When: 13-15 August, 2027 (Friday-Sunday) Date to be confirmed
Where: Buzludzha Monument, Balkan Mountains, Bulgaria
Cost: Paid
More details: Buzludzha-Project.com/Festival
The official 2027 lineup drops in the summer. Here is what to expect based on past editions.
High in the heart of the Balkan Mountains, where the air is thin and history hangs heavy, a concrete saucer emerges from the peaks like a forgotten spacecraft. This is the Buzludzha Monument, Bulgaria’s most enigmatic architectural relic. For decades, it has stood as a silent, decaying sentinel to a complex past. But for three days each August, this silence is spectacularly broken. The OPEN BUZLUDZHA festival transforms this solemn site into a vibrant, pulsating hub of art, music, and collective hope.
- A Stage Like No Other
- The UFO Stage
- Games and Workshops
- A Story to Share in 2027
- A Festival for All
- Getting There
- Sleep in 2027
- Practical Details for 2027
- Activities for 2027 based on last year
- Program for FRIDAY (14 August, 2026)
- Program for SATURDAY (15 August, 2026)
- Program for SUNDAY (16 August, 2026)
A Stage Like No Other
Buzludzha Open is a festival of music and arts. The festival’s magic lies in its breathtaking setting. The main stage is the Buzludzha monument itself, its vast, curved facade becoming a canvas for one of Europe’s most impressive 3D mapping shows. It is often called “the Bulgarian UFO” for its unique shape.
The Buzludzha Monument is one of the most iconic and significant structures of post-war modernism in Bulgaria and even Europe. Built in 1970’s, it was abandoned in the 1990’s because it represents the former socialist and totalitarian era. The people behind the festival are not affiliated to the communist party. They are passionate about this unique building and wish to preserve it as a space for art, education, events, and tourism.
The UFO Stage
As darkness falls on the festival days, the concrete behemoth awakens for music and 3D mapping.
Created by MP-STUDIO, the visionary minds behind Sofia’s Lunar Festival of Lights and spectacles at landmarks like Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate, the show is a true sensory marvel. Beams of light dance across the structure, reinterpreting its stark geometry into a swirling vortex of fantasy and futurism. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that transports you from a Bulgarian mountaintop to a realm of pure imagination.
The music stage hosts some of the most creative Bulgarian musicians and guests from all over the world.
The audience is a mix of locals and foreigners who have travelled thousands of kilometres to experience this event on the top of the mountain.
Games and Workshops
By day, Buzludzha becomes a sprawling, open-air classroom and playground. The rich cultural program is designed to connect visitors intimately with the monument’s past, present, and future.
You can join a guided tours or take a nature walk with landscape architects to appreciate the stunning surroundings. Creative workshops invite hands-on participation: you can build your model from spaghetti with the project’s architects, create a mosaic jewel with their restorers.
At the Buzludzha Pavilion, you can learn about the next crucial steps: the construction of a new roof and windows. It’s a chance to understand that you are not just a visitor, but a part of the story ensuring this landmark survives. Buzludzha monument now is positioned not as a political symbol, but as a global destination for culture and education.
A Festival for All
OPEN BUZLUDZHA is a truly intergenerational affair. A dedicated kids’ program ensures young explorers are equally enthralled. They can launch straw-and-paper spaceships, embark on a Buzludzha treasure hunt, create cosmic mandalas, or learn about internet safety through fun games. It’s a family-friendly environment where the wonder of discovery is contagious.
The festival culminates on Sunday afternoon with a moment of sublime contrast. The raw power of electric guitars gives way to the elegant strains of a classical string quartet from the Ars Nova Chamber Foundation. As their music echoes against the monumental backdrop, it’s a powerful reminder of the site’s evolving identity—a place where all art forms can converge and resonate.
Practical Details for 2027
Buying Foods and Drinks
You will find plenty of food and drink options across the festival site, offering a variety of meals, snacks, and beverages throughout the day and night. However, because the festival attracts large crowds, vendor service can slow down significantly during peak hours. Long queues at the food stalls and bars can quickly become discouraging if you wait until you are already starving.
