The 1 December mini-holiday brings three days off, and Bucharest enters a period with a dense schedule: National Day events, Christmas markets, exhibitions, concerts, and indoor activities. For those staying in the city, the cultural and entertainment offer is broad enough to fill the entire long weekend.

Also recommended What Is the Significance of the December 1st Parade? Where Romania’s National Day Is Celebrated in Bucharest 

1 December Parade – Arcul de Triumf
The military parade remains the central event of the day. Around 2,900 servicemembers and specialists from the Ministry of National Defence, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Romanian Intelligence Service, Special Telecommunications Service, and the National Administration of Penitentiaries take part. More than 220 pieces of military equipment are showcased, including static displays and aerial formations. The area becomes fully pedestrianised a few hours before the parade begins.

Christmas Markets – main locations in the city

Also recommended Christmas events in Bucharest begin this month. Here is the calendar of fairs organized by the City Hall 

Piața Constituției
Official opening: 29 November.
Attractions: a large ecological Christmas tree, Santa’s House, panoramic wheel, multi-level carousel, live shows, and over one hundred food and crafts stalls. It is the largest Christmas market in the city.

Piața Universității
Open between 29 November and 28 December.
Kilometre 0 becomes a pedestrian space with food trucks, light installations, a carousel, and seasonal urban décor.

Drumul Taberei Park (Sector 6)
The market includes a food area, extended decorations and nightly concerts:
– 28 November: Andia (19:30)
– 29 November: Breeze (19:30)
– 30 November: Simona Delegeanu (19:30)
– 1 December: Vunk (19:30)

Sector 3 – Winter Wonderland
The eastern part of the city hosts a market known for its extensive light installations, ice-rink area (if operational in 2025) and artisanal products.

National Museum of Natural History “Grigore Antipa”
The museum holds over two million items covering zoology, biology, geology, and palaeontology. The highlight of the season is the temporary exhibition “8”, dedicated to tarantulas – nearly 80 live species displayed in individual terrariums. The exhibition focuses on arachnid diversity and specific biological traits. Details: antipa.ro.

National Museum of Romanian History (MNIR)
A complete overview of Romanian history from Antiquity to the modern era. The Historical Treasury remains the main attraction, featuring rare gold artefacts, ceremonial objects, jewellery, and high-value archaeological pieces. The museum is heavily visited during the mini-holiday due to its central location.

National Museum of Art of Romania (MNAR)
Located on Calea Victoriei, it hosts the National Gallery and the European Art Gallery. Visitors can see medieval, modern, and contemporary Romanian art, along with important European works. It is a key cultural destination during the cold-season holidays.

National Museum of Contemporary Art (MNAC)
Housed in the Palace of Parliament, MNAC exhibits Romanian and international contemporary art, multimedia installations, and curated projects dedicated to new visual forms. The end of the year typically brings updates to the exhibition programme.

Art Safari – winter edition
A major art event organised in a pavilion format, usually in central Bucharest. The winter selection features works by Romanian and European artists, thematic exhibitions, pop-culture sections, and dedicated children’s tours. This year, visitors can also see the temporary exhibition “The Charm of Antiquity”, with a strong Italian artistic focus. Extended weekend schedule.

Bucharest National Theatre (TNB)
The programme includes major productions, classical plays, and recent premieres. For this season, TNB stages titles such as “The Dinner Game”, “Nothing Happens by Chance”, and “Moroi și Păpădii”. It is one of the fastest-selling cultural institutions during the 1 December mini-holiday due to its central location and varied repertoire.

Village Museum – Saint Andrew’s Fair
An event featuring craftsmen, traditional gastronomy, and folk demonstrations. On 1 December, after the parade, the Military Tradition Association presents uniforms and historical equipment from 1918. The location is highly frequented because of its proximity to the Arcul de Triumf.

Entry fees:
 – Adults: 40 lei
 – Seniors: 20 lei
 – Pupils/Students: 10 lei

Other useful activities for the mini-holiday
– major cinemas (AFI, Mega Mall, ParkLake) run extended schedules
– indoor ice rinks and play areas in malls
– pedestrian walk along Calea Victoriei, with quick access to museums and cafés
– temporary exhibitions in independent spaces and private galleries

Photo: Ceremonia oficială de 1 Decembrie.. FOTO: INQUAM PHOTOS - Octav Ganea