Festival of Folklore in Koprivshtitsa

Name: Festival of Folklore in Koprivshtitsa
Location: Koprivshtitsa

Bulgaria’s Living Heritage Echoes through the Mountain Valleys

2026/08/06 - 2026/08/08

Once every five years, the historic mountain town of Koprivshtitsa transforms into the stage for Bulgaria’s largest festival of traditional music, dance, and folk culture—an event inscribed on UNESCO’s Register of Good Safeguarding Practices for Intangible Cultural Heritage. More than 10,000 performers and over 100,000 visitors from across Bulgaria and around the world gather on outdoor stages surrounded by green hills and pine forests, where the true “soul” of Bulgaria comes alive. Bathed in color, sound, nostalgia, and the energy of the people, this festival is a must for lovers of folk culture and music, families, and anyone who wants to experience something truly unforgettable.

Stroll through cobblestone streets lined with wooden houses, breathe the clear mountain air, and feel centuries-old songs and dances come alive in the present moment. For three days, the heartbeat of Bulgaria will resonate in your soul.

Main Attractions

Open-Air Stages and Grand Performances

The heart of the festival is a series of open-air stages scattered across the meadows and hills outside Koprivshtitsa. From sunrise to sunset, you’ll witness nonstop polyphonic singing, the sound of bagpipes and drums, folk dances, and ancient rituals. Over three days, more than 15,000 performers and over 100,000 spectators gather—a scale that is truly breathtaking.

Key Events

The festival opens with a parade of groups in regional costumes from all over Bulgaria. Demonstrations and workshops in traditional crafts (like embroidery, woodcarving, and weaving) are popular, as are spontaneous sessions where strangers join hands in song and dance, quickly becoming friends. At night, bonfires blaze and laughter and music echo through the mountains.

Costumes and Decorations

Performers wear folk costumes unique to their regions, each a work of art with vivid colors, embroidery, and decorations. Bright aprons, wool skirts, intricate sashes, and silver jewelry catch the eye. The festival grounds are adorned with flowers, traditional banners, handwoven cloths, and woodcraft stalls—offering both tactile and visual delights.

Traditional Food & Drink

The festival is a feast for the senses: grilled meats, fresh-baked bread, banitsa (cheese pastry), homemade yogurt, and honey. Try the local plum rakia (fruit brandy) or herbal teas. Long communal tables invite you to toast and share stories with new friends—a signature experience of the festival.

Cultural and Historical Background

The Festival of Folklore in Koprivshtitsa was born in 1965, at a time when Bulgaria’s rural traditions and folk arts were threatened by rapid urbanization and industrialization. Local musicians and ethnologists recognized the urgent need to safeguard these “living cultural treasures”—songs, dances, storytelling, crafts—for future generations. This sense of crisis led to the creation of the festival as a “living archive,” bringing together folk groups and tradition bearers from across the country.

Koprivshtitsa itself is a town of great historical significance, known as the spark of the 1876 April Uprising against Ottoman rule and for its beautifully preserved 19th-century National Revival architecture—earning its reputation as a “living museum.” The fusion of the town’s historic landscape and the festival is a symbol of Bulgarian identity and pride.

Held every five years in August, the festival features more than 10,000 selected performers from every administrative region, with a diverse program of music, dance, storytelling, folk games, and crafts on outdoor stages and throughout the town. The variety of performances, costumes, dialects, and musical styles reflects Bulgaria’s rich cultural tapestry. The festival is also inscribed on UNESCO’s Register of Good Safeguarding Practices for Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The Koprivshtitsa Festival is not just a showcase of tradition—it is a celebration of cultural diversity, a place where living heritage is shared across generations, regions, and even borders. For Bulgarians, it is a cherished opportunity to rediscover their roots and pride, and it now serves as an international model for folk festivals across Eastern Europe.

Participant Voices

I came as a tourist from Germany, and everything was so fresh and new. The costumes, the music, the food—it was all overwhelming in the best way. I bought a handwoven tablecloth from a local artisan and came away with a deep respect for Bulgarian culture.

Fun Facts

Held every five years, the festival lasts three days.
Koprivshtitsa is a UNESCO-listed town, famous for its 19th-century National Revival architecture.
The festival is non-competitive—sharing, not winning, is the theme.

Festival Dates

The Festival of Folklore in Koprivshtitsa is held every five years in August in Koprivshtitsa, Bulgaria. For the latest dates and details, see the official festival website.