March

INTERNATIONAL SOFIA FILM FEST – VARNA
The festival was established in 2010 on the initiative of the film company "Alexander Nikolov – Artin" Ltd. and "Art Fest" Ltd.. Its program presents the latest trends in world, European, and Bulgarian cinema.

Organizer: "Alexander Nikolov – Artin" Ltd. and "Art Fest" Ltd.
Contact Person: Alexander Nikolov – GSM 0899393342; www.artinvision.bg

May

NIGHT OF LITERATURE
Location: Regional Library "P. R. Slaveykov", bookstores, art cafes, schools, and others.
Organizer: Municipality of Varna, Amorpha Youth Foundation
Contact Person: Maria Badzhakova, GSM 0889 305 824, amorpha.youth.group@gmail.com

June - July

INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY SALON
The International Photography Salon dates back to 2003, initially as a national event and since 2007 as an international photography salon. It is held annually, and both professionals and amateurs from around the world can participate.

Location: City Art Gallery "B. Georgiev"
Organizer: Civil Society "National Photography Salon"
Contact Person: Ivan Germanov – Mobile: 0882 12 34 77

June 1 – 11

INTERNATIONAL THEATRE FESTIVAL "VARNA SUMMER"
This is the largest international theatre event in Bulgaria, held annually in Varna from June 1 to 11 within the framework of the "Varna Summer" Arts Festival. Its main goal is to present the leading trends in Bulgarian and international stage practices, creating a space for intercultural dialogue, exchange, and market development.

The program consists of different modules:

Selected Bulgarian Performances – showcasing the best achievements of Bulgarian theatre from the current season.
International Selection – presenting various stage forms and leading global trends.
Showcase Program – featuring innovative productions in contemporary theatre, dance, and performance, aimed at international selectors.
Parallel Program – including partner initiatives, discussions, workshops, theoretical conferences, book presentations, exhibitions, and concerts.
Locations: Drama Theatre "Stoyan Bachvarov", State Puppet Theatre – Varna, City Art Gallery "B. Georgiev", Archaeological Museum – Varna, Roman Thermae – Varna, and others.
Organizer: Via Fest Foundation – International Theatre Festival "Varna Summer"
Main Partners: Ministry of Culture, Municipality of Varna
Contacts: Tel. 02/988 44 82; Email: office@viafest.org; www.viafest.org

June 24 – 25

NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF ETHNICITIES "BULGARIA FOR EVERYONE"
A platform for showcasing the artistic mastery of performers from different ethnic backgrounds.

Location: Summer Theatre
Organizers: Ministry of Culture, Municipality of Varna, Sports and Cultural Complex – Varna, Grand Mall – Varna, Hristo Botev 1928 Community Center
Contact Person: Francisca Yordanova – Tel. 052 613 144; GSM 0898 231 201; h.botev.varna@gbg.bg

June 21 – September 17

99 YEARS INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL "VARNA SUMMER"
Established in 1926, this is the first music festival in Bulgaria and one of the most prestigious in Europe. It serves as a major platform for both Bulgarian and international musical creativity and performance.

The festival features multiple modules:

Main Program – Symphony and Chamber Music
International Summer Music Academy
Music Laboratory – Varna
Renaissance and Baroque Music
Opera and Ballet
Crossover Projects – blending classical music with other genres
Intermezzo Program – held in collaboration with the International Theatre Festival "Varna Summer"
Educational Concert Series – "Varna Summer for Children"
Accompanying Program – exhibitions, films, conferences, and more
Locations: Festival and Congress Center, City Art Gallery "B. Georgiev", Summer Theatre, Aula of the University of Economics, Courtyard of the Regional History Museum – Varna
Organizer: Municipality of Varna, Culture and Spiritual Development Directorate
Contact Person: Plamena Tsoneva – Tel. 052/820 669; GSM 0888 630 092; www.varnasummerfest.org

June 7 – 11 & August 16 – 19

CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL "A FAIRY TALE FOR YOU"
Location: Youth Center
Organizer: Revival 1870 Community Center
Contact Person: Radost Lilyanova – GSM 0889 764 086

June 9 – 11

TRADITIONAL FAIR "ASPARUHOVO SINGS AND DANCES"
This annual event is held on the first Saturday and Sunday of June. The first edition was in 1966. The program includes performances by ensembles from Prosveta Community Center, local schools, and pensioners' clubs in the Asparuhovo district. The festival features rock, pop, and folk stages, with performances by amateur groups from across the country, culminating in a concert by professional Bulgarian pop artists.

