Top Festivals and Events in Bulgaria in 2017

Traveling to Bulgaria in 2017? Want to visit a traditional festival or travel related event that will let you have an even better travel experience?

I put together a list with all the major traditional festivals and events in Bulgaria in 2017 that can be of interest to everyone visiting the country this year. Take a look and choose your event to attend. 

Sofia Restaurant Week 2017

When: 7-13 May 2017

Where: Sofia, Bulgaria

More info: Facebook page

Sofia Restaurant Week is a week-long festival in celebration of the diversity and quality of Sofia’s restaurants. During the week participating restaurants will offer a 3 course set menu for the fixed price of 25 leva, not including drinks and tips.

Photo: Gabrovodaily.info

Gabrovo Humor Carnaval

When: 20 May 2017

Where: Gabrovo

More info here

This year festival motto is ”Let’s get crazy from laughter”. This clearly shows that the festival will bring a lot of laughter and smiles to people faces. The festival will be greeted with a lot of music, confetti, and sweets.

Rose Festival

When: 2-4 June 2017

Where: Kazanlak

More info: http://www.kazanlak.bg/cat-470.html

Full Program: http://www.kazanlak.bg/common/images/src/3/file/PROGRAMROSEFESTIVAL2017.pdf

Rose Festival is one of the most remarkable events in Bulgaria. It’s dedicated to the beauty of the famous Kazanlak roses. The festival was first celebrated in 1903, and this year is the celebration of the 114 years since then. There are three events during the festival you must visit: the election of Queen Rose, the parade along the streets of the town, and the early morning ritual in the rose fields.

Photo: nestinari.eu

Nestinarstvo

When: 3-4 June 2017

Where: Bulgari village

More info here

Nestinarstvo is a traditional Bulgarian ritual. It involves barefoot dances on smoldering embers performed by nestinari. The ritual is performed in several Bulgarian villages in the Strandzha Mountains. This ritual is a unique mixture of Eastern Orthodox beliefs and older pagan traditions from Strandzha Mountain.

Photo: kustendil.com

Cherry Festival in Kyustendil

When: 24-25 June 2017

Where: Kyustendil 

More info: www.kultura-kn.info

The Cherry festival is bind with the glory of the Kyustendil region. During the festival exhibition of various varieties of cherries are presented along with exhibition tables, which are arranged and covered with this delicious fruit.

Photo: inlife.bg

Zheravna Festival of the National Costume

When: 18-20 August 2017 (TBA)

Where: Zheravna village

More info: www.nosia.bg

This festival brings you closer to the life of the Bulgarians from once upon a time. Participation in the festival is a voluntary act and those who want to join it have to observe its rules. The main requirement is to be dressed in folk costume. It is forbidden the use of a number objects from modern life and plastic.

Mobile phones are allowed only in designated calling area. During the festival, there would be demonstrations of folk crafts, authentic Bulgarian folklore, traditional cuisine, rakia, wine, and basically something for everyone to try.

International Bagpipe Contest in Gela

When: The first Saturday of August

Where: Gela village

More info here

The festival aims to promote the authentic Rhodopes folklore. A prerequisite for Bulgarian participants is performances are a hornpipe. The event has gained popularity and grew into an international forum. There are registered foreign artist from Japan, France, Hungary, Netherlands, Great Britain and Scotland. The interest in the festival increases, visitors range from 8 000 to 13 000 per year.

Photo: mediacafe.bg

Kapana Fest

When: 2-4 June 2017

Where: Plovdiv

More info here

The festival is named after the district that occupies, meaning ”Trap”. It’s full of small streets and has an awesome vibe. The aim of the festival is to reach more people interested in the art culture. He combines different forms of art like music, dances, crafts, urban art, theater, etc.

Photo: eurofolk.com

Balkan Folk

When: 11-21 May

Where: Veliko Turnovo

More info here

Stara Planina Fest ”Balkan Folk” is part of ”Euro Folk”, which holds festivals in different European countries during the whole year. Every year thousands of musicians, singers and dancers take part of it. In Bulgaria, the festival would be in one of the most beautiful Bulgarian cities – Veliko Turnovo. 

Balkan Festival of Flavors and Rhythms Tabiet

When: 18-21 May

Where: Plovdiv

More info: here 

The festival collects the culinary art, music, and dances at one place. It will give the opportunity to Bulgarian and foreign companies to present their products and to the visitors the chance to enjoy the culinary and musical delights. 

Apolonia Festival of Arts

When: 28 August – 5 September

Where: Sozopol

More info: apollonia.bg

Artists, musicians, writers and poets, theatricals, cinematographers, architects, journalists meet in Sozopol and show in one place all the arts inspired by the beauty of the city and its unique atmosphere. Apolonia’s ten-day program features theater, cinema, classical music, jazz, pop, rock, literature, fine arts, architecture and other – around 70 events on five scenes.

Photo: delo.bg

Bulgarian Plum Festival

When: 22-24 September

Where: Troyan

More info: www.festivalnaslivata.com

The festival is associated with the main occupation of the region of Troyan – the cultivation of the plums, rakia making. It allows the expression of amateurs creativity and development of crafts, presented with attractive demonstrations and rituals. 

Photo: manager.bg

Wines of The Ages

When: 22-24 September

Where: Plovdiv

More info: Facebook Event

This would be the first of its kind wine tasting festival in Plovdiv, in wich, more than 40 wineries from all over Bulgaria will participate. The festival will take place parallel with the rock concerts Sounds of Ages. Visitors will have the opportunity both to taste and buy wines.  

Travel & Tourism Conferences and Exhibitions

Travel Academy

When: 30-31 March 2017

Where: RIU Pravets Golf&Spa Resort, Pravets

More info: www.travel-academy.org

Register here: http://travel-academy.org/conference/2017/#weemss

Travel Academy is a B2B conference for tourism professionals working in travel agencies and tour operators, hotels, restaurants and other parts of the tourism industry. The event focuses on the latest trends in the tourism industry, discussions, workshops and networking meetings for the attendees. 

Travelling Buzz will also be part of Travel Academy 2017. Maria will share a lecture about the trends and ways in working with Travel Bloggers in Bulgaria and beyond – 30 March at 16:15, Hall 1. 

Go2Balkans International Travel Forum 2017

When: 29-30 September 2017

Where: Inter Expo Center, Sofia

More info: www.go2balkans.com

This is one of the biggest travel exhibitions in Bulgaria. The forum gathers together exhibitors from more than 15 countries. Go2Balkans, as the name suggests, aims to present you options to spend your holiday on the Balkans, to show you plenty of destination ideas, tips and inspiration for your next travel destination. You will also have the chance to meet travellers and travel businesses from all over the Balkans and the world. 

Are you ready to visit Bulgaria in 2017?

*Information about the events is updated on 5th of March 2017 and is not official. Make sure to visit organizer’s websites for any changes and more up to date info. If you find a mistake or have an event suggestion, please email me at travellingbuzzblog@gmail.com 🙂

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