Liberation Day
Nationwide public holiday in Bulgaria · Ден на Освобождението на България от османско иго
Dates
| Year | Date | Weekday | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 March | Tuesday | Nationwide |
| 2027 | 3 March | Wednesday | Nationwide |
Where it applies
Everywhere in Bulgaria.
Is it a day off?
Yes. It is an official public holiday, so most employees have the day off. Government offices, schools and many businesses are usually closed; shops, restaurants and public transport may keep reduced hours. Check local announcements for opening times.
Typical weather in Sofia around 3 March: high 9°C (48°F), low -1°C (30°F), rain on 40% of days.
Averages for 2015–2024, 3 days either side of the date, for the area around Sofia. Past averages, not a forecast.
Forecast for Wednesday 3 March in Sofia: (MET Norway)
About Liberation Day
Liberation Day on 3 March is Bulgaria's national day. It marks the signing of the Treaty of San Stefano in 1878, which ended the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 and led to the restoration of a Bulgarian state after nearly five centuries of Ottoman rule. The day also honours the Bulgarian, Russian and other soldiers and volunteers who died in the war, as well as the Bulgarian revolutionaries who prepared the ground for liberation.
Traditions
The national flag is displayed throughout the country. Official ceremonies, wreath-laying and services for the fallen are held at monuments, including the Shipka Monument in the Balkan Mountains, where a major battle of the war took place. In Sofia, a ceremony is held in front of the Monument to the Tsar Liberator near the National Assembly.
Editorial summary by Public Holidays World. Dates on this page come from the data source; customs vary by region and family.
Coming up next in Bulgaria
Friday, 30 April 2027
Liberation Day in other countries
More for Bulgaria
Holiday dates are for general information and can change. Official government announcements take precedence.