Location: Asparuhovo Park
Organizers: Prosveta 1927 Community Center & Asparuhovo District Administration
Contact Person: Lyubka Todorova – Tel. 052/370 934; GSM 0899 950 506; prochi@abv.bg

July

INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL "VARNA SUMMER"
Founded in 1992, this festival is an annual event featuring world-renowned jazz musicians from Bulgaria and abroad. The program includes international collaborations and a dedicated stage for young jazz artists from Bulgaria.

Location: Courtyard of the Archaeological Museum
Organizer: Varna Jazz Society
Contact Person: Anatoly Vapirov – Tel. 052/820 745; GSM 0888 303 381; Email: vapirov@telecoms.bg

June – August

SUMMER THEATRE OPERA EDITION (in partnership with the International Music Festival "Varna Summer")
Location: Summer Theatre
Organizer: Municipality of Varna, Varna State Opera
Contact: Tel. 052/665 020; 052/650 666; tickets@operavarna.com | www.operavarna.com

July 30 – August 2

INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVAL "VARNA SUMMER"
Established in 1992 by the Municipality of Varna, this festival takes place annually in the first week of August. The event welcomes youth and adult folklore ensembles from around the world, as well as groups specializing in authentic folklore traditions.

Location: Summer Theatre, "Rakovina" Stage, and various open-air locations across Varna
Organizer: Municipality of Varna
Contact Person: Jasmina Vasileva – Tel. 052/820 667; GSM 0889 919 414;  office@varnafolk.org | www.varnafolk.org

August

YOUTH ARTS FESTIVAL "JOURNEY TO THE PAST"
A multi-genre festival featuring music, dance, theatre, visual arts, and educational documentary cinema. It is an annual event now in its ninth edition, showcasing youth creative formations from Varna. The festival is non-competitive.

Organizer: Studio Palas, in partnership with Bulgaran Theatre and the Regional History Museum – Varna
Location: Naval Museum, Vladislav Varnenchik Park-Museum, Amphitheatre near the Pantheon Monument in the Seaside Park
Contact Person: Krasimir Yanev – Tel. 0888 606 168 | Email: palasbg@abv.bg | www.festivalpatuvane.alle.bg

August

RADAR FESTIVAL
A festival dedicated to expanding the cultural landscape of Varna by presenting innovative music projects that merge with other artistic forms such as film, video art, poetry, contemporary theatre, and dance, as well as modern technology.

Location: Various venues across Varna
Organizer: Sidea Foundation
Contact: radar-festival@mail.com | GSM: 0883 341 327 | Address: 42 F. J. Curie St., Varna | www.radar-festival.eu

August

INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL "LOVE IS FOLLY"
Founded in 1993, this festival features a competitive program that includes selected films produced in the past two years, all centered around the theme of love. The festival traditionally opens on the last Friday of August each year.

Location: Festival and Congress Center
Organizer: Festival and Congress Center, co-organized by the Municipality of Varna
Contact: www.loveisfolly.com |  fk@mail.orbitel.bg

August

INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL "THE QUARANTINE"
This annual film festival takes place at the Quarantine Fishermen’s Village. The name Quarantine originates from Varna's history when arriving sailors suspected of illness were placed in isolation. Similarly, today, young filmmakers often find themselves isolated from professional cinema circles. The festival, now in its sixth year, provides a platform for creative expression, cultural exchange, and the promotion of innovative artistic visions from around the world.

Location: Asparuhovo District, Quarantine Fishermen’s Village
Organizer: SHIDMNP Dedal Association
Contact Person: Darin Sotirov – GSM 0888 240 605 | Email: dedalgroup@mail.bg | www.thequarantine.org

August

INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL "AIR WONDERS"
Kite festivals have been a popular form of entertainment for both children and adults for centuries worldwide. This event is a great opportunity to foster creativity, raise awareness of social causes, strengthen family bonds, and provide joyful outdoor experiences.

With its international character, this unique and attractive cultural event helps shape the city's distinctive identity. The festival’s mission is to build a sense of community, encourage creativity and imagination, promote social inclusion, and inspire love for flying, birds, and freedom while fostering a responsible attitude toward environmental conservation.

Location: Asparuhovo Beach
Organizer: ASTO – DZZD
Contact Person: Yuri Ivanov Georgiev – GSM 0889 705 479 | Email: asto@abv.bg | www.kitesfest.com

September 14 – 17

INTERNATIONAL CHOIR COMPETITION "PROF. GEORGI DIMITROV" & IV NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF CHILDREN'S AND YOUTH CHOIRS
Since 1982, this competition has been named after the prominent Bulgarian composer Georgi Dimitrov, founder of Bulgaria's modern choral school.

