Find festivals, live music, markets and local traditions worth planning around.
Onnow
On now · until 30 Jan 2027 · Sofia
A 20-minute light-and-sound show that brings the icons and murals of Bulgaria's great Revival painter to life.
National Gallery – Kvadrat 500, 95 Vasil Levski Blvd., Sofia
Event details
Onnow
On now · until 20 Oct 2027 · Sofia
Year-long contemporary art commission on the central wall of Kvadrat 500 by Nevelin Ivanov.
National Gallery – Kvadrat 500, 95 Vasil Levski Blvd., Sofia
Event details
3 Nov 2026 · Veliko Tarnovo
Two pianists and the Vratsa Philharmonic play Brahms, Saint-Saëns, Dvořák and Debussy alongside glasses-free 3D holograms.
Chitalishte Nadezhda, Veliko Tarnovo
Event details
3 Nov 2026 · Ruse
Rossini's comic opera The Barber of Seville on the stage of Ruse State Opera.
State Opera Ruse, 7 Sveta Troitsa Square, Ruse
Event details
6 Nov 2026 – 8 Nov 2026 · Plovdiv
Three nights of international jazz, with Aaron Parks, Shai Maestro, Elina Duni and a Miles Davis centenary tribute.
Boris Hristov House of Culture, Plovdiv
Event details
6 Nov 2026 · Ruse
Young prize-winners of the Prof. Boyan Lechev music competition perform at Ruse State Opera.
State Opera Ruse, 7 Sveta Troitsa Square, Ruse
Event details
6 Nov 2026 – 9 Nov 2026 · Stara Zagora
International contemporary choreography competition, with a ballet premiere, a final and a gala.
State Opera Stara Zagora, 30 Mitropolit Metodiy Kusev Blvd, Stara Zagora
Event details
7 Nov 2026 – 8 Nov 2026 · Sofia
Bulgaria's biggest conference on free and open source software, open culture and knowledge sharing, with talks and workshops.
Interpred Convention Center, 36 Dragan Tsankov Blvd, Sofia
Event details
8 Nov 2026 · Burgas
A relaxed, non-competitive 7 km run through Burgas with tasting stops at local bakeries.
Troikata Square, Burgas (start and finish)
Event details
8 Nov 2026 · Sofia
Six-time Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Samara Joy plays NDK Hall 3.
National Palace of Culture (NDK), Hall 3, 1 Bulgaria Sq., Sofia
Event details
8 Nov 2026 · Sozopol
A motorsport sprint in Sozopol; the main town entrance is closed to traffic from 08:00 to 18:00.
Sozopol (town entrance closed 08:00 to 18:00)
Event details
10 Nov 2026 · Plovdiv
Monthly Plovdiv business networking evening, with a Q&A on 2027 funding opportunities and on SEO and AI search.
Emu Fun Bar, 3A Bratya Pulievi St, Plovdiv
Event details
11 Nov 2026 · Stara Zagora
Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, with an afternoon and an evening performance on the same day.
State Opera Stara Zagora, 30 Mitropolit Metodiy Kusev Blvd, Stara Zagora
Event details
11 Nov 2026 – 14 Nov 2026 · Sofia
International food, drink, packaging and food-machinery fair, held alongside meat, dairy, bakery and wine trade shows.
Inter Expo Center, 147 Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd, Sofia
Event details
12 Nov 2026 – 29 Nov 2026 · Sofia
Sofia's big autumn film festival turns 40, with fresh hits from Cannes, Venice and Toronto.
National Palace of Culture (NDK) Hall 1 and Cine Grand Park Center, Sofia
Event details
13 Nov 2026 – 1 May 2027 · Burgas
Ancient Greek to 19th-century lamps from the southern Black Sea coast, at Burgas's archaeological museum.
Archaeological Exhibition, Regional Historical Museum, Bogoridi Street, Burgas
Event details
13 Nov 2026 – 14 Nov 2026 · Stara Zagora
Two-day e-commerce and digital marketing conference with an expo, a networking area and B2B meetings.
Stara Zagora Cultural Centre, 108 Tsar Simeon Veliki Blvd, Stara Zagora
Event details
14 Nov 2026 · Plovdiv
Opera Plovdiv premieres Kálmán's operetta The Csárdás Queen, a story of love and Hungarian dance rhythms.
