Surva 2027: Pernik’s masked festival returns

Bells, fur and wooden masks: Bulgaria’s wildest winter tradition is coming back.
Every January, the city of Pernik turns into the stage for Surva, the International Festival of Masquerade Games. It is the largest carnival event in Bulgaria and the Balkans, and it has been running since 1966.
The festival celebrates the kukeri and survakari: groups in handmade masks and costumes who dance, ring huge bells and act out ancient rituals to chase away evil and welcome a good new year.
A record-breaking 2026. The last edition marked 60 years since the first festival and was held under UNESCO patronage. More than 13,000 participants took part, so many that the parades ran over two weekends for the first time. Groups came from Bulgaria, the United States, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Serbia, Greece and Ireland, and even a Chinese dragon dance joined in.
Tips for 2027:

• Dates for 2027 have not been announced yet. The festival traditionally takes place in the second half of January.
• Pernik is close to Sofia, and the national railway added extra carriages last year to cope with crowds. The train is a smart choice.
• Book a room early: accommodation in and around Pernik fills up fast.
• Arrive in the morning. Parades on Krakra Pernishki Square run from about 10:00 to 17:00.
  If you’ve never seen a kukeri parade in person, put this one on your list. It is Bulgarian heritage at its loudest and most joyful.
  Sources: BTA · BNT News · Novinite