Bulgarian Traditions: Kukeri, Martenitsa, Fire Dancing and Feasts

Bulgarian Traditions and Customs

Bulgaria’s calendar is full of customs that mix Orthodox feasts with much older folk rites. Several are on UNESCO’s list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity, from the Surova masquerades near Pernik to the fire dancers of Strandzha and the red-and-white martenitsa.

Aktualisiert Oktober 2026 · Fakten geprüft 13. Oktober 2026

Through the year

Through the year
When	Tradition
13–14. Januar	Kukeri and Surva: masked dancers chase away evil spirits
The Sunday before Lent	Sirni Zagovezni: Cheesefare Sunday, the eve of Lent
1. März	Baba Marta: red and white martenitsi for health
3. März	Liberation Day, the national holiday
The weekend before Easter	Lazarovden and Tsvetnitsa, Palm Sunday
Spring, moveable	Easter, the greatest feast of the Orthodox year
24. Mai	The day of Bulgarian culture and the Slavonic alphabet
3–4. Juni	Nestinarstvo: fire dancing in Strandzha
24. Juni	Enyovden: midsummer and the gathering of herbs
6. Dezember	Nikulden: St Nicholas’ Day, with fish, usually carp
20. Dezember	Ignazhden: St Ignatius’ Day
24–25. Dezember	Christmas Eve and Christmas: a meatless supper on Christmas Eve
All year	Name days: celebrating the saint you are named after

Quelle: Wikipedia: Public holidays in Bulgaria; UNESCO: Nestinarstvo, the panagyr of Saints Constantine and Helena in the village of Bulgari; UNESCO: Surova folk feast in Pernik region; UNESCO: Cultural practices associated to the 1st of March; Wikipedia: Kukeri; Wikipedia: Bulgarian cuisine; Wikipedia: Cheesefare Sunday; Wikipedia: Enyovden^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8}

Living heritage

UNESCO lists the Nestinarstvo fire dancing of the village of Bulgari, the Surova winter masquerades of the Pernik region and the cultural practices of 1. März, shared with Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania, as intangible cultural heritage of humanity.^2,3,4

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Which Bulgarian traditions are on UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list?

UNESCO recognises Nestinarstvo fire dancing in Bulgari, the Surova winter masquerades in the Pernik region, and the cultural practices of 1 March, shared with Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania. They were added to the list in 2009, 2015 and 2017 respectively.

What happens during Kukeri and Surva in Bulgaria?

Kukeri and Surva are Bulgarian winter customs in which masked dancers chase away evil spirits on 13–14 January. The Surova folk feast is held annually in the Pernik region.

What is Baba Marta in Bulgaria?

Baba Marta is observed on 1 March, when people exchange red-and-white martenitsi for health. The cultural practices associated with 1 March were added to UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list in 2017.

When is Sirni Zagovezni in Bulgaria in 2026?

Sirni Zagovezni falls on 22 February in 2026. It is a day of forgiveness and family customs, when people eat the last dairy foods before Lent.

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Kukeri and Surva

Discover the Kukeri tradition and the Surva masquerade festival in Pernik.

13–14 Jan Annual Surova folk feast in the Pernik region
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Sirni Zagovezni

A Bulgarian day of forgiveness, family customs and the last dairy foods before Lent.

22 Feb Orthodox date in 2026
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Baba Marta

Discover the red-and-white thread tradition of 1 March.

1. März The traditional start of spring
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Liberation Day

Bulgaria marks its liberation and honours those who fought for it every 3 March.

3. März Bulgaria’s national holiday
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Lazarovden and Tsvetnitsa

Discover the Christian feasts and folk customs of Tsvetnitsa and Lazarovden.

5. April 2026 Tsvetnitsa in 2026
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Easter

Discover Bulgaria’s Easter services, red eggs and family traditions.

2. Mai 2027 Eastern Easter in 2027
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Culture Day, 24 May

A Bulgarian public holiday for the alphabet, education and culture.

24. Mai Annual date, in the new style
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Nestinarstvo

Learn about Nestinarstvo, the fire-dancing rite of Strandzha.

3–4. Juni Panagyr feast days in Bulgari
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Enyovden

Discover Bulgaria’s 24 June traditions of herbs, water and midsummer.

24. Juni Date observed in Bulgaria
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Nikulden

Bulgaria’s St Nicholas Day brings fish, family gatherings and name-day visits.

6. Dezember Date in churches using the Gregorian calendar
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Ignazhden

Meet the first-visitor customs of Bulgaria’s Ignazhden.

20 Dec Orthodox feast day
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Christmas

Discover Bulgarian Christmas Eve customs, food and carolling.

24 Dec Christmas Eve
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Name days

A Bulgarian tradition linking names, feast days and open-door celebrations.

6. Mai St George’s Day, one of Bulgaria’s most popular name days
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