Christmas in Skopje: lights on the square, two Christmases and the ski season

Lights and festive stalls

In December the centre is decorated with lights, and in recent years festive stalls with mulled wine, hot food and gifts have stood along Makedonija street near Macedonia Square from late December into early January. The 2026 programme had not been announced in October; look for news from the City of Skopje in December.

New Year’s Eve on the square

New Year’s Eve is the biggest party of the winter. In recent years the city has held an open-air concert on Macedonia Square, with fireworks at midnight, and restaurants and kafanas hold New Year dinners with live music; book well ahead. Many people celebrate again on the night of 13–14 January, the “old” New Year.

Two Christmases

Most Macedonians are Orthodox Christians and celebrate Christmas on 7 January. On Christmas Eve, 6 January, oak branches called badnik are burned in bonfires outside churches. Catholics celebrate on 25 December, with Mass at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Visitors are welcome at services; dress warmly and modestly.

Vodici: the cross in the water

On 19 January, the feast of Epiphany, priests throw a wooden cross into rivers and lakes across the country, including the Vardar in Skopje and Lake Ohrid, and young men dive into the icy water to retrieve it; catching it is said to bring luck for the year.

Skiing at Mavrovo

The Zare Lazarevski ski centre at Mavrovo, about two hours from Skopje, is the country’s leading ski area, with runs above a mountain lake. The season usually opens in December and runs into March, snow permitting. Closer to the city, Vodno often has snow for winter walks. See our Mavrovo guide.

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