Varna Queer Fest

Varna Queer Fest is a month-long programme of film, literature, exhibitions, drag and workshops run every June by the Queer Varna Foundation. Its organisers describe it as the only LGBTI+ festival of its kind in Bulgaria outside Sofia. The third edition ran from 5 to 27 June 2026; the 2025 edition included Kinglery, a drag-king photo exhibition. Events take place in partner venues around the city centre and many are free.

It is not a Pride march. Varna has never held one: the nearest thing was a rally of about 40 people near City Hall on 24 June 2023, protected by more than 100 police, after nationalists disrupted a screening of the film Close. Expect a small, friendly crowd and check queervarna.bg or Instagram @queervarna for the programme and venues. The 2027 dates hadn't been announced at the time of writing.