- When: 29-31.8.2025
- Where: Sofia, South Park (Yuzhen park), the alleys near the Water Pasture pond (Vodna pasha)
Beyond the bustling boulevards of Sofia and grand Soviet-era monuments lies a hidden city, a secret landscape flowing just beneath the surface. For decades, the rivers that gave life to the ancient Serdika settlement were entombed in concrete, reduced to mere storm drains, forgotten and out of sight. But a movement is afoot to bring them back into the light, and its most vibrant expression is the Rivers of Sofia Festival.
Returning for its sixth edition from August 29th to 31st, 2025, this sensory-rich, community-powered festival is for a greener, more connected urban future. Prepare to discover the city in a new way. Here’s your ultimate guide to what awaits. While the entire program is rich, certain elements promise to be truly special.
From Concrete Canals to Liquid Parks
A Sonic Journey Across Three Stages
A Family Adventure
Thematic Zones for Awesome Memories
The Serpentine Breath Installation
Special Screenings and Discussions in 2025
Meet the Birds of Sofia
Thinking of Staying?
- Full Program for FRIDAY (29 August 2025)
- Full Program for SATURDAY (30 August 2025)
- Full Program for SUNDAY (31 August 2025)
From Concrete Canals to Liquid Parks
Many Sofians view the city’s rivers simply as channels to carry water away. The truth, passionately championed by this festival, is that they are so much more. They can be an untapped wealth, a core part of the city’s identity, and spaces with the profound power to create community.
Spread across several key locations where the rivers briefly reclaim the surface, the festival is a sprawling, three-day celebration with over 200 events. It’s designed not as a passive spectacle, but as an interactive journey.
A Sonic Journey Across Three Stages
Music is the festival’s lifeblood, with three distinct main stages catering to every taste.
- The River Stage is the pulsating heart, hosting acts like the soulful Soul Weapons, the eclectic Clavexperience, and the vibrant Bulgar Klezmer Band.
- The 100 Chairs Stage offers a more eclectic mix, from the indie sounds of The Science and IVA to the classical elegance of Teodora Tsvetkova.
- The Forest Stage provides a deep, rhythmic backdrop with DJ sets from artists like Algorithm, Shosho, and Ivan Tanchev that last well into the night.
A Family Adventure
The dedicated Family Stage is a hub of joy and curiosity for all ages. It’s a full program of interactive readings like “The Moon’s Fainting,” children’s science classes, Kiddo Yoga sessions, circus workshops, and animated films.
The entire event is incredibly child-friendly, with numerous workshops focused on construction, gardening, botany, and creative play.
Thematic Zones for Awesome Memories
Beyond the stages, themed zones offer unique experiences:
- The Workshop Zone: A bustling area of constant creativity. All-day activities include the “On the Moon” Atelier for pottery and ceramics, stands from the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB), caricature and face painting, henna art, a 3D lab, and a fascinating all-day glass processing workshop.
- The Quiet Stage: A sanctuary for mind and body. From 10 a.m. daily, this space hosts morning Hatha yoga, Pilates, and mobility sessions. Later, it transforms into a venue for thematic presentations, from discussions on eco-innovations and “Nature Tech” with Scion to poetry slams and storytelling sessions with the Bulgarian Community of Storytellers.
- The “Bulgarian Spirit” Zone: A playful space celebrating local culture with mini-duels, language games, and talks on navigating Bulgarian social media.
- The “Toplotsentrala” Hub: The intellectual core of the festival, hosting the international conference “The Rivers of the City: Sofia / Bulgaria / Europe.”
The Serpentine Breath Installation
The festival’s visual identity of 2025 is shaped by architect Ani Dosheva and her stunning project, Serpentine Breath. This installation creates a spatial link from the main entrance to the main stage, turning the audience’s path into a shared flow.
Comprising 30,000 strips hanging high above visitors, it follows soft serpentine lines, embodying the ancient image of the serpent, a mythical guardian of waters in Bulgarian folklore. The wind gives the strips their rhythm, transforming the space into a kinetic, living entity that blurs the line between reality and myth, the everyday and the magical.
