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Christmas Day (Коледа or Рождество Христово) in Bulgaria is celebrated on December 25th and marks the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a culmination of the festive season that also includes the preparation period known as Advent and the celebrations on Christmas Eve.
Bulgarian Christmas traditions are a blend of Christian religious practices and older pagan customs. One of the most prominent customs is Koleduvane, where groups of boys and men called Koledari go from house to house singing carols, bringing good wishes, and blessing households. This occurs on Christmas Eve or early Christmas morning. They are often welcomed with food and small gifts.
Another key tradition is the preparation of a special dinner on Christmas Eve, which is typically meatless and consists of an odd number of dishes to symbolize the months of the year. A common custom involves placing a coin inside one dish, such as bread or banitsa (a traditional pastry), with the belief that whoever finds it will have good luck in the coming year.
On Christmas Day itself, Bulgarians celebrate with their families, often attending church services in the morning. Afterward, they enjoy a festive meal which typically includes various meats unlike the vegetarian feast on Christmas Eve. Popular dishes include stuffed cabbage leaves, roast pork or chicken, and different kinds of pastries.
The exchange of gifts between family members is also a common practice on this day. Like in many other countries around the world, children eagerly await Santa Claus (Дядо Коледа), who is believed to bring presents to them.
Homes are decorated with Christmas trees (елха), lights, and other seasonal decorations leading up to and during this time. The holiday season extends until New Year's Day and includes another important celebration called St. Stephen's Day on December 27th.
Overall, Christmas Day in Bulgaria is a time for family gatherings, religious observance, feasting, singing traditional songs called koledari songs, and spreading goodwill among friends and neighbors.
