On December 1, Friday, at 5:30 p.m., the lights of the Christmas tree will be lit in front of the Plovdiv Municipality building on Stefan Stambolov Square. At the same place, a little earlier from 4:00 p.m., a concert will be performed by Big Band Plovdiv, with conductor Nikolay Geshev. This is the first event that the Municipality of Plovdiv organizes for Plovdiv residents and guests of the city on the occasion of the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays. The festive program throughout the month of December is full of diverse events with the participation of all cultural institutions in the city under the hills.

The lights of the Christmas tree, situated above the covered fountain, will be lit at 5:30 p.m. by the mayor of Plovdiv, Kostadin Dimitrov, who will also greet his fellow citizens. His assistants will be the children from the Plovdiv Boys' Choir "Stefka Blagoeva" at CPLR - Municipal Children's Complex - Plovdiv with conductor Milka Toledova , musical accompaniment by Yulia Petrova and 7-year-old Katerina Kaneva from Art Voice Center with music teacher - Rumi Ivanova, who will performed the song "Christmas is here". Although only 7 years old, Katerina is the winner of the Grand Prix and over 20 gold medals from singing competitions. She participated in concerts with Big Band Plovdiv as well as three concerts with KuKu Band. The beloved Santa Claus will also help, who will entertain the little ones and their parents on the holidays - December 24, 25, 26. At the finale on Friday, the sky will be lit up by the lights of festive fireworks.

The Christmas tree, which is 13 meters high, with over 4 thousand green branches, will look impressive again. It is made by the only producer of Christmas trees in the Balkans, which is located in the town of Rakovski. It weighs about 1 ton, and together with the decoration - 1.5 tons. This year, parts of the light and decoration of the Christmas tree have been replaced.

Mayor Kostadin Dimitrov invites Plovdiv residents to join in the lighting of the lights on December 1 and enjoy the program during the holidays!

Below is the full program of events in December!

PROGRAM
of the Municipality of Plovdiv and the Plovdiv cultural institutes in December and
on the occasion of the Christmas and New Year holidays

December 1, 4:00 p.m., Stefan Stambolov Square
Big Band Plovdiv concert, with conductor Nikolay Geshev

December 1, 5:30 p.m., Stefan Stambolov Square
OFFICIAL LIGHTING CEREMONY OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE with the participation of the Plovdiv Boys Choir "Stefka Blagoeva" at CPLR ODC Plovdiv, conductor Milka Toledova, musical accompaniment - Yulia Petrova, Katerina Kaneva, 7 years old from "Art Voice Center" with music teacher Rumyana Ivanova and the active participation of Santa Claus.

December 2, 10:30 a.m., Regional Archaeological Museum
"Bread and Spectacle: Games and Fun from Antiquity," a free guded tour from the museum's monthly event Archaeology for Everyone. Places are limited, booking is required by phone +359 32 624 339, on the museum's social networks or on site.

December 3, 11:00 a.m., House of Dr. Stoyan Chomakov - permanent exhibition of Zlatyu Boyadzhiev.
Festival "Light and Hope in the Old Town": Workshop for painted themed bags. It is dedicated to the celebration of 120th anniversary of the birth of Zlatyu Boyadzhiev.

December 3, 7:00 p.m., House of Culture "Boris Hristov"
"Meetings in Thrace" - a Christmas concert with the participation of the student dance group "Paldin" and the children's dance group "Maritsa".
Entry to the event is by invitation.

December 5 - January 31, 2024, Roman Stadium Square
Festival "Light and Hope in the Old Town": "Doors of Faith" Outdoor Exhibition

December 5, 5:30 p.m., "Atanas Krastev" Square ( lapidarium )
Festival "Light and Hope in the Old Town": LIGHTING CEREMONY OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE and beginning of the traditional festive forum Light and Hope in the Old Town, together with representatives of ethnic groups and communities in Plovdiv.

Musical hosts of the ceremony: carolers from Secondary school "St. St. Cyril and Methodius" - specialty "Dancer" and Children's vocal formation "Omayniche" led by Tanya Ormanova.

December 5 - December 31, 6:00 p.m., Exhibition Hall "2019"
Opening of the Annual Exhibition of the Union of Plovdiv Artists and awarding.

December 6, 4:00 p.m., Stairs of "Kamenitsa" - Concert of the Wind Orchestra-Plovdiv with conductor Nikolay Geshev

December 6, 6:30 p.m., Bishop's Basilica of Philippopolis
Festival "Light and Hope in the Old Town": "We the Bulgarians" - painting exhibition by Prof. Dr. Georgi Trifonov

December 7 - December 31, 6:00 p.m., Exhibition Hall of the "Union of Plovdiv Artists" (Tsar Boris III Obedinitel Blvd. No. 153)
Opening of the Christmas exhibition of UPA-Plovdiv

December 8, 1:00 p.m., House of Dr. Stoyan Chomakov - permanent exhibition of Zlatyu Boyadzhiev
Festival "Light and Hope in the Old Town": Christmas decoration and holiday tree decorating workshop

December 8, 18:00, City Gallery of Fine Arts​ Plovdiv - Permanent exhibition "Mexican Art " - collective exhibition of Plovdiv artists "Santa Claus and friends". At the invitation of the gallery curator Monika Romenska, more than 60 authors in the fields of painting, graphics, sculpture and photography participated with one of their works. The exhibition will continue until January 8, 2024.