To avoid spending your time standing in line or missing a favorite act, plan your meal times strategically. Eating slightly earlier or later than the main lunch and dinner rushes ensures a faster service experience, keeping you energized and free to enjoy the music without unnecessary disappointment.
While Bulgaria is still among the countries where cash is king, some notable exceptions still exist. The festival area is a cashless event, with a variety of delicious food and drink vendors available on-site. You can use your preferred card or payment app. Outside the festival venue, it is still recommended to have cash.
Bringing a stash of your own non-perishable food to keep at your campsite is a smart backup strategy. While simple trail snacks or canned items may not compare to a hot meal from a food stall, having immediate access to energy can save your festival day.
Lighting and Campfire Regulations
While the idea of gathering around a campfire under the stars sounds cozy and romantic, open fires are strictly prohibited across both the festival venue and the camping grounds. Mountain summers in Bulgaria are exceptionally dry, making the surrounding forests vulnerable to rapid, uncontrolled wildfires. Emergency services and volunteers fight numerous blazes throughout the season, and even a small, well-intentioned campfire can easily spark a dangerous situation for attendees, local wildlife, and the mountain environment.
To navigate the campsite safely after dark, make sure to bring a reliable headlamp or flashlight. Keeping a hands-free light source or a fully charged phone on hand ensures you can find your tent and move around the grounds comfortably without needing open flames.
Visiting with Children
Bringing children to the festival offers a memorable family experience, as the daytime schedule features a wide array of engaging activities. Young visitors can spend their afternoons participating in creative model-building workshops, crafting intricate mosaic art pieces, playing with kites, watching outdoor film screenings, and joining interactive games scattered across the grounds.
While daytime events are child-friendly, the evening requires some preparation if your children are sensitive to noise. The sound from the stages carries clearly into the nearby camping meadows, huts, and hotels late into the night. Packing high-quality noise-canceling headphones or ear protection is essential to help little ones sleep comfortably through the late-night music.
Visiting with Pets
Four-legged friends are warmly welcomed at this unique mountain gathering, making it easy to bring your pet along for the experience. Before making the trip, consider how your pet handles lively public settings. The ideal festival companion should feel comfortable navigating an unfamiliar environment filled with large crowds and ambient loud music. Ensuring your pet is calm around noise and activity makes for a stress-free experience for you, your animal, and fellow festival-goers.
Getting There by Car, Public Transport or Hitchhike
Getting to the venue is all part of the adventure. Because the festival takes place in a remote, mountainous location near the monument, planning your route in advance is essential.
Getting There by Car or Camper
The monument is best reached by car, with free parking organised a short walk from the site. Space fills up quickly, so aim to arrive early in the day.
Rent a car is by far the easiest and most flexible way to reach the site. Several trusted rental agencies operate out of major airports and nearby cities. Because this is an open-air festival with dedicated camping grounds, renting a camper van or RV is an excellent option that combines transport and accommodation into one.
Free organized parking is located a short walk from the main entrance, though spaces fill up quickly once the gates open, so plan to arrive early in the day. If you choose to rent, be sure to opt for full insurance coverage. The parking areas can get crowded, and full coverage protects you against any accidental scratches or minor bumps during the event.
Going to the UFO Festival by Taxi
While taxis can get you directly to the Buzludzha Festival venue, drivers must navigate a long trip to a remote location. To prevent unexpected expenses, avoid riding on standard meter rates. Negotiate and agree on a fixed transfer price with your driver before getting into the vehicle.
It might also be a good idea to keep the phone number of the taxi driver and call for the way back.
Last but not least, whenever is possible, have a written confirmation about the price. If the taxi driver tries to blackmail you for more money, call the police on 112 (free call).
Public Transit and Walking
Direct public transport to the festival site is limited. Regional buses run from nearby transit hubs such as Kazanlak and Gabrovo, dropping passengers along the main road several kilometers from the festival grounds.
If you decide to walk the remaining distance from the highway, exercise extreme caution. These mountain roads are narrow, lack pedestrian sidewalks, and experience heavy vehicular traffic during festival weekend.
