NESTIYA FESTIVALS BULGARIA 2020

  • Before planning a trip around a festival, verify the festival dates at the festival's website or with a local tourist information office. For more information about these and other events, visit Events in Bulgaria and/or the country's official tourism site.
  • This list includes major festivals in major cities, plus national holidays observed throughout Bulgaria. Many sights and banks close down on national holidays — keep it in mind when planning your itinerary. Note that this isn't a complete list; holidays can strike without warning.
  • See upcoming holidays and festivals across Europe

2020

January 1:  New Year's Day (closures)

January 25–27:  Surva Festival, Pernik (Bulgarian masquerade games)

February 1:  Day of Remembrance and Respect to Victims of the Communist Regime

March 3:  Liberation (from Ottoman rule) Day

April 17–20:  Orthodox Easter Weekend (Good Friday through Easter Monday; closures)

May 1:  Labor Day (closures)

May 6:  St. George's Day (Gergiovden, closures)

May 14–18:  Balkan Folklore Festival, Veliko Tarnovo

May 24:  Sts. Cyril and Methodius Day (celebrating Bulgarian culture and the Cyrillic alphabet; closures)

May 21–June 28 (likely):  Sofia Music Weeks

June 5–7:  Rose Festival, Kazanlak

June 10—20:  International Chamber Music Festival, Plovdiv

Late June–early November:  Varna Summer International Music Festival (classical music)

July 26–30 (likely):  International Folklore Festival Varna

July 31–August 3:  The Unbeaten Path Festival, Kovachevitsa

August 5–9 (likely):  Burgas Street Food & Art Festival

August 8–12:  Bansko Jazz Festival

August 15:  Varna Day

August 24–28 (likely):  International Folklore Festival, Burgas (dancing and music)

August 27–September 5 (likely):  Apollonia Festival of Arts, Sozopol

September (Fridays and Saturdays):  Puppet Theater Festival, Sofia

September 2–7 (likely):  Euro Folk Black Sea Fest, Tsarevo

September 3–8 (likely):  Ethno Rhythms International Folklore Dance and Music Festival, Golden Sands

September 6:  Unification Day (closures, celebrations in Plovdiv)

September 12–November 22 (likely):  Balabanov's House Music Days, Plovdiv

September 18–20 (likely):  Bulgarian Plum Festival, Troyan

September 18–October 17 (likely):  One Dance Week, Plovdiv (contemporary dance)

September 22:  Independence Day

September 23:  Independence Day observance (closures)

November 1:  Revival Leaders' Day (observances)

December 24–25:  Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (closures)

December 26:  Second Day of Christmas (closures)

December 31:  New Year's Eve (festivities, especially in Sofia)

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/bulgaria/festivals