Vevchani Carnival 2026 kicks off in North Macedonia

Vevchani Carnival 2026, one of the oldest and most vibrant events in the Balkans, opens Monday in the town of Vevchani in North Macedonia with musical performances by the hip hop duo Puka Kozmetika, the band fronted by pop singer Vlatko Lozanoski and Brass Brothers.

The central masked parade will take place on Tuesday at 1 pm, with masked revellers gathering downtown, CE Report quotes MIA.

It will be followed in the evening by performances by folk artists.

With a tradition of over 1,400 years, Vevchani Carnival is a mix of paganism, Christian tradition and modern satire playing a strong social and cultural role in the community.

The carnival symbolises the end and the beginning of a new year as well as a new beginning and renewal.

MIA file photo