Varna this weekend (31 Oct–1 Nov 2026): what's on, plus rain plans
Varna this weekend: Aladdin costumed concert at the Opera (Sat 17:00), CineLibri films at the FCC (19:00), dance films by donation, sun or rain plans.
This weekend in Varna (Saturday 31 October – Sunday 1 November 2026), the headline events are the “Aladdin” costumed concert at the Varna Opera on Saturday at 17:00 and CineLibri book-to-film screenings at the Festival and Congress Centre on both evenings at 19:00. For a budget plan, short dance films (entry by donation) at PUNKT9 start at 16:00 on both days, and Sunday brings the Day of the National Enlighteners ceremony in the Sea Garden.
Updated 25 October 2026. This page keeps the same address and is refreshed every Thursday.
What’s on in Varna this weekend?
| When | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Sat 31 Oct, 16:00 | Critical Moves dance films (by donation) | PUNKT9 |
| Sat 31 Oct, 17:00 | “Aladdin” costumed concert | Varna Opera |
| Sat 31 Oct, 17:00 | AnimeRestart (€10 at the door) | FCC, Hall 4 |
| Sat 31 Oct, 19:00 | CineLibri: Jeunet’s “Fresh Water for Flowers” | FCC |
| Sun 1 Nov (time on visit.varna.bg) | Day of the National Enlighteners ceremony | Sea Garden |
| Sun 1 Nov, 19:00 | CineLibri: “The Doll” | FCC |
The Drama Theatre has no performances listed for this weekend, and Varna Jazz Days returns only on 29 November. For the whole month, see Varna events in November 2026.
What to do if it’s sunny?
Late October is often mild and bright. Walk the Sea Garden from the main entrance to the beach promenade, then drive 20 minutes to Aladzha Monastery for the forest and the cliff cells. With a car and a group, add the Stone Forest on the way back – it is all covered in our friends’ weekend itinerary.
What to do in Varna this weekend if it rains?
Saturday is your museum day: the Archaeological Museum is open 10:00–17:00 but closes on Sundays in the cold season. In the afternoon, go bowling at Playground in Grand Mall (no reservations at the weekend, so arrive early), then finish with a film at the FCC. More ideas are in a rainy day in Varna.
Sunday slow: a plan
- 10:00 – brunch on ul. Preslav in the Greek quarter (see our brunch guide).
- 12:00 – walk to the Sea Garden and the Father Paisiy monument, where the city holds the Enlighteners Day ceremony (check the time on Visit Varna).
- 16:00 – an hour of dance films (by donation) at PUNKT9, or a coffee by the sea.
- 19:00 – “The Doll” at CineLibri.
What’s open on Sunday?
Malls, cafés, Playground and the Sea Garden are open as usual. The Central outdoor market (Kolhozen pazar) is busiest on Saturday morning, so do your fresh shopping then. State museums such as the Archaeological Museum and the Roman Thermae are closed on Sunday and Monday until the end of April.
How to choose
- With kids: “Aladdin” on Saturday, Playground if it rains.
- As a couple: brunch, the Sea Garden and a CineLibri evening.
- With 4–6 friends: AnimeRestart or bowling, then a night out.
- On a budget: the Sea Garden and the donation-based dance films.
Sources
- Visit Varna – events calendar
- Visit Varna – "Aladdin" costumed concert (31 Oct 2026)
- Festival and Congress Centre Varna – programme
- FCC – CineLibri 2026, Saturday screening (31 Oct)
- FCC – CineLibri 2026, Sunday screening (1 Nov)
- FCC – AnimeRestart (31 Oct)
- FCC – Golden Piece short film festival (GNIFF) 2026
- Visit Varna – Moving Body Festival
- Moving Body Festival
- Visit Varna – Day of the National Enlighteners (1 Nov)
- Varna Drama Theatre – programme
- Playground Grand Mall – hours and reservations
- 43.12 Preslav – hours and brunch
- Visit Varna – Aladzha Monastery
- OpenStreetMap contributors (coordinates, ODbL)
The list 12
✨ Picked for the current time and weather in Varna
"Aladdin" – costumed concert✨ Good right now
A costumed concert built around the Aladdin story on the Opera's main stage – the best family pick of the weekend. Buy tickets at the box office on Nezavisimost Square (Sat 10:00–19:00) or check the Opera's programme online.
