Festival summer in Plovdiv brings #together the city's annual formats and events, which create and attract, entertain and connect our audiences, guests from Europe and the world.

Impressive artists, anniversary editions, large-scale productions, and contemporary content will recreate the popular and alternative scenes in the city. The imagination of all the cultural operators and artists who has yet again chosen Plovdiv is endless. This summer, we present you with 15 of them that invite us to experience Plovdiv with new emotions and shared memories.

1. International Festival for Contemporary Dance and Performance ONE DANCE WEEK
from 19.05. to 02.06.
Boris Hristov House of Culture
Paid entrance

The 15th edition of ODW will present impressive performances from Bulgaria, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Northern Ireland, Greece, and others. Watch THE POWER (of) THE FRAGILE by Mohamed Toukabri (Belgium) on 28.05. and on 02.06 - MOS by Ioanna Paraskevopoulou (Greece). *The world premiere of A unique family by Claire Durand-Drouhin for the 20th Jubilee of ONE is on 27.05. 

An ONE Foundation for Culture and Arts project and part of the Plovdiv 2019 Legacy Programme.

 

2. Balabanov’s House Music Days International Festival
from 22.06. to 30.06.
Blabanov’s House, The Small Basilica, The Bishop's Basilica of Philippopolis, The Stadium of Philippopolis
Paid entrance

The spring edition shows 9 concerts with soloists from the Vienna Philharmonic, the Academic Choir Gaudeamus, the Brussels String Quartet, Ensemble Balkanicus, and Guitar Quintet PLOVDIV. Among the highlights in June are the performances of the soloists Svetlina Stoyanova, Rumen Tsviatkov, and Lyudmil Angelov, the master classes with Jacqueline Price, and The XI BIG CHILDREN’S CONCERT on June 1st.

A Musicartissimo Foundation project and part of the Municipality of Plovdiv Cultural Calendar.

 

3. 58. International Chamber Music Festival
26.05. to 16.06.
Ethnographic Museum, Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts, Veren Stambolyan House
Paid entrance

The oldest chamber music festival in Europe presents 10 musical events – presentations, master classes, and impressive performances. The diverse programme includes artists from the Republic of South Korea, Finland, Japan, the USA, Austria, Italy, Croatia, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria.

An Academy of Music, Dance and Visual Arts ‘Prof. Asen Diamandiev’ – Plovdiv project and part of the Municipality of Plovdiv Cultural Calendar.

 

4. LOST IN HILLS 
10.06.
Bunardjika Halm
Paid entrance

The festival hosts a variety of electronic music genres – from techno and house to trance and more. The fantastic selection of national and international DJ artists includes: 

CHUS; PACHO & PEPO; PAVEL PETROV; CHRISTIAN CRACEN; DIMO BG / World Up

MAX & DANNY; VANINA; ZLATINA DIMITROVA; Dr. Radev

An Ellectrica Events project and part of the Municipality of Plovdiv Cultural Calendar.

 

5. DISCO MUSIC FEST: BACK TO THE '80S ('90S)
11.06. and 12.06.
08:30 pm.
Ancient Theatre
Paid entrance

In its first edition, the festival invite key disco names such as the German duo La Bouche – the headliners on 11.06., and the world-famous soul-funk group Kool & The Gang, who are the special guests on the second day (12.06). The star singers from the Voice of Bulgaria – Alexandra Ivanova with DJ Maxman and the finalist Kaloyan Nikolov will also take the stage.

A MaskArt project and part of the Municipality of Plovdiv Cultural Calendar.

 

6. Francofolies de Bulgarie
16.06. and 17.06.
Rowing Canal Plovdiv
Paid entrance

The Francofolie International Festival is one of the brightest multi-genre events for modern French culture on a national scale. Among the stars on the Bulgarian stage are Imani, LP or Laura Pergolisi, Metr Gims, Elena Paparizou, La Caravane Passe, Bon Entendeur, Shouse, and Gente De Zona.

An Omega-ABC project and part of the Plovdiv 2019 Legacy Programme.

 

7. Music of the Ages Forum – QUINTET ASTOR PIAZZOLLA
17.06.
7 pm.
Ancient Theatre
Paid entrance 

The original ensemble of Astor Piazzola is coming on the stage of the Ancient Theatre in Plovdiv. The Grammy award winners have been touring the world for twenty years as ambassadors of the Argentine tango and its global emblem –  the composer Astor Piazzolla. 