Boris Hristov House of Culture, Plovdiv
Event details
18 Nov 2026 – 22 Nov 2026 · Bansko
Five days of mountain, adventure and extreme-sports films in Bansko, marking the festival's 25th anniversary edition.
Bansko
Event details
19 Nov 2026 · Sofia
Free careers fair at UNWE where students and professionals meet employers in finance, economics and business.
University of National and World Economy (UNWE), Studentski Grad, Sofia
Event details
20 Nov 2026 – 3 Dec 2026 · Stara Zagora
Bulgaria's oldest opera and ballet festival opens with a new Don Carlos and closes with Verdi's Requiem.
State Opera Stara Zagora, 30 Mitropolit Metodiy Kusev Blvd, Stara Zagora
Event details
22 Nov 2026 · Varna
A walk-around tasting of Old World and New World wines in Varna's Sea Garden, open to beginners and enthusiasts.
Horizon Complex, Sea Garden, Varna
Event details
24 Nov 2026 · Varna
Tchaikovsky's festive ballet in two acts, staged by Varna's own ballet company on the opera's main stage.
State Opera Varna, Main Stage
Event details
25 Nov 2026 – 26 Nov 2026 · Sofia
Regional B2B trade show for the gaming and entertainment industry, with the East European Gaming Summit alongside.
Inter Expo Center, 147 Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd, Sofia
Event details
26 Nov 2026 · Veliko Tarnovo
Business forum on financing and investment for local firms, with banks, guarantee funds and the Ministry of Economy.
Business Centre Veliko Tarnovo (BCVT), Extrapack building, Veliko Tarnovo
Event details
26 Nov 2026 · Sofia
Dutch-Turkish psych-funk band Altın Gün brings Anatolian rock grooves to Sofia Live Club.
Sofia Live Club, NDK complex, 1 Bulgaria Sq., Sofia
Event details
27 Nov 2026 – 28 Nov 2026 · Sofia
Bulgaria's biggest wine tasting: taste wines from wineries across the country in one hall.
Inter Expo Center, Hall 1, 147 Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd., Sofia
Event details
27 Nov 2026 – 6 Dec 2026 · Sofia
New production of Handel's witty Baroque opera about power and scheming in ancient Rome.
Sofia Opera and Ballet, 1 Vrabcha St., Sofia
Event details
29 Nov 2026 · Varna
Prince's former bassist Ida Nielsen brings her high-energy funk band to close Varna Jazz Days 2026.
Stoyan Bachvarov Drama Theatre, Filial Stage, Varna
Event details
2 Dec 2026 · Veliko Tarnovo
Georgian folk stars Trio Mandili play their first Veliko Tarnovo concert, with three-voice Georgian polyphony.
Chitalishte Nadezhda, Veliko Tarnovo
Event details
4 Dec 2026 – 27 Dec 2026 · Burgas
A December market of handmade gifts, traditional crafts and festive decorations in central Burgas.
Sts Cyril and Methodius Square, Burgas
Event details
4 Dec 2026 – 5 Dec 2026 · Plovdiv
Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker ballet, with a Saturday morning show for families, to start the Christmas season.
Boris Hristov House of Culture, Plovdiv
Event details
6 Dec 2026 · Burgas
On St Nicholas Day, Burgas's patron feast, the museum lays out a traditional Nikulden table in the city centre.
The garden by the Clock, central Burgas
Event details
6 Dec 2026 · Varna
Varna switches on its Christmas tree and festive lights with a children's concert on Nezavisimost Square.
Nezavisimost Square, Varna
Event details
8 Dec 2026 · Plovdiv
End-of-year open networking evening for Plovdiv entrepreneurs: no talks, just review 2026 and plan 2027 with peers.
Kapana district, central Plovdiv (exact venue to be announced)
Event details
13 Dec 2026 · Sofia
Festive winter trail race on the forest paths at Sofia's western edge, part of the RunBG Trail Series.
Path of Health trail, Sofia
Event details
17 Dec 2026 · Stara Zagora
Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace Orchestra plays a festive Christmas gala on the Stara Zagora opera stage.
State Opera Stara Zagora, 30 Mitropolit Metodiy Kusev Blvd, Stara Zagora
Event details
18 Dec 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 · Sofia
Tchaikovsky's Christmas ballet in Yuri Grigorovich's choreography, a festive family favourite.
Sofia Opera and Ballet, 1 Vrabcha St., Sofia
Event details
19 Dec 2026 · Burgas
Tchaikovsky's Christmas ballet performed by the soloists and corps de ballet of State Opera Burgas.