Hitchhiking to the Festival
Hitchhiking is fully legal across Bulgaria and remains a budget-friendly option. While driver capacity decreases closer to the venue due to packed cars, catching a ride with fellow travelers is one of the best ways to connect with people before even stepping foot on the grounds.
Where to Stay: Camping, Huts, and Nearby Hotels
Finding the right place to rest is essential for enjoying the full festival experience. Because the event takes place high in the mountains, your accommodation options range from sleeping under the stars right near the venue to booking cozy rooms in surrounding towns.
Camping Under the Stars
To get the most out of the event, embrace the true mountain spirit by setting up camp in the designated mowed meadow near the Buzludzha Hut, located just a pleasant fifteen-minute stroll from the main monument. Keep in mind that mountain weather is notoriously unpredictable. Even during the peak of summer in August, daytime heat drops quickly once the sun sets, so be sure to pack a heavy warm jacket and insulated sleeping gear alongside your summer clothes.
If you are flying in without camping gear, getting equipped locally is easy and affordable. Major outdoor retailers like Decathlon operate across Bulgaria, allowing you to order gear online in advance for store pickup or local delivery. Basic, reliable two- or three-person tents often run for under 30-40 EUR, making it a cost-effective option even if you decide not to carry the equipment home afterwards.
- Pros: You sleep in a tent, under the stars and under the music vibes
- Cons: If you are sensitive to noise and you need basic comforts, the tents won’t bring you happiness
Huts and Local Hotels
If tent camping is not for you, several indoor lodging options sit within walking distance of the grounds. The Stara Buzludzha Hut and the Edelweiss Hotel both offer traditional mountain hospitality right next to the festival area.
Because these venues have very limited room capacity, securing your reservation several months in advance is strongly recommended, as they fill up quickly once festival dates are announced.
- Pros: You sleep very close to the festival venue but you have basic comfort, running water and toilet
- Cons: Rooms are very limited, book early
Staying in Nearby Towns
For travelers who prefer modern hotel amenities or private apartments, staying in the larger surrounding towns is a practical alternative. Cities within driving distance offer plenty of hotels and guesthouses. However, choosing this route means you will need to navigate winding, dark mountain roads by car or arranged transport late at night after the music finishes.
- Pros: Staying in nearby towns offers lower accommodation rates and superior comfort, saving money without sacrificing rest.
- Cons: You must drive long, winding mountain roads late at night, requiring total alertness after a long festival day.
Festival Program for 2027
While the final lineup and exact timetables for the upcoming edition will be officially announced in mid-summer, the festival consistently follows a vibrant three-day structure. Visitors can expect daytime cultural workshops, guided site tours, and family activities, followed by evening light projections and music performances spanning multiple stages late into the night.
Program for FRIDAY (13 August, 2027)
This sample schedule reflects activities from past years, with the official 2027 festival program set for release in summer 2027.
MUSIC
SUNSET SESSIONS
18:00 – DJ Set
21:00 – DJ Set
NIGHT PROGRAM
21:00 Live Musical Performance
22:20 Guest band
0:00 – 5:00 DJ hits party
WORKSHOPS
Mosaic: Create your own mosaic jewel
Sunday: 11:00 to 16:00
Roof Structure: Build the roof of Buzludzha from spaghetti
Friday: 11:00 to 18:00
Create your own interactive illustration casting with Rawlab
Friday: 11:00 to 18:00
Costumes from the future: bring or create your own futuristic costume
Friday: 11:00 to 18:00
FOR CHILDREN
Mission: Safe Internet
Friday: 12:00 to 14:30
Cosmic and creative workshops
Friday: 14:00 to 17:30
EXPERIENCES
Meet the team (90 min)
Friday: at 14:00
Audio Performance
Friday: at 16:00
Dances (45 min)
Friday: at 11:00, at 13:00, and at 17:00
Buzludzha Tour (90 min)
Friday: at 14:00, and at 18:00
DIGITAL STORYTELLING
Busludzha’s Digital Twin
Friday, 11:00 to 18:00
Audioguide About Buzludzha
Friday, 11:00 – 18:00
90-min Group Tour
Friday, 16:30
Interactive Map of the Region
Interactive game
Friday, 11:00 to 18:00
Program for SATURDAY (14 August, 2027)
This sample schedule reflects activities from past years, with the official 2027 festival program set for release in summer 2027.
