The National Theater outside the Market looks wonderfully rich in Winter

A Visit to the Merry Little Christmas Market in Sofia (Photo Essay)

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History Fangirl is turning seven years old in 2022! To make sure all travel guides are up to date, some posts are getting overhauled, which means you may come across posts that are under construction. Note: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure page for more details.

Quick History of the Sofia Christmas Market

Officially known as the Koledaria Christmas Market, the Weihnachtsmarkt is a German-style Christmas market in the heart of Sofia. It’s a smaller, let ostentatious version than those in other cities (from what I hear. This was my first European Christmas Market, but I’ll be in Vienna’s in a few weeks). It’s only been open for a few years, beginning in 2009, but it’s growing in popularity.

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My Visit

The Christmas Market in Sofia opened on Friday, but in true Bulgarian fashion they didn’t really get underway until Saturday. Saturday night, I headed down with friends. We drank mulled wine, ate bratwurst, sauerkraut, and potatoes, and listened to a holiday show for children. I swung back by on Sunday night to get in a little shopping. Rather than describe every little detail, I thought I’d share my favorite photos (and video). Enjoy!

The entrance to the Koledaria, the German-Style Christmas Market in Sofia
The entrance to the Koledaria, the German-Style Christmas Market in Sofia
Just Checking In - A Man on his Cell in the Middle of the Crowded Christmas Market
Just Checking In – A Man on his Cell in the Middle of the Crowded Market
Serving Bratwurst and Sauerkraut to the Bulgarians
Serving Bratwurst and Sauerkraut to the Bulgarians
A very alarmed Nutcracker
A very alarmed Nutcracker
No one should look this stylish eating Bratwurst
No one should look this stylish eating Bratwurst
The National Theater outside the Market looks wonderfully rich in Winter
The National Theater outside the Market looks wonderfully rich in Winter
A St. Sofia Nutcracker modeled after the St. Sofia statue in downtown
A St. Sofia Nutcracker modeled after the St. Sofia statue in downtown
Fire up the grill!
Fire up the grill!
Crowds bumping into each other
Crowds bumping into each other
I don't know what he's thinking, but his face is priceless
I don’t know what he’s thinking, but his face is priceless
Families came out to spend time together
Families came out to spend time together
Quiet Moments
Quiet Moments
Serving Mulled Wine
Serving Mulled Wine
The entrance to the Sofia Christmas Market
The entrance to the Sofia Christmas Market

A video from my Facebook page streaming the market live:

See also
10 Gorgeous Orthodox Monasteries You Need to See to Believe

Further Reading:

From Karolinka In & Around Bulgaria, a visit to the market in the snow

A write-up from Foreigner & Friends on the market

From Radisson Blu, why you should spend Christmas in Bulgaria

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Visiting the Merry Little Christmas Market in Sofia - Photo Essay
Visiting the Merry Little Christmas Market in Sofia – Photo Essay

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