State Opera Burgas
Event details
24 Dec 2026 – 26 Dec 2026 · Across Bulgaria
Three public holidays: a meatless Christmas Eve feast with an odd number of dishes, then two days of Christmas.
Event details
30 Dec 2026 · Plovdiv
Opera Plovdiv's New Year concert, a festive evening to close 2026.
Boris Hristov House of Culture, Plovdiv
Event details
31 Dec 2026 · Varna
A five-hour open-air New Year's concert in central Varna with Bulgarian and international acts.
Nezavisimost Square, Varna
Event details
1 Jan 2027 · Razlog
Razlog greets the New Year with Starchevata: kukeri in furs, masks and bells parade and dance on the main square.
Central square, Razlog (about 6 km from Bansko)
Event details
6 Jan 2027 · Across Bulgaria
Priests throw a cross into icy rivers and lakes, and young men dive in to retrieve it.
Event details
6 Jan 2027 · Burgas
A cross is thrown from the Burgas pier into the Black Sea and swimmers race to retrieve it.
Event details
6 Jan 2027 · Veliko Tarnovo
On Epiphany, a priest throws a cross into the icy Yantra and young men dive in to retrieve it.
Vladishki Bridge, Yantra River, Veliko Tarnovo
Event details
6 Jan 2027 · Sozopol
Bulgaria's Epiphany tradition: a blessed cross is thrown into the sea and swimmers race to bring it back.
Event details
6 Jan 2027 · Varna
On Epiphany a priest throws a cross into the Black Sea and young men swim out to rescue it.
Event details
6 Jan 2027 · Ruse
A procession from Holy Trinity Cathedral to the Danube, where the cross is thrown into the river for the Epiphany blessing.
Danube riverbank, Ruse (procession from Holy Trinity Cathedral)
Event details
16 Jan 2027 – 17 Jan 2027 · Bansko
World Cup parallel giant slalom snowboard races return to Bansko, with the world's top riders on the slopes above town.
Tomba slope, Bansko ski area
Event details
16 Jan 2027 · Varna
A 60-minute candlelit string quartet concert of Vivaldi's Four Seasons in Varna's Festival and Congress Centre.
Festival and Congress Centre, Europe Hall, Varna
Event details
16 Feb 2027 – 19 Feb 2027 · Sofia
International exhibition of hotel, restaurant and catering equipment, supplies and services.
Inter Expo Center, 147 Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd, Sofia
Event details
18 Feb 2027 – 20 Feb 2027 · Sofia
International tourism fair with travel, spa and wellness exhibitors from Bulgaria and abroad.
Inter Expo Center, 147 Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd, Sofia
Event details
20 Feb 2027 · Ruse
Ruse marks its 1878 liberation with a memorial service, a ceremony at the Pantheon and a historical reenactment.
Pantheon of the National Revival, Ruse
Event details
23 Feb 2027 – 27 Feb 2027 · Plovdiv
Southeast Europe's big wine fair, where Bulgarian and foreign wineries pour and present their wines.
International Fair Plovdiv, 37 Tsar Boris III Obedinitel Blvd, Plovdiv
Event details
23 Feb 2027 – 27 Feb 2027 · Plovdiv
South-east Europe's big agribusiness fair: machinery, precision farming, seeds and services across the Plovdiv fairgrounds.
International Fair Plovdiv, 37 Tsar Boris III Obedinitel Blvd, Plovdiv
Event details
23 Feb 2027 – 27 Feb 2027 · Plovdiv
34th international expo for food and drinks, packaging, processing machinery and food technology, held alongside AGRA.
International Fair Plovdiv, 37 Tsar Boris III Obedinitel Blvd, Plovdiv
Event details
24 Feb 2027 – 28 Feb 2027 · Sofia
The world's best junior figure skaters compete for world titles in Sofia.
Arena 8888, 1 Asen Yordanov Blvd., Sofia
Event details
1 Mar 2027 · Across Bulgaria
Bulgarians swap red-and-white martenitsi on 1 March to welcome spring and wish each other health.
Event details
3 Mar 2027 · Across Bulgaria
Bulgaria's national day marks liberation from Ottoman rule in 1878, with flags and ceremonies.
Event details
3 Mar 2027 · Veliko Tarnovo
On Bulgaria's National Day, Tsarevets lights up in the free Sound and Light show telling the story of the medieval capital.