Best for: Families with children, Saturday afternoon
CineLibri 2026 – Saturday screening✨ Good right now
Saturday 31 October, 19:00: Jean-Pierre Jeunet's adaptation of Valérie Perrin's novel "Fresh Water for Flowers", part of the book-to-film festival. Tickets €8, €7 for students and pensioners.
Best for: Couples and film lovers
CineLibri 2026 – Sunday screening✨ Good right now
Sunday 1 November, 19:00: "The Doll" by Polish director Maciej Kawalski, based on Bolesław Prus's classic novel. A good way to end a slow Sunday; same prices as Saturday.
Best for: Couples, friends, a Sunday-evening plan
Moving Body Festival – Critical Moves Screenings✨ Good right now
One-hour programmes of short dance films from around the world, Saturday and Sunday at 16:00 at PUNKT9. Entry is by donation.
Best for: Curious minds, dancers, a free afternoon plan
PUNKT9 – Space for Research Movement & Practice↗ WebsiteGolden Piece short film festival (GNIFF) 2026✨ Good right now
The 8th international short film festival runs on Saturday 13:00–17:00 and Sunday 11:00–15:00 in Hall 5 of the FCC. Entry is by invitation only – request one by email via gniff.com.
Best for: Film students and short-film fans
Day of the National Enlighteners✨ Good right now
On Sunday 1 November the city honours Bulgaria's 'enlighteners' – writers, teachers and revivalists – with a wreath-laying, a military ritual and a prayer service at the Father Paisiy monument in the Sea Garden. A short, meaningful stop on a Sunday walk.
Best for: Anyone curious about Bulgarian traditions
Sunday brunch at 43.12✨ Good right now
Varna's best-known specialty coffee shop serves brunch every day from 09:00 to 17:00 – breakfast tacos, pancakes and toasts. Come before 11:00 at the weekend or expect a short wait.
Best for: A slow Sunday morning, coffee lovers
ul. Preslav 15↗ WebsiteSea Garden autumn walk✨ Good right now
The 150-year-old seaside park is at its most colourful in late October. Walk from the main entrance to the Alley of the National Revival and down to the beach promenade; it is free and open all day.
Best for: Everyone; dog owners, runners, families
Main entrance, end of Slivnitsa Blvd🗺 MapVarna Archaeological Museum✨ Good right now
Home of the Varna Necropolis gold, the oldest worked gold in the world. In winter season it is open Tuesday to Saturday 10:00–17:00, so make it your Saturday rain plan.
Best for: Rainy Saturday, history lovers
41 Maria Luiza Blvd🗺 MapPlayground Grand Mall✨ Good right now
Six bowling lanes, billiards, 50+ arcade games, PS5 stations and a laser arena, open 10:00–22:00 every day. No reservations on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays, so arrive early with a group.
Best for: Groups of 4–6 friends, teenagers, rainy evenings
Grand Mall Varna↗ WebsiteAladzha Monastery drive✨ Good right now
A medieval rock monastery carved into a cliff in the forest, about 20 minutes north of the centre by car. Open 9:00–17:00 on Saturday; from November 10:00–17:00, closed Monday and Tuesday, so Sunday works too. Adult ticket €5.
Best for: A sunny afternoon with a car
Frequently asked questions
What to do in Varna this weekend?
On Saturday 31 October, catch the "Aladdin" costumed concert at the Varna Opera at 17:00 or a CineLibri film at the Festival and Congress Centre at 19:00. On Sunday 1 November, have a slow brunch, walk the Sea Garden and finish with another CineLibri screening at 19:00.
What events are on in Varna on Saturday?
On 31 October: the Golden Piece short film festival (13:00, by invitation), AnimeRestart at the FCC (17:00, €10 at the door), "Aladdin" at the Opera (17:00), donation-based dance films at PUNKT9 (16:00) and CineLibri at the FCC (19:00).
What can I do in Varna this weekend if it rains?
Go to the Archaeological Museum on Saturday (10:00–17:00), bowling or the arcade at Playground in Grand Mall (10:00–22:00, no weekend reservations), or an evening film at the Festival and Congress Centre.
What is open in Varna on Sunday?
Cafés, shopping malls, Playground, the Sea Garden and Aladzha Monastery are open. From October to April the Archaeological Museum and the Roman Thermae close on Sundays and Mondays, so see them on Saturday.
