Rose Festival

The Rose Celebration is one of Bulgaria's emblems, and it is possibly the most famous festival outside the country. Its inaugural edition took place in 1903, and it is a very stunning sight to see. Thousands of visitors (including foreigners) flock to Kazanlak every year during the rose harvest season in June, wanting to take part in the colorful celebrations and festivities.

Bulgaria is one of the world's major producers of rose oil, and the rose oil produced in Kazanlak is regarded as among the best. Visitors to the festival will gain an understanding of the distillation process and witness firsthand how rose oil is produced (hint; it requires many roses). The festival program also includes the selection and crowning of a Rose Queen, as well as daily activities that demonstrate the gathering and distillation routine.

You will have the opportunity to purchase cosmetics, soaps, rose water, homemade rose jam, wine, and rose elixir, all of which contain roses or rose oil.

When: Every first weekend of June

Where: Kazanlak