December 9, 10:30 a.m., House of Dr. Stoyan Chomakov - permanent exhibition of Zlatyu Boyadzhiev
Festival "Light and Hope in the Old Town": Christmas decoration and holiday tree decorating workshop

December 10, 10:30 a.m., Balabanova House
Festival "Light and Hope in the Old Town": Christmas card workshop

December 10, 11:00 a.m., House of Culture "Boris Hristov"
Concert with a cause: "Angel Bukorestliev" Choir and friends invite to a charity matinee with the participation of the "Angel Bukorestliev" Choir, Kaloyan Kumanov - accordion, Stiliyan Dermendzhiev - violin and Ralitsa Boteva - piano, Dance duo Radostina Simeonova and Roslan Vassilev, Maestro Micho Dimitrov - violin, the jazz pianist Miroslav Turiyski and the choir "Detska kitka" with conductor Yana Deliradeva. The entrance to the event is with charity invitations, which can be found at the address: 18A Angel Bukoreshtliev Street or on spot in the House of Culture, before the start of the event. (For contact: +359 899595634)

December 10, 1:00 p.m., Sarah Armenian Cultural House
Cultural program with the participation of dance and vocal groups "Ashthigner", "Yerazank", "Nreni" and "Zartonk" at OABS "Parekordzagan" - Plovdiv on the occasion of 195 years since the consecration of the Armenian temple "Surp Kevork" in Plovdiv.

December 11, 7:00 p.m., House of Culture "Boris Hristov" - Christmas concert "Winter's Tale" of the children's dance school of the ensemble "Trakia". Free entry, with free invitations. For contacts, phone +359 89 472 0561

December 12, 3:00 p.m., Nedkovich House
Festival "Light and Hope in the Old Town": An interior exhibition of vintage and modern Christmas cards

December 12, 6:00 p.m., Kapana Gallery (Rayko Daskalov Street No. 29) Opening of the exhibition "Rhodope in Art". The collection of thematic paintings by famous Bulgarian artists is part of the fund of the Art Gallery - Smolyan. The selection of works was made by the painter Petar Pironkov, who is a curator at the Smolyan Gallery. The works will be on view until January 9, 2024.

December 14, House of Georgi Danchov-Zografina
Festival "Light and Hope in the Old Town": Exhibition of works from student practice of students of Academy of Music, Dance and Visual Arts "Prof. Asen Diamandiev" - Plovdiv.

December 15, 11:00 a.m., Art lobby of the National Library "Ivan Vazov" Plovdiv - Christmas concert of the "Detska kitka" choir to CPLR ODK - Plovdiv.

December 15, National Library "Ivan Vazov" Christmas creative workshop in the Library together with the Center for Social Rehabilitation and Integration SONIK START OOD

December 15, 3:00 p.m., Hindliyan House
Festival "Light and Hope in the Old Town": Exhibition "Winter Vintage" with works created by the students of Primary School "Exarch Antim I".

December 15, 6:30 p.m., Union Hall of Regional History Museum Plovdiv
Traditional Christmas concert of the "Trimontium" Women's Choir - final stage of the project: "Cantoare 2023 Holiday Concerts", part of the Cultural Events Calendar of the Municipality of Plovdiv. Conductor Vanya Atanasova, piano accompaniment Diana Kaneva with the participation of Hristina Vencheva - soprano, Veselina Tuleva – flute and Viktor Kostov – violin.

December 16, 10:30 a.m., Stambolyan House - permanent exhibition of Dimitar Kirov
Festival "Light and Hope in the Old Town": Children's workshop for Christmas toys "Svetlinki"

December 16, 12:00 p.m., Stairs of "Kamenitsa" - Wind Orchestra Concert - Plovdiv with conductor Nikolay Geshev

December 17, 12:00 p.m., Stairs of "Kamenitsa" - Wind Orchestra Concert - Plovdiv with conductor Nikolay Geshev

December 17, Regional Museum of Natural History, Christmas Workshop - DIY Christmas Decorations. Participants will work entirely with natural materials. The event will be held in two groups: Group I is specialized for the youngest from 6 to 9 years old - from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and Group II is for participants over 9 years old - from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. The workshop will last 2 astronomical hours. The price is BGN 30, which includes all the materials that will be used, as well as entrance to the museum exhibition. The phone number for booking is 0877696776. https://www.visitplovdiv.com/en/node/13591

December 17, 4:00 p.m., SPS Hotel, Plovdiv Hall - Christmas concert of Dance Studio "Magnifico". Entry with tickets.

