Festivals in Bulgaria

Discover traditional festivals and celebrations of this country

Europe / Eastern Europe

Festivals

Rose Festival (Kazanlak)

Season or date: Early June

A vibrant harvest festival celebrating newly picked Damask roses in the Valley of Roses.

Kukeri

Season or date: January-March, various locations

Winter masquerade procession where men in furs and masks drive away evil spirits.

Baba Marta

Season or date: March 1

Tradition of celebrating spring's arrival by exchanging red and white thread martenitsa.

Pernik Surva International Masquerade Festival

Season or date: Last week of January

An international festival of mask culture inscribed as UNESCO Intangible Heritage.

Nestinari (Fire Dancing)

Season or date: June 3, St. Constantine's Day

A traditional ritual from the Strandzha region of walking barefoot over burning coals.

Public holidays

  • New Year's Day
  • National Liberation Day (March 3)
  • Good Friday
  • Easter
  • May Day
  • St. George's Day
  • Day of Education and Culture and Slavic Literacy
  • Unification Day
  • Independence Day
  • Christmas (December 24-26)

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