Festivals

The Surova National Festival traditionally takes place every year on the 13th and 14th of January in dozens of villages in Pernik. The ones who directly carry out this old tradition are the Surva masquerade groups, which include over 2,500 participants, who during those days dance and go around the villages as heralds of the transition from the old year to the new. The Surova Festival is included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

During the summer months of every year, the citizens and guests of the capital are drawn to a new type of cultural space with two summer festivals: Opera in the Park, held in the park of the Military Academy "Georgi Rakovski "; and Muses on the Water near Pancharevo Lake. The festivals are organised by Sofia Opera and Ballet and include over 50 performances of opera and ballet classic masterpieces, children's operas and popular musicals.

In the 36 years of its existence, the festival has enjoyed a well-established brand and a loyal audience, with over 60 000 people attending the screenings every year. The festival's film selection includes something to suit every palate: hit titles, golden classics, children's movies, culinary and music films, autobiographical and documentary screenings.

At the beginning of the last century, Radomir was the centre of the boza industry and the fame of Radomir's boza drink was spread across the country. The traditions of the production have been retained and in October of every year the boza and its production are celebrated with a festival that includes degustations, bazaars of local produce and public entertainment in the city centre, at the only monument in honour of boza producers in the country.

The international A to JazZ Festival is a remarkable part of Sofia's cultural life. The festival traditionally marks the beginning of summer, presenting jazz icons from around the world, established artists and rising young talents under the open sky. Every year the beautiful festival park welcomes an audience of over 40 000 people and its programme also includes jam sessions, art bazaars, a children educational programme, workshops, sport activities and musical yoga.

For over 50 years now, Sofia has hosted the international Sofia Music Weeks  festival, which has established itself as the most significant international music event for the capital and the country. The festival's high prestige is further affirmed by the participation of leading European symphonic orchestras, celebrated instrumentalists and singers, world-famous ensembles and the best Bulgarian performers in the field of classical music.

Kyustendil is called "Bulgaria's Orchard" and it is no wonder that there are many local festivals dedicated to fertility there, with the most significant and large one naturally being the Cherry Festival. The highlights of the event are the cherry market and cherry produce from local producers, as well as a cooking competition, cultural events and outdoor stages that  raise the mood even further for the festival guests.

One of the signature events in Kyustendil takes place every year on the day of the spring equinox and it is deeply rooted in the ancient worship of sun deities and healers. All of the festival's events are combined in a cultural programme that continues for several days and every year has a different focus, but the culmination is always the beauty contest and the selection of the "Kyustendil Spring" maiden.

For over 10 years now, Chepan Mountain near Dragoman has been the arena for Bike and Run for Chepan — one of the biggest and most massive mountain running and cycling races. Every year the race aims to support environmental campaigns and promote outdoor activities.

Vitosha 100, or the Tour of Vitosha, is an annual mountain ultra marathon and cycling race that has been held since the 1970s. The race is constantly increasing in popularity and attracts both professionals challenged by the track and the conditions and amateurs, united by the idea of going around their favourite mountain.

Taking inspiration from the national holiday and the Kuker traditions, Pernik annually organises the International Festival of Masquerade Games "Surova" ("Surva") — one of the most spectacular events in the country. The euphoria of this colourful and loud event excites the participants, the spectators and the entire town long before January and long after the celebration, filling everyone with energy, strength and vitality, and makes Pernik one of the carnival cities in Europe.