25 - 27 Jan (biennial)
Surva International Festival of Masquerade Games
Pernik, Bulgaria
The Surva International Festival of Masquerade Games, held every two years in the town of Pernik, near Sofi a, is one of the most important cultural events in Bulgaria.
14 Feb (annualy)
St Trifon’s Day
Bulgaria
On St Trifon’s day, Bulgarians celebrate wine and its patron with folkloric rituals in vineyard villages throughout the country.
9 Mar (annual)
Kucerov Den
Bulgaria
Towns all over Bulgaria celebrate the start of the agricultural year by taking part in the Kukerov Den festival.
17 Apr - 3 May (biennial)
St Lazar’s Day
Bulgaria
Eight days before Easter (i.e. the day before Palm Sunday), the young, beautiful and eligible women of Bulgaria celebrate St Lazar’s Day with ritual songs and dances.
21 May (annual)
St Konstantin & St Elena Day
Bulgaria
In some of the more remote hilltop villages, “fire dancing” on heated coals.
26 Oct (annual)
Saint Dimitri’s Day
Bulgaria
The Day of Saint Dimitri commemorates the beginning of winter - he is the patron saint of winter, frost and snow.
1-3 Nov
Golden Chest International Film Festival
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
The Golden Chest International Film Festival takes place at various venues in the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv.
4 Dec (annual)
Saint Barbara Day
Bulgaria
Every December, Bulgarian folk celebrate the day of Saint Barbara, the saint who protects children from different diseases (above all small-pox) and manages to fit animals.