KUKERI Tradition 🇧🇬👹

What are the Kukeri?

Kukeri are traditional Bulgarian ritual characters who take part in ceremonial processions and rituals, most often during the winter and early spring. Their main purpose is to chase away evil spirits and bring health, fertility, and prosperity to people and the land.

People across Bulgaria dress up as Kukeri, wearing frightening or humorous masks, often made of wood, leather, or fabric. Their costumes are richly decorated with bells, feathers, and beads.

When and where can you see them live? 👹

Each year, the dates are updated almost at the last moment and are announced on the municipalities’ official pages. I recommend checking the official website or Facebook page of the respective municipality before you go.

New Year’s Kukeri Games

📍 Bansko, Municipality of Bansko, central square “Nikola Vaptsarov”
📅 January 1 — all day

New Year’s Kukeri Carnival “Starchevata”

📍 Razlog, Municipality of Razlog, central square “Preobrazhenie”
📅 January 1 — starts around 11:00 a.m.

Kukeri and Survakari Games

📍 Sapareva Banya, Municipality of Sapareva Banya, from the town center to the “Geyser” Amphitheater
📅 January 1 — all day

Kukeri – Village of Klyuch

📍 Village of Klyuch, Municipality of Petrich
📅 January 2 — all day
👉 Around 9:00 a.m., locals gather and begin touring the entire village, finishing in the center around noon/early afternoon.

Festival of Survakari Games

📍 Blagoevgrad
📅 January 4
👉 A parade starts around 10:00 a.m. from the Courthouse and ends around 3:30 p.m.

“Na Surva v Dzherman”

📍 Village of Dzherman
📅 January 8

“Simitli – The Ancient Land of the Kukeri”

📍 Simitli, Blagoevgrad Region
📅 January 10–11 — main festival days
👉 The program and details are usually published by the Municipality of Simitli at the beginning of the year (Municipality of Simitli Facebook page).

🔥 Kukeri Rituals with Fire and Dances (Pernik Region)

In the Pernik area (Pernik Province), many masquerade games with fires are held in villages before and around the Surva Festival. The custom includes symbolic rituals and fire dances. Traditionally, fires are lit in the following villages:

🔥 Village of Dolna Sekirna
📅 January 13–14
📍 Municipality of Breznik

🔥 Village of Kosharevo
📅 January 13–14
📍 Municipality of Breznik

🔥 Village of Meshtitsa
📅 January 13–14
📍 Municipality of Pernik

🔥 Village of Yardzhilovtsi
📅 January 13–14
📍 Municipality of Pernik

International Masquerade Festival “Surva” – Pernik

📍 Pernik
📅 January 16–25 — festival period, including parades
📌 Main parades: January 17–18 and January 24–25, 2026 (weekends)
👉 The Surva tradition in the Pernik region is one of the most significant masquerade traditions in Bulgaria and is included in UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Festival “Dzhamala”

📍 Kyustendil
📅 January 14–15
👉 Starts around 10:00 a.m. in the center of Velbazhd Square

Dervish Day – Kukeri Festival

📍 Village of Slavovitsa, Pazardzhik Region
📅 February 22

International Masquerade Festival “Kukerlandia”

📍 Yambol
📅 February 26 – March 1
👉 The traditional “Kukerlandia” festival brings together thousands of participants. The program and main events are usually scheduled for the days around the end of February (check Kukerlandia’s Facebook page or official website).

Festival “Pesponedelnik”

📍 Village of Shiroka Laka
📅 March 1
👉 Held annually on the first Sunday of March

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