From July 19 to 26, 2025, the old capital city will host the 27th edition of the International Folklore Festival, one of the most colorful and beloved cultural events in Bulgaria. Under the open sky, with rhythms from five continents, hundreds of performers from around the world will turn summer evenings into a celebration of tradition, music, and dance.
The festival will once again bring together folklore ensembles, singing and dance groups, brass bands, and soloists, who will present unique cultural customs, costumes, and rituals to the large audience. The event stands out not only for its artistic program but also for parades along the central streets, international competitions, evenings of nations, and spectacular performances, including the iconic ‘Sound and Light’ show over Tsarevets Hill.
Period, participants, and venue
- Dates: July 19–26, 2025
- Venue: The main stage is at the Summer Theatre in Marno Pole Park, Veliko Tarnovo
- Over 470 performers from 9 countries will showcase traditions through dance, song, and carnival parades
Opening and parade
- July 19 (Saturday): Parade along ‘Vasil Levski’ Street (starting around 6:00 PM, followed by the official opening around 8:00 PM at the Summer Theatre)
Evening concerts (8:00 PM)
- July 20–26, every evening from 8:00 PM, free admission
- Performances from at least 6–9 countries, including Argentina, Georgia, Egypt, Colombia, Mauritius, Chile, Peru, Serbia, and others.
- Acrobatics, carnival elements, and the festival’s customary surprises are also expected
Accompanying events
- July 22 (Sunday at 10:30 PM): Audio-visual show ‘Sound and Light’ (Tsarevets)
- Miss Festival’ contest – beauty and stage presence, likely included in one of the concert evenings
- Traditional evenings of nations, academic meetings, tastings, and public raffles
Folklore World Cup (competitive section)
- Part of the festival is the ‘World Cup of Folklore – Veliko Tarnovo 2025,’ under the auspices of the Euro Folk Academy and EAFF
- The awards include the Grand Prix (gold medal), silver and bronze prizes, vouchers totaling €2,000, ‘Maestro’ diplomas, and more.
Practical information
- Admission to all events, including concerts and parades, is free.
- The opening and some parades will require the closure of the central ‘Vasil Levski’ area and temporary restrictions on public transport.