When: May 8-11 (Thursday – Sunday), from 10:00 to 18:00
Where: Sofia Tech Park, 111 Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd.
The festival spans multiple indoor and outdoor spaces within the innovation campus, including labs, exhibition halls, and open-air zones for astronomy and chemistry shows.
Entrance: FREE
Science is not just for laboratories or academic journals, it’s a thrilling, ever-evolving world that shapes our everyday lives. the Sofia Science Festival transforms this world of knowledge into a vibrant public celebration. With interactive exhibitions, live demonstrations, and free entry for everyone, it has become one of Bulgaria’s most inspiring educational events.
It is event for everyone – a curious tourist, a local family, or a lifelong learner. You can find something at the festival. Visitors don’t just listen to lectures, they can take part in real experiments, interact with lab equipment, build robots, or dive into virtual worlds.
- What Is the Sofia Science Festival?
- When and Where Is the Festival
- The Expo Zone: Hands-On Science for All Ages
- The Sofia Science Fest Explosions
- Lectures, Talks, and Workshops
- Spotlight: The Bulgarian Antarctic Institute
- Expo Zone for All Ages
- Why You Should Visit?
- Where and When to Visit?
- Who Organizes the Sofia Science Festival?
- Plan Your Visit
- FAQ About the Sofia Science Festival
- Useful Links
What Is the Sofia Science Festival?
The Sofia Science Festival is Bulgaria’s leading public event dedicated to promoting scientific curiosity and innovation. As a result, it has become a popular and engaging destination for children and adults alike.
The festival is extremely popular with families. There is a wide array of science shows, hands-on workshops, and lectures designed to be engaging for different age groups. Unlike traditional academic conferences, this festival invites everyone to touch, test, and experience science firsthand. For example, visitors can explore diverse disciplines: from physics, chemistry, and biology to astronomy, AI, and robotics. Most importantly, all is presented in accessible and engaging formats.
The festival also brings a touch of nice vibes with some lectures aimed at not-so-young enthuasiats, presented with great seance of humour.
When and Where Is the Sofia Science Festival 2025?
The 2025 edition of the Sofia Science Festival takes place from 8–11 May (Thursday–Sunday) between 10:00 and 18:00 at Sofia Tech Park. Entrance to the main exhibition area is free, and more details can be found on the official website.
In 2025 the Sofia Sience Festival is held on May 8 -11 (Thursday-Sunday) from 10:00 to 18:00 at the Sofia Tech Park. More details: https://beautifulscience.bg/
The Expo Zone: Hands-On Science for All Ages
One of the most popular and lively areas of the Sofia Science Festival is the interactive Expo Zone. It is a a spacious exhibition area that turns scientific discovery into a playful, hands-on adventure. With free entry for all visitors, it invites children, families, students, and professionals to dive into the world of science in a fun and accessible way.
Here, learning becomes experience. Visitors can try their hand at simple chemistry and physics experiments, build and programme mini robots, or explore the human body and distant galaxies through virtual reality simulations. Many stands encourage problem-solving through real-life challenges, allowing everyone to test their creativity and scientific thinking.
Younger guests can try many hands-on activities. From making slime to erupting volcanoes, they explore colourful chemical reactions. Meanwhile, they can also chat with real scientists. These experts make complex ideas easy and fun to understand. Through these experiences, the zone sparks curiosity and excitement about science.
For adults, the Expo Zone offers just as much inspiration. From robotics workshops and AI demonstrations to solar telescope observations, there’s something for every age and level of curiosity. The atmosphere is relaxed, welcoming, and full of discovery, making it a highlight for both locals and visitors to Sofia.
The Sofia Science Fest Explosions
A definite crowd favourite is the now-traditional Explosive Chemistry Show. This is breathtaking live demonstration where science literally lights up the stage. Expect fiery bursts, foamy reactions, and colour-changing magic that leave audiences amazed and eager to learn more.
These shows are free to attend, but they draw large crowds every year, so it’s best to arrive early to secure a good spot.
Whether you’re six or sixty, the show proves that science is not just educational, it’s pure excitement, creativity, and discovery in action.
Lectures, Talks, and Workshops
Beyond the exhibits, the festival offers a full programme of talks, lectures, and workshops. Some are open to all visitors, while others require registration or a small participation fee. Sessions cater to all age groups, from curious teenagers to professionals seeking deeper insights.
Evening sessions (18+) often explore unusual topics such as the science of alcohol, ethical dilemmas in technology, and the future of AI. While most talks are in Bulgarian, several are held in English, and many participants are fluent in other European languages.
Most events are free, though some specialized workshops may require free registration or a small fee.
Spotlight: The Bulgarian Antarctic Institute
A festival highlight is the booth of the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute, which manages Bulgaria’s polar base. Additionally, their team showcases fascinating research from Antarctic expeditions, covering geology, meteorology, biology, and medicine.