Tsarevets Fortress, viewed from Tsar Asen I Square, Veliko Tarnovo
Event details
11 Mar 2027 – 21 Mar 2027 · Sofia
Bulgaria's biggest film festival returns for its 31st edition with international and Balkan premieres.
Cinemas across Sofia
Event details
12 Mar 2027 · Sofia
Grammy-winning US soul and R&B singer Ledisi plays an intimate club show.
Sofia Live Club, NDK complex, 1 Bulgaria Sq., Sofia
Event details
14 Mar 2027 · Varna
Finnish symphonic metal singer Tarja Turunen plays Varna on her tour for the album Frisson Noir.
Palace of Culture and Sports, Varna
Event details
17 Mar 2027 – 20 Mar 2027 · Sofia
International construction and architecture fair, held alongside the Green Energy expo on efficiency and renewables.
Inter Expo Center, 147 Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd, Sofia
Event details
22 Mar 2027 · Veliko Tarnovo
The old capital's city holiday honours Tsar Ivan Asen II's 1230 victory, with a liturgy, ceremonies and evening events.
Holy Forty Martyrs Church and city centre, Veliko Tarnovo
Event details
23 Mar 2027 · Plovdiv
The former Smokie frontman plays Plovdiv's Kolodruma arena on his farewell tour of Bulgaria.
Kolodruma, Plovdiv
Event details
24 Mar 2027 – 25 Mar 2027 · Sofia
Eastern European conference on SEO, e-commerce and AI, with international speakers and masterclasses.
Inter Expo Center, 147 Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd, Sofia
Event details
26 Mar 2027 · Sofia
Italian soul-jazz crooner Mario Biondi and his deep baritone, live in Sofia.
Sofia Live Club, NDK complex, 1 Bulgaria Sq., Sofia
Event details
31 Mar 2027 – 4 Apr 2027 · Plovdiv
International outdoor exhibition covering hunting, fishing and nature activities at the Plovdiv fairgrounds.
International Fair Plovdiv, 37 Tsar Boris III Obedinitel Blvd, Plovdiv
Event details
3 Apr 2027 · Sofia
Free national careers fair where job seekers meet employers offering internships and jobs, including for experienced staff.
Hotel Marinela, 100 James Bourchier Blvd, Sofia
Event details
6 Apr 2027 – 9 Apr 2027 · Sofia
International furniture, interior textiles and home accessories fair, with the Technomebel woodworking show alongside.
Inter Expo Center, 147 Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd, Sofia
Event details
10 Apr 2027 · Sozopol
A coastal obstacle half marathon in Sozopol, plus 10 km and new 5 km runs without obstacles.
Sozopol
Event details
16 Apr 2027 – 18 Apr 2027 · Plovdiv
A weekend of races from 5 km to the full marathon, all starting and finishing at the Plovdiv Rowing Base.
Plovdiv Rowing Base, Plovdiv
Event details
23 Apr 2027 – 25 Apr 2027 · Sofia
International B2B trade show for professional cosmetics, beauty-salon and spa equipment, services and furnishings.
Inter Expo Center, 147 Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd, Sofia
Event details
30 Apr 2027 – 3 May 2027 · Across Bulgaria
Bulgaria's biggest religious holiday: Easter Sunday is 2 May 2027, with public holidays from Good Friday to Easter Monday.
Event details
6 May 2027 · Ruse
Ruse celebrates its city day on St George's Day with exhibitions, museum open days and an evening concert on the square.
Square in front of Ruse Municipality, Ruse
Event details
11 May 2027 – 15 May 2027 · Burgas
Burgas hosts the 71st Eurovision: semi-finals on 11 and 13 May and the Grand Final on 15 May 2027.
Arena Burgas
Event details
13 May 2027 – 15 May 2027 · Sofia
International exhibitions of medical, dental and aesthetic-medicine equipment, technology and supplies.
Inter Expo Center, 147 Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd, Sofia
Event details
24 May 2027 · Across Bulgaria
A public holiday honouring Saints Cyril and Methodius and the Cyrillic alphabet, with school parades and flowers.
Event details
27 May 2027 – 31 May 2027 · Burgas
Children's, youth and adult choirs from around the world compete in Burgas at INTERKULTUR's first Bulgarian event.
