Last updated on April 30, 2026
35 events and festivals in Bulgaria this May
May in Bulgaria feels generous at first glance. Known in old Slavic as the “green” or “flowering” month; everything is green, in bloom, and moving fast – the kind of spring that doesn’t unfold slowly, but arrives in full.
This is also when the balance is most fragile and the weather turns unpredictable. Sudden hail, heavy rain, or harsh sun can undo weeks of quiet progress.
Older beliefs tried to explain that dragons and halas disrupted the weather and brought storms. These creatures were held back by figures like St. George or ritual groups meant to drive them away.
At the same time, people respected the quieter protectors: the snake – the guardian of the fields and the keeper of balance. Water, especially, is never neutral here. It can give life or take it, and every spring it returns with force.
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These resources will help you plan your trip to Bulgaria:
- Flights: I compare prices on Kiwi, Skyscanner, and Omio.
- Accommodation: I mostly book with Booking, Vrbo, and Agoda.
- Tours & activities: I plan with GetYourGuide and Viator.
- Transfers: If i need an airport pickups or a transfer, I’d go to GetTransfer.
- Car rental: I compare prices on LocalRent or GetRentACar
- Mobile internet: Use eSIMs like Saily.
- Travel insurance: I usually check HeyMondo (5% off) or SafetyWing.
Map of May 2026 events across Bulgaria
Events are spread across the country this month, from folklore gatherings and wine festivals to craft fairs and outdoor weekends. Tap any pin to see what’s happening there.
Bulgaria events in May
- 09.04-10.05.2026
- NDK, Sofia
- A month-long open-air setup around the National Palace of Culture that brings together small producers, artisans, food stalls, and casual performances. The art bazaar and farmers’ market are the main anchors, so it works best if you’re already in Sofia and want somewhere to drift through for an hour or two.
- 30.04-02.05.2026 (Thur-Sat)
- Koprivshtitsa
- A commemorative program set in one of the towns most closely tied to the April Uprising, which changes the atmosphere completely compared to a normal visit. Expect historical reenactments, concerts, lectures, and evening light shows, all built around the events of 1876. This is less about entertainment and more about context, if you’re trying to understand Bulgaria’s national story.
- 01-02.05.2026 (Fri-Sat)
- Heraclea Sintica (near Petrich)
- A hands-on program set inside an actual archaeological site, which changes the tone immediately compared to standard museum events. You’re not just observing – there are pottery workshops, clay modeling sessions (including a symbolic bull tied to Dionysus), and a chance to use a pottery wheel alongside both kids and adults. There’s also a tournament of reconstructed ancient board games based on finds from across Bulgaria.
- 01-02.05.2026 (Fri-Sat)
- Ruse
- A city wine festival that keeps things deliberately unpretentious, focused on Bulgarian craft wineries rather than industry showcases. Around 30 wineries participate, alongside food producers, local chefs, art installations, and live music in the evenings. It’s designed as a social space rather than a tasting event with rules, so you move, try things, and stay as long as it makes sense.
- 01-02.05.2026 (Fri-Sat)
- Zlatograd
- A food-centered celebration built around cheverme (whole roasted meat on a spit), which is strongly associated with spring gatherings in the Rhodope region. Alongside the cooking, there’s a steady presence of folk music, traditional dress, and staged performances, but the core of the event remains social and culinary.
- 01-03.05.2026 (Fri-Sun)
- Sofia
- A long weekend focused on traditional and contemporary folk dance culture, with a mix of Bulgarian, Romanian, and broader European balfolk influences. The daytime workshops lean practical – you learn steps, rhythms, and partner dynamics, while evenings shift into live music sessions designed for dancing rather than passive listening.
- 01-03.05.2026 (Fri-Sun)
- Chiprovtsi
- Chiprovtsi is one of the few places in Bulgaria where a craft is still tied directly to identity, not just tourism, and this festival leans into that without over-packaging it. You’ll see demonstrations of traditional weaving techniques, actual working looms, and opportunities to buy carpets directly from makers.
