Nikulden: Bulgaria’s St Nicholas Day
At a glance
| Date | 6 December; 19 December in churches using the Julian calendar |
|---|---|
| Bulgarian name | Никулден |
| Where | Bulgaria |
| Also called | St Nicholas Day |
The feast
Nikulden is a Christian feast in memory of Saint Nicholas, a Lycian cleric of the third century. It falls during the Nativity fast. Churches using the Julian calendar observe it on 19 December. In Bulgaria, it is one of the important dates in the annual calendar, and families celebrate even when nobody in the household has a name day. The saint is associated with the protection of sailors, travellers, merchants and bankers, and is also a patron of fishermen in Bulgarian Orthodox tradition.1
Fish and feasting
Fish is central to the Bulgarian table, most often carp stuffed with walnuts. A traditional dish called ribnik is carp wrapped in dough. The fish is offered because folk belief regards carp as the saint’s servant, and because the day honours the seas, rivers and lakes said to have fallen to Nicholas when the world was divided. Ribnik and ritual loaves may be blessed at church or at home and shared with neighbours. The festive table is left uncleared until the day ends, as it is open to guests.1,2
Names and customs
Nikulden is also a name day for people with names derived from or close to Nikolay, including Nikola, Nikolay, Nikolina, Nikoleta, Nina and Kolyo. Relatives and friends may visit the name-day person at home without having been invited beforehand. One account of the folk customs says carp bones were burned and buried in the ground or put in a river, in the belief that this would multiply the harvest and the family’s well-being. These customs sit alongside the shared meal and family gathering.1,2
Sources
Facts checked 13 October 2026. Prepared by InvestBulgaria for general information.