It is a great chance to learn about life and research on the frozen continent. The scientists from the Institute have braved the most remote places on the planet. Their presentations and exhibits share not only scientific results, but also personal stories from their expeditions to one of the most extreme environments on Earth.
Why You Should Visit the Sofia Science Festival
Science doesn’t have to be serious and this festival proves it. It’s an event where learning feels like play, and every corner holds a surprise. The Sofia Science Festival is Fun! Science is presented in a playful, engaging way, no boring textbooks.
The Sofia Science Festival proves that science isn’t just for experts, it’s a thrilling adventure for everyone. The expo zone is free and many of the special activities are free as well.
The place is perfect for families because of its creative exhibits. It is inspiring with talks and discoveries presented by local and international speakers and guests.
Where and When to Visit the Sofia Science Festival
The Sofia Science Festival usually takes place over four days in mid-May. While exact dates vary each year, it is a perfect cultural addition to your Sofia itinerary.
The festival is hosted by Sofia Tech Park, a science and innovation campus located just outside the city center. It takes place in multiple buildings and spills out into the outdoor spaces, especially for chemistry shows and astronomy activities. The festival venue are the buildings of the John Atanasov Innovation Forum, “Incubator,” and “Sofia Creation Station” at Sofia Tech Park and the outdoor courtyard area.
Who Organizes the Sofia Science Festival?
The Sofia Science Festival is organized by Beautiful Science (Красива наука) — a Bulgarian foundation that promotes scientific literacy and curiosity among the public.
The event is supported by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, leading universities and research centers, and International partners from European science networks
Thanks to this collaboration, the festival continues to grow as a bridge between academia, innovation, and the public.
Plan Your Visit to the Sofia Science Festival
Sofia Tech Park is easily accessible by bus, trolley and car.
The closest stop to the Sofia Tech Park is “Sofia Tech Park”. It is located on the local lane of Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd. Bus lines 184, 84, N1 and trolleybus lines 3 and 5 stop there. There is a footbridge connecting the bus stop with the Tech Park.
The overpass is equipped with elevators.
By Bus
Several bus routes serve Sofia Tech Park. For instance, lines 1, 3, 5, 6, 76, 84, 123, 184, 204, 213, 280, 305, 604, and N1. Specifically, these lines stop at or near Sofia Tech Park, UMBAL Sv. Anna Hospital, Arena Armeec Sports Hall, and Aviation Square.
By Trolleybus
Alternatively, you can take trolleybus lines 3, 4, 5, or 11. These lines connect the tech park with the city centre and residential districts such as Druzhba and Mladost.
Metro (Coming Soon)
A metro station serving Sofia Tech Park is currently under construction and will provide even faster and more convenient access once completed.
Taxi or car
If you arrive by car, first of all, relax, on-site parking available. Specifically, the primary entrance for vehicles can be found on Aviatsiya Square (at the 4th-kilometre mark). Directly after leaving the roundabout, you should take the first right turn towards Arena Armeec Hall.
For your convenience, Sofia Tech Park features a multi-storey car park with hourly parking. The charge is 1 BGN per hour, and the access procedure is comparable to that found in most shopping centres. Here is how it works: Upon reaching the entrance barrier, press a button to obtain a ticket. Immediately after you collect the ticket, the barrier will rise, and you can proceed to the car park. Most importantly, keep this ticket with you. Finally, prior to leaving, you must pay your parking fee at the payment machines inside the car park buildings.
FAQ About the Sofia Science Festival
Access to the exhibition halls and some lectures is completely free and open to everyone.
Some workshops and lectures are free but require registration in advance. This is to help plan theroom capacity and materials. Other events are ticketed – these are lectures and workshops.
Ticket prices for paid events are typically around 5-10 BGN, depending on the specific event. The price for each event is clearly listed alongside its description.
Every day features a compelling program! On weekdays, the atmosphere is a bit quieter, with the main visitors being school groups. On Saturday and Sunday, the festival is very popular with families and children.
The festival invites researchers, scientists, and enthusiasts to join as attendees. The team also encourages professionals to apply as a speakers or reserve an exhibition stand. Please direct all inquiries to the festival organizers using the contact details on the official website.
The festival offers a diverse range of events for children. Every presentation, show, and workshop lists a recommended age range. For example, programs for 1st-4th grade typically suit children aged 7-10, while those for 5th-7th grade fit ages 11-13, and 8th-12th-grade events cater to ages 14-18.
While most presenters are Bulgarian, there is a growing number of international participants. As an international science festival, you will find that exhibitors can explain their projects in English, and often other European languages. Lectures by international guests are held in English.
Useful Links about the Sofia Science Festival
Mark your calendar, gather your friends, and dive into the world of discovery!
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