The Cherry Festival in Kyustendil is a vibrant celebration of everything related to cherries. Held every year at the end of June, the 2025 edition of the festival will take place over three festive days, from June 27 to 29 (Friday to Sunday). During this time, the town transforms into a colorful, lively space filled with cherry-themed food products, art, music, crafts, and more, all inspired by this beloved fruit.
See more about the cherries and the Cherry Fest in Kyustendil, as well as the other city sights
- When is the Cherry Festival?
- The Cherry Fest Program 2025
- Special Participation
- What Else Can You Do in Kyustendil Besides the Cherry Festival?
- Where to Stay for the Cherry Festival in 2025?
- How to Get to the Cherry Festival in Kyustendil in 2025?
When is the Cherry Festival?
This year, the festivities will once again take place at Velbajd Square, the heart of Kyustendil. The official opening is set for the evening of Friday, June 27. Over the following two days (June 28 – 29), the festival will unfold with a packed program of competitions, performances, and cherry-themed attractions.
The Cherry Festival in Kyustendil is free and everyone is welcome, you do not need a ticket to enjoy it. It promises to be a wonderful weekend full of positive emotions, don’t miss your chance to be part of it!
The Cherry Fest Program 2025
One of the opening highlights is “The Cherry in Crafts,” where artisans from across the country gather in the City Garden to display their handmade creations. Visitors can admire and purchase unique works of art, ranging from dolls and jewelry to sculptures and icons, all dedicated to the cherry.
At the same time, the folklore festival Chereshchitsa Rod Rodila (roughly poetically translated as The Dear Cherry Had Little Cherries) brings together ensembles, dancers, and solo performers who share the cultural and folkloric significance of the cherry through music and dance. The artistic program offers a true feast for the senses and captures the spirit of Bulgarian tradition.
The most anticipated part of the festival is the competitive cherry exhibition. Community centers, schools, kindergartens, and local artisan associations take part in arranging vibrant tables decorated with fresh cherries and traditional woven fabrics. The exhibition celebrates not only the fruit but also the creativity and dedication of the local community.
Special Participation
A key partner of the festival is the Agricultural Institute of Kyustendil, known for its contributions to cherry production in the region. The Institute will once again showcase its rare and innovative cherry varieties, unique fruits developed through years of agricultural expertise. Among those is the Hrustyalka variety, it has large, dark red fruits that have a glossy, attractive skin and an irresistible appeal. Visitors will have the chance to sample some of these special cherries during the event.
The director of the Institute leads the jury that evaluates the participating exhibitors. Once the winners for best and most attractive presentation are announced, the cherries are shared with the crowd, a delicious tradition that brings the community together.
What Else Can You Do in Kyustendil Besides the Cherry Festival?
Kyustendil offers a wealth of cultural, historical, and natural attractions to explore. From Roman baths and medieval fortresses to mineral springs, charming parks, and historical architecture, the town invites you to dive deeper into its rich heritage. Whether you’re here for the cherries or the centuries of tradition, Kyustendil promises a memorable experience all year round.
Renowned since antiquity for its therapeutic mineral waters, the city still preserves the ruins of Roman baths, which continue to fascinate visitors. During the Ottoman period, elegant bathhouses like Chifte Banya, Dervish Banya, and Alai Banya, later known as Voynishka Banya (Military Bath), became important social and cultural hubs. Today, these historic sites give a rare glimpse into past traditions of health, relaxation, and refined bathing rituals. The city also offers century-old fortresses, as well as remarkable churches, mosques, and beautifully preserved Revival-era houses. With its lush gardens, fruitful orchards, and the serene Hisarlaka hill, Kyustendil offers both peaceful walks and immersive journeys through history.
Where to Stay for the Cherry Festival in 2025?
The city has plenty of apartments for rent and hotels but those fill in fast for the days of the Cherry Festival. Book early to secure your accommodation!
Strimon Garden
Strimon Garden Hotel is a beloved destination in Kyustendil, often praised for its soothing atmosphere and top-quality service. Its greatest treasure is the naturally ionized mineral water, known for its remarkable health and wellness benefits. The spa center offers a wide range of treatments and wellness packages, available even to guests who aren’t staying overnight. Still, spending the night at the hotel adds a deeper sense of tranquility and indulgence. Specialized spa therapies are available for both men and women, including unique treatments designed to refresh the body and mind.
The outdoor pools visit is included in your hotel stay, the pool maintains a pleasant temperature of 29°C year-round, while the thermal pools provide warmth at 32°C and 38°C, ideal for complete relaxation. Hydromassage jets further enhance the spa experience, offering a therapeutic touch.
For families, two children’s pools with temperatures of 34°C and 36–38°C ensure that young guests enjoy both comfort and fun. The hotel features a stylish restaurant, cozy bars, and a kids’ corner with professional animators, giving parents a chance to unwind.
Saggitarius
Sagittarius is a boutique complex offering both hotel rooms and tourist apartments for rent. The hotel consistently receives high ratings from its guests, thanks to its unique blend of comfort and innovation. One of its standout features is the use of chromotherapy, also known as color therapy, in the rooms—designed to enhance relaxation and well-being during your stay.
The boutique hotel’s aqua zone covers an impressive 200 square meters, creating a serene space for rest and rejuvenation. Guests can unwind in the jacuzzi, enjoy the soothing heat of the steam bath, or cleanse and refresh in the traditional sauna. The salt room offers natural respiratory benefits, while the hammam adds a luxurious, Eastern-style bathing experience. Every detail in Sagittarius is carefully curated to ensure maximum guest comfort.
The Sagittarius boutique hotel is great for a short stay or a longer escape, it promises a memorable and rejuvenating experience, a true retreat for body and mind in the heart of Kyustendil.
You can explore more lovely places to stay in and select something for your taste and budget:
How to Get to the Cherry Festival in Kyustendil in 2025?
The town of Kyustendil is located 90 km from Sofia (about 1h – 1h 30 min drive from the capital) and about 30-45 min drive from the North Macedonian and and Serbian boarder. Greece in 2-hour drive, while reaching from other countries such as Albania, Romania or Turkey will take you some 3-5 hours depending on the traffic on the border crossing.
If you visit from a distant place, the best option is to fly to Sofia and then rent a car for the weekend.
In 2025 there are several good options:
Norwegian Air Flights to Sofia are direct from Oslo, Norway and from Helsinki, Finland.
- From Oslo you can fly direct every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday so planning a long weekend flying in on Friday and leaving on Sunday is as easy as a breeze.
- From Helsinki Norwegian fly direct every Monday and Friday, this makes Bulgaria and the Cherry Festival easy to plan.
Air Baltic Flights have a regular direct flight line from Riga to Sofia every Tuesday and Saturday.
In 2025 you can reach Bulgaria also with direct flights with Austrian, British Airways, Bulgaria Air, EasyJet, El Al, FlyDubai, Ita, Lot, Lutfhansa, Pegasus, Qatar, Ryanair, Sky Express, SunExpress, Swiss, Tarom, Turkish Airways, and Wizz Air.
The Cherry Festival in Bulgaria will be a lovely and authentic experience that will be a lasting memory! Dive into the flavour and culture, enjoy the energy.
This article is updated in May 2025 to reflect the latest news about the Cherry Festival.