Days of Veliko Turnovo
The official holiday of Veliko Turnovo is 22nd March. It coincides with the beginning of the spring and is often extended to three days of a very interesting and enjoyable cultural programme.

International Folklore Festival
The International Folklore Festival in Veliko Turnovo is an anual event. The Festival is the only one held in Bulgaria, which has been granted the status of a Festival of CIOFF (International Council of the Organizers of Folklore Festivals and Traditional Arts at UNESCO). It is held every July after 1998 and it has had 7 editions already.

In the course of the seven consecutive edditions of the festival 73 folklore ensembles from 40 states in Europe, Africa, Asia, North and South America, as well as 65 Bulgarian folklore formations participated. During the 1998-2004 period guests and participants were more than 4100 friends of the world folklore art. Over 220 concerts have been held in 28 towns and 22 villages both in the region and throughout the country and there have been over 240,000 attendees. The Festival is one of the biggest international folklore forums in the Balkans. It is a huge national event with an unique atmosphere. The eighth International Folklore Festival will take place on July 23 - 30, 2005. 

Eco Festival 'Veliko Tarnovo'
The Festival programme includes competition in photography for amateurs and professionals, children's paintings, posters, journalistic pictures and texts. Several interstate organizations as well as international non- governmental organizations from the United Kingdom, Namibia, Lebanon, United States of America, Russia, Palestine, China, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Macedonia, Montenegro, Spain, France, Yugoslavia, Slovakia, Iraq, Egypt, Cyprus, Nigeria, Japan and Germany were partners in the most recent editions of the festival.

'Balkan Folk' Festival
More than ten thousand Bulgarian folklore dancers, singers and musicians, and orchestras from all over Bulgaria come to Veliko Tarnovo in the beginning of May to perform, see s friends and to show that the Bulgarian Renaissance spirit is still alive throughout today. The festival is organized by the Ecological Old Mountain Movement and there have been four editions so far. In the past, the festival has welcomed guests, groups and bands from Russia, Germany and the United Kingdom as well.

The independance day
The 22nd of September has turned into an annual national celebration in Veliko Turnovo. The independance day is recognized by guests of the highest level - president, prime minister and the army parade. In the evening a "President's reception" is held at "Tsarevest hill".