Special Screenings and Discussions in 2025
The festival tackles the complex issues head-on. A special documentary film screening and discussion will address the very question of pollution. It’s a chance to move beyond the perception that the “rivers smell like a dirty canal” and understand the known sources of pollution, the lack of control, and the clear direction for positive future development.
The key takeaway? Sofia’s rivers are not drains; they are an untapped treasure, and everyone can help through awareness and activity.
Don’t miss the evocative audiovisual journey “The Houses and The People,” a project that showcases authentic rural houses and the emotional stories of their guardians. It’s a poignant exploration of Bulgaria’s cultural heritage, interpreted through photography and audio stories collected by the team.
Meet the 2025 Birds of Sofia
For nature lovers, a joint initiative with the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) offers special walking tours: “Get to Know the Birds of Sofia.”. The BSPB works for the conservation of wild birds and the sites and habitats that are important for them.
It’s a perfect opportunity to discover the city’s vibrant biodiversity from a new perspective.
Thinking of Staying?
If the festival and the city captivate you so much that you consider a longer stay, the “Tuk-Tam” (Here-There) stand is there to help. They specialize in assisting people to return to Bulgaria or relocate here, offering support for your next big move.
The Rivers of Sofia Festival is an invitation to see your city with new eyes. It’s a chance to walk along a forgotten riverbank, listen to the nice music with the murmur of water, and dream of a future where nature and urban life flow together.
Program for FRIDAY (29.8.2025)
River Stage (Music)
18:00 – 19:00 Selyanin Dion
19:30 – 20:30 Hugo Association
20:30 – 20:45 Official Opening of the “Rivers of Sofia” Festival
20:30 – 22:00 Sasha Da Manha
100 Chairs Stage (Music)
18:30 – 19:30 The Silence Inside
19:30 – 20:30 LTNC
20:30 – 22:00 Kake?
Forest Stage (Music)
17:00 – 19:30 Mada.Mada
19:30 – 22:00 Groovemasta
Family Stage (Miscellaneous)
16:00 – 17:00 “What Day Is It Today?” with Maya Bocheva
17:30 – 18:30 Kiddo Yoga
20:00 – 20:30 Film “The Rivers of Sofia”
20:30 – 22:00 International Film Festival “Against the Current”
Quiet Stage
17:00 – 18:00 Innovations for Sustainable Urban Life: Green Solutions from Bulgaria – organized by MOVE.BG
18:00 – 19:00 Breathing Practices with Iva Blagoeva (Yoga Center Timichel)
19:00 – 20:00 The Bulgarian Community of Storytellers – “The Rivers Tell Stories”
20:00 – 22:00 “The Otters and the People” – film and discussion
“The Bulgarian Spirit” Zone
16:00 Mini-duels “Quick Hand”
18:00 “Funniest Combination of the Day”
19:00 Mimi Shishkova: “How to Survive in Bulgarian Social Networks” + game
21:00 Final Combination
Toplocentrala Event Venue
14:00 – 18:00 International Conference “The Rivers of the City: Sofia / Bulgaria / Europe”
19:00 Guided Walking Tour presenting a future linear riverside connection between the Heating Plant and South Park
Workshop Zone
All-day activities:
- Amnesty International
- “On the Moon” Atelier (wool felting and ceramics)
- The Band of the 1500
- Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BirdLife)
- Carrot (workshops for children and families)
- KiddoYoga Stand
- Mechthalishche
- Caricature Drawing
- Face Painting
- Drawing with Henna
- Glass Processing Workshop
- Sruchko Craft
- Sito studio
- The Sofianer
- TAT Creative – “This and That”
- Kinderlist/ Timelines
- VODORASLO: River in a Box (“vodoraslo” means “algae” in Bulgarian)
- Returning to Bulgaria
- 3D Morph Lab.
