Christmas in Bulgaria: traditions, Budni vecher dishes and Varna on 24–26 Dec

Bulgaria celebrates Christmas (Koleda) on 25 December, not on 7 January, even though it is an Orthodox country. The main family moment is Christmas Eve, Budni vecher (24 December): a meatless supper with an odd number of dishes. 24, 25 and 26 December are public holidays, and in 2026 the break runs from Thursday 24 to Monday 28 December.

Why is Bulgarian Christmas on 25 December?

In 1968 the Bulgarian Orthodox Church adopted the revised Julian calendar, which matches the Gregorian calendar for fixed feasts. Before that, Christmas fell on 7 January. Easter is the exception: it is still calculated by the Julian calendar, so Orthodox Easter usually differs from Western Easter.

What is on the table on Budni vecher?

Christmas Eve ends the Nativity fast, so there is no meat, and the number of dishes is always odd. Typical dishes:

• beans, boiled or baked
• sarmi: cabbage or vine leaves stuffed with rice
• peppers stuffed with beans or rice
• boiled wheat, walnuts, honey, onion and garlic
• oshav, a compote of dried fruit
• a round pitka or pita, sometimes with a coin inside: whoever finds it has luck all year
• red or white wine

In many families the eldest member censes the table and the house with incense, and the table is left uncleared overnight. Christmas Day itself brings meat back, usually pork. For a festive dinner out, see what to eat in Varna and Bulgarian drinks.

What is koleduvane?

Koleduvane is Christmas carolling. Traditionally, groups of young unmarried men, the koledari, led by an older married man, go from house to house from midnight until sunrise on Christmas, singing songs that bless each household. In return they receive a ring-shaped bread (kravai). On 24 December, children carol during the day with decorated sticks. Today you are most likely to see koledari at folklore concerts and village festivals.

How does the winter cycle run from Nikulden to Yordanovden?

• 6 December, Nikulden: St Nicholas, patron of sailors and fishermen, is honoured with fish, often baked carp. In Varna it is a big day: services at the 1865 St Nicholas church, called Bulgaria’s only maritime church, the charity food festival Let’s Share Nikulden on 5 December 2026 and the city tree lighting on Nezavisimost Square on 6 December 2026.
• 24–26 December: Budni vecher and Christmas.
• 1 January: New Year, when children tap adults on the back with a decorated cornel stick (survachka) for health.
• 6 January, Yordanovden (Epiphany): after the blessing of the waters, a priest throws a cross into a river, lake or the sea and men dive to retrieve it. The eve brings the third and last ritual supper, again meatless, which ends the “Dirty Days”.

What is open in Varna on 24–26 December?

Most supermarkets, malls and pharmacies open, often with shorter hours; banks and municipal offices close until the break ends. Restaurants that open over Christmas fill up, so book ahead. Buses run, but check live times. For duty pharmacies see Varna Daily, and for all public holidays see Bulgaria public holidays 2027.

Tips for visitors

• Greet people with “Vesela Koleda!” (Merry Christmas).
• If invited to Christmas Eve, bring wine or sweets and taste every dish.
• The Christmas markets usually run from late November into early January: see Varna Christmas markets and Christmas and New Year in Varna 2026.
• More on local manners: Bulgarian customs and etiquette.