The “Varna Summer” International Folklore Festival was established in 1992 at the initiative of the Varna Municipality. It is held every year during the first week of August. According to the Statute, admitted to participations are youth and adult ensembles from all over the world, as well as groups for authentic folklore.

More than 150 folk ensembles or more than 15 000 participants from 50 countries of Europe, Asia, Africa and America, as well as over 60 amateur and professional folk ensembles from Bulgaria, among them "Pirin" , "Filip Kutev", "Thrace", "Zagore", "Strandzha" and many others have taken part in the festival during its 27-year long history.

The main organizer of the Festival is Varna Municipality, Culture Directorate.

Co-organizers are the Society of Choreographer - Varna and Shumen University – city of Varna.
The motto of the “Varna Summer” International Folklore Festival is FOR THE FRIENDSHIP – TOGETHER TODAY, TO STAY FRIENDS FOREVER. Under this motto every year within several evening concerts participants from the four continents present a splendid dance performance.

Through a combination of video and live performances the audience experiences a colorful journey around the world. The festival has a wide audience of over 15,000 spectators. Besides the evening concerts at the Open-air Theater in the Sea Garden, concerts on outdoor stages in Asparuhovo and Vladislavovo districts are traditionally included in the folk fest program. There are a number of accompanying events such as attractive street processions of the folk groups, creative meeting - discussion with the artistic directors of guest ensembles on issues, related to the folklore art, exhibitions and more.