Special Hours
16:30 – 18:00 Sofia Speaks: Between Here and There – Returning with Belonging and Identity – with Returning to Bulgaria
18:30 – 19:30 Children’s Art Workshop – Ina Kyurova x The Sofianer
18:00 – 21:30 Play for Prizes with DSK Mobile
Program for SATURDAY (30.8.2025)
River Stage
17:00 – 18:00 Dany Dochev & Live Band
18:00 – 19:00 Petya & Vasil Krumov
19:30 – 20:30 Clavexperience
20:30 – 22:00 Soul Weapons
100 Chairs Stage
17:00 – 18:00 Teodora Tsvetkova – Classics at the Rivers of Sofia
18:30 – 19:30 Mono and the Stereos
19:30 – 20:30 IVA
20:30 – 22:00 The Science
Forest Stage
14:00 – 17:00 Slavena
17:00 – 20:00 Ivan Tanchev
20:00 – 22:00 Algorithm
Family Stage
11:00 – 12:00 “The Moon’s Fainting” – Interactive Reading
12:00 – 15:00 Children’s Science Class
15:00 – 16:00 Kiddo Yoga
16:00 – 16:40 Author Monoperformance “The Soul of a Clown”
17:00 – 18:00 “Why is Honey So Sweet?” – Fairy Tales with Educational Games
18:00 – 19:30 Circus Workshop
20:00 – 20:30 Film “The Rivers of Sofia”
20:30 – 22:00 International Film Festival “Against the Current”
Quiet Stage
10:00 – 11:20 Hatha Yoga with Stanislava Dimitrova (Yoga Center Timiel)
11:30 – 12:30 How To See Things That Are Not There (Yet)?
12:30 – 13:30 Sofia Mountain Club
13:30 – 15:00 Able Mentor
15:00 – 16:00 Art That Changes Spaces
16:00 – 17:00 How To: Promoting Art
17:00 – 18:00 Vinyasa Yoga with Live Jam Session – Iva Blagoeva and Bozhidar Stoychkov
18:00 – 19:00 Scion – Eco Innovations in Action: What is Nature Tech?
19:00 – 19:30 “Rivers of Sofia” Art Installations Presentation – Starting Point
19:30 – 20:30 The Bulgarian Community of Storytellers – “The Rivers Tell Stories”
20:30 – 21:30 Poetry Party
“The Bulgarian Spirit” Zone
15:00 Open mic “True Bulgarian Stories”
17:00 Mini-tournament Round
19:00 Alex Alexeev & Niki Stoimkov: “How Bulgarian Comedy is Produced” + game with guests
21:00 Final Combination
Workshop Zone
All-day activities:
- Amnesty International
- “On the Moon” Atelier (wool felting and ceramics)
- The Band of the 1500
- Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB)
- Citizens’ Alarm Clock
- Carrot (workshops for children and families)
- KiddoYoga Stand
- Mechthalishche
- Muzeiko
- Caricature Drawing
- Face Painting
- Drawing with Henna
- Sruchko Craft
- Sito studio
- The Sofianer
- Sofia Mountain Club
- TAT Creative – “This and That”
- Kinderlist/ Timelines
- VODORASLO: River in a Box
- Returning to Bulgaria
- 3D Morph Lab.
