Kukeri: Bulgaria’s Masked Tradition, Older Than Halloween

Tonight, much of the world dresses up to scare away the dark. Bulgaria has its own masked tradition, and it is far older and much louder. Meet the kukeri (кукери): men in towering masks and shaggy fur, with heavy bells on their belts, dancing through villages to chase out evil and call in a good year.

If Halloween is a whisper in the dark, kukeri are a roar in the snow.

Who are the kukeri?

Kukeri are ritual masqueraders. Their costumes are made of goat or sheep fur, with carved wooden masks decorated with horns, coloured threads, feathers and small mirrors. Around their waists hang huge brass and copper bells. Every step shakes them, and the noise is the point: it is believed to drive away evil spirits, illness and bad luck.

The kukeri season runs through winter, roughly from New Year until the start of Lent. Many historians trace the custom back to pre-Christian rites tied to fertility and the rebirth of nature. Kukeri are not about fear. They are about renewal.

Halloween vs kukeri

• When: Halloween is one night in autumn. Kukeri games fill the winter, peaking in January.
• Who: Halloween belongs to children asking for sweets. Kukeri are traditionally young men, and the whole village comes out to watch.
• Why: Halloween plays with fear. Kukeri drive it out, wishing health, a good harvest and happiness for the year ahead.
• Sound: Halloween is candlelit and quiet. Kukeri are deafening: dozens of bells moving at once.

Surova and the Surva festival in Pernik

In the villages around Pernik, west of Sofia, the masquerade is called Surova (or Surva). It takes place on 13 and 14 January, the folk New Year by the old calendar. In 2015 UNESCO added the Surova folk feast in Pernik region to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The town of Pernik also hosts the International Festival of Masquerade Games “Surva”. It was first held in 1966, gained international status in 1985 and celebrated its 60th anniversary in January 2026. Thousands of masked performers from Bulgaria and abroad parade through the town on the last weekend of January. If that pattern holds, the next festival falls on 30–31 January 2027.

Where to see kukeri this winter

• Pernik: the Surva festival, last weekend of January.
• Villages of the Pernik region: the Surova games on 13–14 January, the most authentic version.
• Simitli and the Razlog area: masquerade games in January.
• Villages across Bulgaria: smaller kukeri games until the start of Lent.

Travel tip: Pernik is about 30 km from Sofia, an easy day trip. Wrap up warm, wear sturdy shoes, and don’t be surprised if a kukeri gives you a friendly tap for good luck.

Why it matters

Kukeri show something Bulgaria does beautifully: keeping very old traditions alive, with real joy. Every January, children, teenagers and grandparents dress up together and fill the streets with sound. It is one of the best reasons to visit Bulgaria in winter.

Kukeri: quick answers

What are kukeri? Bulgarian ritual masqueraders who wear fur costumes, masks and bells to chase away evil spirits and bring a good year.

Is kukeri the Bulgarian Halloween? Not quite. Both use masks against the dark, but kukeri happen in winter and celebrate renewal.

When is the Surva festival 2027? In Pernik on the last weekend of January, so 30–31 January 2027 if the usual timing holds. Check the official programme before you travel.

Is it on the UNESCO list? Yes. The Surova folk feast in Pernik region was inscribed in 2015.

Честит Хелоуин – или по-добре, до скоро на Сурва! Happy Halloween, and see you at Surva!

Run a guesthouse, tour or shop near Pernik or Razlog? Kukeri season is your season. List your business on Promote Bulgaria, free and featured spots available. Love stories like this? Help us keep them free.