From July 4 to August 1, Velingrad once again becomes a stage for art, music, and traditions – the 53rd Velingrad Cultural Festival kicks off under the motto "Velingrad blessed and eternal" with a special focus this year: 20 years since the city was declared the SPA capital of Bulgaria. If you are planning a stroll among the concerts on Nikola Gyaurov Square during the warm summer evenings, a light dress or a comfortable set from Roberto Fashion's dress collection is the perfect choice for the festive mood. Here is the full official day-by-day program.
Week 1: July 4 – 11
July 4, Saturday – Velingrad Day: solemn liturgy (09:00, "Assumption of the Virgin Mary" church), welcoming the Rhodope narrow-gauge railway (10:15), exhibition "From the tradition of baths to the prestige of the SPA capital" (11:00, "Otets Paisiy-1893" Community Center), and in the evening on Nikola Gyaurov Square – art animation for children, stilt show, parades and flag-raising ceremony, a clip-film about Velingrad, concert by Trio "Soprano", performance by "New Circus" Company with aerial and water acrobatics and a laser show (22:00).
July 5, Sunday: "Ebru" – painting on water with Antonina Bebenova (11:00), Brass Band Day with a free guided tour (17:00), parade of brass bands and majorette ensembles from Velingrad, Pernik and Varshets (18:00) and a festive show program (19:20).
July 6, Monday – Day of "St. Cyril and Methodius – 1905" Community Center: children's morning (10:00), literary evening with Lalka Petrova (18:00, "Chitalnyata" cafe) and concert by PANPT "Chepino" (20:00).
July 7, Tuesday: open art atelier in "Dvoretsa" forest park (10:30), opening of the exhibition "The Path of the Narrow-Gauge Railway" (11:00, Art Gallery) and concert by Dance Club "Igraortsi" and folk workshop "Iskritsa" (20:00).
July 8, Wednesday: plein air "Velingrad in Colors and Notes" (10:00), presentation of Vasil Popov's book "Mamnik" (19:00, "Chitalnyata" cafe) and orienteering competition for the "Velingrad" Cup (Hozhovi Skali area).
July 9, Thursday – Day of "Vasil Levski-1904" Community Center: children's morning (10:00) and concert featuring the ensembles of the community center and guests (20:00).
July 10, Friday: parade of fairy tale characters (18:00), concert by "Dance club JOY" Modern Ballet School (19:30) and concert featuring Robi (20:30).
July 11, Saturday: opening of the XIII Folk Dance Festival "Horo pri Izvora" (10:00), concert by "Mechev's Legends", "Magadance" Ballet and PANPT "Chepino" (20:00) and concert featuring Dicho (21:00).
Week 2: July 12 – 18
July 12, Sunday: continuation of the "Horo pri Izvora" festival in Kamenitsa district (10:00), concert "Folklore that Travels by Train" (19:30) and concert featuring Nikolay Uchkunov (20:30).
July 13, Monday: opening of an exhibition of works by Ivan Angelov (10:00, Art Gallery) and "Disco under the Moon" – concert by DYVISH "Zvunche" (20:00).
July 14, Tuesday – Day of "Otets Paisiy-1893" Community Center: concert featuring Vesko Eshkenazy and Stoyan Karaivanov with Pleven Philharmonic (19:00) and charity concert in support of a heating system in the community center, jointly with Rotary Club – Velingrad (20:30).
July 15 – 16: V Jazz Festival "Jazz Velingrad 2026" – open lessons and workshops for children (16:00) and evening concerts on the square (20:00) on both days.
July 17, Friday: opening of the summer school "Let's Preserve the Beauty of the Past" with workshops on wood carving, pottery, and weaving (11:00), concert "Shared with Friends" by VG "Karaoke" (19:30) and concert featuring Veniamin (20:30).
July 18, Saturday: free guided tour (09:00), choral meeting of "Otets Paisiy" Community Center and guests (18:00), concert by Stoyan Petrov and TF "Asti Dance" (20:00) and concert featuring Mihaela Marinova (21:00).
Week 3: July 19 – 25
July 19, Sunday: musical-poetic performance based on poems by Svetlanka Landzhova (18:00, Art Gallery) and concert by CST "Impulse-Velingrad – 2002" and friends (20:00).
July 20, Monday: theatrical evening "Kamenski Dzhadzhoritsi" – a humorous-satirical play in Kamenski dialect (20:00).
July 21, Tuesday: "With a Song for Velingrad" – concert by VG "Karaoke" (20:00).
July 22, Wednesday: presentation of Nikolay Ilchevski's book (18:00, "Chitalnyata" cafe) and concert with male folk groups from Chepino (20:00).
July 23, Thursday: concert by DYVISH "Zvunche" (19:00) and jubilee concert – 25 years of popular song group "Velina" and old town song group "Vela" (20:30).
July 24, Friday: literary evening with Silvia Chavdarova (18:00), concert by Kalina Despodska (19:30) and concert featuring Torino and Pashata (20:30).
July 25, Saturday: traveling festival "Summer Theater-ART" (11:00), concert by Radostina Nikolova and TF "Asti Dance" (19:30) and concert featuring Mona (20:30).
Week 4: July 26 – August 1
July 26, Sunday: children's bicycle competition (10:00), concert "Spirit of Bulgaria" (20:00) and "Night of Tango and Gypsy Romances" with K. Kumanov, R. Boteva, S. Dermendzhiev, M. Karaivanov and I. Panova (21:00).
July 27, Monday: presentation of the book "He, She and Maria" by Assoc. Prof. Dr. K. Galcheva (18:00, Art Gallery) and concert by Michona and friends (20:00).
July 28 – 29: children's disco and "Screen under the Stars of Velingrad" (July 28, 20:00 and 21:30), and on July 29 – concert "The Singing Bells of Velingrad" by DYVISH "Zvunche" (20:00) and a new edition of "Screen under the Stars" (21:30).
July 30, Thursday – Day of "Metodiy Draginov-1936" Community Center: children's morning (10:00) and concert with the authentic folklore ensemble "Draginovo" and ensembles from Grashovo and Pashovi villages (20:30).
July 31, Friday: concert "Growing with a Song" by DYVISH "Zvunche" (20:00) and concert featuring Maria Chakardakova (21:00).
August 1, Saturday – closing: workshops in the summer school (10:00), concert "Fusion duo" with Kristian Mishev and Emil Balabanov (20:00) and final concert featuring Grafa (21:00).
Stylish for the Festival Evenings
The long summer evenings on Nikola Gyaurov Square are an ideal occasion to refresh your wardrobe. For daytime strolls, opt for comfortable and stylish women's shoes from Roberto Fashion, and for concert evenings – a light set or an accessory from the accessories selection to complement any summer look.
The organizers – Velingrad Municipality – reserve the right to update the program. Follow the official channels of the municipality for any changes, and until then – prepare for a month full of music, traditions, and cheer in Velingrad. Check out the new summer collections at roberto.bg!