December 17, 4:30 p.m., Balabanov House
Festival "Light and Hope in the Old Town": Christmas production of children's music school

December 18, National Library "Ivan Vazov" - Christmas exhibition of Plovdiv artists

December18, 5:00 p.m., Klianti House
Festival "Light and Hope in the Old Town": Photo exhibition "Children, houses, details" of the talents from the School of Photography at CPLR- ODK – Plovdiv, headed by Isabel Hugasyan.

December 20, 5:00 p.m., Stambolyan House - permanent exhibition of Dimitar Kirov
Festival "Light and Hope in the Old Town": Christmas exhibition of students from Academy of Music, Dance and Visual Arts "Prof. Asen Diamandiev" - Plovdiv.

December 21, Regional Archaeological Museum, (the exhibition is open for visits from the morning of this date) Opening of the exhibition "God the Healer. The sanctuary of Asclepius near the village of Patalenitsa". The exhibition is part of the celebrations on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the birth of the archaeologist Dimitar Tsonchev and will remain in RAM - Plovdiv until April 13, 2024.

December 21, 6:30 p.m., House of Culture "Boris Hristov" - Concert- performance "Christmas is coming" – Folk ensemble "Dilyanka" with artistic director Maria Kyoseva. Admission is by invitation.

December 23, 3:00 p.m., Regional Archaeological Museum
"The Healer God and his Sanctuary", a free guided tour dedicated to the exhibition "The Healer God. The Sanctuary of Asclepius near the village of Patalenitsa". In a special lecture, the tour guides of RAM - Plovdiv will reveal to the visitors the secrets of the last temporary exhibition in the museum.

December 24, 12:00 p.m., Stairs of "Kamenitsa"
Concert of the Singer’s Society "Angel Bukoreshtliev" - Plovdiv

December 25, 11:00 a.m., Open Stage at Stefan Stambolov Square
Concert "Christmas Miracles in the Land of Talents" with participants from the show "Assia in the Land of Talents"

5:00 p.m. "Mystic" band concert

December 26, 12:00 p.m., Open stage at Stefan Stambolov Square - Concert of "Art Voice Center" - "Christmas Magic", with the participation of the vocal groups of the school and soloists - Victoria Dimova, Iva Ichevska, Velina Sarelska. Guest star Lidiya Ganeva. Dance studio concert at SKIS "Nemezida" Plovdiv with manager and choreographer Mariana Daneva.

5:00 p.m. Big Band Plovdiv concert with conductor Nikolay Geshev, with the participation of soloists from "Art Voice Center", Georgi Mamalev and Toncho Tokmakchiev.

December 28, 11:00 a.m., Stambolyan House - permanent exhibition of Dimitar Kirov
Festival "Light and Hope in the Old Town": Fairytale Holidays: reading tales from the folklore of local communities.

Ensemble "Trakia" continues in December "Christmas educational concerts" for the children of the city of Plovdiv in the building of the ensemble, as follows:
December 1    - Kindergarten "Zdravets"
December 4 - Elementary School "Ralitsa" and Elementary School "Dusho Hadzydekov"
December 5 - Kindergarten "Slaveevi gori"
December 6 - Kindergarten "Nezabravka" and Secondary School "St. St. Cyril and Methodius"
December 7 - Secondary School "Peyo Yavorov"
December 11 - Kindergarten "Miroslava"
December 12 - Kindergarten "Albena" and Elementary School "Rayna Knyaginya"
December 13 - Kindergarten "Lyulyak" and Elementary School " Rayna Knyaginya "

December 31, 2023 from 10:00 p.m. to 02:00 a.m. on January 1st,2024  Open Stage at Stefan Stambolov Square - OFFICIAL CITY CEREMONY WELCOMING 2024.
Program:
10:00 p.m. – Trigaida group
10:45 p.m. – Nicka
11:30 p.m. – Folklore Ensemble "Trakia"
11:50 p.m. – Direct broadcast of the New Year's address of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria
12:05 a.m. – Folklore Ensemble " Trakia "
00:30 – SONIQUE - Sonia Marina Clarke with stage name Sonique - British singer, musician and DJ.
Host: Deyan Slavchev - Deo

Note: * All events from the program of the Festival "Light and Hope in the Old Town" have free admission. For more details follow www.oldplovdiv.bg and in the social networks of Plovdiv Old Town/Official/.

* Regional Ethnographic Museum operates with winter working hours as follows:
from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., every day except Sunday and Monday. Ticket sales stop at 4:30 p.m. The regular ticket costs BGN 6, while students and pensioners pay only BGN 2. The museum also has a family ticket of BGN 10, which can be used by families with children up to 16 years. The museum is free for visitors with special needs and children up to 7 years old.

*Regional Ethnographic Museum operates with winter working hours as follows:
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., daily except Mondays and summer opening hours 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
The regular ticket costs BGN 8, for students - BGN 3. The museum also has a family ticket for BGN 14, which can be used by families with children up to 16 years old.
Every first Thursday of the month the entrance is free for students, pensioners and visitors with special needs.
The museum is free for children up to 7 years old.