March 2026
Balkan
Folklore
Festival
Festival of Serbian-Bulgarian Friendship — performers from across the Balkans gather on the stage of the "Nikola Vaptsarov" Community Centre in the heart of Bansko. Bansko,.
Folklore
International
Free admission
Children's and youth
📅
First weekend
March 19 – 22, 2026
📅
Second weekend
March 26 – 27, 2026
📍
Venue:
"Nikola Vaptsarov" Community Centre, Bansko
About the Festival
The Balkans on one stage
The Balkan Folklore Festival in Bansko is one of the most significant cultural events in the region. This year's third edition brings together performers and folklore ensembles from across the Balkans, building upon the tradition of Serbian-Bulgarian cultural exchange. The festival is dedicated to children's and youth formations and presents the wealth of Balkan traditions — songs, dances and folk music. Over 700 participants enliven the stage over two weekends.
Participants
Folklore groups from the Balkans
Leading children's and youth folklore groups from Balkan countries perform on stage - united by a common love for tradition, song and dance.
🇧🇬 Bulgaria
🇷🇸 Serbia
🇬🇷 Greece
🌍 and other Balkan countries
Programme
Two weekends of folklore
The festival takes place over two weekends. The program includes folklore performances, concerts and demonstrations of traditional dances and folk music.
First weekend — March 19–22, 2026
17:00
Official opening and welcoming remarks
18:00
Folklore performances by children's and youth groups
20:00
Concert of visiting Balkan bands
11:00
Morning performances - children's formations
15:00
"Nikola Vaptsarov – 1894" Community Centre
18:00
Gala concert — all participating groups
Second weekend — March 26–27, 2026
16:00
Folklore performances - youth groups from the Balkans
19:00
Evening concert on the stage of the Nikola Vaptsarov National Theatre„
15:00
Final performances and awards ceremony
17:00
Official closing of the festival
Venue:
"Nikola Vaptsarov – 1894" Community Centre
"Nikola Vaptsarov - 1894" Community Center
Old Town district
14 Nikola Y. Vaptsarov Street
2770 Bansko, Bulgaria
🏛️Founded in 1894 — one of the oldest community centers in the region
🎭Large stage and performance hall
🚶In the heart of the Old Town, easily accessible on foot
📞089 541 9303
Explore More
Events & Festivals in Bansko
🎟️
Admission is free for everyone!
All performances on both weekends are free of charge. Come with the whole family to enjoy authentic Balkan folklore.