Christmas in Slovakia

Nearly 60% of Slovaks are Catholics and 10% Protestants, so Christmas is a major public holiday that unites everyone.

Locals decorate the Christmas tree, observe the Advent tradition, gather with family for a feast, attend church services, and exchange gifts, like most Catholics.

However, some Slovak Christmas traditions are peculiar to Balkan countries, such as keeping a live carp in the bathtub and foretelling the future during Christmas dinner.

Saint Nicholas Day

On December 6, Slovaks celebrate Saint Nicholas Day, commemorating the man behind Santa Claus’ image.

Saint Nicholas was a fourth-century bishop from Myra, located on the territory of modern-day Turkey, who became famous for his generosity and kindness.

One legend tells that Saint Nicholas inherited a lot of money from his wealthy parents long before he became a bishop. His neighbor was a poor man who couldn’t afford a dowry for his three daughters.

One night, Nicholas secretly dropped a bag of gold to help the man out. The neighbor then found a husband for his oldest daughter. Later, Saint Nick repeated his deed twice more until all the neighbor’s daughters were married.

The third time, the man caught Nicholas in the act. Nicholas begged him not to tell anyone, but the neighbor didn’t listen, and soon the entire town knew about Nicholas’ kind heart.

Nowadays, Slovak children anticipate gifts from Saint Nicholas every December 6. They usually get something small, like treats, books, or plush toys. However, presents are reserved for the good-behaving children – the naughty ones receive punishment with birch rods.

Advent

Like most Catholics worldwide, Slovaks observe the Advent tradition. Every Sunday for four weeks leading up to Christmas, Slovaks light a candle in an evergreen Advent wreath, often decorated with candied fruit, pinecones, and berries.

Each of the candles has a special meaning and color. The first, second, and fourth candles are traditionally purple because the liturgical color purple symbolizes penance, and the third candle is pink, representing joy.

The candles stand for hope, faith, joy, and peace, the four virtues Jesus brought into this world. Some Slovaks also light the firth, white candle on Christmas Eve, representing purity.

Each Advent Sunday is a reason to gather with family, drink mulled wine or hot chocolate near the fireplace, sing carols, and watch Christmas movies.

Slovak churches host Advent masses, and the most devoted Slovaks attend them every Sunday morning. Slovak children don’t yet understand the meaning of the custom but find Advent calendars highly amusing.

Christmas Decorations

Slovak Christmas decorations are very traditional. Decorating the Christmas tree is a universal custom across Europe, but some Slovak Christmas tree ornaments are peculiar to the region.

Like all of us, Slovaks adorn the tree with baubles, tinsel, and fairy lights, but they also hang handmade straw ornaments, referring to the stable Jesus was born in, and edible decorations, such as cookies and candied fruit.

Many Slovaks decorate the Christmas tree with hand-painted baubles, felt hearts with embroidery, and angels bought at local Christmas markets.

Garlands, Advent wreaths, and holiday character figurines are also popular in Slovakia. Slovaks rarely decorate the house exterior and typically focus on decorating one room of the house.

If you lack festive spirit, go for a walk throughout Slovak town streets. They never fail to bring in holiday cheer, sparkling in a myriad of Christmas lights and presenting creative displays with Christmas characters.

Carp

Many people associate Christmas with turkey or ham, but not Slovaks. In the Balkans, carp is the focal point of the Christmas feast. Slovak families buy carp at local markets a few days before Christmas and keep the fish in their bathtubs.

That’s right – Slovaks have a carp casually swimming in their bathtub for several days before Christmas. This tradition has a practical purpose – clean water in the bathtub washes away muddy water from the fish’s digestive system.

Local kids love to play with the fish, and parents typically have them go for a walk when the time comes to cook their newly acquired pet. Slovaks cook a whole carp in the oven, served with vegetables and mashed potatoes.

However, the tradition has been seeing a steep decline in recent years. Many Slovaks nowadays prefer to buy ready-to-cook carp rather than keep one in their bathtub for days without being able to take a shower.

Midnight Mass

On Christmas Eve, Slovaks head to local churches to celebrate the birth of Christ. The Midnight Mass starts at around 10 p.m. and ends after midnight. It usually involves biblical readings, hymn singing, and praying.