MUSIC
SUNSET SESSIONS
18:00 – DJ Set
21:00 – DJ Set
NIGHT PROGRAM
21:00 Live Musical Performance
22:20 Guest band
0:00 – 5:00 DJ hits party
WORKSHOPS
Mosaic: Create your own mosaic jewel
Sunday: 11:00 to 16:00
Roof Structure: Build the roof of Buzludzha from spaghetti Saturday:
11:00 to 18:00
Create your own interactive illustration casting with Rawlab
Saturday: 11:00 to 18:00
Costumes from the future: bring or create your own futuristic costume
Saturday: 11:00 to 18:00
FOR CHILDREN
Mission: Safe Internet
Saturday: 13:00 to 15:00
Cosmic and creative workshops with the Palace of Children
Saturday: 11:00 to 17:30
The Adventures of Masha: Draw, Colour and Read
Saturday: 16:00 to 18:00
Architecture Workshop for Children
Saturday: 11:00 to 15:00
EXPERIENCES
Meet the team (90 min)
Saturday: at 14:00
Audio Performance: Theatre from Another Planet (60 min)
Saturday: at 12:00 and at 16:00
Dances (45 min)
Saturday: at 11:00, at 13:00, and at 17:00
A Walk in the Mountain (90 min)
Saturday: at 10:00, and at 18:00
DIGITAL STORYTELLING
Busludzha’s Digital Twin
Saturday, 11:00 to 18:00
Audioguide About Buzludzha
Friday, 11:00 – 18:00
90-min Group Tour
Saturday, 16:30
Interactive Map of the Region
Interactive game
Saturday, 11:00 to 18:00
Program for SUNDAY (15 August, 2027)
This sample schedule reflects activities from past years, with the official 2027 festival program set for release in summer 2027.
MUSIC
SUNSET SESSIONS
18:00 – DJ Set
21:00 – DJ Set
NIGHT PROGRAM
21:00 Live Musical Performance
22:20 Guest band
0:00 – 5:00 DJ hits party
WORKSHOPS
Mosaic: Create your own mosaic jewel
Sunday: 11:00 to 16:00
Roof Structure: Build the roof of Buzludzha from spaghetti
Sunday: 11:00 to 16:00
Create your own interactive illustration casting with Rawlab
Sunday: 11:00 to 18:00
FOR CHILDREN
Mission: Safe Internet
Sunday: 13:00 to 15:00
Cosmic and creative workshops with the Palace of Children
Sunday: 11:00 to 13:00
The Adventures of Mishi: Draw, Colour and Read
Sunday: 14:00 to 16:00
Architecture Workshop for Children
Sunday: 11:00 to 14:00
EXPERIENCES
Meet the team (90 min)
Sunday: at 14:00
Audio Performance: Theatre from Another Planet (60 min)
Sunday: at 12:00
Dances (45 min)
Sunday: at 11:00, at 13:00, and at 17:00
A Walk in the Mountain (90 min)
Sunday: at 10:00, and at 18:00
DIGITAL STORYTELLING
Busludzha’s Digital Twin
Sunday, 11:00 to 18:00
Audioguide About Buzludzha
Sunday, 11:00 – 18:00
90-min Group Tour
Saturday, 16:30
Interactive Map of the Region
Interactive game
Sunday: 11:00 to 18:00
The festival is a rally for conservationists, a playground for families, and a party for night owls. It’s where the past is not erased. It is reinterpreted. It is where a decaying monument is shown not as an ending, but a beginning. It’s a testament to what can be achieved when a community shares a cause. So, from August 15th to 17th, make the journey to the peak. Come with a curious mind, and leave with a story to share.