Workshop Zone
All-day activities:
15:00 – 16:15 Sofia Speaks: Medicine in Bulgaria – (Im)possible Mission? (Returning to Bulgaria)
16:00 – →– Birdwatching and Biodiversity Walk in South Park – BSPB
17:00 – 18:15 Workshop for Returnees: Why Did You Choose Bulgaria and What Will You Do Here? (Returning to Bulgaria)
16:00 – 18:00 Workshop for Painting River Stones for Children with DSK-Rodina
17:00 – 18:30 Children’s Art Workshop – Zdravolina x The Sofianer
17:00 – 19:00 Human Library – Amnesty International
19:00 – 20:30 Film Screening + Talk: “You Are Not Alone When You Do Good” (Returning to Bulgaria)
17:00 – 20:00 Muzeiko Inventor – Muzeiko
17:00 – 20:00 Roller Bounce (near the festival entrance)
18:00 – 21:30 Play for Prizes with DSK Mobile
16:00 – 18:00 Meetings with an Expert from DSK-Rodina
18:00 – 19:00 Art-Eco Atelier “Ants and Caterpillars”
Special Hours
10:00 – 14:00 Constructions with Kapla (5+) and creative zone (3+) – Muzeiko
11:00 – 13:00 Workshop for Painting River Stones for Children with DSK-Rodina
11:00 – 13:00 Meetings with an Expert from DSK-Rodina
11:00 – 12:00 Workshop for Making “Seed Bombs” with Local Wild Flower Seeds – Mechthalishche
13:00 – 14:15 Sofia Speaks: Everyone Can Be a Hero – Volunteering for the Young and Old (Returning to Bulgaria)
14:00 – 18:00 Share a Book – “Mechthalishche”
Program for SUNDAY (31.8.2025)
River Stage
19:00 – 20:00 Bulgar Klezmer Band
20:00 – 21:00 Emepea
21:00 – 22:00 Aleksandar Mihaylov and his “Paterdia”
22:00 – 22:15 Fire Show
100 Chairs Stage
17:30 – 18:30 Sun Dragon
19:00 – 20:00 Ibra Him
20:30 – 22:00 Piero Epifania Electric Band (PEEB)
Forest Stage
14:00 – 16:30 Diva International
16:30 – 19:00 Ventsislav Gendov
19:00 – 22:00 Shosho
Family Stage
12:00 – 13:00 “Every Head Can Be a Bee” – Honey Meeting
13:00 – 14:00 Bandit Urban Debate about Dogs and People
14:00 – 15:00 Children’s Puppet Workshop “Storytellers of Tales”
15:00 – 16:30 Interactive Animation with Soap Bubbles
16:00 – 17:00 We Read, Color, and Laugh with Grandpa Pinecone!
17:00 – 18:00 Kiddo Yoga
18:00 – 19:00 African Dance with Maria Kosa
20:00 – 20:30 Film “The Rivers of Sofia”
20:30 – 22:00 International Film Festival “Against the Current”
Quiet Stage
10:00 – 11:00 Hatha Yoga with Stanislava Dimitrova (Yoga Center Timiel)
11:10 – 11:50 Shamanic Fainting with a Drum – Ana Yordanova (“Squirrels Rainbow”)
12:00 – 13:00 Announcement of “Podcast – The Waters of Sofia” and Educational Walk along the Perlovska River with Ivo Anev – Starting Point
12:20 – 13:20 Mobility & Movement with Hertz
14:30 – 15:30 The Musical Man (Homo musicalis)
16:00 – 17:00 Laughter Yoga with Anch Damyanova (Yoga center Timiel)
17:00 – 18:00 Small Islands of Creativity
18:00 – 19:00 How To: Funding Art
“The Bulgarian Spirit” Zone
14:00 Quick Duels
16:00 “Translate If You Can”
18:00 “Funniest Combination of the Day”
20:00 Final Battle (all tables play one round)
Workshop Zone
All-day activities
- Amnesty International
- “On the Moon” Atelier (wool felting and ceramics)
- The Band of the 1500
- Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BirdLife)
- Carrot (workshops for children and families)
- KiddoYoga Stand
- Mechthalishche,
- Muzeiko
- Caricature Drawing
- Face Painting
- Drawing with Henna
- Glass Processing Workshop
- Sruchko Craft
- Sito studio, The Sofianer
- Sofia Mountain Club
- TAT Creative – “This and That”
- Kinderlist/ Timelines
- VODORASLO: River in a Box
- Returning to Bulgaria
- 3D Morph Lab.
Special Hours
10:00 – 14:00 Constructions with Kapla (5+) and creative zone (3+) – Muzeiko
11:30 – 12:30 Tea Workshop: Create Your Own Aromatic Herbal Blend (with entry fee) (Returning to Bulgaria)
11:00 – 12:00 Building an Insect Hotel – Stand of “Mechthalishche”
11:00 – 13:00 Workshop for Painting River Stones for Children with DSK-Rodina
11:00 – 13:00 Meetings with an Expert from DSK-Rodina
Check here to see what is the festival in general