site.btaSofia Launches Holiday Season with City’s Largest Christmas Village

Sofia Municipality gave an unofficial start to the city’s Christmas festivities with the opening of the Sofia Christmas Fest - the largest Christmas village in the capital, located in front of the National Palace of Culture (NDK), town hall reported on Saturday.

The festival is being held for the fourth consecutive year and once again welcomes residents and visitors of Sofia with a rich holiday program, a music stage, diverse culinary offerings, attractions, and charity initiatives.

“Let us be a light where someone else is in darkness. I believe that the strength of our community lies in the daily care and attention we give one another - not only during the holidays. When we are empathetic and open to people’s needs, Sofia becomes a warmer and more humane city for everyone,” said Deputy Mayor Nadezhda Bacheva, who opened the festival.

This year as well, Sofia Christmas Fest and Rotary Bulgaria are joining efforts in the initiative ‘From a Child to a Child - Become a Secret Santa’, through which anyone can give a gift to a child in need.

Within the Christmas village, there is a farmers’ market featuring local producers, along with an art bazaar offering handmade gifts. The festival also includes numerous attractions for young and old alike - a giant Ferris wheel, a Christmas carousel, and a new feature this year: an ice-skating rink for winter sports lovers.

The holiday programme featured performances by Elitsa Uzunova, Pamela Apsi, and DJ Namuro.

Sofia Christmas Fest will run until 28 December and is organized by BSG Media with the support of Sofia Municipality, the Sofia Municipal Council, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and Pazari Vazrazhdane.

The holiday season in the capital is marked by a series of themed markets. The oldest among them - the German Christmas Market, which is now in its fifteenth edition - has already opened its doors. 

Other themed markets will also open soon: one on Slavеykov Square dedicated to art, wine, and chocolate; another in front of Hotel Rila; and a two-day Mish Mash Fest Christmas Edition under the domes of the Largo. 

For the first time, Christmas markets will open in various neighborhoods of Sofia - the first ones being in Mladost Park and on Pliska Square.