save this event list for February

Hi, Reader!

In traditional Bulgarian culture, February is seen as a threshold - the moment when frozen winter still holds on, but spring has already started knocking.

Here, February is known as Malak Sechko (“Little Cutter”), a time connected with purification, protection, and transformation.

February is a month of opposites:

• winter turning toward spring
• sickness shifting to fertility
• danger slowly giving way to protection

February events in Bulgaria

⛷️ National Winter Festival​

• 06.02.2026 (Fri)
• Hristo Smirnenski Hut (Belovo Municipality, Pazardzhik region)
• Winter sports, mountain experiences, creative activities, and good vibes in the nature of Belmeken.

👹 National Masquerade Festival “Dzhamala”​

• 07-08.02.2026 (Sat-Sun)
• Kyustendil
• Masquerade groups from all over Bulgaria gather alongside local craftsmen and artists, offering handmade masks, kukeri accessories, traditional items, and souvenirs.

🍷 Golden Grape Festival (Zlaten Grozd)​

• 07-08.02.2026 (Sat-Sun)
• Melnik (Sandanski Municipality, Blagoevgrad region)
• A wine festival with master winemakers, tastings, traditional music, and dancing.

👩🏻‍🍳 Festival of Bacon and Mulled Rakia​

• 07-08.02.2026 (Sat-Sun)
• Apriltsi (Lovech region)
• Tastings of local bacon and mulled rakia, culinary competitions, and live music.

🍷 Gods of Wine Festival​

• 07.02.2026 (Sat)
• Ilindentsi village (Strumyani Municipality, Blagoevgrad region)
• Ancient Thracian ritual “Rosalia,” preserved for over 4,000 years, centered around wine, fire, and purification.

🍷 Old Mountain Gathering: “Warm Hearts with Wine and Love”​

• 07.02.2026 (Sat)
• Monastery Meadow, Sopot (Plovdiv region)
• Celebration of Trifon Zarezan and St. Valentine’s with homemade wine contests, poetry, and folk fun.

🥁 Winter Tupan Drum School​

• 12-15.02.2026 (Thur-Sun)
• Velingrad (Pazardzhik region)
• Tupan (traditional drum) workshops for beginners and advanced players, celebrating Trifon Zarezan.

🌾 AGRA 2026 - International Agricultural Exhibition​

• 17-21.02.2026 (Tue-Sat)
• Plovdiv city
• Major agricultural forum showcasing innovative solutions, modern machinery, quality products, and services.

👩🏻‍🍳 FOODTECH 2026​

• 17-21.02.2026 (Tue-Sat)
• Plovdiv city
• International exhibition for food and beverage production, packaging, machines, and technologies.

👩🏻‍🍳 Folklore Festival “Mulled Rakia and Sour Cabbage Soup”​

• 21.02.2026 (Sat)
• Babovo village, Slivo Pole Municipality (Ruse region)
• Winter food celebration featuring sour cabbage soup, hot rakia, folklore music, dancing, and traditional costumes.

👹 Carnival Parade (Sirni Zagovezni)​

• 22.02.2026 (Sun)
• Asenovgrad (Plovdiv region)
• Kukeri bells, masks, music, and carnival atmosphere marking Sirni Zagovezni.

👹 International Masquerade Festival “Kukerlandia”​

• 26.02-01.03.2026 (Thur-Sun)
• Yambol city
• One of Bulgaria’s biggest Kukeri festivals with masked parades, concerts, exhibitions, and international groups.

Traditional Bulgarian holidays in February

Because February is considered a “borderline” and even dangerous month, many of its holidays are focused on protection, health, and fertility for the coming year.

Here are the most important ones you’ll hear about or experience while traveling in Bulgaria:

• Sretenie Gospodne/Rooster’s Day (02.02) - Also known as Winter Virgin Mary or Petlyovden (Rooster’s day). This day marks the purification of the Mother of God 40 days after childbirth and carries strong protective symbolism. It’s also the day of the male child (therefore the roosters) and a rooster is sacrificed to protect the children from diseases.
• Winter Simeonovden (03.02) - A day dedicated to protection against wolves and other wild or “otherworldly” animals; very much in line with February’s reputation as a risky, liminal time.
• St. Haralampiy / Plague Day (10.02) - St. Haralampiy is believed to “hold the key to pain” and keep the plague chained. He is also the patron saint of beekeepers. Related rituals include maidens making bread and then taking it outside the villages to appease the evil.
• Vlasovden (11.02) - The holiday is linked to the ancient Slavic god Veles and honors the ox as a sacred animal and protector of domestic livestock. Rituals are performed to protect oxen from a disease called Vlas.
• Trifon Zarezan (14.02) - The holiday celebrates Trifon Zarezan, the patron saint of vine-growers and winemakers. It is marked by the ceremonial cutting of vines, wine blessings, and generous drinking.
• Meatfare Saturday (movable, this year on 14.02) - a day of remembrance for the dead. Traditionally, people bring boiled wheat, bread, wine, and sweets. This is the last day when meat is eaten before the Easter fasting period begins.
• Sirni Zagovezni (movable, this year on 22.02) - One of the most emotionally charged holidays of the year and a day when you can see people ask each other for forgiveness and gatherings with massive ritual fires. Related rituals: hamkane, oratnitsa/oileliya, buturnitsi/pernitsi.

Useful resources to plan your trip to Bulgaria:

• Flights: I usually compare prices on Kiwi, Skyscanner, and Omio - they often show different deals for the same routes.
• Accommodation: For apartments and hotels, Booking, Vrbo, and Agoda cover pretty much every budget and city in Bulgaria.
• Tours & activities: If you don’t want to book on the spot, GetYourGuide and Viator are the easiest options.
• Transfers: For airport pickups and long-distance transfers, Welcome Pickups save time and negotiation.
• Car rental: I compare prices on DiscoverCars and LocalRent - especially useful outside Sofia.
• Mobile internet: For eSIMs, Saily is simple and cheaper than roaming.
• Travel insurance: I usually check HeyMondo (5% discount available) or SafetyWing, depending on trip length.

PS 1: In Sofia? Subscribe to Sofia Expats Newsletter, where Maria shares weekly Sofia-based events.

PS 2: Which one do you think is the weirdest? Hit reply and let me know!

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Cheers,

Stef

🎒 Kiss My Backpack

Druzhba 1, bl. 80., vh. B, Sofia, 1180
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