It is 13° in Bansko now. cloudy
It is 13° in Bansko now. cloudy
Traditional Kukeri Festival — Bansko 2026
◆ BANSKO · BULGARIA · OLD TRADITION ◆

Kukerski
Holiday Masquerade Procession · Bansko 2026

January 1, 2026 — New Year
Nikola Vaptsarov Square · Bansko · Free entry
See the Program Practical Info
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— Roots and Tradition —

History of The Kukers

Kukeri are one of the oldest and most vibrant rituals in Bulgaria — a pre-Christian tradition deeply rooted in Thracian and Slavic rituals. Masked figures with heavy iron bells, fearsome masks, and bright costumes have a sacred role: to drive away evil spirits, bring fertility and prosperity for the new year.

„"The sound of the Kukeri bells is not just noise - it is an ancient prayer sent to the earth and heaven.""

— Local Bansko tradition

In Bansko, this tradition has been kept alive for generations. On January 1st — Old Style New Year's Day — masked clowns come out to Nikola Vaptsarov Square and take over the streets with the din of bells, dancing, and games. Each mask is handmade, each costume tells a story.

The procession is open to everyone — locals and visitors, young and old. It is a living connection between the past and the present, between the earth and the sky, between fear and hope.

🔔
The bells
Iron pots weighing up to 15 kg drive away evil spirits. The louder the sound, the better the harvest.
🎭
The masks
Handcrafted from wood, fur, and horns, each mask is unique—frightening, grotesque, powerful.
🌾
The ritual
Symbolic banishing of evil, plowing of the land and blessing of the fields for a fertile year.
👘
The costumes
Colorful, bright, with embroidery and furs. Every village has its own characteristic Kukeri costume, passed down from father to son.
— January 1, 2026 —

Program & Timetable

📅
Events calendar See all current winter holidays and events in the city and region. To the calendar →
🎉
Festivals and events A complete guide to all traditional, cultural and sports festivals in Bansko. See all →
09:00
Collection
Dressing and preparation
The Kukeri gather in front of the Municipal Building. The assistants help with the cloud costumes and heavy bells. Ritual blessing before the procession.
10:00
Procession
Departure of the masquerade procession
The column sets off down the main street of Bansko. The din of bells, dancing and games. The Kukeri enter the yards to bless the households.
11:30
Square
Arrival at Nikola Vaptsarov Square„
The main stage of the event. Traditional puppet shows, symbolic plowing, exorcism of evil. The audience can take pictures and participate.
12:30
Ritual
Ritual plowing and blessing
The ancient ritual of symbolic plowing - the kukeri plow the square, sow wheat and bless all present for a fertile and happy year.
13:30
Final
Traditional food and music
The finale of the procession — folk music, people, traditional treats. Free photo opportunities with the kukeri and close-up viewing of the costumes.
— Images from the Past —

Gallery & Memories

COOKING MASK
Handmade Mask
TANKS
Kukerski Zvantsi (Cooker Bells)
PROCESSION
Masquerade Procession
EMBROIDERY
Folk Embroidery
PL. VAPTSAROV
The Square Above
— Everything you need to know —

Practical Information

📅
Date & Time
January 1, 2026
from 09:00.
Start of the procession — 10:00 a.m.
Finale at the square — around 2:00 p.m.
New Year
📍
Location
Nikola Vaptsarov Square„
Bansko, 2770
The procession starts from the Municipal Building and travels through the central streets of Bansko before arriving at the square.
🎟️
Login
Free admission
for everyone
The event is free and open to everyone. Children, tourists and locals are welcome.
Free
📸
Photos & Participation
Allowed and encouraged
You are free to take pictures. At the end of the procession, the kukers pose for pictures and allow you to touch their bells.
We recommend warm clothing
🚗
How to get there
160 km from Sofia
On the Trakia Highway and E79. Regular buses from Sofia and Blagoevgrad. Parking around the square.
📞
Information
Bansko Municipality
For questions and additional information, contact the Tourist Information Center — Bansko.
[email protected]
January 1, 2026 · Nikola Vaptsarov Square · Free Admission