- 01-06.05.2026 (Fri-Wed)
- Tryavna
- Held in a town long associated with Bulgarian woodcarving, this is a multi-day program focused on both preservation and continuation of the craft. Expect exhibitions, live demonstrations, and participation from art schools across the country, which adds a layer of process rather than just finished work.
- 02-03.05.2026 (Sat-Sun)
- Gorski Kladenets area (near Suvorovo)
- A regional folklore gathering set outdoors, with a strong focus on participation rather than performance polish. Expect singers, dancers, and local groups sharing the same stage, with the atmosphere shaped as much by the audience as by the program itself. It leans heavily into traditional symbolism and community identity, which can feel intense if you’re not used to it – but that’s also where its authenticity sits.
- 02-06.05.2026 (Sat-Wed)
- Kremikovtsi Monastery (near Sofia)
- A multi-day folklore festival held in the grounds of Kremikovtsi Monastery, bringing together ensembles from across Bulgaria alongside international groups from countries like Colombia, Mexico, and Greece. The setting matters here – the monastery adds a quieter backdrop that contrasts with the energy of the performances.
- 03.05.2026 (Sun)
- Chirpan
- A small-scale community market built around reuse and local production, combining second-hand stalls with a farmers’ market and casual food setups. You’ll find clothes, local produce, and a mix of informal extras – music, a photo corner, a kids’ area without a strict structure holding it together. It works best if you treat it as a relaxed park visit rather than a destination event.
- 06.05.2026 (Wed)
- Ayazmoto Park, Stara Zagora
- A laid-back public event built around Gergyovden (St. George’s Day), using the park as an open space for mixed activities rather than a central stage. Expect outdoor workouts, children’s workshops, light folklore elements, and interactive games spread across the area. It doesn’t aim to be a major festival – more a way for locals to spend the day outside.
- 07-11.05.2026 (Thur-Mon)
- Veliko Tarnovo
- A large-scale folklore event spread over several days, with a dense concert program featuring performers from across Bulgaria and beyond. The focus is on both authentic and stylized folk – choirs, dance ensembles, orchestras, and groups recreating traditional customs – so the range is wide and not always consistent in quality.
- 07-11.05.2026 (Thur-Mon)
- Veliko Tarnovo
- Running in parallel with Balkan Folk, this is the competitive side of the same ecosystem, structured as part of the European Association of Folklore Festivals (EAFF) championship system. Participants perform in front of juries across different categories, moving through national and international ranking levels.
- 07-11.05.2026 (Thur-Mon)
- Veliko Tarnovo
- Part of the same cluster of events as Balkan Folk and the World Cup of Folklore, this is the national-level competition within the EAFF system. Performers are evaluated across categories.
- 08-10.05.2026 (Fri-Sun)
- Old Town, Plovdiv
- A multi-location tasting event spread across the Revival-era houses of Plovdiv’s Old Town, where wine, food, and setting carry equal weight. Over 70 exhibitors are distributed across around 17 venues, which means you move between courtyards and historic buildings rather than staying in one place. Paired with artisanal food and a light cultural program, this event can get crowded, especially in the evenings.
- 08-10.05.2026 (Fri-Sun)
- Blagoevgrad
- A mid-sized craft festival that brings together artisans from across Bulgaria, with a mix of handmade goods, traditional food, and light folklore programming. It’s structured but not overly curated – you move between stalls, watch demonstrations, and occasionally stop for performances. It works well if you want a broad overview of contemporary craft culture without traveling between smaller towns.
- 09.05.2026 (Sat)
- Mezdra
- A one-day gathering focused on Bulgarian folk dance, bringing together clubs and amateur groups from around the country. The program is built around performances and group dancing, with some international participation (including guests from Mexico and Colombia), but the core remains local horo culture.
- 09.05.2026 (Sat)
- Turukovtsi (Tran region)
- A trail running event set in one of the quieter and more rugged parts of western Bulgaria, where the terrain does most of the talking. The routes vary significantly – from 14 km to 64 km – with a mix of soft forest paths, rocky sections, steep climbs, and long open ridgelines.
