Event Details
The Kazanlak Rose Festival 2027
From 4 to 6 June 2027, the Bulgarian town of Kazanlak hosts the world-famous Rose Festival – one of the most beautiful and culturally rich folk celebrations in Europe. Held continuously since 1903, the festival celebrates the annual harvest of the Rosa Damascena, the Bulgarian oil-bearing rose, in the heart of the legendary Valley of Roses. The wider festival runs for several weeks in May and June, with the main events concentrated on the first weekend of June. More than 150,000 visitors from around the world attend each year.
Highlights
- Rose-picking rituals (Rozober) in villages throughout the Rose Valley
- Rose Queen coronation ceremony with festive concert (Friday, 4 June)
- Grand Festive Parade with over 3,000 participants through the city centre (Sunday, 6 June)
- Bulgarian and international folklore dancing and music
- Wine expo, craft markets and costume competitions
- Fireworks and open-air concerts at Seuthopolis Square
- Visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak
Program 2027
Friday, 4 June: The festival opens with a festive concert and the coronation of the Rose Queen at Seuthopolis Square in Kazanlak. The new Rose Queen is crowned with a wreath of roses, accompanied by folklore ensembles performing traditional Bulgarian songs and dances.
Saturday, 5 June: Rose-picking rituals (Розобер) take place in various villages across the Rose Valley from 10:00 AM. Visitors join locals dressed in traditional folk costume to harvest rose blossoms by hand, watch folklore performances and visit nearby distilleries. The most popular ritual locations include the villages of Rozovo, Razhena, Koprinka and Yasenovo, as well as the fields north of Kazanlak near Kran village.
Sunday, 6 June: The Grand Festive Parade winds through the centre of Kazanlak. More than 3,000 participants – folklore dance groups, brass bands, students and artistic formations from across Bulgaria and abroad – march through the city in a colourful spectacle that is the largest parade in Bulgaria.
Tickets
Most outdoor events at the Rose Festival, including the Grand Parade and the open-air concerts, are free to attend. Tickets for the rose-picking rituals cost between €5 and €10 depending on the date and location. Combined packages (€10 to €25) are also available, covering rose-picking, museum visits and entry to the Thracian Tomb. Seated tickets for the parade and the Rose Queen coronation can be reserved in advance by email at [email protected] or purchased on the spot at the Tourist Information Centre on the main square in Kazanlak.
Visitor Tips
- Book accommodation in Kazanlak several months in advance – with over 150,000 visitors, hotels and guesthouses fill up extremely fast.
- If no room is available in town, nearby villages and towns offer alternatives accessible by bus or taxi.
- Rose-picking rituals start at 10:00 AM; arrive early as spots are limited and the atmosphere is best at the start.
- The city centre is closed to traffic on the main festival weekend – find parking early and walk in.
- June weather is generally warm (15 to 25°C), but bring a light rain jacket just in case.
- English is not widely spoken locally; a translation app on your phone can be very helpful.
- 1 euro equals approximately 2 Bulgarian Lev (BGN) – prices are very affordable compared to Western Europe.
- Alongside the festival, visit the UNESCO Thracian Tomb and the Rose Museum in Park Rosarium.
