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Saint George’s Day / Army Day 2025, 2026 and 2027

Saint George’s Day in Bulgaria is a national holiday always held on 6 May. For almost half a century, the communist government banned the holiday after it came to power in 1946. The holiday was reinstated in 1993 and is again a proud day for Bulgaria. It is also known as Army Day and Bravery Day.

Year	Date	Day	Holiday
2025	6 May	Tue	Saint George's Day / Army Day
2026	6 May	Wed	Saint George's Day / Army Day
2027	6 May	Thu	Saint George's Day / Army Day
Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates.

Saint George is a third century soldier famous in tradition for having slain a dragon and for his martyrdom. He is one of the most honoured saints for Christians. Bulgarians are mostly of the Orthodox faith and have great reverence for Saint George.

Saint George is the patron saint of shepherds and farmers and, on this day, rural families have traditionally slaughtered a lamb, preferably a first-born male, to be roasted on a spit for the big celebration. Bread is the other significant food and it is cooked in homes in all sorts of shapes and sizes, for example: cross bread, shepherd’s bread and small buns.

On the evening before Saint George’s Day, young people often follow old customs of going out into the fields to dance, roll or wash in the overnight dew, and collect branches to decorated the doors of their homes.

The military holds a parade in Bulgaria’s capital of Sofia on Saint George’s Day. Thousands turn out to watch the marching, to participate in the religious observances and to see the demonstration of military vehicles including tanks and torpedo launchers. A short period of silence is observed to remember those who fought and died for Bulgaria. The Bulgarian flag of white, green and red is flown everywhere and speeches are made by the president and other officials.

Previous Years

Year	Date	Day	Holiday
2024	6 May	Mon	Saint George's Day / Army Day
2023	6 May	Sat	Saint George's Day / Army Day
	8 May	Mon	Saint George's Day Holiday