Key Notes
- Sofia Christmas Fest runs from November 20 to December 28, 2026, in the park outside the National Palace of Culture.
- Festival admission is free, while the ice rink is separately ticketed and listed as open daily from 11:00 to 23:00.
- The programme combines live entertainment, festive food and opportunities for young local performers to appear on stage.
Sofia Christmas Fest will return to the park in front of the National Palace of Culture from November 20 to December 28, 2026, bringing an ice rink, live performances and festive food to Bulgaria’s capital. Admission to the festival itself is free.
The fifth edition gives visitors to Sofia a central stop for a winter city break, with the outdoor programme continuing through Christmas and into the final days of December. The season’s dates are also confirmed in a municipal announcement about young performers joining the festival stage.
A Christmas Village Outside NDK
The National Palace of Culture, usually shortened to NDK, provides the setting for a festival that combines market stalls with entertainment. This year’s announcement includes live music, artistic performances, themed areas, winter attractions and Christmas treats.
Organiser BSG Media has built the event around handmade gifts, food, warm drinks and family activities. Previous editions have included a carousel and Ferris wheel, giving the market the feel of a small seasonal fair as well as a place to shop.
The outdoor setting is part of the appeal, but it also makes warm layers and suitable footwear useful for anyone planning to stay for a performance or an evening on the ice.
Ice Rink Runs Through December 28
The skating listing on Eventim covers November 20–December 28 and gives daily opening hours of 11:00–23:00. Skate rental will be available on site, alongside an open-air rink and areas for food and hot drinks.
Skating is ticketed separately from entry to the festival. At the time of checking, Eventim marked the sessions as coming on sale soon, so visitors should use the current listing for prices and availability rather than assume that free festival admission includes the rink.
A Stage for Sofia’s Young Performers
The programme will also give local talent a place in the celebrations. Sofia’s Slatina district says selected participants in the municipality’s A Star Is Born initiative will be able to perform on the Christmas Fest stage during the November–December season.
The initiative is open to Sofia residents aged 15–29 and spans nine fields, including music, theatre and dance. It brings a local cultural element to the festival alongside the food stalls and winter attractions.
Getting to the Festival
NDK is served by the Sofia Metro, with station entrances in the underpass beneath Vitosha Boulevard at the edge of Bulgaria Square. The festival is in the park outside the palace, rather than inside one of its concert halls.
For a Christmas visit, the dates leave room for a trip over the holiday itself. For New Year, the distinction matters: the announced festival ends on December 28, so it should not be treated as a December 31 celebration.
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