Cultural Centre NHK (Troykata Sq 1), State Opera Burgas (Kliment Ohridski Str 2) and Burgas Summer Theatre (Sea Garden)
Event details
27 May 2027 · Sofia
International summit on AI and digital innovation, bringing together business, tech, investors and governments.
Sofia (venue to be announced)
Event details
29 May 2027 · Stara Zagora
An evening of networking and a talk by Fast Track founder Christo Popov at the Ayazmoto summer theatre.
Event details
2 Jun 2027 – 3 Jun 2027 · Plovdiv
Drama Theatre Plovdiv premieres a large-scale new Odysseus at the Roman Ancient Theatre under the night sky.
Ancient Theatre, Plovdiv
Event details
4 Jun 2027 – 6 Jun 2027 · Kazanlak
The 124th Rose Festival, with the Rose Queen's crowning, a rose-picking ritual and a huge street parade.
Kazanlak town centre and the surrounding rose fields
Event details
15 Jun 2027 – 17 Jun 2027 · Burgas
The region's biggest ports and logistics conference and trade exhibition. The exhibition is free with a business card.
International Congress Center Burgas (ICCB), Port of Burgas
Event details
20 Jun 2027 – 27 Jun 2027 · Bansko
A week of talks, networking, hikes and parties for remote workers and digital nomads in the Pirin mountains.
Bansko
Event details
25 Jun 2027 – 26 Jun 2027 · Varna
Two-day digital marketing, AI and e-commerce event in Varna: a conference and expo, then a beach-side networking fest.
Varna (venue to be announced)
Event details
29 Jun 2027 · Ruse
Ruse celebrates the river on International Danube Day with games, art workshops and contests on the quay.
Danube riverside quay, Ruse
Event details
16 Jul 2027 – 25 Jul 2027 · Veliko Tarnovo
Ten days of folk music, dance and costume parades as ensembles from around the world fill the old capital.
Veliko Tarnovo
Event details
16 Jul 2027 – 18 Jul 2027 · Plovdiv
Plovdiv's big summer music festival returns with Robbie Williams and The Chemical Brothers headlining.
Rowing Canal, Plovdiv
Event details
23 Jul 2027 – 25 Jul 2027 · Plovdiv
Bulgaria's biggest rock and metal festival, with Slash, Skillet and Atreyu among the first names.
Plovdiv Rowing Canal, Plovdiv
Event details
29 Jul 2027 – 3 Aug 2027 · Varna
Folk dance and music ensembles from around the world perform in Varna during this CIOFF festival.
Various venues, Varna
Event details
7 Aug 2027 · Burgas
Veska Eshkenazi and Stoyan Karaivanov play Argentine tango with guest Daniel Astor Piazzolla at the open-air Summer Theatre.
Burgas Summer Theatre, Sea Garden
Event details
15 Aug 2027 · Varna
Varna celebrates its patron feast with a cathedral liturgy, an icon procession, concerts and evening fireworks.
Various venues, Varna
Event details
17 Sep 2027 · Sofia
Sofia celebrates its patron saints Sophia, Faith, Hope and Love with ceremonies, concerts and city events.
St. Sofia Church and central Sofia
Event details
22 Sep 2027 · Veliko Tarnovo
Bulgaria's independence was declared in Veliko Tarnovo, and the city marks 22 September with ceremonies and a free light show.
Tsar Asen I Square and Tsarevets, Veliko Tarnovo
Event details
29 Sep 2027 – 1 Oct 2027 · Varna
Three-day international technology and innovation forum in Varna, with B2B meetings and startup presentations.
Varna (venue to be announced)
Event details
5 Oct 2027 · Bansko
Bansko's town holiday marks its 1912 liberation with a liturgy, a flag ceremony and a historical reenactment.
Holy Trinity Church and Georgi Izmirliev Square, Bansko
Event details
15 Oct 2027 · Plovdiv
Plovdiv's yearly conference and expo on online marketing, e-commerce and AI for business.
Plovdiv (venue to be announced)
Event details
30 Oct 2027 · Sofia
Free careers fair for IT and tech, where developers, engineers and graduates meet tech employers.
Hotel Marinela, 100 James Bourchier Blvd, Sofia
Event detailsGovernment offices and banks close on these days. When a holiday falls on a weekend, the next working day is usually a day off.
Read our guides to life in BulgariaAdd the full details, dates, image and ticket link in one place. Listings are free, with the same featured packages available as business listings.
Submit an event