At the end of the mass, people can participate in the Holy Communion ceremony or pray at the altar. After the mass, people head home to celebrate with the family or walk around the town.

The most devoted Catholics also attend a mass on Christmas morning, but most stay at home and prepare for the traditional feast.

If you’re ever in Slovakia for Christmas, attend the Midnight Mass in St. Martin’s Cathedral in Bratislava, a fantastic example of gothic architecture with colorful stained-glass windows.

Another cathedral worth visiting for Midnight Mass is St. Egidius Basilica in Bardejov, built in the 13th century. It’s one of the oldest churches in the country.

Gift Exchange

Gift exchange is integral to Slovak Christmas celebrations. There’s no universal rule regarding when to exchange gifts – some families do it after Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, whereas others wait until Christmas Day.

Usually, Slovaks only get gifts for immediate family and closest friends. If someone is invited for dinner to a Slovak family, they are expected to bring sweets, flowers, or alcohol but nothing expensive.

Slovak children anticipate gifts from Saint Nicholas. Slovak Santa Claus is quite different from American Santa despite having the same origin. He doesn’t wear a red suit with a buckled belt or a hat with a pompom.

Slovak Santa resembles a bishop, wearing a long red robe and a tall, embellished hat. He doesn’t ride a sleigh pulled by reindeer and doesn’t enter houses through the chimney. Kids find their gifts under the Christmas tree.

Christmas Markets

Winter holidays in Europe wouldn’t be complete without Christmas markets. Slovaks, too, love shopping at Christmas fairs for gifts, decorations, crafts, and food, or simply wander around drinking mulled wine with friends.

The largest Christmas market in Slovakia is in Bratislava, where local artisans sell various goods in cozy wooden stalls with festive illumination. But Slovak Christmas markets aren’t solely about shopping.

Market visitors can ride merry-go-rounds, skate on ice rinks, or listen to traditional carols. The market is situated in the city’s central square next to a giant Christmas tree.

Smaller towns also have plenty of activities for locals and tourists. Christmas fairs can be found in Kosice, Jasna, Levoca, Trencin, and Presov.

Epiphany

On January 6, Slovaks celebrate Epiphany, commemorating the Three Wise Men who came from the east to worship Jesus and brought him gifts: gold, myrrh, and frankincense.

On Epiphany, many Slovaks attend church services, but most spend time with their family. People bake the traditional Kings’ Cake with a bean or Jesus’ figurine hidden inside, and whoever finds it is believed to have a lucky year.

Local boys dress in long white shirts with crowns on their heads, depicting the Three Wise Men, and walk from door to door performing the Epiphany play narrating the story of Magi’s visit to Jesus.

Sometimes, the boys sing carols known as koleda in exchange for treats and blessings.

Christmas Food

On Christmas Eve, most Slovaks refrain from food until night arrives. This custom is both sacramental and practical. Fasting is an act of penance, but it also helps free some space in the stomach to prepare for the abundant feast.

Slovak Christmas dinner has at least nine dishes, primarily fish-based. Carp is always in the spotlight, but Slovaks also serve fish stew or soup, potato salad, and sauerkraut with sausages.

For dessert, Slovaks serve poppy seed dumplings. Slovak gingerbread is slightly different from German, made from thicker and softer dough. Cookies are usually topped with ground almonds.

Another traditional Slovak Christmas dessert is vanilla crescent-shaped cookies with walnut and apricot jam filling.

Mulled wine is a popular drink, but most locals prefer slivovica, a traditional Slovak drink made from plums with 37%-50% alcohol content.

Slovaks are pretty superstitious people and have numerous traditions related to food. For example, carp scales placed under the tablecloth are believed to bring abundance and wealth to the family.

Each family member should eat at least one clove of garlic for good health. Slovaks foretell their future by cutting an apple in half.

If the seeds form a star, the person will have a good year, and if they form a cross, someone from the family will get sick.

No one is allowed to leave the table during the feast. Otherwise, someone from the family might die. This means no bathroom or smoking breaks!

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