The night characters step off the screen! A day blending myth, folklore, and cinema—Monstertown for families, the Underworld for the brave!

On October 31, Sofia will transform for a day into a capital of the spooky and the magical as the Boyana Film Center opens its doors to folklore and mythological characters, spectacular shows, and dozens of activities for young and old alike. On Halloween, the studio lights at the Boyana Film Center will dim earlier than usual. The day’s filming will end, but something will remain amidst the sets… something wide awake. This year, the theme of the family event organized by Fest Team is “HORRORWOOD”—a day when the film studio spirals out of control: sets come to life, characters step off the screen, and every subsequent scene holds a surprise.

The program is divided into three special time slots—11:00–14:00, 14:30–17:30, and 18:00–21:00—each offering a full schedule and a unique experience; singer MONA will make special appearances during the second and third slots.

HORRORWOOD unfolds across two distinct themed zones, designed to cater to different tastes regarding the spooky:
New York Backlot – the “Monstertown” family zone. The monsters here aren’t scary; instead, they are friendly, funny, and ready to welcome guests of all ages. Children will step into a world inhabited by whimsical characters, turning Halloween into a celebration of imagination, laughter, and fun for the whole family. At Monstertown, Halloween will be filled with high spirits, smiles, and encounters with characters children recognize from their favorite movies—from Jack Skellington and Sally (“The Nightmare Before Christmas”), the Addams Family, and the “Hotel Transylvania” crew to Casper, Miguel and Dante (Coco), Beetlejuice, the Ghostbusters, Frankenstein, Jack O’Lantern, and many more surprises. At each of the 10 stops, a stamp and a treat or gift await, while a completed passport earns a special prize at the exit.

The atmosphere shifts in the second zone: here you will discover the “Underworld”—a 16+ area dedicated to Bulgarian folklore horror and creatures from Bulgarian myths and legends. Familiar movie sets transform into a darker realm, inhabited by figures far closer to our own nightmares than to Hollywood’s depictions of monsters.

Children and teenagers aged 3 to 16 can enjoy a wide range of activities and a hefty dose of adrenaline—featuring over 10 inflatable attractions for all ages, themed face painting, hair braiding, a VR experience, escape rooms for kids and adults alike, themed art workshops, paintball, a K-Pop Demon Hunters neon party, children’s theater, cinema, and much more. Children under the age of three enter with a free ticket, which can be reserved at ticketstation.bg. This year, all festival activities are open to ticket holders at no extra cost. Access to individual attractions depends on capacity and operates on a first-come, first-served basis; therefore, entry cannot be guaranteed for every visitor.

Tickets are available through the Ticket Station network in various categories, ranging from single tickets to combined family tickets for up to five people in any combination—such as two adults and one child, one adult and two children, or grandparents with a grandchild.

The festival program is divided into three time slots, with lower ticket prices for the first two daytime sessions. The evening slot features the traditional costume parade—one of the festival’s most anticipated events—where participants compete for prizes, including a voucher for the free rental of two costumes (valid for one year) from the “Carnival for You” costume shop. “Carnival for You” is a festival partner. Anyone who purchases a ticket by October 20 receives a 10% discount on a costume—another great opportunity to get ready for Halloween and immerse yourself in the festival atmosphere. You can find more information and browse the costume selection on the “Carnival for You” website.

The Halloween Festival is taking place for the fourth consecutive year and has already become a tradition for families in Sofia. Tickets for the event at the Nu Boyana Film Center are available at ticketstation.bg. You can also find more information at festteam.bg and on the festival’s official Facebook and Instagram pages.