- 09-19.05.2026
- Gabrovo
- One of the most recognizable public events in Bulgaria, built around satire, masks, and the city’s long-standing identity as the “capital of humor.” Expect large-scale parades, costumes, and a lot of visual jokes – some local, some easier to read. If you’re visiting, the main parade days matter most; the extended program includes exhibitions and events at the Etar Ethnographic Complex.
- 09.05.2026 (Sat)
- Burgas (Strandzha area)
- A low-key outdoor gathering built around a short hike, open views, and – if the wind cooperates – kites filling the sky. The route is about 5 km on mixed terrain, passing by a small chapel and opening up toward views of Burgas, the lakes, and the coastline. It’s organized by a local tourism association, so the tone is informal and participant-driven. Bring your own setup (food, layers, kite), because this is closer to a shared outing than a structured event.
- 14-16.05.2026 (Thur-Sat)
- Ruse
- A combined tourism fair and public festival that mixes industry presence with general audience programming. You’ll find destination presentations, travel planning support, and exhibitors from across Bulgaria alongside craft stalls, demonstrations, and evening concerts. You can either gather practical travel ideas or just treat it as a city event with a broader scope.
- 15-17.05.2026 (Fri-Sun)
- Lauta Park, Plovdiv
- A large public folklore gathering that mixes craft, performance, and participation in a park setting rather than a staged venue. There’s a strong focus on traditional crafts – over 60 in total – with live demonstrations from blacksmiths, woodcarvers, potters, and weavers, alongside dance lessons and open horo sessions. It’s designed to be accessible, with plenty of activities for children, but it can feel busy and spread out.
- 15-17.05.2026 (Fri-Sun)
- Perushtitsa
- A contemporary outdoor event built around food, drinks, and a relaxed social atmosphere, with live music running throughout the three days. The setup includes craft beer, wine, cocktails, and a mix of food vendors, alongside workshops, games, and small activities for both adults and kids. There’s also an option to come with a caravan, which shifts it closer to a casual camping weekend than a typical festival..
- 16.05.2026 (Sat)
- Kolarovo (Harmanli region)
- A small regional wine event set directly among the vineyards, which gives it a different feel from city-based tastings. Around a dozen wineries present their work, hosted by local producers, with the focus on South Sakar as a wine region rather than individual brands. The setup is informal – open space, music, and a slower rhythm. This event really makes sense if you’re already traveling through this part of southern Bulgaria.
- 16.05.2026 (Sat)
- Krushovitsa village (Mizia Municipality)
- A food-focused local festival built around banitsa, one of Bulgaria’s most recognizable traditional dishes, with a competitive element across several categories. Participants demonstrate preparation techniques on-site, so you see the process as much as the final result, alongside tastings of regional variations and other homemade dishes.
- 16.05-16.06.2026
- Ruse, Popovo, Isperih, Pisanets, Nisovo
- A month-long contemporary art program spread across multiple towns, with Ruse as the main hub and smaller locations hosting site-specific projects. The format leans toward experimentation – installations, performances, video, sound, and urban interventions – often placed directly into public or semi-public spaces. This isn’t a centralized festival you “attend” in one go; it requires intention and some planning, especially if you want to follow events outside Ruse.
- 22-24.05.2026 (Fri-Sun)
- Damascena Ethnographic Complex (Rose Valley)
- A large mixed-format event that combines music, folklore, food, and spectacle within a purpose-built complex known for rose oil production. The program is wide-ranging – concerts, dance, wine tastings, markets, sports zones, even drone races and short flight experiences. It’s designed to offer a bit of everything, which works if you’re looking for variety in one place.
- 22-24.05.2026 (Fri-Sun)
- Near Petropavlovski Monastery (Lyaskovets, Veliko Tarnovo region)
- One of the largest open-air spring events in Bulgaria, built around livestock, rural livelihoods, and food culture rather than staged folklore alone. You’ll see animal exhibitions, traditional crafts, cooking, and a constant flow of performances, all set in a wide outdoor area that can feel closer to a fairground than a festival. It’s busy, sometimes chaotic, and very local in character.
