Zagovezni (Сирни заговезни) – Starts On February 17 And Lasts For One Week
Sirni Zagovezni is a Christian holiday celebrated on the seventh Sunday before Easter, immediately preceding the beginning of Great Lent. It marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring and is full of interesting rituals, family experiences, and breathtaking adventures.
On this day, bonfires are lit, and everyone jumps over them for good health. Kukeri (Кукери) is also a very interesting and ancient ritual where men and boys dress up in large, heavy costumes with hanging bells and scary masks, as it was believed in the past that this would drive away evil spirits. But this is only one side of the holiday—the fun side. The value of this day is the tradition of asking for forgiveness from our parents, grandparents, and all relatives older than us.
Also, at the end of the day, the oldest person in the household ties a piece of halva or a boiled egg with a thread and hangs it from a height. Then, the oldest person spins it, and everyone tries to lap it without using their hands with their eyes closed. It is believed that the one who manages to bite it while it is spinning will be the healthiest. Of course, this ritual today is only a fun game for children, but you can imagine how funny it looks.
Baba Marta Day (Баба Марта) – March 1
When I was compiling this calendar, one day, in particular, stood out for me, and that was Baba Marta. I had never heard of this occasion in any other country. So what is Baba Marta?
Baba means grandmother. Marta means march. So it means Grandma March day. This story was fascinating to us when we first read it, and we’ve heard no corollary in any other country. In folklore, Baba Marta is an old woman who is angry with January and February, her two brothers.
Baba Marta likes to do spring cleaning, which she does on March 1st; however, because she’s been waiting all winter, the feathers come out of her mattress and fall to the ground- the last snow of the year. There is a similar version of this story in German folklore too.
People still follow certain traditions on Baba Marta day, such as making small yarn dolls and wearing wristbands. This day marks the arrival of spring with an old tradition. Аll family and friends exchange “martenitsi” (мартеници)- bracelets of red and white yarn, which are symbols of health and happiness. Such a sweet, kind, and unifying gesture. Each bracelet – martenitsa (мартеница), is a heartfelt wish for health and happiness.
You wear the wristband until the first swallow or stork is seen, which symbolizes the coming spring and summer. To older Bulgarians, this time of year is known as Birch month because it is when birch trees start growing leaves.
Easter – Velikden (Великден) – Date Varies (Usually April Or May)
World-famous holiday, but very few people are familiar with its essence. In fact, it is one of the most important Christian holidays, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. Traditional rituals include dyeing eggs, baking special bread (Kozunak), and visiting churches.
The first dyed egg—the red one—is believed to symbolize Jesus’ blood, while the bread, Kozunak, represents his body. On this day, the whole family gets together and has fun, with one of everyone’s favorite pastimes being egg-fighting. The belief is that whoever’s egg stays intact and beats all the others will be the healthiest.
Christmas Eve – Badni Vecher (Бъдни вечер) – December 24
This is perhaps one of the most family-oriented holidays in the entire Bulgarian calendar: a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. On this day, everyone gathers and prepares an odd number of lean dishes, and a huge log called Budnik (Будник) is placed in the fireplace.
After dinner, food is left on the table, as it is believed that during the night, the souls of deceased loved ones come down to earth and can be feasted upon. This is the first of several consecutive Christmas days. Magical moments with family, cozy dinners with wine, a variety of homemade food, and many gifts—what could be better?
Christmas Day – Koleda (Коледа) – December 25
Cherry on the Christmas cake. The most famous winter holiday to which no one can remain indifferent. The whole family is together, the children are playing, the women keep preparing uniquely delicious dishes, and the men maintain the hearth. A holiday filled with merry noise, lots of smiles, and gifts.
How Do You Say “Holiday” In Bulgarian?
In Bulgarian, the word “Holiday” is translated as Praznik (Празник).
FAQ’s About Bulgarian Calendar
Now, let’s look at some of the most common questions concerning the Bulgarian calendar.
1. Is The Bulgarian Calendar The Most Accurate?
One of the most accurate calendars known to mankind is the ancient Bulgarian calendar, which UNESCO considers one of the wonders of humankind.
2. What Calendar Is Used In Bulgaria?
In Bulgaria, we use the Gregorian calendar.
3. What Was The First Bulgarian Calendar?
The first Bulgarian calendar was a solar (sun) calendar system.
4. When Do Bulgarians Celebrate Liberation Day?
Liberation day is celebrated on March 3rd by Bulgarians. It is a day for patriotic Bulgarians who celebrate Bulgaria’s liberation from the Ottomans. The story of how Bulgaria gained its independence is complicated but resulted from the Russian-Turkish war. Partial Bulgarian statehood was given on march 3rd, 1878, with the treaty of San Stefano.
Although always a proud day for Bulgarians, it wasn’t properly celebrated nationally until 1978. The day is full of pomp and circumstance. Soldiers lay wreaths of flowers at the Shipka Monument, National Assembly Square, and the Monument to the Unknown Soldier.
5. When Do Bulgarians Celebrate Unification Day?
On September 6th. This is directly related to the previous paragraph and the treaty of San Stefano of 1878. Not all of modern-day Bulgaria was given back to them. The situation devolved into all-out warfare where the Bulgarians were victorious over the Serbs.
You might ask, why do I still hear Serbian, Croatian, or even other Balkan languages in Bulgaria? Despite having many spoken languages in Bulgaria, Bulgarian is the official national language.
Explore The Bulgarian Calendar On Your Own
There are so many different holidays in the Bulgarian calendar. If you have the opportunity to visit Bulgaria, you’ll see that any event can be a family holiday. As I’ve said many times, Bulgarians are warm people who like to have fun and spend time with their loved ones.
I hope this article has helped clarify some facts regarding the Bulgarian calendar and public holidays. For more detailed information about other Bulgarian topics, check out some of our other Ling blog articles, such as thank you in Bulgarian and names in Bulgarian.
