Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Sofia celebrates 2024 with a light show and concert, the no-fireworks rule not quite working 

Photo: BTA

Residents and guests of Sofia welcomed the New Year 2024 at Alexander I Battenberg Square, where a festive concert and light show took place. 

Famous musicians as well as emerging artists took to the stage, creating a warm and festive atmosphere among the audience. These included ViliDJ Brazz & Brass Band from the Lyubomir Pipkov National Music School, young singers Krista, Donny and Neti, Ivo Papazov and the Trakia Orchestra, and the bands Tangra and Ostava. 

Traditionally, at midnight, the Christian Orthodox chant Na Mnogaya Leta, performed by the world-famous opera bass late Boris Hristov, was followed by the most popular Bulgarian chain dance - Diko Iliev's Dunavsko Horo, which made most people join hands and dance. 
Although this year Sofia Municipality banned fireworks at midnight, there was a thunderous celebration near the event, BGNES reported. In fact, the city was ablaze with fireworks, as seen from above, a Radio Bulgaria reporter saw.

Similar festive concerts to bid farewell to the old year and welcome in the new were held in all major cities.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

A TB screening campaign will be held for refugees in the country

The State Agency for Refugees is supporting a joint initiative by the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Bulgarian Red Cross to screen asylum seekers in the country for tuberculosis . This was announced by the Agency's..

published on 7/25/25 11:48 AM
Chief Commissioner Anton Zlatanov

Moroccan migrant shot trying to enter Bulgaria from Turkey

A Moroccan national was shot while illegally crossing the Bulgarian-Turkish border near the village of Zvezdets, Chief Commissioner Anton Zlatanov, Director of the Border Police, announced. Around 9 p.m. on July 24, a border patrol..

published on 7/25/25 9:36 AM

Boutique wineries from around the world gather for Wine and Spirits Fest Burgas 2025

Holidaymakers in Burgas can look forward to a celebration of wine and spirits at the end of the week . From 25 to 27 July, the International Congress Centre will host the thirteenth edition of the Wine and Spirits Fest Burgas, the largest wine event on..

published on 7/25/25 8:55 AM