- 29-31.05.2026 (Fri-Sun)
- Ognianovo (near Elin Pelin, Sofia region)
- A smaller, more focused event centered on traditional knowledge as a living practice rather than performance. The program leans heavily into workshops and talks – natural building, herbalism, working with raw materials, and sustainable ways of living – alongside music and communal activities. It attracts a specific crowd, and the atmosphere reflects that: slower, intentional, and less spectator-oriented.
- 29-30.05.2026 (Fri-Sat)
- Elhovo
- A competitive folklore festival focused on preserving and presenting traditional songs and dances, with a strong regional emphasis on the Tundzha River valley and the Thracian and Strandzha areas. Performers include amateur groups, ensembles, and individual participants from across the country.
- 30.05.2026 (Sat)
- Kazanlak (Sevtopolis Square)
- A one-day horo competition centered on group dancing, held in the open in the center of Kazanlak. The format is straightforward – performances, judging, and a steady flow of ensembles – but the setting keeps it accessible and easy to drop into.
- 30.05.2026 (Sat)
- Razgrad
- A dance-focused folklore event centered on amateur clubs and schools dedicated to Bulgarian horo. The format is competitive, with groups presenting choreographies and traditional styles, but the underlying goal is exchange rather than strict ranking. You’ll see a wide range of interpretations, which makes it interesting if you’re trying to understand how folk dance evolves outside professional ensembles.
- 30.05.2026 (Sat)
- South Park, Sofia
- A public park event built around awareness of bees, nature, and sustainable living, with a mix of workshops, food, and light cultural programming. There’s an expanded market area with handmade goods, alongside activities for children and a casual stage program. It’s approachable and family-oriented, but still grounded in a clear theme.
- 30-31.05.2026 (Sat-Sun)
- Sofia
- A new city festival set in the courtyard of a former tobacco factory, now repurposed as a creative and business hub. The program combines street food, drinks, live music, DJ sets, and visual art, with workshops and talks layered in between. The space itself plays a big role – industrial, enclosed, and intentionally reused – which gives the event more identity than typical open-air festivals.
Find May events in Bulgaria by date or type
May is busy, especially around long weekends. Use the heatmap to see crowded dates, then filter by the kind of event you want.
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Traditional Bulgarian holidays in May
01.05 – Erminday (Snake Day) / Labour Day
- May begins with something older than the modern calendar. In folk belief, this is when the “king of the snakes” emerges, and snakes themselves are not treated simply as danger. They sit on a boundary – between protection and harm, life and death, the living household and the ancestors. In many traditions, the snake is a guardian of the home and land, tied to fertility and continuity. It can harm, but it can also heal.
06.05 – St. George’s Day (Gergyovden)
- One of the most important days in the Bulgarian calendar. Kurban (ritual sacrifice) is prepared either as a gift – an offering of gratitude – or as a due, marking a promise fulfilled after survival or healing. The practice itself predates Christianity, even if it now sits under St. George’s name. Around this time, you’ll also see the “Peperuda” ritual, performed to call for rain during dry springs.
12.05 – German (Rain Ritual)
- This is one of the more unusual customs. A small clay figure – called German – is made to represent drought or hail. It is then symbolically mourned and buried like a person. The act is meant to “bury” the destructive weather itself, whether that’s lack of rain or too much of it.
21.05 – Spasovden (Ascension Day)
- Associated with St. Spas, a figure closely tied to harvest and late spring rains. One of the rituals here is “going to rosén” – connected to a specific medicinal plant believed to have protective or healing qualities.
24.05 – Day of Bulgarian Alphabet, Education and Culture
- This is the most stable point in the month. It marks the work of Cyril and Methodius and the creation of the Glagolitic script, later leading to Cyrillic. Unlike the weather-focused traditions earlier in May, this is a civic and cultural celebration – schools, parades, and a rare moment of clarity in an otherwise unpredictable month.
Stef’s local tips
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Stefani Gospodinova
Founder and Content Creator
Stefani is a travel blogger born and raised in Bulgaria, and the founder of Kiss My Backpack. Having explored the country since childhood, she shares practical tips, local insights, and her own photography to help visitors plan their trip.
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