Holidays 2026: Vacations and Travel for Early Planning

The upcoming year 2026 is shaping up to be favorable for early planning of annual leave, family trips, and short weekend getaways. The official holidays for the year are already known, providing an excellent opportunity for preliminary organization. The year promises several long consecutive breaks, especially around Easter and Christmas, which makes it easier to combine vacations.

January 2, 2026, can also be added to the list of public holidays. The Minister of Finance has already proposed that this date, along with December 31st, be declared non-working exceptionally. The reason is the transition to the euro in the country. According to the plan for the introduction of the common currency, January 2, 2026, falls on a Friday, and adding it as a non-working day would facilitate the technical switching of banking and financial systems.

Interestingly, for the first time, employer organizations not only do not object, but also support the idea of more public holidays. This is precisely related to the upcoming large-scale national change.

The public discussion of the measure concluded on November 8, and now the draft is expected to be submitted and considered at a regular meeting of the Council of Ministers. If approved, Bulgarians will enjoy an extended holiday period around New Year, and the 2025 calendar will allow even more flexible planning of vacations and travel.

Here is what the official holidays and non-working days in 2026 look like at the moment:

• January 1, 2026 – New Year. The beginning of the year is traditionally a non-working day and provides an opportunity for an extended holiday period around the New Year celebrations. The streets are usually decorated, and a festive atmosphere reigns in the homes.
• March 3 – Day of the Liberation of Bulgaria. The national holiday is among the most important dates in the calendar, marking the Liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule. Ceremonies are held throughout the country on this day.
• April 12, 2026 – Easter. One of the most beloved Christian holidays. The Day of the Resurrection of Christ in 2026 is on April 12, which traditionally forms a long holiday weekend. People gather with their families.
• May 1 – Labor Day. International Labor Day and Solidarity, which is a non-working day every year. This is an opportunity for rest and recreation.
• May 6 – Gergyovden (St. George's Day). A holiday of bravery, the Bulgarian army, and one of the most honored name days in the country.
• May 24 – Day of Bulgarian Enlightenment and Culture and of the Slavic Script. A unique holiday dedicated to spirituality, knowledge, and the Cyrillic alphabet.
• September 6 – Unification of Bulgaria. The anniversary of the Unification is traditionally among the key dates in the national calendar.
• September 22 – Independence Day. Marks the restoration of Bulgarian state independence.
• December 24, 25 and 26 – Christmas. The three official non-working days around Christmas form a convenient holiday period for travel and family gatherings.

In addition, school holidays and non-school days are also planned in 2026:

• January 2 – Last day of the Christmas vacation.
• January 31 – February 2 – Mid-term vacation.
• March 2 – Non-school day.
• April 4 – 13 – Spring vacation for grades I – XI.
• April 8 – 13 – Spring vacation for grade XII.
• May 20 and 22 – Non-school days due to matriculation and external assessment exams.

The year provides ample opportunities for planning long weekends, holiday trips, and family vacations. Good organization now helps to make optimal use of the holidays in 2026.