Since 1989, the International May Choir Competition has been part of the Grand Prix Europe organizational committee, along with competitions in Arezzo (Italy), Debrecen (Hungary), Tours (France), Maribor (Slovenia), Varna (Bulgaria), and Tolosa (Spain).

These six competitions are among the most prestigious in Europe, recognized for their long-standing traditions, excellent organization, and high artistic standards.

Location: Festival and Congress Center – Varna & Open-Air Stages
Organizer: Municipality of Varna
Contact Person: Gancho Ganchev – Senior Expert | Tel. 052/820 667 | GSM 0889 91 94 26 | Email: office@choircomp.org | www.choircomp.org

September

INTERNATIONAL VOCAL ART COMPETITION "SEA STARS"
Location: P.R. Slaveykov Community Center
Organizer: P.R. Slaveykov 1928 Community Center
Contact Person: Maya Drumeva – Tel. 052 510 306 | Email: slaveikov@abv.bg | www.slaveikov1928.org

September

WORLD FESTIVAL OF ANIMATED FILM
The first edition of the World Festival of Animated Film – Varna took place in October 1979. A total of six editions were held, the last one in 1989. Since 2011, the festival has been revived in Varna.

Location: Festival and Congress Center – Varna
Organizer: World Festival of Animated Film Association
Contact Person: Henri Kulev – GSM 0888 614 884 | Email: fk@mail.orbitel.bg | www.varnafest.org

September 20 – 23

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF RED CROSS AND HEALTH FILMS – FILM ACADEMY
Location: Varna
Organizer: Red Cross and Health Film Festival Union
Contact Person: Iliya Raev – GSM 0884 111 234

October

FESTIVAL OF BULGARIAN FEATURE FILM "GOLDEN ROSE"
Founded in 1961, this festival has been one of the most prestigious platforms for Bulgarian cinema. Apart from feature films, earlier editions also included documentary, scientific, and animated films. A special jury awards prizes for Best Contemporary Film, Best Screenplay, Best Directing, Best Cinematography, Best Male and Female Performances, and more.

Location: Festival and Congress Center
Main Organizers: Ministry of Culture, National Film Center, Bulgarian National Television
Organizer: Festival and Congress Center
With the support of: Municipality of Varna
Contact Person: Irina Kanusheva – GSM 0899 94 30 04 | Email: nfc@nfc.bg | www.zlatnaroza.bg

October 22 – 23

XX NATIONAL FESTIVAL-COMPETITION "MODERN BALLET"
A platform for discovering and showcasing young talents in the field of modern ballet. The competition is held in two categories: Children and Youth.

Location: Palace of Culture and Sports
Organizer: Hristo Botev 1928 Community Center, co-organized by the Municipality of Varna
Contact Person: Francisca Yordanova – Tel. 052/613 144 | GSM 0898 231 201 | Email: h.botev.varna@gbg.bg

October

FESTIVAL-COMPETITION "LEAF FALL OF MEMORIES"
Established in 1997, this festival celebrates amateur performances by senior citizen ensembles specializing in Bulgarian folklore, old town songs, and popular hits.

The festival competition is traditionally held in five categories:

Performers of urban and popular songs
Estrada music
Authentic folklore groups
Folk songs, dances, and choirs
Academic choirs and church music
Location: Palace of Culture and Sports
Organizer: Leaf Fall of Memories Foundation
With the support of: Municipality of Varna, Regional and Municipal Council of Pensioners – 2004 – Varna, and Pensioners Newspaper
Contact Persons: Genoveva Georgieva, Stefka Delina – GSM 0878 906 978

October – November

INTERNATIONAL CINEMA-LITERATURE FESTIVAL CINE LIBRI VARNA
Cine Libri is a festival born out of a love for great literature, the magic of cinema, and the synergy between the two art forms. It promotes projects of high artistic value in the realm of cinema, literature, and education.

Organizer: Cine Libri Ltd.
Contact Persons: Jacqueline Wagenstein, Yulia Petkova – GSM 0899 330 444 | Email: julia.petkova@colibri.bg

November

MOVING BODY FESTIVAL – CONTEMPORARY DANCE AND PERFORMANCE
This festival serves as a platform for contemporary dance and performance, encouraging the professional growth of young choreographers, dancers, and visual artists from Bulgaria and around the world. It aims to make dance accessible to both professionals and a broad audience, fostering curiosity and creativity.

Locations: Varna State Puppet Theatre, Contemporary Space Gallery
Organizer: Performance Room Ltd.
Contact: Iskra Prodanova – Artistic Director | GSM 0893 430 289 | www.movingbodyfest.com