"The FESTIVALS and events in the Thracian tourist area add to the experience emotion and diversity combining tradition and modernity. Here you can enjoy opera, jazz, or rock performances in an antique or contemporary setting, you can taste the wines during the Defile of Young Wine and Wine and Gourmet festivals in Ancient Plovdiv or in the many boutique wineries in smaller towns. You will also be tempted to immerse yourself in the traditions by tasting or preparing old-time dishes, as well as transport yourself to bygone times by taking part in festivals of different genres of music, such as Harmanli's festival Na Harmana. The lavender festival is one of the attractive experiences near Chirpan.
1. OPERA OPEN
Opera Festival of the Ancient Theater in Plovdiv. The International Opera Festival takes place from July to September, during which the Ancient Theater becomes a dream stage for the performance of world-famous singers, instrumentalists, orchestras, and dance troupes. The OPERA OPEN festival of the Ancient Theater in Plovdiv celebrated its 10th jubilee edition in 2023 with a program that presented heavily international content, genre diversity of the festival platform, and the 40-year traditions of the Verdi Festival. The Plovdiv Opera highlights some of the most successful productions, formats and creative collaborations over the years, which have boldly placed OPERA OPEN on the map of the European music open air festivals. The program is divided by genre into "Opera and Ballet," "Classical and Jazz," "Musical and Rock" and includes premiere projects with top Bulgarian and international artists.
2. The Old Town Festival
During the celebration, the Old Town of Plovdiv turns into an outdoor stage. Concerts of folk and vocal troupes, jazz and rock groups, and choirs are performed. At the center of the events is the promotion of the movable and immovable historical heritage of Ancient Plovdiv. In September, artists, musicians, painters, scientific specialists invite the friends of Ancient Plovdiv to a meeting in time and space, nestled in the cobblestone streets of the city.
3. Plovdiv Jazz Fest, November
The Jazz Fest is the successor of Plovdiv Jazz Evenings and, since 2016, at the beginning of November it has annually welcomed in Plovdiv some of the most influential artists of the world jazz scene. The main program of these jazz-filled autumn evenings includes a number of side events — master classes, jam sessions, exhibitions, an award for overall contribution to jazz has been setup, as well as a Youth Jazz Competition.
4. Crafts Fair, May and September
Craftsmen from Bulgaria and abroad gather in Plovdiv for four days to demonstrate and offer their production.
5. International children's ethno-festival “The Children of the Balkans – with spirituality in Europe“ - Mineralni Bani
The festival celebrates 1st of June – International Children's Day. Through the universal language of song and dance, the messages of the festival are for unity and a joint future of the Balkans and Europe, for tolerance between ethnic groups, for respect for different spiritual and cultural values and traditions. The festival was first organized in 2001. More than 2,000 children from the country and abroad (Greece, Turkey, Moldova, Romania, Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and many others) take part in it.
6. Jazz Forum, Stara Zagora, June
In addition to classy music, the festival offers a rich program of side events: exhibitions, jam sessions, special jazz classes for children
7. Beer Fest, Stara Zagora, September
A celebration of beer, in the production of which Stara Zagora has a long tradition, participation of Bulgarian rock musicians and performers
8. Na Harmana Festival
Harmanli, September. The festival will offer you many authentic foods and dishes, traditional crafts, folk songs and dances, fun for the young and the old. What are traditions for, if we don't honor them? What is food for, if we don't share it? And what is Bulgarian folklore for, if we don't show it?"