Winter Holidays in the Mountains: Christmas and New Year Bulgarian-Style
Bulgaria’s winter mountain towns are perhaps one of Europe’s most magical places to experience the festive season. Nestled among snow-covered peaks, villages and resorts like Bansko, Pamporovo, and Chepelare transform into winter wonderlands filled with ancient traditions, cozy charm, and joyful celebrations.
A Traditional Bulgarian Christmas
In Bulgaria, Christmas Eve—“Бъдни вечер” (Budni Vecher)—is a deeply spiritual occasion. Families gather for a meatless feast, often consisting of an odd number of dishes: seven, nine, or eleven. These include homemade bean soup, stuffed peppers with rice, pickled vegetables, honey, dried fruits, and the traditional round bread called “pita”. Hidden inside the pita is a lucky coin—whoever finds it is believed to have a prosperous year ahead.
The atmosphere is serene, with lit candles, incense, and often a log burning in the hearth, symbolizing warmth and continuity. It’s a night for reflection, family bonds, and honoring ancestors.
Christmas Day, however, brings festivity and joy. The quiet reverence of the night before gives way to music, dancing, and feasting—with dishes like roasted pork and banitsa, a flaky pastry filled with cheese.
New Year and the Kukeri
As December gives way to January, Bulgarian mountain towns come alive with noise and color. One of the most iconic New Year customs is the “Kukeri”—men dressed in elaborate, often fearsome costumes adorned with masks, furs, horns, and massive cowbells. These mummers perform ritual dances meant to chase away evil spirits and bring fertility and good fortune for the coming year.
The kukeri parades are loud, chaotic, and unforgettable. Children cheer, bells clang, and the energy is electric. Villages like Razlog and Simitli, nestled in the Pirin mountains, are particularly famous for their grand kukeri festivals.
Festivities at the Ski Resorts
In ski towns like Bansko and Borovets, the holidays combine folklore with fun. Christmas lights sparkle across cobbled streets, while bars and chalets serve warm rakia (fruit brandy) and mulled wine. On New Year’s Eve, crowds gather for firework shows, live music, and traditional horo dancing in the town squares.
Many resorts host torch-lit ski parades down the slopes, where skiers descend at night carrying flaming torches—a beautiful spectacle against the snowy backdrop. Tourists and locals alike join in, creating a mix of cultures united by celebration.
How Bulgarians Ring in the New Year
At midnight, it’s customary to listen to the Bulgarian national anthem followed by the chiming of the clock tower on national TV. Then comes the horo, a traditional chain dance, often performed right in the street. Another unique tradition is “survakane”—on January 1st, children tap elders on the back with decorated cornel tree branches called “survachki”, offering blessings for health and wealth.
A Winter to Remember
Whether you’re sipping rakia by a fire, dancing with kukeri, or gliding down ski slopes under fireworks, winter holidays in Bulgaria’s mountains are unforgettable. They blend ancient traditions, hearty food, and pure joy, offering a rich, soulful experience of Christmas and New Year—Bulgarian style.