The event of Blue Hills Events and part of the Municipality of Plovdiv Cultural Calendar.

 

8. OPERA OPEN 2023
from 20.06. to 18.08.
Ancient Theatre
Paid entrance

The tenth-anniversary edition will present one of the most iconic productions over the years – The Force of Destiny by Stefano Poda on 24.06. and The Mercy of Titus on 15.07 by Vera Nemirova. Among the highlights are David Garrett's concert and the exceptional Diane Reeves (collab with Plovdiv Jazz Fest). The programme also includes the audience favourites Anna Karenina, Nabucco, Turandot, Jesus Christ Superstar, and more.

A State Opera Plovdiv project and part of the Plovdiv 2019 Legacy Programme.

 

9. FIRST® LEGO® League
08.07.
Kolodrum Plovdiv
Free entrance

Students from all over Bulgaria will participate in the global format to test their "superpowers" in competition with Lego robots. The public will also meet some of the most innovative high-tech companies in the country, join workshops and robot demonstrations, and enjoy a Lego fan zone, a music stage, and Lego exhibitions.

A Plovdiv 2019 project #together with the Center for Creative Learning, SAP Labs Bulgaria, FRGI, Professional Association for Robotics and Automation (PARA), and Ucha v Plovdiv.

 

10. Solar Festival
14.07.
Rowing Canal Plovdiv
Paid entrance

After the unique musical and visual experience of last year featuring Armin van Buuren, Topic, and Skepta, this summer SOLAR FESTIVAL presents for the first time in Bulgaria the legendary Afrojack and the pioneer of electronics - Fedde le Grand, #together with the dance star Laura van Dam and the Brazilian artist Öwnboss.

A Solar Summer Festival project and part of the Plovdiv 2019 Legacy Programme.

 

11. International Folklore Festival
from 24.07. to 28.07.
Ancient Theatre, Stefan Stambolov Square
Paid entrance

Annually, the festival hosts international folklore groups performing diverse cultures' authentic music and dance. The 29th edition of the festival is a long-awaited celebration and will once again present the traditional defiles in the city centre and memorable concerts on key open stages.

The festival is organized by the Municipality of Plovdiv and is part of the Plovdiv Municipality Cultural Calendar.

 

12. Plovdiv Jazz Summer
from 04.08. to 06.08.
Cinema Orpheus
Paid entrance

The festival annually welcomes in Plovdiv the most influential artists from the Bulgarian and world scenes. The summer 2023 selection includes Ivo Papazov-Ibryama and the Trakia Orchestra, Antoni Donchev Jazz Quartet with the Eva Quartet, and the Destino Tango Trio: Ludmil Angelov, Cristina Vilallonga, Victor Villena

Plovdiv Jazz Fest is organized by the singer Miroslava Katsarova and the Blue M Company, and it is part of the Municipality of Plovdiv Cultural Calendar.

 

13. Shake That Hill Plovdiv – TOGETHER
from 01.09. to 03.09.
Plovdiv Stage Park
Free entrance

The 9th edition of the traditional Plovdiv festival once focuses on the "sustainable lifestyle" and "slow living" in the "Ayliak" pace and everyday life of Plovdiv. The three days programme includes the loved handmade format with a national network of authors, the Street Culture Camp with its dance battle and skate areas, graffiti zone, and colorful music line-up.

Аn Association Creative Complex Incubator project and part of the Plovdiv 2019 Legacy Programme.

 

14. The International Puppet-Theatre Festival Three Are Too Many, Two – Not Enough & THEATAIR
from 01.09. to 06.09.
Puppet Theatre – Plovdiv + open air
Paid entrance 

The festival is an emblematic puppet theatre biennial in Plovdiv. The programme also includes the TheatAir format for circus, music, and performance on the open stages in the city.

A Three Are Too Many, Two – Not Enough NGO and the Puppet Theatre – Plovdiv project and part of the Municipality of Plovdiv Cultural Calendar.

 

15. Station Street Festival
5.09. and 06.09.
Ivan Vazov Street
Free entrance

The event is a continuation of the festival held with the Plovdiv 2019 Foundation in 2021 for the 7th anniversary of the inauguration of Plovdiv as the European Capital of Culture. In 2023 music, theatre, literature, history and a TV studio will take place on the symbolic Ivan Vazov Street that until 1920 was called Station Street and was the first modern one in the city.

A Troleypatna Stantsia (TROLLEY STATION) project and part of the Plovdiv 2019 Legacy Programme.

Check out the program HERE.